Linux

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Linux is a modular Unix-like computer operating system that uses a monolithic kernal and a Linux kernal which handles process control, networking and peripheral and file system access. It is a prime example of free software and open source development; typically all underlying source code can be freely modified, used and redistributed by anyone.

The name Linux comes from the Linux kernal started in 1991 by Linus Torvalds. The system's utilities and libraries usually come from the GNU operating system (another computer operating system made entirely of free software). Predominately known for its use in servers, Linux is supported by corporations such as Dell, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Novell, Oracle Corporation, Red Hat and SUn Microsystems. It is used as an operating system for a wide variety of computer hardware as well, including desktop computers, supercomputers and video game systems (Playstation 2, Playstation 3, several arcade games), as well as embedded devices such as mobile phones and routers.

Linux supports dozens of programming languages and can be controlled by one or more of a text-based command line interface (CLI), graphical user interface (GUI), or through controls on the device itself (common on embedded machines). Widely available and conveniently portable, the influential Linux system is widely adopted, copied and modified by various academic institutions and businesses alike.