Linux Fundamentals

Linux is an open-source community of Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel. Linus Torvalds first released it on September 17, 1991. It is a free and open-source operating system, with the source code available for commercial or noncommercial use under the GNU General Public License.

Initially designed for personal computers, Linux has since spread to other machines such as servers, mainframe computers, supercomputers, and so on. Linux is now widely used in embedded systems such as routers, automation controls, televisions, digital video recorders, video game consoles, smartwatches, and so on. The most successful application of Linux is Android (operating system), which is based on the Linux kernel and runs on smartphones and tablets. Because of Android, Linux has the most users of any general-purpose operating system. Linux is typically packaged as part of a Linux distribution.