What is Linux and what is a Linux distribution? Which distribution of the Linux-based operating system to download and install Who is the creator of the linux operating system

In this article I will try to tell you as simply and clearly as possible about what is Linux, what's happened Linux distribution , I’ll tell you about the features of Linux and differences from operating system Windows, we will also talk about the graphical user interface in Linux and much more.

Linux is a free operating system for a computer based on the Linux kernel.

Linux kernel- this is the main component of the operating system, which is the center of this system, around which everything is built. The Linux kernel coordinates all actions between the computer's hardware and all components of the operating system, including applications. Thus, the Linux kernel is the base, the foundation on which the Linux operating system is built.

The Linux kernel first appeared in 1991, developed by Finnish programmer Linus Torvalds.

Official symbol of Linux is a penguin named Tux, which is different from "ordinary" penguins have yellow beaks and paws. Therefore, do not be surprised that almost all mentions of Linux are accompanied by such a penguin.

The Linux operating system is a modular system and it is extensible, thus, the Linux operating system consists not only of the kernel, it also includes a graphical shell ( GUI user), a set of applications, and other components that connect and interact with the Linux kernel.

Linux software is distributed in the form of packages and stored in special so-called repositories.

Repository is a repository in which application packages or simply packages for expanding the functionality of the Linux operating system are stored. The repositories can be freely accessed from the operating system, so you can install additional programs very easily.

On a note! If you want to learn how to use Linux on your home computer without using the command line, I recommend reading my book - “ »

Linux GUI

The main and popular ones in Linux are:

  • KDE (K Desktop Environment) is one of the largest and most popular graphical shells, it has a beautiful, convenient and functional interface, due to this, it is quite demanding on computer resources;
  • GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment) is another desktop environment that is widely used and is also very popular and functional. Starting from version 3, GNOME began to use technology "GNOME Shell", which made this environment completely new and significantly different from the classic version. It was this fact that prompted the creation of new shells that continued the classic GNOME environment, but with a different name;
  • MATE– has an intuitive and, most importantly, convenient user interface, which makes it very attractive. This environment is a continuation classic interface GNOME;
  • Cinnamon– another continuation of the classic GNOME using modern technologies. Very convenient, functional and beautiful desktop environment;
  • Xfce– simple, functional and at the same time very fast and lightweight graphical shell;
  • LXDE (Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment) is one of the lightest and fastest desktop environments that does not require computer resources, so it has a very conservative interface.

Features of Linux and difference from Windows

The main feature and difference between Linux and the operating system family Windows systems is that Linux uses a completely different approach to organizing file system and the use of completely different types of file systems.

In Windows, you are used to seeing logical drives C, D, and so on; in Linux there are no such drives. Instead, Linux has a root (/) from which everything grows. All file and directory addresses start from the root, all partitions are mounted to the root, including physical disks ( USB flash drives and so on).

Thus, absolutely all physical disks and partitions are combined into a single file structure starting with a root (/).

Linux, as already noted, uses other file systems than, for example, Windows - NTFS or FAT, although Linux can work with these types of file systems.

The following types of file systems are actively used in Linux:

  • ext4– modern journaling file system, which is standard for Linux;
  • btrfs– a fairly new file system based on B-tree structures, in some tests it shows even better performance compared to ext4;
  • xfs– this file system is distinguished enough high performance in terms of writing and reading data. However, due to the nature of this file system, in case of serious failures there is a risk of data loss.

In general, the internal workings of Linux and Windows systems are, of course, significantly different, but today for the average user home computer these differences are practically invisible. Modern Linux is a very convenient operating system already aimed at the average user.

But nevertheless, Windows still remains the most popular operating system, and precisely because of this, the most vulnerable. Since most viruses are created under Windows, every day "bad" developers are looking for vulnerabilities in this operating system in order to create another virus.

