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Overview of Linux History and Development

Linus Torvalds developed the initial kernel of Linux in 1991 as a free alternative to proprietary operating systems like DOS, Mac OS, and UNIX. Linux grew rapidly due to its open source model that allowed developers around the world to collaborate and improve the kernel. While Linux is now widely used for servers, it remains less popular than Windows for personal computers due to greater installation challenges and lack of commercial support from large companies.

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73 views9 pages

Overview of Linux History and Development

Linus Torvalds developed the initial kernel of Linux in 1991 as a free alternative to proprietary operating systems like DOS, Mac OS, and UNIX. Linux grew rapidly due to its open source model that allowed developers around the world to collaborate and improve the kernel. While Linux is now widely used for servers, it remains less popular than Windows for personal computers due to greater installation challenges and lack of commercial support from large companies.

Uploaded by

Unsa Khuwaja
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

LINUX History

Before Linux

 In 80’s, Microsoft’s DOS was the dominated OS for PC

 Apple MAC was better, but expensive

 UNIX was much better, but much much expensive. Only for
minicomputer for commercial applications

 People were looking for a UNIX based system, which was cheaper and
could run on PC

 All DOS, MAC and UNIX are proprietary, i.e., the source code of their
kernel is protected
• No modification is possible without paying high license fees
Beginning of Linux
 A famous professor Andrew Tanenbaum developed Minix, a
simplified version of UNIX that runs on PC

 Minix is for class teaching only. No intention for commercial


use

 In Sept 1991, Linus Torvalds, a second year student of


Computer Science at the University of Helsinki, developed
the preliminary kernel of Linux, known as Linux version 0.0.1

 It was put to the Internet and received enormous response


from worldwide software developers

 By December came version 0.10. Still Linux was little more


than in skeletal form.
LINUS TORVALDS
Confrontation and Development
 But work went on. Soon more than a hundred people joined the Linux
camp. Then thousands. Then hundreds of thousands
 It was licensed under GNU General Public License, thus ensuring that
the source codes will be free for all to copy, study and to change.

Linux Today
 Linux has been used for many computing platforms
• PC, mobile devices, PDA, Supercomputer,…
 Not only character user interface but graphical user interface, thanks to
the X-Window technology
Linux Pros and Cons

Advantages over Windows


– It's almost free to relatively inexpensive
– Source code is included
– Bugs are fixed quickly and help is readily available through the vast
support in Internet
– Linux is more stable than Windows
– Linux is truly multi-user and multi-tasking
– multiuser: OS that can simultaneously serve a number of users
– multitasking: OS that can simultaneously execute a number of
programs
– Linux runs on equipment that other operating systems consider too
underpowered, e.g. 386 systems, PDA, etc
Linux Pros and Cons (Cont)

Disadvantages compared with Windows


– Isn't as popular as Windows
– Less commercial company is responsible for Linux
– Linux is relatively hard to install, learn and use as
compared to Windows

 Hence currently, Linux is mainly used in commercial applications,


server implementation

 More than 75% current network servers are developed based on Linux
or Unix systems
– Due to the relatively high reliability
Linux distributions
 Linux available for download over the net, this is useful if your internet
connection is fast. Another way is order the CD-ROMs which saves time,
and the installation from CD-ROM is fast/automatic. Various Linux
distributions available. Following are important Linux distributions.

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