Introduction and history of Linux and Unix

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INTRODUCTION TO LINUX

menu of linux

Linux is an operating system that evolved from a kernel created by Linus Torvalds when he
was a student at the University of Helsinki. Linux is an operating system that is meant to be used
as an alternative to other operating systems like MS-DOS, the various versions of MS Windows,
Mac OS, Solaris and others.

History of Unix and Linux

LINUX logoIn the 1950s -60s computers were very big machines which created many practical
difficulties for the users. In addition every computer had different operating systems. Software was customized to serve a specific purpose, and software for one system did not run on another system. Hence Computers were expensive and complicated to operate. Thus it was difficult both for users and system administrators.
           Technologically the world was not quite advanced at that time. In 1969, a team of developers in the Bell Labs laboratories started working on a solution for the software problem, to address these compatibility issues. They developed a new operating system, which was

1. Simple and stylish.
2. Written in the C programming language instead of assembly code
3. Able to recycle code.

The Bell Lab developers named their project “UNIX”.

The code recycling features were very important. Until then, all the commercially available
computer systems were written in a code specifically developed for one system. UNIX on the other
hand needed only a small piece of that special code, which is now commonly named the kernel.
This kernel is only one piece of code that needs to be adapted for every specific system and forms
the base of the UNIX system. The operating system and all other functions were built around this
kernel and written in a higher programming language, C. this language was especially developed
for creating the UNIX system. Using this new technique, it was much easier to develop an
operating system that could run on different types of hardware.

        UNIX did a great effort to become compatible with different systems. The development of
UNIX continued throughout the next couple of decades. More hardware and software vendors
added support for UNIX to their products. UNIX was initially used only in very large
environments with mainframes such as a university, the government or for large financial
corporations.
Gradually smaller computers were being developed, and by the end of the 80s, many
people had personal computers. By that time, there were several versions of UNIX available for
the PC architecture, but none of them were truly free and also they were all very slow. This made
people use MS DOS or Windows 3.1 on their home PCs.

How Linux was born ?

By the beginning of the 90s home PCs were finally powerful enough to run UNIX. When
Linus Torvalds was studying at the University of Helsinki, he was using a version of the UNIX
operating system called ‘Minix’. Linus thought it would be a good idea to have some sort of freely
available academic version of UNIX, and promptly started to code. Linus and other users sent
requests to the programmers and users all around the world for modifications and improvements to Minix. He started to ask questions, looking for answers and solutions that would help him get
UNIX on his PC. Linus decided to create his own operating system that would take into account
users’ comments and suggestions for improvement. At the beginning, it was Linus’ goal to have a
free system that was completely compliant with the original UNIX.

                      In 1991, ideal conditions existed that would create Linux. In essence, Linus Torvalds had a kernel but no programs of his own, Richard Stallman and GNU had programs but no working
kernel. So combining the necessary programs provided by GNU in Cambridge, Massachusetts and
a kernel, developed by Linus Torvalds in Helsinki, Finland, Linux was born. Due to the physical
distances involved, the means used to get Linus’ kernel together with the GNU programs was the
internet, then in infancy. We can say then that Linux is an operating system that came to life on the internet. The Internet would also be crucial in Linux’s subsequent development as the means of coordinating the work of all the developers that have made Linux into what it is today.

Importance of Linux

Today, Linux is enjoying a favourable climate. This comes from the fact that Linux has
proven to be a tremendously stable and versatile operating system, particularly as a network server. When Linux is deployed as a web server or in corporate networks, its down-time is almost
negligible. There have been cases when Linux server have been running for more than a year
without re-booting and then only taken down for a brief period for routine maintenance. Its cost
effectiveness has sold it more than anything else. Linux can be installed on a home PC as well as a network server for a fraction of the cost of other companies’ software packages.
On the server side, Linux is well-known as a stable and reliable platform, providing
database and trading services for companies like Amazon, the well-known online bookshop, US
Post Office, the German army and many others. Cluster of Linux machines are used in the creation of movies such as “Titanic”, “Shrek” and others.

                   Modern Linux also runs on gadgets like PDA’s, mobiles, a lot of embedded applications and also on experimental wristwatches. This makes Linux the only operating system in the world covering such a wide range of hardware.

Advantages of Linux

         There are significant advantages of using Linux operating systems in a business or
organization. They are as under.

1. Lower Total Cost of Ownership

Independent TCO surveys support Linux as the most cost effective operating system available
on the market today. Lower TCO improves the bottom line.

2. Security

Linux provides industry-leading security to both desktops and servers with the fewest
high-level security issues of any OS.

3. Highest Reliability

  Linux provides renowned reliability to increase up time and improve worker productivity

4. Avoiding Vendor Lock In

 Linux prevents vendor lock in and promotes competition to lower software costs

5. Ease of Migration

Linux provides renowned reliability to increase up time and improve worker productivity.
4. Avoiding Vendor Lock In
Linux prevents vendor lock in and promotes competition to lower software costs.

6. World Class Support

Linux allows migration paths suitable for each type of organization, whether migrating to
mixed OS systems or moving an entire network of servers and desktops to Linux.

7. Rapid Employee Training

A wide variety of large and small technology companies such as IBM, HP, and Novell
provide Linux support to every size of business.

8. Inexpensive Standard Desktop Software

The Linux desktop and applications appear remarkably similar to current standard desktops so
employee down time due to retraining is minimal.

Standard desktop applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation
software are available for free or at reasonable prices on Linux.

9. Improved Custom Applications

10. Superior Network and Systems Management

Numerous software development firms provide reliable and secure custom applications for
business and organization systems.

Linux provides robust network and systems management capabilities to improve administration capabilities.

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