In Linux, things are much better with viruses, i.e. Much fewer viruses are created under Linux, and as a result, Linux is considered a more secure and virus-resistant operating system.

If we talk about software, Linux has become so widespread that a huge number of applications are being developed for this system, including the most popular ones found in Windows. And by the way, installing applications in modern Linux has become much easier than in Windows. The installation process resembles something like installing applications on smartphones, i.e. everything is installed from one point in one click. That is, you launch a system component that accesses the repositories and reads the list of available packages ( with description, with ratings, with comments from other users), and you just click on the one you need and that’s it. Of course, not all Linux distributions have such functionality, but in the most popular ones, installation occurs this way.

Also, the main difference from Windows is that Linux is a completely free and open source operating system. Any developer can modify it and create his own system based on it with absolutely legal rights. All software Linux is also mostly free. Linux is free to distribute and use. That’s why there are a huge number of Linux distributions, and I’ll tell you what they are now.

What is a Linux distribution?

Linux distribution is a type of Linux operating system. There are many Linux distributions, as any developer can use the Linux kernel and create his own operating system. Thus, developers unite in communities and create operating systems based on the Linux kernel, which are distributions. Distributions include all the necessary software for work, and often most distributions have everything you need to start using the system immediately after installation, unlike Windows, where after installing the system you still need to install the software necessary for work.

Distributions can also create and support various companies, and such distributions may already be paid.

A Linux distribution can be based on another distribution, and thus countless varieties of distributions are born, which are based on each other and they all have the same base, the same foundation.

Almost every distribution has its own repository, which stores all packages compatible and supported by the distribution; therefore, when installing applications from standard repositories, you always install only verified versions of programs.

Linux distributions can be divided into two very large development branches, two directions. Here I mean division according to the way the software is organized and managed, i.e. in packages.

There are two popular package management systems:

  • DEB– the format of package files used in the Debian distribution and all distributions based on it;
  • RPM is a package manager used in the Red Hat distribution, as well as in many other popular distributions.

If you are a novice Linux user, then you do not need to look at what package management system the distribution is based on, you need to look at the distribution as an end product, i.e. for what purposes it is designed. I brought this division only so that you know that it exists; it will have virtually no effect on your familiarity with the Linux operating system. The only time you will encounter this is when you install third-party software that is not in the standard repositories. Since you will need to choose the type of package to install that matches your system.

Before switching to Linux, you need to find out what a particular distribution is created and intended for. Since there are, for example, distributions that do not have a graphical shell, i.e. server systems, there are distributions that are managed exclusively in command line, and are created for advanced users, but at the same time, there are extremely simple and user-oriented distributions that are not inferior to Windows.

We will talk more about Linux distributions in the next article.

That's all for today, for now!

A user who just wants to get acquainted with operating systems based on the Linux kernel can easily get lost in the assortment of various distribution kits. Their abundance is associated with open source kernels, so developers around the world are diligently adding to the ranks of already known operating systems. This article will discuss the most popular of them.

In fact, the variety of distributions is only beneficial. If you understand the distinctive features of certain operating systems, you will be able to choose the system that is perfect for your computer. Weak PCs receive a particular advantage. By installing a distribution kit for weak hardware, you will be able to use a full-fledged OS that will not load your computer and at the same time provide all the necessary software.

To try out one of the distributions presented below, just download the ISO image from the official website, burn it to a USB drive and start the computer from the flash drive.

If the manipulation of writing an ISO image of the operating system to a drive seems complicated to you, then you can read the manual on our website Linux installation on virtual machine VirtualBox.

Ubuntu

Ubuntu is rightfully considered the most popular distribution based on the Linux kernel in the CIS. It was developed on the basis of another distribution - Debian, however appearance there is no similarity between them. By the way, users often have disputes about which distribution is better: Debian or Ubuntu, but everyone agrees on one thing - Ubuntu is great for beginners.

Developers systematically release updates that improve or correct its shortcomings. It is distributed free of charge online, including both security updates and enterprise versions.

The advantages include:

  • simple and easy installer;
  • a large number of thematic forums and articles on configuration;
  • Unity user interface, which differs from the usual Windows, but is intuitive;
  • a large amount of pre-installed applications (Thunderbird, Firefox, games, Flash plugin and many other software);
  • has a large amount of software both in internal and external repositories.

Linux Mint

Although Linux Mint is a separate distribution, it is based on Ubuntu. This is the second most popular product and is also great for beginners. Has more pre-installed software than the previous OS. Linux Mint is almost identical to Ubuntu in terms of internal system aspects that are hidden from the user's eyes. The graphical interface is more similar to Windows, which undoubtedly tempts users to choose this operating system.

The advantages of Linux Mint are the following:

  • It is possible to select the graphical shell of the system when loading;
  • during installation, the user receives not only software with free source code, but also proprietary programs that can ensure optimal operation of video-audio files and Flash elements;
  • developers improve the system by periodically releasing updates and fixing bugs.

CentOS

As the CentOS developers themselves say, their main goal is to make a free and, importantly, stable OS for various organizations and enterprises. Therefore, by installing this distribution, you will receive a system that is stable and protected in all respects. However, the user should prepare and study the documentation for CentOS, since it differs quite significantly from other distributions. From the main thing: the syntax of most commands is different, as are the commands themselves.

The advantages of CentOS are the following:

  • has many functions that ensure system security;
  • includes only stable versions applications, which reduces the risk of critical errors and other types of failures;
  • Enterprise-level security updates are released to the OS.

openSUSE

openSUSE is a good option for a netbook or low-power computer. This operating system has an official wiki website, a user portal, a service for developers, projects for designers, and IRC channels in several languages. Among other things, the openSUSE team sends emails to users when updates or other important events happen.

The advantages of this distribution are as follows:

  • has a large number of software delivered through . True, there is somewhat less of it than in Ubuntu;
  • has a KDE graphical shell, which is in many ways similar to Windows;
  • has flexible settings performed using the YaST program. With its help, you can change almost all parameters, from wallpaper to settings of internal system components.

Pinguy OS

Pinguy OS was developed with the goal of making a system that was simple and beautiful. It is intended for the average user who decides to switch from Windows, which is why you can find many familiar functions in it.

The operating system is based on the Ubuntu distribution. There are both 32-bit and 64-bit versions. Pinguy OS has a large set of programs with which you can perform almost any action on your PC. For example, turn the standard Gnome top bar into a dynamic one, like in Mac OS.

Zorin OS

Zorin OS is another system whose target audience is beginners who want to switch from Windows to Linux. This OS is also based on Ubuntu, but its interface has much in common with Windows.

However, the distinguishing feature of Zorin OS is the package of pre-installed applications. As a result, you will immediately be able to run most games and Windows programs thanks to the Wine program. You will also be pleased with the pre-installed Google Chrome, which is the default browser in this OS. And for lovers graphic editors There is GIMP (similar to Photoshop). The user can download additional applications independently using Zorin Web Browser Manager - a kind of analogue of Play Market on Android.

Manjaro Linux

Manjaro Linux is based on ArchLinux. The system is very easy to install and allows the user to start working immediately after installing the system. Both 32-bit and 64-bit OS versions are supported. The repositories are constantly synchronized with ArchLinux, so users are among the first to receive new versions of the software. The distribution has everything immediately after installation necessary tools for interaction with multimedia content and third-party equipment. Manjaro Linux supports several kernels, including rc.

Solus

Solus is not the best the best option For weak computers. At least because this distribution has only one version - 64-bit. However, in return, the user will receive a beautiful graphical shell, with flexible settings, many tools for work and reliability in use.

It is also worth noting that Solus uses an excellent eopkg manager for working with packages, which offers standard tools for installing/uninstalling packages and searching for them.

