- Difference between Unix and Linux
- What are the differences between Linux and Unix?
- What are the Differences between Linux and Unix?
- Unix vs Linux – What is Difference Between Them
- What is LINUX?
- Features of Unix OS
- Features of Linux Operating System
- Difference between Unix and Linux
- Limitation of Linux
- Limitations of Unix
Difference between Unix and Linux
Linux is an operating system that was developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991. The name “Linux” originates from the Linux kernel. It is an open-source software that is completely free to use. It is used for computer hardware and software, game development, mainframes, etc. It can run various client programs.
Unix is a portable, multi-tasking, bug-fixing, multi-user operating system developed by AT&T. It started as a one-man venture under the initiative of Ken Thompson of Bell Labs. It proceeded to turn out to become the most widely used operating system. It is used in web servers, workstations, and PCs. Many business applications are accessible on it.
Linux and Unix are both operating systems that are commonly used in enterprise and server environments. While there are some similarities between them, there are also some key differences.
What are the differences between Linux and Unix?
Differences | Linux | Unix |
---|---|---|
Origins | Linux was developed in the 1990s by Linus Torvalds as a free and open-source alternative to Unix. | Unix was developed in the 1970s at Bell Labs |
Introduction | Linux is Open Source, and a large number of programmers work together online and contribute to its development. | Unix was developed by AT&T Labs, different commercial vendors, and non-profit organizations. |
Licensing | Linux, on the other hand, is open-source software and can be used freely without any licensing fees. | Unix is a proprietary ary operating system, meaning that it requires a license to use. |
Kernels | both have a similar design but are less complex than the Unixhold-upthat kernel. | both have a similar design but larger and more complex than the Linux kernel. |
Availability | On the other hand, Linux is widely used on both enterprise and personal computers. | Unix is typically found on enterprise-level servers and workstations and is less commonly used on personal computers. |
Community Support: | Linux has a large and active community of developers and users who contribute to its development and provide support. | While Unix also has a community, it is generally smaller and more focused on enterprise-level users. |
Accessibility | It is an open-source operating system which is freely accessible to everyone. | It is an operating system which can only be utilized by its copywriters. |
bug fixing time | Threat recognition and solution is very fast because Linux is mainly community driven. So, if any Linux client poses any sort of threat, a team of qualified developers starts working to resolve this threat. | Unix clients require longer hold up time, to get the best possible bug-fixing,and a patch. |
File system supports | File system supports – Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, Jfs, ReiserFS, Xfs, Btrfs, FAT, FAT32, NTFS | File system supports – jfs, gpfs, hfs, hfs+, ufs, xfs, zfs |
Graphical User Interface | Linux provides two GUIs, KDE and Gnome. But there are many other options. For example, LXDE, Xfce, Unity, Mate, and so on. | Initially, Unix was a command-based OS, however later a GUI was created called Common Desktop Environment. Most distributions now ship with Gnome. |
Use Cases | It is used everywhere from servers, PCs, smartphones, tablets to mainframes. | It is used on servers, workstations, and PCs. |
Shell Compatibility | The default interface is BASH (Bourne Again Shell). Anybody can use Linux whether a home client, developer or a student. | It initially used Bourne shell. But it is also compatible with other GUIs. Developed mainly for servers, workstations, and mainframes. |
Source Code Availability | The source is accessible to the general public. | The source is not accessible to the general public. |
Hardware Compatibility | Originally developed for Intel’s x86 hardware processors. It is available for more than twenty different types of CPU which also includes an ARM. | It is available on PA-RISC and Itanium machines. |
Virus Threats | It has about 60-100 viruses listed to date. | It has about 85-120 viruses listed to date (rough estimate). |
Operating System Versions | Some Linux versions are Ubuntu, Debian GNU, Arch Linux, etc. | Some Unix versions are SunOS, Solaris, SCO UNIX, AIX, HP/UX, ULTRIX, etc. |
In summary, while Unix and Linux share some similarities in terms of their design and functionality, they also have some key differences in terms of licensing, kernel design, command line interface, availability, and community support. Ultimately, the choice between Unix and Linux will depend on the specific needs of the user and the intended use case.
What are the Differences between Linux and Unix?
Interesting Facts:
- Linux is only the kernel and is not the full system that is used.
- More than 90% of current Linux source code is composed by other developers.
- Initially, Linux was compiled using GNU C compiler.
- There are more than 10 Linux-based Mobile operating Systems like Sailfish OS, Ubuntu Touch, Ubuntu Mobile, etc.
- Linux is used by every major space program.
- Nine out of the top ten public clouds run on Linux.
Unix vs Linux – What is Difference Between Them
The UNIX OS was born in the late 1960s. AT&T Bell Labs released an operating system called Unix written in C, which allows quicker modification, acceptance, and portability.
