What is Linux & Unix, GNU?

What is unix?

Unix is a family of multitasking, multiuser computer operating systems that derive from the original AT&T Unix, whose development started in the 1970s at the Bell Labs research center by Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and others.

Initially intended for use inside the Bell System, AT&T licensed Unix to outside parties in the late 1970s. It has since grown to become one of the most widely used operating systems anywhere, despite its sometimes confusing interface and lack of central standardization.

What is linux?

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.

Open-source

Open Source is publicly accessible—anyone can see, modify, and distribute the code as they see fit. is developed in a decentralized and collaborative way, relies on peer review and community production as such is cheaper, flexible, longevity than its proprietary peers not dependent on a single author or company.

Unix-like OS

An operating system is said to be Unix-based or Unix-like if it's designed to function and behave similar to the Unix operating system.

Kernel

The Kernel is the essential center of a computer operating system. it is the core that provides basic services for all other parts of the OS. it is the main layer between the OS and hardware, and it helps with process and memory management file system, device control and networking.

History of GNU and Linux

GNU

It was started as a project by Richard Stallman in 1983 and its development began on January 5, 1984. The main objective of GNU was to provide free software. Due to its similar design to UNIX, it is named as UNIX like computer system but it contains no UNIX code.

GNU stands for GNU's Not Unix.

1989 Richard Stallman release GPL and GNU software but lacks a free kernel

Components of GNU

GNU Compiler Collection (GCC)
GNU C Library (glibc)
GNU Core Utilities (coreutils)
GNU Debugger (GDB
GNU Binary Utilities (binutils)
GNU Bash shell
Genome desktop environment etc.

Behind the reason of Linux kernel

In early 1991, unhappy with MS-DOS and MINIX, Linus Torvalds wanted to buy a UNIX system. Luckily for us, he didn’t have enough money. So he decided to make his own clone of UNIX, from scratch with the help of other users on the web.

Now this point Richard Stallman released GNU but he has no free kernel and linus torvalds developed linux kernel just like unix clone. then Linux kernel combined with GNU C library and GNU Compiler Collection. after combined those thing now Developed new Open Source Operating System called Linux.