What is Linux? Features, History & The Complete Guide

Linux is one of the most powerful and highly popular Operating Systems in the world. However, before diving into the fascinating history of Linux and how it took over the internet, it is essential to understand the basics. Let's first explore what an Operating System actually does.

1. What is an Operating System (OS)?

Nowadays, almost everyone has a smartphone, computer, or laptop. When we turn on these devices, we immediately have access to a multitude of functions and applications. Have you ever wondered how all these functions work so seamlessly on your device? The answer is the Operating System.

An Operating System (OS) is the core software that manages and operates your mobile, laptop, or desktop computer. The OS controls every application and hardware function on your device, ensuring everything works together smoothly. For example, if you are playing a video game, there are many different visual elements, characters, and movements happening at once. The OS works in the background to allocate memory and processor speed to these resources, ensuring the game runs without crashing.

2. What is Linux?

While you are likely very familiar with Microsoft Windows, the origin of Linux actually stems from a different operating system called Unix. In the early 1990s, developers wanted a free, highly customizable alternative to the expensive, restrictive Unix systems of the time. To solve this, a brand new, open-source Operating System known as Linux was born.

Linux was developed independently and offers a completely free, highly secure alternative to Windows and macOS. Because it is open-source, developers from all over the world have contributed to its massive growth. Today, Linux is available in various visual versions (known as "Distributions" or "Distros") such as Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora.

Linux provides excellent internet facilities and supports a massive library of free, open-source software. You can easily download word processors, spreadsheets, presentation software, and advanced image processing applications directly from their built-in software centers for free.

3. Key Features of the Linux Operating System

• Multi-User OS: Linux is a true multi-user operating system. Multiple users can log in and work on the same system simultaneously, using their own separate applications without interfering with one another.
• High-Level Security: Linux provides robust security. It assigns each user their own separate directory. A user can only read, modify, or delete files within their own directory, keeping other users' data completely safe.
• Crash-Proof Kernel: The core of the Linux OS is called the "Kernel." It is incredibly stable and crash-proof. If a specific application freezes, the Kernel keeps running smoothly, meaning you rarely have to reboot the entire computer.
• Virus Protection: Linux is highly secure against viruses and malware. Because standard users do not have direct administrative (root) access to the core files, it is very difficult for a virus to accidentally infect the system.
• Web Servers: Linux is the backbone of the internet. It easily supports world-class server programs like Apache and Nginx, making it the most popular operating system for hosting websites.

4. The Founder: How Linus Started Linux

So, how did this incredibly powerful, free operating system come to be? It all started with Linus Torvalds. At the time, he was just a regular student in Helsinki, Finland. The key to his success was the fact that he didn't settle for "good enough." When available software didn't meet his needs, he decided to build it himself.

In 1990, Linus began studying Minix, a simplified, Unix-like operating system created for educational purposes. However, Minix was highly limited by its licensing. This frustration fueled his motivation to create his own project. The first online post regarding the creation of Linux was shared by Linus on a Usenet newsgroup on August 25, 1991. He famously wrote:

"I'm doing a (free) operating system (just a hobby, won't be big and professional like gnu) for 386(486) AT clones."

5. The Early History & Naming of Linux

In the spring of 1991, Linus started writing a simple task switcher and terminal driver using assembly language. On September 17, 1991, he uploaded the very first version of Linux (Version 0.0.1) to his university's server.

Embracing the open-source mentality, Linus shared his source code freely. This attracted many like-minded developers. At the time, the open-source GNU project had already created many essential operating system components (like compilers), but they lacked a working kernel. These GNU components naturally found their way into Linux, which is why the Free Software Foundation refers to the operating system as GNU/Linux.

Interestingly, Linus originally wanted to call the operating system "Freax"—a combination of "free", "freak", and "x" (as a nod to Unix). However, Ari Lemmke, a volunteer server administrator, didn't like the name. Without consulting Linus, Ari renamed the project folder to "Linux" on the FTP server. Linus eventually agreed, and the name stuck forever.

6. The Massive Success & Dominance of Linux

Unix was already highly popular in academic environments. By making a Unix-like operating system that was free, it was incredibly easy for students and businesses to adopt it. With the help of a passionate global community, that simple task switcher from 1991 evolved into a robust, production-ready operating system.

Today, tech giants like Intel, Google, IBM, and Huawei are the biggest contributors to its development. Here is how dominant Linux has become:

• 100% of the world's top 500 supercomputers run on Linux.
• Over 96% of the world's top 1 million servers and 90% of all cloud infrastructure operate on Linux.
• Android is built directly on top of the Linux kernel, meaning the vast majority of the world's smartphones run on Linux.

7. Why Isn't Linux Popular on Desktop PCs?

Despite ruling the server and mobile worlds, Linux still struggles in the consumer desktop market. The primary reason is software compatibility: many standard applications (like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud) are not built natively for Linux.

Historically, Linux has also been far behind Windows in PC gaming. However, thanks to massive investments from companies like Valve (creators of Steam and the Linux-based Steam Deck), gaming on Linux has improved exponentially. The Linux desktop user base is steadily growing as more developers ensure cross-platform compatibility.

8. How To Download And Try Linux

The absolute best thing about Linux is that it is completely 100% free. If you want to try it out, you can download a "Distribution" (Distro) and install it on an old laptop, or even run it directly off a USB stick without wiping your current Windows setup!

Here are links to download some of the best, most beginner-friendly Linux distributions today:

• Ubuntu: Download Ubuntu (Best for beginners)
• Linux Mint: Download Mint (Looks and feels similar to Windows)
• Debian: Download Debian
• Fedora: Download Fedora
• Arch Linux: Download Arch Linux (For advanced power users)