IT Course Computer Systems and Networks 007_Linux Operating System
Linux
Linux is a free and open-source operating system created by Linus Torvalds. It is based on Unix and shares similar design philosophies. Linux has been widely used for servers, desktops, and mobile devices.

Linux features include:
- Open Source: Linux source code is freely available, and anyone can download and modify it. This makes Linux very flexible and customizable.
- Stability: Linux is known for its stability. It has been used in various environments for many years and has proven its reliability.
- Security: Linux is considered a secure operating system. It has many built-in security features that help protect your data.
- Portability (Cross-platform): Linux can run on various hardware platforms, including desktops, servers, laptops, tablets, and phones.
- Community Support: Linux has a large open-source community that provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and technical support.
There are many different Linux distributions to choose from. Each distribution has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some distributions are designed specifically for server environments, while others are designed for desktop environments.
Common uses of Linux include:
- Servers: Linux is the world’s most popular server operating system. It is used to run various services, including web servers, database servers, and file servers.
- Desktops: Linux is also a popular desktop operating system. It has various desktop environments to choose from, meeting the needs of different users.
- Mobile: Linux is also used in mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, smart home devices, in-vehicle systems, and embedded devices.
Common Linux Distributions:
| Distribution | Target Users | Features | Difficulty Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu | Desktop and Server | Easy to use, large software availability | Beginner |
| Debian | Server and Desktop | Stable, reliable, secure | Beginner |
| Manjaro | Desktop and Development | Easy to use, flexible, latest software | Beginner |
| Deepin | Desktop | Beautiful, easy to use, Chinese support | Beginner |
| Fedora | Desktop and Development | Latest software, latest technology | Intermediate |
| Arch Linux | Advanced Users | Flexible, customizable, latest software | Advanced |
| Gentoo Linux | Advanced Users | Flexible, customizable, latest software | Advanced |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux | Server | Enterprise-grade support, reliability and security | Intermediate |
| CentOS | Server | Compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux, free | Intermediate |
| SUSE Linux Enterprise Server | Server | Enterprise-grade support, reliability and security | Intermediate |
| Kali | Security | Penetration testing, network security | Advanced |
Common Linux Desktop Environments:
| Desktop Environment | Features | Difficulty Level | Target Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| GNOME | Modern, easy to use, beautiful | Beginner | Beginners and experienced users |
| KDE Plasma | Feature-rich, customizable | Intermediate | Advanced users |
| Xfce | Lightweight, efficient | Beginner | Users who want good performance |
| MATE | Stable, reliable | Beginner | Beginners and experienced users |
| Cinnamon | Easy to use, similar to Windows | Beginner | Users who want a Windows-like experience |
Recommended: Debian, Ubuntu Server, CentOS, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux
Links:
Ubuntu Official Website Debian Official Website Fedora Official Website China Mirror - Tsinghua Source