Linux is a family of open-source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991, by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution, which includes the kernel and supporting system software and libraries. Because of its open-source nature, it has been adapted for a vast range of computer hardware, from personal computers and supercomputers to embedded systems and mobile devices like those running Android.
Last updated September 1, 2025
Introduction
Linux is a family of free and Open-Source Software operating systems built around the Linux kernel. The kernel, the core component of the system, was created in 1991 by Finnish-American software engineer Linus Torvalds. Unlike proprietary operating systems such as Windows or macOS, the source code for Linux is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute. According to The Linux Foundation, this has led to its widespread adoption and development by a global community of programmers.
History
Origins
In 1991, Linus Torvalds, then a student at the University of Helsinki, began working on a new Operating System kernel as a personal project. He was inspired by MINIX, a small Unix-like system, but wanted to create a kernel that was free and could run on the Intel 386 processors that were common in personal computers at the time. On August 25, 1991, Torvalds posted his now-famous message to the comp.os.minix Usenet newsgroup, announcing his project as "just a hobby, won't be big and professional like gnu," as documented by the Computer History Museum.
Integration with the GNU Project
The kernel Torvalds created was not a complete operating system by itself. A full system requires essential software utilities for file management, command-line execution, and software development. The GNU Project, started by Richard Stallman in 1983, had created most of these components but lacked a kernel. The combination of the Linux kernel with the GNU system software created a complete, free operating system. In 1992, Torvalds released version 0.99 of the Linux kernel under the GNU General Public License (GPL), a move that was critical to its success, as it ensured that Linux and its derivatives would remain free and open-source.
Design and Architecture
The Linux Kernel
The Linux kernel is a monolithic kernel, meaning the entire operating system core runs in kernel space. However, as described by kernel.org, it has a modular design that allows most drivers and extensions to be dynamically loaded and unloaded at runtime. The kernel is responsible for managing the system's resources, including the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices. It provides a stable and secure interface between the computer's hardware and the software applications that run on it.
Linux Distributions
Linux is most commonly used in the form of a Linux distribution (often called a "distro"). A distribution is a complete operating system that bundles the Linux kernel with a collection of system software, utilities, libraries, and often a package management system, a windowing system like the X Window System or Wayland, and a desktop environment such as GNOME or KDE. Popular distributions include Debian and its derivatives like Ubuntu, as well as Red Hat Enterprise Linux and its community-supported counterpart, Fedora.
Usage and Market Share
The flexibility and open-source nature of Linux have led to its use across a wide spectrum of computing.
–Servers and Supercomputers: Linux dominates the server market. According to W3Techs, it is the most popular operating system on web servers. It also runs on 100% of the world's 500 fastest supercomputers, as reported by the TOP500 project since November 2017.
–Mobile Devices: The Android operating system, which runs on the vast majority of smartphones worldwide, is built on top of a modified Linux kernel. Statcounter Global Stats data shows Android as the leading mobile OS.
–Desktop Computing: While its market share on desktop computers is smaller than that of Windows and macOS, Linux is a popular choice among software developers, scientists, and users who prioritize customization and control. Its desktop market share has seen steady, albeit slow, growth over the years.
–Embedded Systems: Linux is a leading operating system for embedded systems, powering devices such as routers, smart TVs, digital storage devices, and in-vehicle infotainment systems.
Naming Controversy
The name of the operating system is a subject of some debate. The Free Software Foundation (FSF) advocates for the name "GNU/Linux" to give credit to the GNU Project for the substantial body of software that makes the operating system functional. While some distributions, like Debian, use this name, most people and media outlets refer to the system simply as "Linux." Torvalds himself has stated he prefers "Linux" but does not strongly object to the "GNU/Linux" name.
Linux is a family of open-source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991, by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution, which includes the kernel and supporting system software and libraries. Because of its open-source nature, it has been adapted for a vast range of computer hardware, from personal computers and supercomputers to embedded systems and mobile devices like those running Android.
