this post was submitted on 17 Aug 2023
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Linux

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Apart from being open source what is Linux? Could I not create my own operating system that is different to windows or Macos and call it Steve, again there might be an awnser for this and sounds stupid but its more out of curiosity.

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[–] ikiru@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)
[–] afb@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It is. The other person is confusing it with Solaris, which is a Unix derivative based on a mix of System V Unix and BSD.

[–] ikiru@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

That makes sense! Thanks!!

[–] excitingburp@lemmy.world 0 points 1 year ago (4 children)

Linux is a Unix, but Unix is not Linux. Solus is a Unix, as is MacOS (a really bad one), and BSD.

[–] afb@lemmy.ml 4 points 1 year ago

Solus is a Linux distro. You're thinking of Solaris.

[–] ccryx@discuss.tchncs.de 4 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I'm pretty sure Solus is a Linux based OS, at least according to Wikipedia:

Solus (previously known as Evolve OS) is an independently developed operating system for the x86-64 architecture based on the Linux kernel and a choice of Budgie, GNOME, MATE or KDE Plasma as the desktop environment.

[–] ikiru@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

Oh, okay, thanks!

[–] milo128@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

linux is often called a unix but it is only unix-like. It's not officially unix cerrified the way macos, hp-ux, and others are.

[–] wapsi@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 year ago

It's possible to certify Linux as "an official Unix", evidence: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/EulerOS That particular Linux distro's Unix certification has expired, though.