Features of Linux Operating System
Overview
LINUX is an open-source operating system used extensively worldwide. It is free and its source code is available for everyone under GNU(General Public Licence).
Linux as an Operating System provides a wide range of features that can be used by a wide range of systems such as servers and computers.
Android OS is also based on the Linux kernel that extends its usage for building embedded systems and automation systems.
What are the Features of Linux Operating Systems?
The following are the features of the Linux Operating system:
1. Free and Open-Source
Linux is completely free of cost, and expenses are never a hindrance to using it as an operating system.
Linux is open-source. This means that modification of code, analysis of codes, redistribution of codes, or selling copies of the enhanced codes can be done by anyone in the world provided they come under the same license where the license also costs no charge.
Linux operating system is released under the GNU(General Public Licence) and is now one of the largest open-source projects worldwide.
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2. Extremely Flexible
Linux has incorporated itself into embedded products like watches, digital equipment and supercomputing servers.
There are no prerequisites for installing an entire Linux suit. It allows a user to install only the components that are required by the user.
3. Lightweight Infrastructure
Linux consumes lesser storage space, and its installation requires around 4GB to 8GB of disk space.
Memory footprint or the amount of memory (RAM) used by the software while running is also less and it is compatible with all kinds of file formats like text files, audio files, video files, graphic formats, etc.
4. Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Even though Linux works on using the command line interface but it can be converted to be used like windows having a Graphical user interface. This is done mostly by installing packages. The most common way of having a GUI on the Linux environment is to log in to Ubuntu server and install its desktop environment.
5. End-to-end encryption
Linux allows end-to-end encryption while accessing data thus storing public keys in the server. All data is password protected and provides authentication to users. It also allows many security features and provides file permissions, a secure shell, etc.
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6. Portable Environment
Linux works on any kind of environment and doesn't depend on the device being high-ended or low-ended. A large number of users can simultaneously use it anytime, any place, and on multiple devices. It supports all kinds of hardware to work on.
Multiple distributions or enterprises are also supported by Linux.
Linux has its own repository for software that can be used to install the required packages.
7. Shell/ Command-line Interface
The Linux command line interpreter is known as Shell that provides an interface between the user and kernel which then executes programs known as commands.
Hence, Linux uses Command-line interface to carry out the execution of tasks which is comparatively more efficient to execute and takes lesser time. It also takes lesser space in the memory,
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8. Customized keyboard
Linux is available in all languages which makes it acceptable worldwide. That is why language can be changed from the keyboard according to the requirements and preferences.
Users can also build their own customized layout for keyboards.
9. Frequent New Updates
Linux operating system provides a wide range of accessible software updates that can be deployed and used according to requirements.
They update more frequently thus giving users an option to choose the updates and install them as per their need.
10. Hierarchical File System
Linux comes with a well-defined file structure where user files are arranged in a definite directory structure. According to the type of files, the directories are categorised as Binary directories, configuration directories, Data directories, memory directories, Usr(Unix System Resources), var(variable directory) and non standard directories.
11. Multi-user and Multi-programming
Linux allows multiple users to access the system resources at the same time and allows multiple applications to run at the same time.
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Conclusion
- Linux is one of the best and most widely operating systems that support all kinds of programming languages.
- Multiple functions can be performed at a time.
- Linux supports multithreading and high-volume applications to be used for a system.
- As discussed above, the Linux operating system is free and open-sourced, facilitates a customized keyboard, has a command line interface but also supports GUI on Linux environment and gives easy access to newer updates frequently.
- It is secure and end-to-end encrypted which leads to user authentication while working.
- In a nutshell, Linux operating system is portable, easy to use and the most flexible operating system.
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