1. Welcome to Linux

In This Chapter

The History of UNIX and GNU–Linux 2

The Heritage of Linux: UNIX 2

What Is So Good About Linux? 6

Overview of Linux 11

Additional Features of Linux 16

Conventions Used in This Book 18

Objectives

After reading this chapter you should be able to:

• Discuss the history of UNIX, Linux, and the GNU project

• Explain what is meant by “free software” and list characteristics of the GNU General Public License

• List characteristics of Linux and reasons the Linux operating system is so popular

An operating system is the low-level software that schedules tasks, allocates storage, and handles the interfaces to peripheral hardware, such as printers, disk drives, the screen, keyboard, and mouse. An operating system has ...

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