Introduction to Linux

Linux is a UNIX-like operating system that was designed to provide personal computer users a free or very low-cost operating system compared to traditional and usually more expensive UNIX systems. Linux has a reputation as a very efficient and fast-performing system. Linux was created by Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland, and initially released in the year 1991.

Linux is remarkably a complete operating system, including a graphical user interface, an X window System and other components usually found in a comprehensive UNIX system. Unlike windows and other proprietary systems, Linux is publicly open and extendible by contributors. That is, it is an open-source program and the underlying source code is freely available to everyone. Because it conforms to the Portable Operating System Interface as well as 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. Linux is distributed commercially by a number of companies. Latest version of Linux was released on 5th October 2013 named Linux 3.11.4. 

Below is the screen shot of Linux Operating System.