Elementary OS

The Elementary OS distribution is based on Ubuntu and is a great starting point for beginners. An interesting design that is very similar to OS X, a large amount of software - this and much more will be acquired by the user who installs this distribution. A distinctive feature of this OS is that most of the applications that come with it are developed specifically for this project. Because of this, they are ideally comparable to the overall structure of the system, which is why the OS runs much faster than Ubuntu. In addition, thanks to this, all the elements are perfectly combined in appearance.

Conclusion

It is difficult to objectively say which of the presented distributions is better and which is somewhat worse, just as it is impossible to force someone to install Ubuntu or Mint on their computer. Everything is individual, so the decision about which distribution to start using is up to you.

The history of this operating system began in 1983, when Linux did not yet have its modern name, Richard Stallman began working on it. After about eight years, he had almost completed the development of all system programs included in its composition.

In the 90s, a young hacker and programmer joined work on the system. Linus Torvalds, he developed the kernel for the operating system. And as can be seen from the name of this man, the system got its name from him. By the way, the penguin, which became the emblem of the system, was previously Linus’s personal symbol, but it was the programmer’s wife, Tove, who came up with the idea of ​​making this penguin a symbol of the operating system.

In September 1991, Torvalds first posted on the Internet source, any user could download it. This immediately attracted the attention of hundreds of programmers, who downloaded the source code and began working on it, adding their own programs. From that moment on, its free and free distribution began. In the first years, only individual programmers were involved in this, but later entire companies joined the development. An interesting fact is that if they were now developing such a system on a commercial basis, then it would cost about 11 billion dollars to work on it. In total, more than 70 thousand people worked on it over the years to bring Linux to its current state. It was Linux that came out on top in 2012 in terms of use in smartphones; they use , which was created based on the Linux kernel, specifically for mobile devices.

Advantages of Linux

Nowadays, Linux itself, as such, no longer exists, but there are other operating systems developed on its kernel. If you write in Cyrillic, then these are Fedora, Ubuntu and Android, these are the most popular and widespread systems on this moment. Linux Fedora Desktop Example

First of all, of course, I would like to note one of its main advantages, that it is distributed free of charge. Therefore, if you install Linux on computers in an enterprise, you don’t have to be afraid of any checks. No one will accuse you of using pirated software. Any are already available necessary programs running Linux for both work and play. We will not discuss to whom and why to distribute free programs.

Its second advantage is that Linux is open source. This doesn’t mean anything to many people, but I’ll try to explain it simply. Let's take Windows, after writing the kernel of this system, the code is closed and it is impossible to open it, so it is impossible to change anything in Windows. Of course, we can change the design to some extent, but we won’t be able to get inside Windows. With Linux the situation is different, its code is open, so if you have programming knowledge, you can experiment, modifying and improving the system.

A couple more advantages and small disadvantages

Here are some more advantages and disadvantages of Linux. Firstly, safety, what it is, is

that viruses that constantly surf the Internet in search of an unprotected computer do not have any effect on this system.

For example, if a virus gets into a Windows computer, then all folders on all disks will soon become infected. The system, and in most cases can only save full formatting entire disk. With Linux it is a little different, it is not distributed across folders, and therefore cannot harm the system.

Secondly, this is the availability of software for Windows, the further you go, the harder it is to find a good working one free program. Licensed ones are very expensive, but free ones are no good. With Linux, the opposite is true: new programs appear, absolutely free, and in quality and functionality, often superior to their counterparts developed for Windows. And installation of programs is simplified: by going to the distribution website, you select several programs, type the desired line in the command line, and the installation begins.

I would also like to note the speed of Linux, its design is simplified, so the system works much better faster than Windows. Of course, if a person prefers luxurious design, or has the opportunity to buy a supercomputer, then he may not like Linux. This system works great on budget models and computers, it is not demanding and therefore fast.

