Differentiating Linux and UNIX
What are UNIX and Linux?
UNIX (often spelled "UNIX," especially as an official trademark) is an operating system that
originated at Bell Labs in 1969 as an interactive time sharing system. Ken Thompson and Dennis
Ritchie are considered the inventors of Unix. The name (pronounced YEW-nihks) was a pun
based on an earlier system, Multics. In 1974, Unix became the first operating system written in
the C language. Unix has evolved as a kind of large freeware product, with many extensions and
new ideas provided in a variety of versions of Unix by different companies, universities, and
individuals.
Many popular ideas, Unix became the first open or standard operating system that could be
improved or enhanced by anyone. A composite of the C language and shell (user command)
interfaces from different versions of Unix were standardized under the auspices of the IEEE as
the Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX). In turn, the POSIX interfaces were specified in
the X/Open Programming Guide 4.2. These interfaces are also known as the "Single UNIX
Specification" and, in the most recent version, "UNIX 03"). Unix operating systems are used in
widely-sold workstation products from Sun Microsystems, Silicon Graphics, IBM, and a number
of other companies. The Unix environment and the client/server program model were
important elements in the development of the Internet and the reshaping of computing as
centered in networks rather than in individual computers.
Linux (often pronounced LIH-nuhks with a short "i") is a Unix-like operating system that
was designed to provide personal computer users a free or very low-cost operating system
comparable to traditional and usually more expensive Unix systems. Linux has a reputation as a
very efficient and fast-performing system. Linux's kernel (the central part of the operating
system) was developed by Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland. To complete
the operating system, Torvalds and other team members made use of system components
developed by members of the Free Software Foundation for the GNU Project.
Linux is a remarkably complete operating system, including a graphical user interface, an X
Window System, TCP/IP, the Emacs editor, and other components usually found in a
comprehensive Unix system. Unlike Windows and other proprietary systems, Linux is publicly
open and extendible by contributors. Because it conforms to the Portable Operating System
Interface standard user and programming interfaces, developers can write programs that can
be ported to other operating systems. Linux comes in versions for all the major microprocessor
platforms including the Intel, PowerPC, Sparc, and Alpha platforms. It's also available on IBM's
S/390. Linux is distributed commercially by a number of companies. Linux is popular among
users already familiar with Unix, it remains far behind Windows in numbers of users. However,
its use in the business enterprise is growing. Linux is a contraction for Linus' Unix; the short i
sound preferred by most (including Torvalds) derives from the Swedish pronunciation of Linus.
Architectures
Unix is available on PA-RISC and Itanium machines and Linux Originally developed for
Intel's x86 hardware, ports available for over two dozen CPU types including ARM.
File system support
Unix support jfs, gpfs, hfs, ufs, xfs file system format and Linux Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, Jfs,
ReiserFS, Xfs, Btrfs file system format.
Security
Unix is a rough estimate of UNIX viruses is between 85 -120 viruses reported till date
and Linux has had about 60-100 viruses listed till date.
Usage
The UNIX operating system is used in internet servers and workstations and Linux can be
installed on a wide variety of computer hardware, ranging from mobile phones, tablet
computers and video game consoles, to mainframes and supercomputers.
Development and Distribution
Unix systems are divided into various other flavors, mostly developed by AT&T as well as
various commercial vendors and non-profit organizations and Linux is developed by Open
Source development i.e. through sharing and collaboration of code and features through
forums etc and it is distributed by various vendors such as Debian, Red Hat, SUSE, Ubuntu,
GentuX etc.
GUI
Initially Unix was a command based OS, but later a GUI was created called Common
Desktop Environment and Linux typically provides two GUIs, KDE and Gnome. But Linux GUI is
optional.
Text mode interface
Unix Originally the Bourne Shell. Now it's compatible with many others including BASH
and Linux BASH (Bourne Again SHell) is the Linux default shell. It can support multiple command
interpreters.
Threat detection and solution
Because of the proprietary nature of the original Unix, users has to wait for a while, to
get the proper bug fixing patch. But these are not as common. In case of Linux, threat detection
and solution is very fast, as Linux is mainly community driven and whenever any Linux user post
s any kind of threat, several developers start working on it from different parts of the world.
User
Unix operating systems were developed mainly for mainframes, servers and
workstations. The Unix environment and the client-server program model were essential
elements in the development of the Internet and Linux is for everyone, from home users to
developers and computer enthusiasts alike.
Cost
Different flavors of Unix have different cost structures. Linux can be freely distributed,
downloaded freely, distributed through magazines, Books etc. Linux are also in priced versions,
but they are normally cheaper than Windows.
Market share for Desktop PC
Unix Less than 0.5 percent of the PC market. Linux the market share of Linux is about
0.8%.
Price
Linux is Free but support is available for a price.
Compatibility
Linux can co-exist with virtually any operating system out there.
Manufacturer
Linux kernel is developed by the community. Linus Torvalds oversees things.
Processors
Dozens of different kinds.
References
1. http://goo.gl/Gc9I4 5. http://goo.gl/7IUn5
2. http://goo.gl/pr1O3
3. http://goo.gl/xhbc9
4. http://goo.gl/EDSFL