Linux (/ˈlɪnʊks/ LIN-uuks) is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, a kernel first released on 17 September 1991, by Linus Torvalds.
It is one of the most influential pieces of software ever created, powering everything from smartphones and servers to supercomputers and embedded devices. Yet many people who use it daily still don’t fully understand what it is—or where the iconic penguin “Tux” comes from.
What is Linux?
At its core, Linux is an operating system kernel—the central component that manages hardware resources like CPU, memory, and devices, and allows software to run on a machine.
Unlike traditional operating systems such as Windows or macOS, Linux is not a single commercial product. Instead, it is:
Open source (anyone can inspect, modify, and redistribute the code)
Community-driven
Highly modular
Free to use in most cases
Technically speaking, when people say “Linux,” they often refer to a Linux distribution (distro), which is a complete operating system built around the Linux kernel. Examples include Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch Linux, and many others.
A typical Linux system includes:
The Linux kernel (core system layer)…login to view the rest of this post