Part I: Introduction

Chapter List

Chapter 1: GNU/Linux History

Chapter 2: GNU/Linux Architecture

Chapter 3: Free Software Development

Part Overview

In this first part of the book, well explore a few introductory topics of the GNU/Linux operating system and its development paradigm. This includes a short history of UNIX, GNU, and the GNU/Linux operating system, a quick review of the GNU/Linux architecture, and finally a discussion of the Free Software (and open source) development paradigm.

Chapter 1, GNU/Linux History

The history of GNU/Linux actually started in 1969 with the development of the first UNIX operating system. This chapter discusses the UNIX development history and the motivations (and frustrations) of key developers that led to the release of the GNU/Linux operating system.

Chapter 2, GNU/Linux Architecture

The composition of the GNU/Linux operating system is the topic of the second chapter. We identify the major elements of the GNU/Linux operating system and then break them down to illustrate how the operating system works at a high level.

Chapter 3, Free Software Development

The free software development paradigms are detailed in this chapter, including some of the licenses that are available for free software. The two major types of open developmentcalled free software and open sourceare discussed, as well as some of the problems that exist within the domains.