Overview of Linux

Linux is a free and open-source operating system kernel first released by Linus Torvalds in 1991. It is widely used in servers, desktops, embedded systems, and powers much of the internet infrastructure. Linux is known for its stability, security, and flexibility, and is distributed under the GNU General Public License.

Key Events in OS Development

• 1969: UNIX Creation
  Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and others at Bell Labs develop UNIX, a pioneering multiuser, multitasking OS.

• 1977: BSD UNIX
  The University of California, Berkeley releases the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD), introducing many innovations to UNIX.

• 1983: GNU Project
  Richard Stallman launches the GNU Project to create a free UNIX-like OS, laying the groundwork for open-source software.

• 1991: Linux Kernel Released
  Linus Torvalds announces the Linux kernel, which, combined with GNU tools, forms a complete free OS.

• 1993: First Linux Distributions
  Distributions like Slackware and Debian make Linux accessible to a wider audience.

• 2000s: Linux Growth
  Linux becomes dominant in servers, supercomputers, and mobile devices (Android).

Linux continues to evolve, driven by a global community, and remains a cornerstone of modern computing. Figure: Tux, the Linux mascot, symbolizes the open-source nature of Linux.