Is linux like android

Android vs Linux: Difference and Comparison

Google’s ‘Android’ is an open-source and free operating system for mobile devices. Android, Inc., the company that created the OS, was bought by Google, Inc. in 2005. It was created with the Linux 2.6 kernels in mind.

Linus Torvalds created the Operating Systems in 1991 as another open-source operating system for personal computers and laptops. Android is based on Linux, however, there are ample differences between the two, so this article highlights all the notable points of differences between both operating systems.

Key Takeaways

1. Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified Linux kernel version.
2. Linux is an open-source operating system for servers, desktops, and various devices.
3. Android and Linux share a common foundation but target different user experiences and devices.

Android vs Linux

The difference between Android and Linux is that Android is designed for smartphones, tablets, and smart devices operating via the Internet, but Linux is designed for PCs, notebooks, and workstations. Android does have its own C library known as the Bionic, while Linux systems employ the GNU C library. Since its first launch, the Android OS has received several upgrades. Every operating system update brings a few bug patches and even some additional features.

Google’s Android system was created by Google so that it can be used largely on smartphones and tablets, as well as many flat-screen Android televisions. Its layout allows users to interact with portable devices naturally, using finger gestures that mimic typical actions like pinching, sliding, and tapping. Official Android software may also be found in computers, vehicles, and smartwatches, each with its own UI.

Linux is a UNIX-based free operating system (OS). Users may change and build versions for personal computers by modifying and creating versions of the programming language. Linux is most commonly used as a web server, but it’s also found in desktops and laptops, e-book players, game consoles, and other devices.

The kernel (the primary OS element and the link here between the software system and its data), system utilities, applications, and tools for obtaining, implementing, and uninstalling OS updates would be included in a Linux system.

Comparison Table

What is Android?

Android was designed with low-power hardware and internet-based mobile devices in mind, and it runs on virtualization machines. Android, Inc., a Silicon Valley-based technology company, created the Android operating system before being bought by Google in 2005.

Ever since its purchase, shareholders and semiconductor industry observers have doubted Google’s genuine ambitions for entering the market’s smartphone sector. In any event, Google announced the upcoming release of their first readily available Android-powered smartphone in 2007, even though the device didn’t compete in the marketplace until 2008.

Since its first launch, the Android os has received several upgrades. Every operating system release contains some bug fix patches as well as a few innovative device features that enhance the user experience. Each new version of the Android platform has its name, which is inspired by a confectionery. These variants are arranged alphabetically, such as Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice-cream sandwich, jellybean, and so on.

C, Java, C++, and more programming languages were used to create it. Google released the initial version of Android in 2007, and the final rollout via a smartphone occurred in 2008. Android 10 is the most recent stable release. It is completely free of charge. It is the most widely used operating system.

What is Linux?

Linux is a collection of Unix-like operating systems that are free and open source. Developed and designed by Linus Torvalds. This is a Linux distro that has been bundled. Debian, Fedora, and Ubuntu are among the most popular Linux distributions.

It was primarily written in machine coding language; C. Monolithic kernel is the kernel used during making Linux. Cloud technology, embedded devices, personal PCs, servers, computer networks, and supercomputers are all targets for Linux distributions. In 1991, the very first edition of Linux was released. Linux 5.6 is the most recent incarnation for desktop computers (kernel).

The General Public License governs the use of Linux, which is an open-source-based OS. Anybody can run, analyze, edit, and disseminate the raw data, as provided as they do so the same under the license. They can even boost sales of their modified script.

Linux has grown to be the world’s biggest open-source development. Amateurs and professional coders from all around the globe participate in the Linux kernel, making improvements, correcting bugs and repairing potential vulnerabilities, and proposing new ideas—all while continuing to support.

Main Differences Between Android and Linux

1. Android is designed for mobile and smart devices, whereas Linux is designed for full-fledged desktops and supercomputers.
2. Android was released in 2008, whereas Linux was released in 1991.
3. Android is a product of Google whereas Linux is owned by Linus Torvald.
4. Android’s kernel type is directly based on the Linux framework, whereas Linux’s kernel is Monolithic.
5. The Android operating system has its power management, whilst Linux uses APM as well as ACPI to control power.

