Everything About ___
Live briefing

Everything about Linux

Family of Unix-like operating systems that use the Linux kernel

Linux is a family of free and open-source software Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, which was first released on 17 September 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Some members of the family are typically packaged as a distribution, which includes the kernel alongside supporting system software and libraries developed by third parties—such as GNU, Red Hat, and X.Org—to create a complete operating system; however, not all Linux-based operating systems are considered distros, with Android being an example. Linux was originally designed as a clone of Unix and is distributed under the copyleft GPL license. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: LinuxA 5-minute orientation
  2. Skim a recent paper: MEGA 12.1: Cross-Platform Release for macOS and Linux Operating SystemsInfluential work since 2022
  3. Pick up a classic book: LinuxThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  4. Read the landmark paper: Arlequin suite ver 3.5: a new series of programs to perform population genetics analyses under Linux and WindowsCited 14,423 times
  5. Go sideways: History of LinuxA closely related topic
  6. Go sideways: GNU ProjectA closely related topic

📖 Definitions

Noun Any unix-like operating system that uses the Linux kernel.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Overview
  2. History
  3. Usage
  4. Design
  5. Development
  6. Hardware support
  7. Security

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

🆕 Influential since 2022

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics