Linux history, How Linux come into existence, When it started and what is the history of Linux. These questions are answered here.
In 80's, Microsoft DOS was the dominated OS for PC
Apple MACINTOSH was better, but expensive
UNIX was much better, but much, much more expensive. Only for minicomputer for commercial applications
People was looking for a UNIX based system, which is cheaper and can run on PC
Both DOS, MAC and UNIX were proprietary, i.e., the source code of their kernel is protected
No modification is possible without paying high license fees
GNU foundation, established in 1984 by Richard Stallman, who believes that software should be free from restrictions against copying or modification in order to make better and efficient computer programs.
GNU is a recursive acronym for GNU's Not Unix.
Aim at developing a complete Unix-like operating system which is free for copying and modification
Companies make their money by maintaining and distributing the software, e.g. optimally packaging the software with different tools (Redhat, Slackware, Mandrake, SuSE, etc)
Stallman built the first free GNU C Compiler in 1991. But still, an OS was yet to be developed
A famous professor Andrew Tanenbaum developed Minix, a simplified version of UNIX that runs on PC
Minix is for class teaching only. No intention for commercial use
In Sept 1991, Linus Torvalds, a second year student of Computer Science at the University of Helsinki, developed the preliminary kernel of Linux, known as Linux version 0.0.1
Message from Professor Andrew Tanenbaum
" I still maintain the point that designing a monolithic kernel in 1991 is a fundamental error. Be thankful you are not my student. You would not get a high grade for such a design."
(Andrew Tanenbaum to Linus Torvalds)
Soon more than a hundred people joined the Linux camp. Then thousands. Then hundreds of thousands
It was licensed under GNU General Public License, thus ensuring that the source codes will be free for all to copy, study and to change.
Linux has been used for many computing platforms
PC, PDA, Supercomputer.
Not only character user interface but graphical user interface is available
Commercial vendors moved in Linux itself to provide freely distributed code. They make their money by compiling up various software and gathering them in a distributable format
Red Hat, Slackware, etc
Recent estimates say about 29 million people use Linux worldwide. The effects of the dot-com bust, IT slowdown and global economic recession can be clearly seen.
Free software, as defined by the FSF (Free Software Foundation), is a "matter of liberty, not price." To qualify as free software by FSF standards, you must be able to:
Run the program for any purpose you want to, rather than be restricted in what you can use it for.
View the program's source code.
Study the program's source code and modify it if you need to.
Share the program with others.
Improve the program and release those improvements so that others can use them.
- What is Unix/Linux?
- History of Linux
- Features Supported Under Linux
- The future of Linux
In 80's, Microsoft DOS was the dominated OS for PC
Apple MACINTOSH was better, but expensive
UNIX was much better, but much, much more expensive. Only for minicomputer for commercial applications
People was looking for a UNIX based system, which is cheaper and can run on PC
Both DOS, MAC and UNIX were proprietary, i.e., the source code of their kernel is protected
No modification is possible without paying high license fees
GNU foundation, established in 1984 by Richard Stallman, who believes that software should be free from restrictions against copying or modification in order to make better and efficient computer programs.
GNU is a recursive acronym for GNU's Not Unix.
Aim at developing a complete Unix-like operating system which is free for copying and modification
Companies make their money by maintaining and distributing the software, e.g. optimally packaging the software with different tools (Redhat, Slackware, Mandrake, SuSE, etc)
Stallman built the first free GNU C Compiler in 1991. But still, an OS was yet to be developed
A famous professor Andrew Tanenbaum developed Minix, a simplified version of UNIX that runs on PC
Minix is for class teaching only. No intention for commercial use
In Sept 1991, Linus Torvalds, a second year student of Computer Science at the University of Helsinki, developed the preliminary kernel of Linux, known as Linux version 0.0.1
Message from Professor Andrew Tanenbaum
" I still maintain the point that designing a monolithic kernel in 1991 is a fundamental error. Be thankful you are not my student. You would not get a high grade for such a design."
(Andrew Tanenbaum to Linus Torvalds)
Soon more than a hundred people joined the Linux camp. Then thousands. Then hundreds of thousands
It was licensed under GNU General Public License, thus ensuring that the source codes will be free for all to copy, study and to change.
Linux has been used for many computing platforms
PC, PDA, Supercomputer.
Not only character user interface but graphical user interface is available
Commercial vendors moved in Linux itself to provide freely distributed code. They make their money by compiling up various software and gathering them in a distributable format
Red Hat, Slackware, etc
Recent estimates say about 29 million people use Linux worldwide. The effects of the dot-com bust, IT slowdown and global economic recession can be clearly seen.
Free software, as defined by the FSF (Free Software Foundation), is a "matter of liberty, not price." To qualify as free software by FSF standards, you must be able to:
Run the program for any purpose you want to, rather than be restricted in what you can use it for.
View the program's source code.
Study the program's source code and modify it if you need to.
Share the program with others.
Improve the program and release those improvements so that others can use them.
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