The only disadvantage of this system is that it is somewhat late in releasing drivers for the equipment. Time moves forward, everything is updated, first of all, professional programmers create drivers for Windows 7, and then for Linux. This is mainly connected with commerce; in the first option you can make good money, and the second option is free. But, in the near future, this state of affairs will be corrected. Other disadvantages of this system are also mentioned, but most of them are far-fetched, and in the end, each user decides for himself what to choose.

When people say “Linux,” they most often mean a group of operating systems developed based on Linux. Although, in essence, Linux is only the kernel of the operating system, and various other tools and libraries of GNU projects and other resources are used to develop a full-fledged operating system. Additionally, more and more developers are using Linux to develop and run mobile applications; Linux plays a key role in the development of devices such as Chromebooks ( portable devices running the Chrome operating system, which uses a hybrid of the Linux kernel and services developed by Google as its kernel).

Linux became popular for the following reasons:

  • relevance of distributions and active support by developer communities;
  • the ability to run on a variety of hardware;
  • low resource requirements;
  • the ability to install programs from existing repositories.

But the list of reasons, of course, is not limited to these; There are not only practical but also ethical reasons. For example, many developers perceive Linux as an expression of openness, self-expression, and accessibility.

Development history

Linux's roots lie in two other projects: Unix And Multics, which aimed to develop a multi-user operating system.

What is Unix?

Unix is ​​a collection of cross-platform multi-user and multi-tasking operating systems.

We can immediately say that at the moment Unix systems are one of the most historically important operating systems. Unix's influence extended to programming languages: the C language was developed during the development of Unix systems.

The development of Unix was carried out by Bell Laboratories - in 1969 they showed the first Unix system. The further, the more popular Unix systems became - in the 70s they began to be installed on computers in educational institutions.

When creating Unix, the developers set themselves three main goals:

  1. Using a minimum number of functions, keeping it simple.
  2. Generality: the same methods and mechanisms are used in different cases.
  3. Combining programs to solve problems, rather than developing new programs from scratch.

Concerning distinctive features Unix then this:

  1. Almost constant use of the command line.
  2. Using Conveyors.
  3. Setting up the system through the use of simple (often text) files.

Unix has its own philosophy. Programmer Douglas McIlroy, who developed the Linux pipeline, defined the following rules:

Write programs that do one thing and do it well.

Write programs that work together.

Write programs that support text streams because it is a universal interface.

One of the problems affecting Unix is ​​the presence different versions and many programs that developers wrote to suit their needs; Due to low compatibility, programs running on one version of Unix might not work on machines running other versions. As a result, it was decided to create a common document that would specify the standards that developers should follow.

In 1983, the creation of GNU (GNU's Not UNIX), a Unix-like operating system, was announced. This happened under the influence of the idea of ​​the project founder, Richard Stallmann, about the need to create a freely distributed operating system and open source software in general.

Richard Stahlmann also founded the free software movement and formulated four rights that a user should have: he can run the program for any purpose, he can study the program and change it to suit his needs, he can redistribute the program to help others, and he can publish program improvements to help the community as a whole. All this, first of all, said that the source code of the program should be available to everyone.

It was this thought that inspired Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, to begin work on his operating system in 1991.Linux, like GNU, is a Unix-like system, that is, a system influenced by Unix.

In the future, it is the GNU/Linux system that will become the system that is now simply called Linux.

What is Multics?

Multics - or Multiplexed Information and Computing Service - is one of the very first operating systems to implement a flat storage model and clearly separate the concept of files (segments). The creation of Multics began in 1964. Bell developers worked on the system Laboratories - in a few years, some developers will begin work on creating Unix.

Multics was developed in order, firstly, to enable a large number of users to use computer resources simultaneously; second, enable users to share data; thirdly, ensure good speed of working with data.

However, the main computing goals were not achieved when the first version of the system was released, and Bell Laboratories transferred its interest to another project, which resulted in the birth of Unix.

