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| | == Linux distribution == | | == Linux distribution == |
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| − | A '''[[Linux distribution|Linux distribution]]''' (often shortened to '''distro''') is an operating system made from a collection of software, including the [[Linux kernel|Linux kernel]] and often a package of [[GNU Project|GNU]] [[System software|system software]] and libraries. For the end user, a [[Linux distribution|Linux distribution]] is essentially the complete operating system they install and interact with, which makes the underlying [[Linux kernel|kernel]] and other [[Free and open-source software|free software]] usable. | + | A '''Linux distribution''' (often shortened to '''distro''') is an operating system made from a collection of software, including the Linux kernel and often a package of GNU system software and libraries. For the end user, a Linux distribution is essentially the complete operating system they install and interact with, which makes the underlying kernel and other free software usable. |
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| − | [[Linux distribution|Distributions]] are developed by various projects and companies to serve different purposes and user needs. They bundle the core components of [[Linux]] (like the [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]], shell, [[Init (Unix)|init system]], command-line tools) with additional [[Software|software]] such as a [[Package management system|package manager]], [[Software repository|software repositories]], system libraries, utilities, and often a [[Desktop environment]] or a set of server applications.
| + | Distributions are developed by various projects and companies to serve different purposes and user needs. They bundle the core components of [[Linux]] (like the kernel), shell, init system, command-line tools) with additional software such as a package manager, software repositories, system libraries, utilities, and often a Desktop environment or a set of server applications. |
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| − | The existence of many different [[Linux distribution|distributions]] is due to the flexible and open-source nature of [[Linux]]. Anyone can take the source code for the [[Linux kernel|kernel]] and other [[Free and open-source software|free software]], customize it, and bundle it into their own distribution tailored for specific hardware, use cases, or user preferences. | + | The existence of many different distributions is due to the flexible and open-source nature of [[Linux]]. Anyone can take the source code for the kernel and other free software, customize it, and bundle it into their own distribution tailored for specific hardware, use cases, or user preferences. |
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| − | === Components of a Distribution === | + | ==[[Pulsed Media]]== |
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| − | While the exact contents vary, a typical [[Linux distribution|Linux distribution]] includes:
| + | [[Pulsed Media]] uses currently '''only''' '''Debian''' distros in their services. |
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| − | * '''The [[Linux kernel|Linux Kernel]]:''' The core of the operating system that manages [[Hardware (computing)|hardware]] and processes.
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| − | * '''[[System software|System Software]]:''' Essential utilities and daemons, often from the [[GNU Project|GNU Project]] (like the [[GNU Core Utilities|GNU core utilities]]), providing basic command-line functionality, file manipulation, and system management.
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| − | * '''[[Init (Unix)|Init System]]:''' The first process started during booting, responsible for starting other system services (commonly [[systemd]], but others like SysVinit or OpenRC exist).
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| − | * '''[[Library (computing)|System Libraries]]:''' Collections of code that [[Application software|applications]] use to perform common tasks (like the GNU C Library - glibc).
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| − | * '''[[Package management system|Package Management System]]:''' Tools (like [[APT (software)|APT]], [[DNF]], [[Pacman (package manager)|Pacman]], [[apk-tools|apk]]) that automate the installation, updating, configuration, and removal of [[Software|software]] packages from [[Software repository|online repositories]].
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| − | * '''[[Software repository|Software Repositories]]:''' Organized collections of pre-compiled [[Software|software]] packages that can be easily installed via the [[Package management system|package manager]].
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| − | * '''[[File system hierarchy standard|File System Hierarchy]]:''' A standard layout for directories and files on the system.
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| − | * '''[[Shell (computing)|Shell]]:''' A [[Command-line interface|command-line interface]] (CLI) that allows users to interact with the operating system by typing commands (Bash is the most common).
