LINUX has conquered many software and hardware manufacturers and computer fans with its superior and stable network server performance. According to CNET, IDC data shows that Linux has won the second place in the server market. From 1998 to 1999, Linux's share in the server market has grown significantly from 16% to 25%. IDC originally expected that Linux would become the second largest market share in 2002 or 2003, but unexpectedly, this prediction will be realized in 1999.
LINUX started with the hobby of Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in Finland, when he wanted to build a UNIX-like operating system that could be used on Intel-based personal computers instead of the Minix operating system. The logo of LINUX (mascot) is a penguin. Since the release of LINUX1.0, it has gained more and more popularity among computer fans and has been continuously supplemented and updated by computer enthusiasts.
Many parts of LINUX are released under the protection of GNU's General Public License. This operating system is designed and implemented by hundreds of programmers around the world. Its purpose is to build UNIX-compatible products that are freely used by the world without the copyright of any commercial software. Until now, LINUX is a UNIX operating system used on personal computers and workstations. It is a free version of UNIX. Its basic system has very low hardware requirements and is quite stable on many systems.
LINUX is currently the only operating system that can be obtained for free and provides multi-tasking and multi-process functions for PC and multiple users. A free software that can be obtained freely from the Internet or other channels. Installing LINUX not only allows you to experience the taste of becoming a system administrator, but also provides the author with a cheap opportunity to understand the popular UNIX operating system in the world; you can also build your own website by opening some services on the Internet. The more popular versions today are: Turbo LINUX, RedHat LINUX, Slackware LINUX, Solaris. Our country supports Hongqi LINUX.
The author was late in contact with LINUX and spent some time studying LINUX. Now he will sort out his study notes as follows. I hope he can learn from LINUX experts and enthusiasts.
A summary of LINUX features
1. System features
The LINUX system has a text editing interface and a graphical user interface (GUI). The author prefers to enter commands at the simulation terminal of the GUI interface. Its characteristics include: multi-user, multi-task, multi-platform, programmable SHELL, providing source code, emulation terminal, supporting multiple file systems and powerful network functions, etc.
Multiple users: Multiple users (six) can work at the same time from the same or different terminals (terminal numbers: tty1~tty6). In the console, the command to switch terminal is: ALT+F1~F6; in the simulation terminal window (ps/0~n) is: SHIFT+ALT+F1~F6.
Multitasking: Multiple programs can be executed at the same time, and the programs do not interfere with each other. Unlike WINDOWS services, LINUX uses all the remaining physical memory not used in the system to cache the hard disk. The author once opened three xterms, which were used to find files, debug programs, and send emails. It can also specify that a program runs in the background and that some programs run within a specific time (at command).
Multi-platform: LINUX can run on X86 platform and can also be ported to other platforms.
Programmable SHELL: SHELL is a system shell that interprets and executes commands. By writing SHELL programs, the system is more personalized; and it has the functions of C language in some programs.
Source code provided: LINUX is free software, the source code is completely public, and it can compile the kernel, modify and expand the operating system, and conduct secondary development.
LINUX supports many file systems, such as: EXT2, NFS, VFS, ISO9660, MSDOS, etc.
Network functions: It has fully implemented TCP/IP, SLIP, PPP, and PLIP protocols, and has powerful functions.
2. System comparison
LINUX can coexist with other operating systems on the PC, but there are still differences.
(I) LINUX and MSDOS
DOS is the most popular on PCs and has a low price. LINUX is free software, no need to consider the price. Some LINUX commands are the same or similar to M S-DOS, such as cp----copy, cd (..)---cd (..), telnet---telnet, etc.; to use DOS commands under LINUX, add m before the command; LINUX can also give full play to the functions of the microprocessor, and its functions such as multi-user, multi-tasking, and network are incomparable to MSDOS. Commonly, LI N U X and DOS are installed on the same machine.
(II) LINUX and WINDOWS
Both are multitasking operating systems that support the same user interface, networking and security. However, WINDOWS is a dedicated system that controls interfaces and designs by the developed company and establishes strict standards, and is purchased at a high price. LINUX is a free software, and its development adopts an open and collaborative model, which is conducive to the full collective wisdom of programmers, greatly reducing unnecessary repetitive labor, and allowing the weaknesses of free software to be discovered and overcome in a timely manner, with strong vitality. LINUX is competing for market share of UNIX and WINDOWS NT. It is the only operating system that can compete with MICROSOFT WINDOWS; Gates also acknowledges that LINUX is a competitor to Microsoft.
(III) LINUX and UNIX
In essence, LINUX is a version of UNIX. UNIX supports more hardware, and LINUX supports hardware is also expanding. What is very prominent is that LINUX is at least as stable as commercial UNIX. For many users, the most important factor is price; obviously, LINUX has the advantage at this point. LINUX enables users to run full UNIX on their PC. Therefore, LINUX provides the author with cheap opportunities to learn UNIX.
Three. Disadvantages:
The biggest disadvantage of using LINUX is that no entity is responsible for its development. LINUX developers are scattered around the world and they can publish their own programs at will without formal quality assurance programs.
1. Due to the decentralized development and the lack of technical support for LINUX, I often encounter many problems. I don’t know how to solve them at all, and I can’t find the information. This is the main reason why I installed it many times;
2. It cannot be installed and run on all hardware platforms. The hardware supported by LINUX depends on the hardware used by each developer to write the code.
3. Some application software, especially for WINDOWS and DOS, cannot be used on LINUX. The current solution is to coexist with other operating systems on one machine.
4. In addition, the author feels that the installation of the software is not smart enough. Sometimes it needs to recompile the kernel and modify Makefiles and other files. It is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and it is often not installed--maybe because the kernel has not been optimized and configured well.