Linux is a family of Unix-like operating systems that use the Linux kernel. Linux can be installed on a wide variety of hardware, from mobile phones, tablets, video consoles, personal computers continues to supercomputers. Linux is known mainly for its use as a server in 2009 and estimated market share of 20-40%. Desktop market share is estimated between 1-2% and 4.8%. In recent years, Linux has begun to become more popular because the distributions such as Ubuntu, openSUSE, Fedora, and by the emergence of netbooks and the new generation of smartphones that run a version of embedded Linux .
Sometimes it is seen as the GNU / Linux and is the best known example of collaboration and Free Software development under the GPL.
The term Linux refers to Linux kernel, but is usually used to describe the entire operating system for computers comprising the Linux kernel, libraries and various software tools. A “Linux distribution” of these key components add a lot of programs, organized into “packages”. Using the term “Linux” for the entire system, although widespread, is challenged by Richard Stallman and the Free Software Foundation (GNU Project authors, whose products are included in most of the Linux distributions). They propose using the term GNU / Linux (“GNU Linux”) or GNU + Linux (“GNU plus Linux”).
Linux kernel was originally developed for the Intel 386 microprocessor, but now runs on a wide range of microprocessors and computer architecture. It is used on personal computers type on supercomputers, but also encapsulated systems (embedded), such as some mobile phones or video recorders.
Originally developed and used by volunteer programmers, Linux has gained the support of IT industry and large companies like IBM, Hewlett-Packard, Dell, Sun Microsystems, Google, Novell and Nokia, and exceeded that use proprietary versions of Unix. Analysts attributed the success system that is independent of the provider, has a low cost implementation and system security and reliability are considered by experts as very good.
System development was started by Finnish engineer Linus Torvalds, who initially wanted to get a similar system with Minix, but without its limitations. Linux was developed under the GNU General Public License, so that not only Linux itself, but its source code is available to those interested.
