What is a Linux distribution?
A Linux distribution is a collection of software that runs on the Linux kernel. The word “Linux” literally refers to the Linux kernel, which is the part of the operating system that interacts with the hardware and manages running programs. A distribution includes the Linux kernel, but also includes hundreds of programs (e.g. Firefox, X Windows, and the gcc compiler). A kernel without any programs to run on it is useless.
A Linux distribution is a version of Linux software which contains a combination of the Linux computer operating system and a variety of other software packages all bundled together. Linux distributions come in varieties from very simplistic to fully functional operating systems and can be used on both personal computers and servers. The Linux distribution was developed so that Linux was more accessible to users that were not Unix, another operating system from 1960s and 1970s, experts. Linux is a free, open-source code, computer operating system similar to Unix. “Open-source code” means that the programmers have released the programming code which makes the software work. The programmers release the code so other programmers around the world can customize and improve upon it. Generally the software of a Linux distribution is open-source as well; however, some companies have proprietary software in their distributions and therefore do not release the programming code. A computer’s oper
It is obvious by now that a Linux distribution is in a basic sense a set of packages that together make up the operating system. It is a little more than that. In order to install the operating system the tools to perform the install must be available in the correct order for the user. A user interface must provide information to the user so they will know what they can do and what their choices are. The user interface must also interpret user commands and act upon them. Also the Distribution package generally makes some assumptions about the way the system will be set up. Deciding how to set the user interface up for the installation can be a complicated task. Various distributions will allow: • Different tools and methods to set the system up. • Different choices with regard to setup. • Various choices of packages to install. The core of the operating system is still likely to be the same or similar and many of the packages used will be the same. Also the user can get additional pack
If you follow the IT press, you probably have heard of some Linux companies such as Red Hat, Mandriva, SuSE, and Debian. These are all organisations that have created their own ‘distributions’ (often known as distros) of Linux. A Linux distribution is more than just the kernel itself. A typical desktop Linux distribution consists of various software components including the Linux kernel, the GNU toolchain, and a collection of free and open source software, such as office suites, email clients, web browsers, instant messaging, graphics editors, video players and more. This software is released in both binary and source code form, the former of which is code that the computer can understand, the latter what humans can read. Having the source code released under a GPL license means that other developers can legally modify the software, thereby providing a mechanism where the community can contribute to the development of the software components. With most distributions there is often some