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| − | * '''[[User interface|User Interface]]:''' For desktop distributions, this includes a [[Windowing system|windowing system]] (like X.Org or Wayland) and a [[Desktop environment|desktop environment]] ([[GUI|GUI]] like GNOME, KDE Plasma, XFCE). Server distributions often omit the [[GUI]] and rely on the [[Command-line interface|CLI]].
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| − | * '''[[Application software|Applications]]:''' Various user-facing or server applications (web browsers, office suites, web servers, database servers, development tools, etc.).
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| − | === Types of Distributions ===
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| − | [[Linux distribution|Linux distributions]] are often categorized based on their primary focus or development model:
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| − | * **Desktop Distributions:** Designed for everyday use on personal computers, often featuring user-friendly [[GUI|GUIs]] and a wide range of pre-installed applications (e.g., [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]], [[Linux Mint]], [[Fedora Linux|Fedora]]).
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| − | * **Server Distributions:** Optimized for stability, [[Computer security|security]], and running server applications. They often have minimal installations, focus on command-line tools, and provide [[Long-term support|LTS]] releases (e.g., [[Debian Stable]], [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu Server]], [[Red Hat Enterprise Linux|RHEL]], [[CentOS Stream|CentOS Stream]]).
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| − | * **Embedded Distributions:** Small, specialized distributions for use in [[Embedded system|embedded systems]] and [[Device|devices]] with limited resources (e.g., [[Buildroot]], [[OpenWrt]], [[Alpine Linux]]).
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| − | * **Security Distributions:** Focused on [[Computer security|computer security]] tasks, often including pre-installed tools for penetration testing, digital forensics, or secure environments (e.g., [[Kali Linux]], [[Tails (operating system)|Tails]], [[Qubes OS]]).
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| − | * **Lightweight Distributions:** Designed for older hardware or systems with limited [[Computer resource|resources]], often using lighter [[Desktop environment|desktop environments]] or [[Windowing system|window managers]].
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| − | * **[[Rolling release|Rolling Release]] vs. [[Release cycle|Release-based]]:** This refers to the update model. [[Rolling release|Rolling release]] distributions continuously receive the latest [[Software|software]] updates, while release-based distributions have distinct versions released periodically, with updates focused on bug and [[Security update|security fixes]] until the next major release.
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| − | === Most Used Distribution Tree ===
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| − | Many [[Linux distribution|Linux distributions]] are derived from or based on other distributions, forming "families" or "trees." Below is a simplified representation focusing on some of the most widely used distributions and their relationships. Note that this is not exhaustive, and popularity can vary by use case (desktop vs. server) and region.
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| − | * **[[Debian]] Family:** Known for its commitment to [[Free and open-source software|free software]], stability, and [[APT (software)|APT]] package manager.
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| − | * [[Debian]] (The base distribution)
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| − | * [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]] (Popular desktop and server distribution, easier to use, has its own release cycle)
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| − | * [[Linux Mint]] (Very popular desktop distribution, focuses on user-friendliness)
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| − | * [[Pop!_OS]] (Desktop distribution by System76, includes optimizations)
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| − | * [[Raspberry Pi OS]] (Formerly Raspbian, official distribution for [[Raspberry Pi|Raspberry Pi]] hardware)
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| − | * [[Kali Linux]] (Security-focused distribution)
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| − | * [[Tails (operating system)|Tails]] (Security-focused, live system emphasizing anonymity)
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| − | * **[[Red Hat Linux|Red Hat]] Family:** Originally based on [[Red Hat Linux|Red Hat Linux]], now centered around [[Red Hat Enterprise Linux|RHEL]] for enterprise servers and [[Fedora Linux|Fedora]] as the upstream. Uses the [[DNF package manager|DNF]] (and historically [[RPM Package Manager|RPM]]) package manager.
