Like Windows and Mac OS, Linux is also an operating system. It is an open-source OS that is utilized for free. Many beginners in coding are suggested to practice using Linux due to its convenient coding environment. Developers also prefer Linux because it allows them to develop an application from scratch with a better development environment. The essential parts of Linux are Kernal, Shell, and Programs. Linux will enable developers to create close contact between hardware and software due to its lenient environment, which helps them build their applications from scratch.
It takes input from the software, gets processed by the processor, and provides it to the hardware to display the output. This is the primary function of Linux and all other operating systems. Linux is one of the operating systems that was developed in the mid-90s and is still being used. It can be utilized from wristwatches to supercomputers. Linux can be found in most appliances that we use nowadays, like our mobile phones, PCs, cars, and more. It is vastly popular among developers and Computer Science students.
Linux operating system consists of the following components:
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Kernel Modules
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Kernel
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System Libraries
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System Softwares
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User Process
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User Utility
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Compilers
Linux Kernel is considered the core of the Linux operating system. The kernel allows users to establish communication between the software and devices. It is capable of managing system resources. It carries four critical responsibilities. They are:
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Memory Management : Kernel takes the responsibility of keeping the record of used and unused memory. It also ensures that there is no manipulation of data utilized by the processes using virtual memory addresses.
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Device Management : Kernel takes responsibility for managing devices that are connected like CPU, graphics card, etc. It stores all the data related to the devices in the device driver. Without the device driver, the kernel won’t be able to control the devices. Thus, the kernel knows how a machine works and what its capabilities are. Hence, the kernel is utilized for manipulating the devices for better performance.
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Process Management : Kernel assigns appropriate time to processes for completing the tasks and also prioritizes them. It also takes care of security and ownership information.
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Handling System Calls: A programmer can use the kernel to write a query or utilize it to perform a task.
Linux system libraries are considered special programs that allow accessing kernel’s features. Applications do the work of triggering the kernel to perform a task. But they should be aware of system calls through which they want to trigger the kernel to perform a particular task. The system library of Linux is the GNU C library.
Linux system utility tools represent simple commands. GNU has introduced these commands for free utilization by the users. These commands help you with easy navigation through the Linux operating system. It allows you to access your files, edit the data, manipulate the data and devices, change the locations of the files, and many more actions.
Linux is mainly used operating system because of its environment. It is an open-source OS that is compiled yet provides source code to the developers. This allows many developers and other programmers to manipulate Linux for their development benefits. Removing malware, viruses, and more are a lot easier in Linux as you can get into its depth and get rid of the unusual software in your system. It is an operating system that purely signifies it is for the users and by the users. You can use Linux for free and utilize it on multiple machines.
To learn Linux, its commands, and concepts in-depth, enroll in Great Learning Academy’s free Linux courses and complete the registered courses successfully to get free Linux certificates.