Section 2: Evolution of Linux
OS Differences: Mac OSX
▪ 7% of home users ▪ Free but only works on Apple systems ▪ GUI-based
OS Differences: Windows
▪ 90% of home users ▪ Widely-available and widely-supported ▪ Most prone to malware ▪ Requires a license ▪ GUI-based
Pre-release version
Recommended to be used only for testing and debugging. Categories: ● Alpha - very new and contains a lot of bugs ● Beta - where most testing are done
Open Source Software (OSS)
Software that is 1) Free 2) Modifiable (Code) 3) Redistributable
Popular Linux distributions
1) Ubuntu 2) Debian 3) Fedora
What are different ways to install a Linux OS?
1) a disk, 2) a usb drive, 3) over the network
What is Linux?
A family of open-source, Unix-like operating systems. This family is typically packaged into a distribution.
Embedded System
A controller with a dedicated function within a larger mechanical or electrical system.
Preemptive multitasking
A task in which a computer operating system uses some criteria to decide how long to allocate to any one task before giving another task a turn to use the operating system. The act of taking control of the operating system from one task and giving it to another task is called preempting.
Types of (Open Source) Software Licenses
A) GNU General Public License B) Apache License C) MIT License D) Unlicense
Operating Systems
A) Windows B) Mac OSX C) Linux
Android
An embedded operating system variant of Linux that is used in smartphones, tablets, and Smart TVs.
Software license
Dictates: 1) What users can modify in the original package distribution 2) How to redistribute these modified packages (AKA versions/forks).
What does HCL mean?
Hardware Compatibility List The HCL provides a list of all supported devices within a given distro.
Recommended Requirements
Hardware that one should have in order to fully maximize a system's potential
Linux distribution features
Includes the following: A) Linux Kernel B) The supporting system software C) A library of features for user interaction D) Configuration files
Release Schedule
It specifies when will new versions be released to the public.
Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)
Lists tested, compatible, and sometimes incompatible hardware devices for a particular distribution
Linux start-up processes
Managed by the system. Launch program vary from distribution to distribution due to different scripts and utilities.
Rolling Release Schedule
Ongoing updates
What type of multitasking does Linux use?
Preemptive Preemptive multitasking is a task in which a computer operating system uses some criteria to decide how long to allocate to any one task before giving another task a turn to use the operating system. The act of taking control of the operating system from one task and giving it to another task is called preempting.
System requirements
Prerequisites that are often used as a guide and not an absolute rule
Linux Distribution: Linux Kernel
The core computer program. It has complete control over everything in the system.
Kernel
The core of any Linux distribution. A low-level computer program. Functions as the bridge between the 1) user and 2) computer's resources. Functions include: A) memory management B) management of input/output devices
Minimum Requirements
The lowest possible hardware specification that your computer should have to boot successfully and use with basic functionality
True or False: Some televisions can run Linux.
True Smart TVs often run an embedded version of Linux. For example, the Roku TVs and Roku devices all run an operating system called Roku OS (which is a manufacturer created version of Linux).
What operating system is Linux based on?
Unix
Hardware Requirements
o System requirements o Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) o Minimum Requirements o Recommended Requirements
OS Differences: Linux
▪ Less than 2% of home users ▪ More than 75% of enterprise server environments ▪ Known as the OS for computer experts and hackers ▪ Source code is available for modification ▪ Open source ▪ Can run from the command line only
Support Versions
▪ Short-term ▪ Long-term
