LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM

ITLXA0

LESSON 1
OVERVIEW
• The History of Linux
• Ubuntu Linux
• What is Linux
• The Linux Graphical User Interface
The History of Linux
• Unix:
• Time-sharing operating system kernel controlling computer resources.
• Rewritten in C in the 1970s for portability.
• Initially engineer-focused, lacked user-friendliness on desktops.

• Unix-based OSs:
• Derived from the original Unix Operating System.
• Share features and principles of the original Unix.
• Offer benefits of Unix alongside modern features:
• Graphical User Interfaces (GUI) like GNU.
• Support for multimedia applications.
• VPN and firewall support, among others.
The History of Linux
• Unix-like operating systems:
• Not necessarily derived from the original Unix OS but mimic its behavior.
• Include improvements available in open-source software (OSS).
• Share design principles and features of Unix but not its proprietary code or specific
implementations entirely.
The History of Linux
• Unix Evolution:
• Introduced to UC Berkeley in the mid-1970s, further developed by staff and
students.
• Minix and Linux:
• Minix, an educational Unix version for Intel PCs, developed by Tanenbaum in
the 1980s.
• Linux was created by Torvalds in 1991 as a hobby, providing a Unix-like OS for
personal computers.
• Torvalds created a logo for Linux in the shape of a penguin, named Tux.
The History of Linux
• Linux Development:
• First real version released in 1994, lightweight and fast.
• Runs on various hardware beyond Intel-based PCs.
• Linux Distributions:
• Various distributions developed from the Linux kernel, including Mint,
Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian, and openSUSE.
• GNU Project and GPL:
• GNU project promotes free software development.
• GPL ensures freedom to share, modify, and distribute software, integral to
Linux development.
Ubuntu Linux
• Origins
o Founded in 2004 by Mark Shuttleworth, owner of from Canonical Ltd with a group of open-
source developers.
o Aimed to create a new Linux-based desktop operating system.
o Built on a strong Debian foundation and the GNOME desktop environment.
• Releases
o First release in October 2004 as Ubuntu version 4.10, known as Warty Warthog.
o Follows a naming convention with alliterative names like Breezy Badger, Edgy Eft, Feisty Fawn,
Trusty Tahr, and Jammy Jellyfish.
• Philosophy
o Name derived from the African phrase "Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu," meaning "a person is
a person through people."
o Aimed at bringing the philosophy of Ubuntu (humanity towards others) to the software world.
• Variations
o Other variations include Gobuntu, Edubuntu, Xubuntu, and Kubuntu, each tailored for specific
use cases or user preferences.
What is Linux
• Linux is a multi-user, multitasking operating system.
• It is capable of:
o Managing resources
o Controlling input and output
o Managing storage space
o Detecting equipment failure
o Maintaining system security
What is Linux
• Multitasking in Linux:
o Linux can handle multiple programs simultaneously, leading to more
productive resource usage.
o Pre-emptive multitasking: Operating system controls task allocation and
clock cycles, rather than applications.
• Multi-user functionality:
o Linux allows multiple users to access the system simultaneously.
o Users share computer resources, enabling collaboration and resource
sharing.
o Expensive equipment like printers can be shared among users.
What is Linux
• Linux Features:
o Operating system responsible for managing hardware resources and software applications.
o Multitasking: Handles multiple programs simultaneously, utilizing resources efficiently.
o Multi-user: Allows multiple users to access and share system resources simultaneously,
including printers.
o Interactive: Users can enter commands at the shell, and the system responds accordingly.
o Demand-paged virtual memory system: Runs programs requiring more memory than
installed RAM.
o Security: Built-in security features.
o Full 32- or 64-bit memory access.
o Compatibility: Can coexist with other operating systems on the same disk.
o Extensive hardware compatibility: Supports a wide range of hardware configurations.
o Unix-like: Written from scratch, retaining Unix functionality with additional features.
What is Linux
• Linux Usage:
• Personal workstation: Can be standalone or networked, compatible with
Windows for file sharing.
• Server: Acts as a file/print server with powerful multitasking abilities, used by
ISPs for internet services.
• Three Main Parts of Linux:
• Kernel: Heart of the OS, communicates directly with hardware, manages
resources, schedules programs, controls file system and I/O, tracks user logins.
• Shell: Provides interface between user and kernel, graphical or command-line
shells available (e.g., Bourne, C, tcsh, bash).
• Utilities and Applications: Executable programs for specific tasks, customizable
to user needs.
The Linux Graphical User Interface
• The Linux GUI is created using a system called X Windows.
• Not to be confused with Microsoft Windows.
• X Windows is a system that provides a graphical user interface (GUI)
for Unix-like operating systems, consisting of an X Server for display
management and a window manager for additional GUI features
and customization.
The Linux Graphical User Interface
• X Windows and Linux GUI:
• The X Window system provides a configurable GUI for Linux, separating the
interface from the windows.
• Requires two components: X Server and window manager.
• X Server controls display, input/output, while window manager provides
menus, borders, etc.
• X Server:
• Sets up graphics display, tracks mouse movements, keystrokes, and windows.
• Communicates with hardware via Linux kernel.
• Common X Servers include XFree86, Metro-X, and Accelerated-X.
The Linux Graphical User Interface
• Window Manager:
• Provides additional GUI features like colour backgrounds, window borders, and
menus.
• Highly customizable, allowing users to choose appearance and functionality.
• Examples include FVWM, Afterstep, IceWM, Enlightenment.
• Interaction and Flexibility:
• X Servers and window managers communicate in a predefined manner.
• Applications can run on one machine but display output on another, suitable
for networked environments.
• Desktop environments like GNOME and KDE offer integrated systems with
consistent look and feel, handling cross-application data embedding.
END OF LESSON 1