What Linux is, why it’s everywhere, how the kernel differs from a distribution, and the core components that make up a Linux system.
Linux is a family of open-source operating systems built around the Linux kernel. It provides a Unix-like environment and powers everything from laptops and servers to smartphones, routers, smart TVs, and spacecraft. Thanks to its licensing (e.g., the GNU GPL), Linux is collaborative, customizable, and freely distributed.
In 1991, Linus Torvalds released an early version of a free kernel inspired by Unix. Combined with tooling from the GNU Project (started by Richard Stallman in 1983), it grew into a complete operating system used by developers worldwide. Today, Linux is foundational to the internet, cloud platforms, Android devices, embedded systems, and supercomputers.
The term “Linux” strictly refers to the kernel—the component that interfaces with hardware and provides low-level services:
What users interact with—shells, graphical desktops, and applications—comes from the surrounding software packaged by a distribution.
A distribution (distro) bundles the kernel with system libraries, utilities, a package manager, and, optionally, a desktop environment or server stack. Popular choices include:
bash, zsh)./.apt, dnf/yum for software install/updates.This intro is a launchpad. Whether you want system administration, development, or security, Linux offers the flexibility and transparency to learn deeply and build confidently.