Getting Comfortable With Linux.
It is often seen that people get confused over choosing OS (Operating System) as a host operating system in both server and desktop spaces. People will focus on aspects of cost, the functionality provided, hardware compatibility, support, reliability, security, pre-built software, cloud-readiness, etc.
What is Linux?
Linux is an operating system, like macOS or Windows.
The Linux “core” (called a kernel) was born in 1991 in Finland, and it has come a really long way from its humble beginnings. It went on to be the kernel of the GNU Operating System, creating the duo GNU/Linux.
It is also the most popular Open Source operating system, and it gives you a lot of freedom. It powers the vast majority of the servers that compose the Internet. Linux is based on the earlier Unix system, which used the principle of modular design. In this type of system, the OS provides simple tools, while shell scripting and command language combine to perform complex workflows. Linux supports a number of languages, including PHP, Perl, Ruby, Python and others. This diversity gives developers the freedom to write code in whatever language they feel most comfortable.
Linux is the ultimate freedom.
It is developed by volunteers, some paid by companies that rely on it, some independently. But there’s no single commercial company that can dictate what goes into Linux, or the project’s priorities.You can also use Linux as your day to day computer
Linux is also special because there’s not just “one Linux”, like is the case with Windows or macOS. Instead, we have distributions.
A “distro” is made by a company or organization and packages the Linux core with additional programs and tooling.
Who uses Linux and why?
Since its inception, businesses have used Linux extensively on their servers. Linux is also used in some corporate environments as the desktop platform for their employees, with commercially available solutions including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop and Ubuntu. Many commercial, nonprofit and governmental organizations (called Linux adopters) utilize a version of the Linux operating system, including the White House, the U.S. Department of Defense and Wikipedia.
Additionally, Linux is used for some game consoles, such as PlayStation3. In 2013, Valve Corporation publicly paired with Linux to run certain ports through Linux, allowing many popular titles to be played on the operating system. Valve also announced that its upcoming gaming console, Steam Machine, will by default run SteamOS, an operating system based on the Linux kernel.
Linux desktop users are typically those who value an open source operating system and appreciate the speed, security and user experience of this open-source software. Linux may not be the most polished OS, but it’s on the cutting edge of innovation. If there’s a security hole, developers usually release an update within the day. Instead of waiting months for update packages, Linux users receive regular updates as new technology becomes available. To top it all off, Linux is free and supports a culture of collaboration in the software world.
Which Linux Distribution Should You Use?
Linux supports several hundred distributions, each optimized for some specific use case:
- Linux Mint: Requires low computer expertise, easy to install, easy to use and has a familiar-looking desktop for Windows users.
- Debian: For those seeking a truly free Linux distribution with no proprietary drivers, firmware or software, then Debian is for you.
- Ubuntu: A modern Linux distribution that is easy to install and easy to use.
- openSUSE: A stable and powerful Linux distribution. Not as easy to install as Mint and Ubuntu but a good alternative nonetheless.
- Fedora: The most up-to-date Linux distribution with all new concepts incorporated at the earliest possible opportunity.
- Mageia: Rose from the ashes of the formerly great Mandriva Linux. Easy to install and easy to use.
- CentOS: As with Fedora, CentOS is based on the commercial Linux distribution, Red Hat Linux. Unlike Fedora, it is built for stability.
- Manjaro: Based on Arch Linux, Manjaro provides a great balance between ease of use and up to date software.
- LXLE: Based on the lightweight Lubuntu distribution this provides a fully-featured Linux distribution for older hardware.
- Arch: A rolling release distribution, meaning that you don’t have to install new versions of the operating system at any point because it updates itself.
- More difficult for the new user to get to grips with but very powerful.
Elementary: Linux for people who like a Mac-style interface.
What is a Linux shell?
A shell is a command interpreter that exposes an interface to the user to work with the underlying operating system. It allows you to execute operations using text and commands, and it provides users advanced features like being able to create scripts.
This is important: shells let you perform things in a more optimized way than a GUI (Graphical User Interface) could ever possibly let you do. Command line tools can offer many different configuration options without being too complex to use.
There are many different kind of shells. This post focuses on Unix shells, the ones that you will find commonly on Linux and macOS computers.
Many different kind of shells were created for those systems over time, and a few of them dominate the space: Bash, Csh, Zsh, Fish and many more!
All shells originate from the Bourne Shell, called sh. “Bourne” because its creator was Steve Bourne.
Bash means Bourne-again shell. sh was proprietary and not open source, and Bash was created in 1989 to create a free alternative for the GNU project and the Free Software Foundation. Since projects had to pay to use the Bourne shell, Bash became very popular.
Each single shell has its own unique features and advanced usage, but they all share a common functionality: they can let you execute programs, and they can be programmed.
Conclusion
I hope it will inspire you to learn more about Linux and its capabilities. It’s evergreen knowledge that will not be out of date any time soon.
