Linux corresponds largely to the POSIX standard and interacts well with existing operating systems from MicrosoftTM, NovellTM and Apple as well as the Internet.
The name Linux refers only to the operating system kernel, but it is often used to describe the complete system, including the applications. The name is derived from the inventor of the system, Linus Torvalds.
The Linux environment today is made up of the following components:
System software · e.g the actual operating system.
Applications ·The programs you can run on Linux.
Development teams - Programmers all over the world, who continuously
extend and improve Linux, making it available for new platforms.
Hundreds of thousands of enthusiastic users, from students and interested
individuals to companies which use Linux as a cheap and flexible Internet
server, and even to large corporations such as the car rental specialist
Budget/Sixt or IKEA, the Swedish furniture retailer with outlets all over
the world, where business critical applications are based on Linux.
Although lots of Linux Distributions exist, they all have four things in common:
1. Several Identical core components. Such as the: The Linux Kernel.
2. The use of an X Windows and a Desktop / Window Manager
3. Linux works on user permissions, to make any changes to installed software or setting's you must be logged in as 'Root' or the 'Super User'
4. Their code is Open Source