What is Linux?

Linux is a computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel. Linux system distributions may vary in many details of system operation, configuration, and software package selections.Linux runs on a wide variety of computer hardware, including mobile phones, tablet computers, network routers, televisions, video game consoles,desktop computers, mainframes and supercomputers.

Typically Linux is packaged in a format known as a Linux distribution for desktop and server use. Some popular mainstream Linux distributions include Debian (and its derivatives such as Ubuntu), Fedora and openSUSE. Linux distributions include the Linux kernel, supporting utilities and libraries and usually a large amount of application software to fulfill the distribution's intended use.

In addition it is a leading server operating system, and runs the 10 fastest supercomputers in the world In addition, more than 90% of today's supercomputers run some variant of Linux.

Because Linux is freely redistributable, anyone can create a distribution for any intended use. Applications commonly used with desktop Linux systems include the Mozilla Firefox web browser, the OpenOffice.org and LibreOffice office application suites, and theGIMP image editor.

Unix

Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in AT&T. The Unix operating system was first developed in assembly language, but by 1973 had been almost entirely recoded in C, greatly facilitating its further development and porting to other hardware. Today's Unix system evolution is split into various branches, developed over time by AT&T as well as various commercial vendors, universities

The availability of an operating system written in a high-level language allowed easier portability to different computer platforms. Unix quickly grew up and  and became widely adopted by academic institutions and businesses.

Diff b/w Linux & Unix

There is no significant difference as far as Commands(which are given for required applications) are concerned Linux and Unix both use an X-Windowing system.

But these are some differences:

Linux runs on many hardware platforms, the commodity Intel-x86/IBM-spec personal computers being the most prominent while UNIX is proprietary-hardware-bonded which increases it cost.

Linux feels very much like windows, but is much sturdier and much richer, while a typical UNIX account feels like a mainframe.

Why Linux?

Ting To give a fast and efficient experience of operating system Linux is designed. A modern, very stable, multi-user, multitasking environment on your expensive PC . Linux is a rich and powerful platform having as much capability as MS Windows NT with software add-ons, is more stable, and requires less powerful hardware for comparable tasks. Linux includes all the standard tools and utilities. Advanced graphical user interface is also available here. Dozens of excellent, free, general-interest desktop applications. This include a range of web browsers, email programs, word processors, spreadsheets, bitmap and vector graphics programs, file managers, audio players, CD writers, some games, etc.

Inspite of being the Universal Operating System, Linux can be customized to perform almost any computing task.

Hundreds of specialized applications built by researchers around the world (astronomy, information technology, chemistry, physics, engineering, linguistics, biology, ...) runs on Linux.In many fields, Linux seems like "the only" operating system

Excellent networking capability is built into this operating system. Like connectivity to Microsoft, Novel, and Apple proprietary networking. Reading/writing to your DOS/MS Windows and other disk formats. This includes "transparent" use of data stored on the MS Windows partition of any hard drive(s).

Why Unix?

Unix operating systems are widely used in servers, workstations, and mobile devices. The Unix environment and the client-server program model are highly useful elements in the development of the Internet and the reshaping of computing as centered in networks rather than in individual computers.

Large servers that power e-mail and web services often use Unix operating systems because of the design, which is focused on stability and flexibility. Companies that run servers require them to stay up and running for long periods of time, maintaining all the files on the server so they can always be accessed reliably.

Unix systems can be a cost-effective alternative to other operating systems because they require less resources, and they run well on hardware without causing slowdowns in computing or graphical functionality.

Most Unix systems (such as Linux, FreeBSD and OpenBSD) are absolutely free, released under open-source licensing. This spares users from costly upgrade cycles once a particular system is out of date.

Unix systems were originally conceived and built as multi-user, networked systems, which contributes to their overall security. Employing a multi-user setup requires that each user have his or her own credentials to access system resources, and administrator privileges are required to install software or run any program that accesses sensitive information.

Also, Unix desktops and workstations comprise only a relatively small part of the overall desktop market. Therefore, hackers rarely write trojans and worms to attack them, focusing instead on Windows systems.

Scope of Linux/Unix

• IT industry
• Gaming industry
• Software Application development
• Embedded systems
• Chip verification
• Networking applications

Eligibility

Any undergraduate with a flair for computing can learn it