Overview of Linux
A presentation for COSC513 By Jinfang Li Southeastern University
[1] What is Linux
Linuxis a free, UNIX-like operating system. Linux is available for multiple platforms: PowerPC, Macintosh, Amiga, Atari, DEC Alpha, Sun Sparc, ARM, and many others. Linux aims for POSIX compliancy to maintain maximum compatibility with other UNIX-like systems.
[2] History of Linux
Linux was created originally by and named after a young student Linus Torvald at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Linux began searching for ways to get more out of Minix in the spring of 1991. On october 5th 1991, Linus announced his first "official" version of Linux, version 0.02. Three years later, in 1994, version 1.0 was officially released.
[3] System Features
The main features of the Linux operating system: preemptive multitasking multiuser rudimentary security designed for connectivity uses full 32-bit access to data in protected mode
[3] System Features
up to 128 MB RAM, and up to 4 Gig storage peacefully co-exists with DOS/Windows on separate partitions or hard disks the same machine; supports 256-character, case sensitive file names; all treated as files unification of file, directory, device, and interprocess input/output
an hierarchical file system
[4] Linux kernel
(a)The kernel is the central nervous system of Linux
the operating system code which runs the whole computer
(b)The kernel is under constant development
It is always available in both the latest stable release and the latest experimental release.
(c)The kernel design is modular
OS code is very small able to load whatever functionality it needs then free the memory
(d) the kernel remains small and fast yet highly extensible (e) the Linux kernel is a three disk set that offers a command line and will respond to the core UNIX commands.
[4] Linux kernel
(f) Linux kernel development has split into two different branches
1.signified with version numbers starting with 1.0 and using even numbers is supposed to be a more stable, dependable version of Linux. 2.signified with versions numbered 1.1 and using odd numbers is a more daring quicker developing and therefore more buggy version of Linux for the adventuresome .
(g) The Linux kernel is a large system and unfortunately contains bugs. They're fixed almost as soon as they're found.
[5] Software supported
Linux supports a wide spectrum of applications or development packages .
(a) Linux has GCC, Emacs, X-Windows, all the standard Unix utilities, TCP/IP (including SLIP and PPP) and hundreds of programs. (b) There is a DOS emulator which can run DOS itself and some DOS applications. (c) An iBCS2 emulator for SVR4 ELF and SVR3.2 COFF binaries is at a fairly advanced stage of development. (d) Work is progressing on an emulator for Microsoft Windows binaries. (e)Linux supports Java applications, compiles Java applications and applets, and has Java-enabled web browsers (such as Netscape).
[6] Applications
Linux contains a wide variety of applications.
(a)General Business Applications - Office Suites, Financial Programs, Word Processors, Text Editors, Spreadsheets (b)Database Tools - Databases, Database Tools and Utilities (c) Development Tools - Programming Software, Tools, and Utilities
[6] Applications
(e) Internet Utilities - HTML Editors, Internet Applications and Utilities, Email ,Software, Web Browsers, Web Servers (f) Networking Tools -- Networking Tools and Utilities (g) Miscellaneous Applications (h) Linux Software Map (LSM)
[7] Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
(a) Cost
The Linux OS is entirely cost- and license-free. The only expenses involved are those of hardware and maintenance.
(b) OS Stability
Linux almost never freezes under normal use. Linux has been known to run some applications for months and years at a time.
(c) Speed
Linux machines are also known to be extremely fast, because the operating system is very efficient at managing resources .
[7] Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages:
(d) Portability
Linux can run on ARMs, DEC Alphas, SUN Sparcs, M68000 machines (like Atari and Amiga), MIPS and PowerPCs, and others. So no matter what computer you're running, Linux will work on your hardware.
(e) Power and Customization
Linux can be tailored to your specific hardware and software needs, as well as other operating systems.
(f) Support
Support for the Linux OS is entirely free. There is extensive documentation covering almost everything you will use.
[7] Advantages and Disadvantages
Disadvantages:
(a) Lack of technical support
Having no source of technical support for the linux operating system, so for its application.
(b) Hardware problems
Linux can be hard to install and doesn’t work on all hardware platforms as it is not a commercial program development operation.
[7] Advantages and Disadvantages
Disadvantages: (c) Maintainance
Linux requires that you learn to perform administration tasks like adding new users and installing software.
(d) Lack of experience
It has many features which require patience to learn, and experience to fully understand.
(e) Accountability
Use of the Linux OS is strictly at-your-own-risk. There is no one who is responsible if the OS fails.
[8] Summary
Linux is the only operating system today that is freely available to provide multitasking and multiprocessing capabilities for multiple users on IBM PC-compatible hardware platform.
Linux separates you from the market of the various commercial providers. You are not locked into upgrading every few years and paying outrageous sums to update all your applications.
[8] Summary
Linux is relatively stable on many system and presents you with an inexpensive opportunity to learn and use one of the most popular operating system in the world today --- Unix. Linux also provide you with easy access to the internet and rest of the information superhighway.
[9] Reference
[1] Ricart, Manuel Alberto, "The complete idiot's guide to Linux ", 1998. [2] Ball, Bil, "How to use Linux", 1999 [3] Hall, Jon, "Linux for dummies". 1999. [4] Volkerding, Patrick, "Linux in plain English", 1997 [5] Ray, John, "Sams teach yourself Linux in 10 minutes", 1999 [6] Ball, Bill, "Sams' teach yourself Linux in 24 hours", 1998 [7] Sobell, Mark G "A practical guide to Linux", 1997 [8] Jack Tackeet, Jr. and Steven Burnett, “ Using Linux”, 4th ed., 1999 [9] http://www.linuxfocus.org [10] http://www.croftj.net/~jam/index.html [11] http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/users/iwj10/linux-faq/index.html