History of Linux

The history of Linux begins in 1991, when Finnish programmer Linus Torvalds began developing the operating system kernel for his computer. He posted his work on the server, and this became a key event in the history of Linux. First, dozens, then hundreds and thousands of developers supported his project - with joint efforts, a full-fledged operating system was born.

As already mentioned, Linux was significantly influenced by Unix system, this is noticeable even from the name. However, the project was initially called Freax - from the words “free” (free) and “freak” (strange), but later the name was changed to a hybrid of the name of the creator (Linus) and Unix.

The Linux logo is Tux, a penguin drawn in 1996 by programmer and designer Larry Ewing. However, the idea to use the penguin was invented by Linus Torvalds himself. Now Tax is a symbol not only of Linux, but of free software in general.

First official version Linux 1.0 came out in 1994; the second version was launched in 1996. The Linux trademark was registered a year earlier, in 1995.

From the very beginning to this day, Linux has been distributed as free software under the GPL license. This means that any user can see the source code of the operating system - and not only see it, but also modify it. The only condition is that the changed, modified code must also be available to everyone and distributed under the GPL license. This is important because it allows developers to use the code without having to worry about copyright issues.

Linux owes much of its success to GNU: at the time Linux was released, there were already many freely distributed utilities from this project that could be used with the developed kernel.

In fact, Linux is still the kernel of a Unix-like operating system that performs various low-level tasks. At the same time, the GNU project needed a kernel - the development of Linus Torvalds was very timely.

Nowadays, thanks to its flexibility, Linux is used in many different devices, ranging from computers to servers and mobile devices.

Popular Linux distributions

A Linux distribution is a definition of an operating system that uses the Linux kernel and can be installed on a user's machine. Distributions usually contain not only the kernel and the operating system itself, but also useful applications: editors, players, tools for working with databases and other software.

That is, as was already said at the beginning of the article, a Linux distribution is an operating system that consists of the Linux kernel and utilities that are developed within the framework of GNU.

The number of existing Linux distributions exceeds 600 varieties, more than 300 of which are constantly being developed and updated.

Ubuntu - one of the most common distributions, easy to install and intuitive to use. Great for personal computers, laptops and servers. Developed and sponsored by Canonical Ltd, but has active support from the free community. The most popular operating system for web servers.

Debian is another popular GNU/Linux distribution that had a significant influence on the development of all GNU/Linux operating systems in general. The main features of Debian: ample capabilities, the presence of many repositories, high quality versions - this is the most stable distribution of all existing ones.

Linux Mint

Linux Mint - distribution based on Ubuntu and Debian. Linux Mint has a beautiful and user-friendly design and is suitable even for novice users. Therefore, it is often installed on home computers in order to have a simple and convenient system. The distribution has support for various multimedia formats, including proprietary programs ( Adobe Flash), therefore well suited for working with multimedia.

Manjaro - a distribution based on Arch Linux. Thanks to a large number of pre-installed programs (for example, for office work), it is quite friendly to beginners, but at the same time has the ability fine tuning, many packages, and generally stable.

Arch - a powerful distribution based on the principles of simplicity, modernity, pragmatism, flexibility and the idea that the focus should be on the user. However, the principle of simplicity does not apply to the use of the system, but to its internal organization (KISS and Unix-way principles). Therefore, Arch is designed for experienced users who will configure and install the utilities they need on their own.

Newcomers to the world of Linux are often confused by the variety of Linux distributions. Often it is difficult for them to understand what it is and they get lost in their huge number. But in fact, here everything can be grouped and presented in the form of a holistic picture to make everything easier to understand and navigate.

We have already talked about this in a separate article. In fact, it is the Linux kernel and a set of various software; we mean the same thing by the Linux operating system. Some Linux operating systems use the Linux kernel unchanged, while others modify it to gain greater security or implement necessary features. The advantages of a particular Linux operating system depend on the set of software that it uses. In this article we will look at the main types of Linux operating systems that currently exist.

