What is Linux?

[ryanairhelpline]

What is Linux?

[jackmilo]

An open-source operating system modelled on UNIX.

[spobitsseo]

Linux is kernel of operating system on which people build their OS. There are many OS based on linux, because Linux kernel is open-source, meaning everyone can use it, edit it and even sell their derivative work. Even Android system is built on Linux kernel.

[Saurabh Mathur]

It is an open source based on the Unix operating system for personal computers, servers, and many other hardware platforms.

[Fadia Sheetal]

Linux is the best-known and most-used open source operating system. As an operating system, Linux is software that sits underneath all of the other software on a computer, receiving requests from those programs and relaying these requests to the computer’s hardware.

For the purposes of this page, we use the term “Linux” to refer to the Linux kernel, but also the set of programs, tools, and services that are typically bundled together with the Linux kernel to provide all of the necessary components of a fully functional operating system. Some people, particularly members of the Free Software Foundation, refer to this collection as GNU/Linux, because many of the tools included are GNU components. However, not all Linux installations use GNU components as a part of their operating system. Android, for example, uses a Linux kernel but relies very little on GNU tools.

[marissamaria]

Linux is kernel of operating system on which people build their OS. There are many OS based on linux, because Linux kernel is open-source, meaning everyone can use it, edit it and even sell their derivative work. Even Android system is built on Linux kernel.

[robertson91]

It is an open source based on the Unix operating system for personal computers, servers, and many other hardware platforms.

[Hashmicro]

It is the one type of OS.

[virtualamg]

an open-source operating system modelled on UNIX.

[alliecandy]

In many ways, Linux is similar to other operating systems you may have used before, such as Windows, OS X, or iOS. Like other operating systems, Linux has a graphical interface, and types of software you are accustomed to using on other operating systems, such as word processing applications, have Linux equivalents.

[amgservice]

Give one of the Linux distributions a try with a live CD. It will run from your CD drive but not alter the hard drive unless you end up installing the Linux distribution. When using a live CD, however, note that everything runs slower than when the Linux is actually installed on the hard drive. If you do decide to install Linux on your laptop, you can make a so-called "dual boot." I.e., when your computer turns on you can choose either Linux or Windows.

[peter693]

an open-source operating system modelled on UNIX.

[sin123]

Linux is a Unix-like and mostly POSIX-compliant computer operating system (OS) assembled under the model of free and open-source software development and distribution.

[wiliamjamesh]

The Linux is the best-known and most-used open source operating system. As an operating system, Linux is software that sits underneath all of the other software on a computer, receiving requests from those programs and relaying these requests to the computer's hardware.

[Needrent]

Linux is the best-known and most-used open source operating system. As an operating system, Linux is software that sits underneath all of the other software on a computer, receiving requests from those programs and relaying these requests to the computer's hardware.