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| − | * [[Fedora Linux|Fedora]] (Community distribution, upstream for RHEL, uses newer software)
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| − | * [[Red Hat Enterprise Linux|RHEL]] (Commercial enterprise server distribution, focuses on stability and support)
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| − | * [[CentOS Stream|CentOS Stream]] (Community distribution, rolling release, upstream for RHEL)
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| − | * [[AlmaLinux OS|AlmaLinux]] (Community-supported RHEL clone)
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| − | * [[Rocky Linux]] (Community-supported RHEL clone)
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| − | * **[[SUSE Linux|SUSE]] Family:** Another major historical branch, known for the YaST configuration tool. Uses the [[ZYpp|Zypper]] (and [[RPM Package Manager|RPM]]) package manager.
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| − | * [[OpenSUSE|openSUSE]] (Community distribution, has [[Rolling release|rolling release]] ('Tumbleweed') and [[Release cycle|release-based]] ('Leap') options)
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| − | * [[SUSE Linux Enterprise Server|SUSE Linux Enterprise Server]] (Commercial enterprise server distribution)
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| − | * **Other Notable Independent Distributions:**
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| − | * [[Slackware|Slackware]] (One of the oldest still-maintained distributions, known for simplicity and limited automation)
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| − | * [[Gentoo Linux|Gentoo]] (Known for its source-based package management (Portage), allowing high customization)
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| − | * [[Arch Linux]] (Known for its simplicity, minimalism, and [[Rolling release|rolling release]] model; uses Pacman package manager)
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| − | * [[Manjaro Linux|Manjaro]] (Popular desktop distribution based on Arch Linux, easier to install and use)
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| | === See Also === | | === See Also === |
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| | * [[Linux kernel]] | | * [[Linux kernel]] |
| | * [[Operating system]] | | * [[Operating system]] |
| − | * [[History of operating systems]]
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| − | * [[Unix-like]]
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| − | * [[Free and open-source software]]
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| − | * [[GNU Project]]
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| − | * [[Package management system]]
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| − | * [[Software repository]]
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| − | * [[Desktop environment]]
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| − | * [[Server (computing)]]
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| − | * [[Embedded system]]
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| − | * [[Rolling release]]
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| − | * [[Comparison of Linux distributions]]
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| − | === References ===
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| − | * {{cite web |url=https://distrowatch.com/ |title=DistroWatch.com |publisher=DistroWatch |access-date=2024-10-27}} - Website tracking releases and popularity (based on page hits) of Linux distributions.
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| − | * {{cite web |url=https://www.debian.org/ |title=Debian -- The Universal Operating System |publisher=debian.org |access-date=2024-10-27}} - Official Debian website.
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| − | * {{cite web |url=https://ubuntu.com/ |title=Ubuntu |publisher=ubuntu.com |access-date=2024-10-27}} - Official Ubuntu website.
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| − | * {{cite web |url=https://getfedora.org/ |title=Fedora Linux |publisher=Fedora Project |access-date=2024-10-27}} - Official Fedora website.
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| − | * {{cite web |url=https://www.redhat.com/en/technologies/linux-platforms/enterprise-linux |title=Red Hat Enterprise Linux |publisher=Red Hat |access-date=2024-10-27}} - Official RHEL page.
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| − | * {{cite web |url=https://www.archlinux.org/ |title=Arch Linux |publisher=archlinux.org |access-date=2024-10-27}} - Official Arch Linux website.
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| − | * {{cite book |last=Nemeth |first=Evi |last2=Snyder |first2=Garth |last3=Hein |first3=Trent R. |last4=Whaley |first4=Ben |title=UNIX and Linux System Administration Handbook |publisher=Pearson Education |year=2017 |edition=5th |isbn=978-0134277554}} - Discusses various Linux distributions from an administration perspective.
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| − | [[Category:Linux distributions]] | + | [[Category:Information]] |
| − | [[Category:Operating systems]]
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| − | [[Category:Free and open-source software]]
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| − | [[Category:Unix-like operating systems]]
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| − | [[Category:System software]]
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