1.2 What is Linux?

   


Originally, the term Linux described only the operating-system kernel that abstracts from the hardware of a system, offering applications a uniform interface. Over time, the term Linux has often come to mean the kernel (the actual Linux) together with the entire system environment, including the following components:

  • the operating-system kernel (currently version 2.0, 2.2, or 2.4);

  • the system programs (compiler, libraries, tools, etc.);

  • the graphical user interface (e.g., XFree) and a window manager or an application environment (KDE, Gnome, FVWM, etc.);

  • a large number of applications from all areas (editors, browsers, office applications, games, etc.).

Different components not forming part of the kernel originate largely from the GNU project of Free Software Foundation, which explains why the complete system environment is often called "GNU/Linux system." A characteristic common to the Linux kernel and GNU programs is that they may all be freely distributed under the GNU Public License (GPL), provided that the source text is made publicly available. To the extent that enhancements or modifications have been effected to the programs, then these are automatically governed by the GNU license (i.e., their source text must also be made freely available). Since the advent of Linux, this has had the effect that the system has been further developed free from corporate policy interests and that it has been more strongly oriented to word its users' needs than are other, commercial operating systems. Anyone can participate in the development and implement new capabilities, ones based on the freely available source texts. This means that Linux is always involved in the support of international standards, and no attempt is made to enforce corporate or proprietary standards to secure a market position.

Errors made during the development of a piece of software are normally removed quickly. In addition, there is a continual effort to keep the system performing as well as possible. This has become very clear in the example of the network implementation in the last kernel version: After it had become known that the performance of Linux in the area of protocol handling on multiprocessor systems suffers from a few flaws, the network part was extensively rewritten to remove these faults. This means that Linux is an example that clearly shows the benefits of open-source projects:

  • stability,

  • performance, and

  • security.


       


    Linux Network Architecture
    Linux Network Architecture
    ISBN: 131777203
    EAN: N/A
    Year: 2004
    Pages: 187

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