It began as a one-man project under the leadership of Ken Thompson of Bell Labs. It went on to become most widely used operating systems. Unix is a proprietary operating system.
The Unix OS works on CLI (Command Line Interface), but recently, there have been developments for GUI on Unix systems. Unix is an OS which is popular in companies, universities big enterprises, etc.
What is LINUX?
Linux is an operating system built by Linus Torvalds at the University of Helsinki in 1991. The name “Linux” comes from the Linux kernel. It is the software on a computer which enables applications and the users to access the devices on the computer to perform some specific function.
The Linux OS relays instructions from an application from the computer’s processor and sends the results back to the application via the Linux OS. It can be installed on a different type of computers mobile phones, tablets video game consoles, etc.
The development of Linux is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software collaboration. Today many companies and similar numbers of individuals have released their own version of OS based on the Linux Kernel.
Features of Unix OS
Following are the important features of Unix Operating System
- When compare Unix to Linux, Unix is a Multi-user, multitasking operating system
- It can be used as the master control program in workstations and servers.
- Hundreds of commercial applications are available
- In its heydays, UNIX was rapidly adopted and became the standard OS in universities.
Features of Linux Operating System
Following are the important features of Linux Operating System
- Support multitasking
- Programs consist of one or more processes, and each process have one or more threads
- It can easily co-exists along with other Operating systems.
- Comparing features of Linux and Unix, Linux can run multiple user programs
- Individual accounts are protected because of appropriate authorization
- When comparing Unix vs Linux, Linux is a replica of UNIX but does not use its code.
Difference between Unix and Linux
Now, we will see what is the difference between unix and linux:
Comparison | Linux | Unix |
---|---|---|
Cost | Linux is freely distributed, downloaded through magazines, Books, website, etc. There are paid versions also available for Linux. | Different flavors of Unix have different pricing depending upon the type of vendor. |
Development | Linux is Open Source, and thousands of programmer collaborate online and contribute to its development. | Unix systems have different versions. These versions are primarily developed by AT&T as well as other commercial vendors. |
User | Everyone. From home users to developers and computer enthusiasts alike. | The UNIX can be used in internet servers, workstations, and PCs. |
Text made interface | BASH is the Linux default shell. It offers support for multiple command interpreters. | Originally made to work in Bourne Shell. However, it is now compatible with many others software. |
GUI | Linux provides two GUIs,viz., KDE and Gnome. Though there are many alternatives such as Mate, LXDE, Xfce, etc. | Common Desktop Environment and also has Gnome. |
Viruses | Linux has had about 60-100 viruses listed to date which are currently not spreading. | There are between 80 to 120 viruses reported till date in Unix. |
Threat detection | Threat detection and solution is very fast because Linux is mainly community driven. So, if any Linux user posts any kind of threat, a team of qualified developers starts working to resolve this threat. | Unix users require longer wait time, to get the proper bug fixing patch. |
Architectures | Initially developed for Intel’s x86 hardware processors. It is available for over twenty different types of CPU which also includes an ARM. | It is available on PA-RISC and Itanium machines. |
Usage | Linux OS can be installed on various types of devices like mobile, tablet computers. | The UNIX operating system is used for internet servers, workstations & PCs. |
Best feature | Kernel update without reboot | Feta ZFS – next generation filesystem DTrace – dynamic Kernel Tracing |
Versions | Different Versions of Linux are Redhat, Ubuntu, OpenSuse, etc. | Different Versions of Unix are HP-UX, AIS, BSD, etc. |
Supported file type | The Filesystems supported by file type like xfs, nfs, cramfsm ext 1 to 4, ufs, devpts, NTFS. | The Filesystems supported by file types are zfs, hfx, GPS, xfs, vxfs. |
Portability | Linux is portable and is booted from a USB Stick | Unix is not portable |
Source Code | The source is available to the general public | The source code is not available to anyone. |
Limitation of Linux
- For Linux vs Unix, There’s no standard edition of Linux
- Linux has patchier support for drivers which may result in misfunctioning of the entire system.
- Linux is, for new users at least, not as easy to use as Windows.
- Many of the programs we are using for Windows will only run on Linux only with the help of a complicated emulator. For example. Microsoft Office.
- Linux is best suitable for a corporate user. It’s much harder to introduce in a home setting.
Limitations of Unix
- The unfriendly, terse, inconsistent, and non-mnemonic user interface
- Comparing limitation of Linux vs Unix, Unix OS is designed for a slow computer system, so you can’t expect fast performance.
- Shell interface can be treacherous because typing mistake can destroy files.
- Versions on various machines are slightly different, so it lacks consistency.
- One of the Unix and Linux difference is, Unix does not provide any assured hardware interrupt response time, so it does not support real time response time systems.
Linux Market share compared to other OS