Overview of GNU/Linux

The GNU/Linux operating system has many unique and powerful features. Like other operating systems, GNU/Linux is a control program for computers. But like UNIX, it is also a well-thought-out family of utility programs (Figure 1-1) and a set of tools allowing users to connect and use these utilities to build systems and applications.

Figure 1-1. A layered view of the GNU/Linux operating system

Linux Has a Kernel Programming Interface

The Linux kernel, the heart of the GNU/Linux operating system, is responsible for allocating the computer's resources and scheduling user jobs so that each one gets its fair share of system resources, ...

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