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Linux is an open-source operating system kernel created by Linus Torvalds, which forms the core of many operating systems used on devices from servers to smart TVs. It is free to use and modify, unlike proprietary systems like Windows or macOS. A Linux-based operating system typically includes the kernel, bootloader, init system, and various applications and a graphical server to manage the computer's hardware and software.

Key terms and descriptions

Operating System (OS): Software that manages a computer's hardware and software resources, allowing applications to run.

Kernel: The core component of the OS that handles low-level tasks like memory management, process scheduling, and device communication.

Open Source: A software development model where the source code is freely available to the public to use, modify, and distribute under a license like the GNU General Public License (GPL).

GNU General Public License (GPL): A widely used open-source software license that grants users the freedom to run, study, and modify the software, as long as they share any changes under the same license.

Bootloader: A program that runs when a computer starts up and is responsible for loading the operating system kernel into memory.

Init system: The first process a Linux system starts after the kernel, which is responsible for initializing and managing all other background processes (daemons).

Daemons: Background processes that handle system services and requests, such as a web server or a printer service.

Distributions: A complete operating system built around the Linux kernel, which bundles the kernel with other software like a package manager, desktop environment, and system utilities (e.g., Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu).

Source code: The human-readable instructions written by programmers that make up a software program.

User space: The area of the operating system where user applications and processes run, managed by the kernel.