Last updated September 1, 2025
Introduction
Linux is a family of free and Open-Source Software operating systems built around the Linux kernel. The kernel, the core component of the system, was created in 1991 by Finnish-American software engineer Linus Torvalds. Unlike proprietary operating systems such as Windows or macOS, the source code for Linux is freely available for anyone to view, modify, and distribute. According to The Linux Foundation, this has led to its widespread adoption and development by a global community of programmers.
History
Origins
In 1991, Linus Torvalds, then a student at the University of Helsinki, began working on a new Operating System kernel as a personal project. He was inspired by MINIX, a small Unix-like system, but wanted to create a kernel that was free and could run on the Intel 386 processors that were common in personal computers at the time. On August 25, 1991, Torvalds posted his now-famous message to the comp.os.minix Usenet newsgroup, announcing his project as "just a hobby, won't be big and professional like gnu," as documented by the Computer History Museum.
Integration with the GNU Project
The kernel Torvalds created was not a complete operating system by itself. A full system requires essential software utilities for file management, command-line execution, and software development. The GNU Project, started by Richard Stallman in 1983, had created most of these components but lacked a kernel. The combination of the Linux kernel with the GNU system software created a complete, free operating system. In 1992, Torvalds released version 0.99 of the Linux kernel under the GNU General Public License (GPL), a move that was critical to its success, as it ensured that Linux and its derivatives would remain free and open-source.
Design and Architecture
The Linux Kernel
The Linux kernel is a monolithic kernel, meaning the entire operating system core runs in kernel space. However, as described by kernel.org, it has a modular design that allows most drivers and extensions to be dynamically loaded and unloaded at runtime. The kernel is responsible for managing the system's resources, including the CPU, memory, and peripheral devices. It provides a stable and secure interface between the computer's hardware and the software applications that run on it.
Linux Distributions
Linux is most commonly used in the form of a Linux distribution (often called a "distro"). A distribution is a complete operating system that bundles the Linux kernel with a collection of system software, utilities, libraries, and often a package management system, a windowing system like the X Window System or Wayland, and a desktop environment such as GNOME or KDE. Popular distributions include Debian and its derivatives like Ubuntu, as well as Red Hat Enterprise Linux and its community-supported counterpart, Fedora.
Usage and Market Share
The flexibility and open-source nature of Linux have led to its use across a wide spectrum of computing.
–Servers and Supercomputers: Linux dominates the server market. According to W3Techs, it is the most popular operating system on web servers. It also runs on 100% of the world's 500 fastest supercomputers, as reported by the TOP500 project since November 2017.
–Mobile Devices: The Android operating system, which runs on the vast majority of smartphones worldwide, is built on top of a modified Linux kernel. Statcounter Global Stats data shows Android as the leading mobile OS.
–Desktop Computing: While its market share on desktop computers is smaller than that of Windows and macOS, Linux is a popular choice among software developers, scientists, and users who prioritize customization and control. Its desktop market share has seen steady, albeit slow, growth over the years.
–Embedded Systems: Linux is a leading operating system for embedded systems, powering devices such as routers, smart TVs, digital storage devices, and in-vehicle infotainment systems.
Naming Controversy
The name of the operating system is a subject of some debate. The Free Software Foundation (FSF) advocates for the name "GNU/Linux" to give credit to the GNU Project for the substantial body of software that makes the operating system functional. While some distributions, like Debian, use this name, most people and media outlets refer to the system simply as "Linux." Torvalds himself has stated he prefers "Linux" but does not strongly object to the "GNU/Linux" name.
W3Techs, it is the most popular operating system on web servers. It also runs on 100% of the world's 500 fastest supercomputers, as reported by the
TOP500 project since November 2017.
Android operating system, which runs on the vast majority of smartphones worldwide, is built on top of a modified Linux kernel.
Statcounter Global Stats data shows Android as the leading mobile OS.