I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️

Источник

Is Android Linux?

People’ve been talking about Android and that its core is just an offshoot of Linux, and therefore, is just basically Linux. But is that actually true?

Short Answer: Yeah– but not exactly.

Android as a framework is definitely created as an extension of the Linux kernel– let’s get that right out of the way first. The developers of Android didn’t have to write the code from scratch; they had the necessary work laid out for them in the form of Linux or as a “pre-built.” But this doesn’t qualify Android to be called “Linux”.

See, the word Linux has some really blurry definitions. It could be used to refer to the Linux Kernel or the GNU software. It also refers to the multitude of Linux distributions.

On top of that, Android doesn’t fully utilize the Linux Kernel, only a few parts that it finds relevant, so it’s not “Linux” in the sense that it’s a Linux distro.

Not to mention the contrast between the devices they’re designed for. Android is used as an interface in hand-held devices with touch-screen pads, while Linux distributions suit desktop computers and servers.

You can make the connection between the two by looking at the loading screens in android devices; it’s actually the Linux kernel that boots up. However, it’s easy to see that the similarities only go so far. On closer inspection, you’ll find that the Glibc library, along with other libraries, typically found on a Linux device is missing.

But What Exactly are the Differences?

To make a concrete argument against classifying Android OS as “Linux”, let’s take a closer look at some of the primary features of the two.

To start off, Android does not use the standard Linux kernel, and it’s also missing some of the fundamental Linux libraries, which it discards in favor of libraries special to Android. Keeping this in perspective, we can discredit the argument that Android is akin to Linux distribution since a typical distro doesn’t alter the Linux kernel to the extent that Android has done.

One of the defining features of Linux Distributions is customizability; a feature that Android doesn’t nearly integrate to that extent. For example, the root access is only a couple of command lines away in Linux, while a special application is required to break into the Android kernel.

The Linux software is quite foreign to Android. The applications for one Linux distribution works across all other distributions and this isn’t the case with Android. In fact, the similarities between Android and Linux distros end with the kernel, the rest of the software bearing had no resemblance to each other.

Lastly, there’s the matter of licensing. Linux distros are open-source. It is a characteristic of all things Linux. While Android is technically open-source in the sense that its base software is made publically available, further developments have been made strictly private.

The Origins of Android OS

Google acquired Android OS from Android Inc. in 2005 and released it in 2008. Since then, it’s become the de facto operating system for handheld touch devices alongside IOS. Android presented itself as a perfect competitor to IOS. While IOS is restrictive and private in regards to customizability, Android, with its open-source nature that invited programmers and developers to bring their own interpretations and build their own applications.

Fun fact: Android was first marketed to digital camera companies as an advanced OS. This didn’t go anywhere, and the OS eventually found a market in the smartphone industry.

How Linux Came To Be?

Linux is a free and open-source Unix-like computer operating system based on Linux kernel, originally conceived for the Intelx86 computers, but quickly found it’s placed in other platforms. If Android is to be considered a Linux-based OS, then Linux would be the most popular general-purpose operating system in history so far.

The “strictly “Linux distributions are more popular among niche tech enthusiasts than among general-purpose users. It has also found a market in the modern-day among server hosts who frequently use Linux distributions such as Ubuntu and CentOS.

Conclusion:

The answer really lies in what exactly you’re referring to when you say “Linux”. If Linux in your definition has to include the GNU software, then Android doesn’t fit your definition. Likewise, Android isn’t a Linux distro in the sense that it doesn’t live up to the characteristics that we’ve come to expect from a typical Linux distribution. But if an application that is built on the Linux kernel fits the definition of “Linux” in your book, then it definitely is Linux.

About the author

Younis Said

I am a freelancing software project developer, a software engineering graduate and a content writer. I love working with Linux and open-source software.

Источник