All the systems on this list are in random order, so just because a system is in last place doesn't mean it's not worthy of attention.

1. Debian and other Deb systems

This group includes distributions based on Debian and others that use the Deb package management system. This package system was developed for Debian and is now quite often used in popular distributions, such as Debian itself, Ubuntu, LinuxMint, AstraLinux, Elementary and many others. These distributions use the original Linux kernel with a few patches that only fix bugs.

2. Red Hat and other Rpm systems

While the community was developing the Deb package management system, Red Hat created its own package manager, Rpm. Then all traditional Linux distributions were divided into two camps - those using deb and rpm. Now both package management systems are good and it cannot be said that one is worse than the other. You can read the detailed article in the link. Nowadays, the RPM package management system is used by such distributions as CentOS, Fedora, Red Hat, OpenSUSE and other less popular ones.

3. Arch Linux and those based on it

After some time, several more distributions appeared that did not use Deb or Rpm. One such distribution is ArchLinux. It uses its own package manager pacman, which allows you to do everything the same as deb, but in addition it is implemented simple system rolling releases. Thanks to her, the distribution always has the latest software. Arch quickly gained popularity and several distributions were based on it - Manjaro, Antergos, Cinnarch and many others.

4.Gentoo

Many users wanted to be able to compile their system themselves in order to choose what software to install, as well as get optimization for their hardware. Therefore, a Gentoo distribution was created based on the Linux kernel, which uses the emerge package manager. Here you also get rolling releases, as well as the ability to compile your operating system on your computer with relative ease. The emerge package manager already contains ready-made build scripts, so you don’t have to add anything yourself.

5. Linux From Scratch

It's not really a distribution, LFS is a set of tools that allow you to build your own distribution based on the Linux kernel. You just take the kernel, take the sources necessary programs, all programs from the initialization system and the command shell to the desktop environment, you collect it all, configure it and get your distribution.

6. ChromeOS

Even later, Google released its operating system for netbooks based on the Linux kernel. In fact, ChromeOS is based on Gentoo, but they are so different that it is impossible to combine them into one point. In this Google system implemented such an idea as the Linux cloud operating system. Yours working space- this is a browser. Here you have to do everything in the browser - edit documents, work with videos, and even the Linux terminal in the browser. Files are primarily stored in the cloud. But it's still Linux.

7.Android

Not everyone knows, but the most popular operating system for mobile phones also uses the Linux kernel. All that remains of Linux here is the kernel and a few other things; Google has filled everything else with its various frameworks, Java, and so on. Linux capabilities are limited by the same Bionic security system, which prohibits loading dynamic libraries, but in the terminal you can work with rebuilt ones Linux commands, and in a chroot environment you can run a full-fledged Linux distribution.

8. Slackware

A fairly old Linux distribution, which at one time was considered the most Unix. Previously, several distributions were based on it, such as Blacktrack, Slax, VectorLinux and others. But then it slowly lost its popularity. It uses its own package manager, which The capabilities are not up to par with deb and rpm, dependency resolution is not supported, and the commands for removing and installing packages are in different utilities.

9. OpenWrt and those based on it

OpenWrt is a Linux 2017 operating system for routers and routers based on the Linux kernel. In addition to the Linux kernel itself, it comes with a stripped-down version of the C library, standard Linux utilities and BusyBox. The system takes up little space and is optimized specifically for routers. Most settings are done on the command line.

10. Tizen and other IoT

Operating system based on the Linux kernel, designed for various TVs, smart watch and other smart gadgets. The system is developed based on the Linux kernel by Samsung and is already used quite often. There are own applications and SDK for their development.

11. OS for supercomputers

As of 2017, Linux-based operating systems are most often used on supercomputers. Each company creates its own solution based on the kernel, which is optimized for its needs and needs. Of the 500 most powerful supercomputers, 498 run Linux and two more run UNIX, similar to IBM's AIX system.