We are still actively working on the spam issue.

Difference between revisions of "Linux (kernel)"

From InstallGentoo Wiki
Jump to: navigation, search
m (I'd just like to interject for a moment.)
(Remove retarded HTML comment, extend information)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Stub}}
+
''This article is about the Linux Kernel. For the system that the kernel runs under, see [[GNU/Linux]]''
  
<!--
+
Linux is a [[Unix|Unix-like]] kernel. It was created in April 1991 in University of Helsinki, Finland by [[Linus Torvalds]]. It is one of the most prominent examples of free software. It is released under [[GPL|GNU General Public License]] version 2 (GPLv2), with some proprietary binary modules.
I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX.
 
 
 
Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called "Linux", and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project.
 
 
 
There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine's resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called "Linux" distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.
 
-->
 
 
 
Linux is a Unix-like kernel. It was created in April 1991 in University of Helsinki, Finland by [[Linus Torvalds]]. It is one of the most prominent examples of free software. It is released under [[GPL|GNU General Public License]] version 2 (GPLv2), with some proprietary binary modules.
 
  
 
Being a kernel, Linux sets the foundations for the operating system but lacks the actual userspace programs commonly associated with one. Due to historical purposes, Linux ships with GNU core utilities in order to provide a fully functional system. Due to this fact, some refer to it as [[GNU/Linux]], which is a term [[Richard Stallman]] [[Interjection|repeatedly tries to enforce]].
 
Being a kernel, Linux sets the foundations for the operating system but lacks the actual userspace programs commonly associated with one. Due to historical purposes, Linux ships with GNU core utilities in order to provide a fully functional system. Due to this fact, some refer to it as [[GNU/Linux]], which is a term [[Richard Stallman]] [[Interjection|repeatedly tries to enforce]].
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
* [[GNU/Linux]]
+
* [[Tux|Tux, The Linux Mascot]]
* [[Richard Stallman]]
 

Revision as of 01:19, 28 November 2015

This article is about the Linux Kernel. For the system that the kernel runs under, see GNU/Linux

Linux is a Unix-like kernel. It was created in April 1991 in University of Helsinki, Finland by Linus Torvalds. It is one of the most prominent examples of free software. It is released under GNU General Public License version 2 (GPLv2), with some proprietary binary modules.

Being a kernel, Linux sets the foundations for the operating system but lacks the actual userspace programs commonly associated with one. Due to historical purposes, Linux ships with GNU core utilities in order to provide a fully functional system. Due to this fact, some refer to it as GNU/Linux, which is a term Richard Stallman repeatedly tries to enforce.

See also