- Difference Between Linux and Ubuntu
- Key Areas Covered
- Key Terms
- What is Linux
- What is Ubuntu
- Similarities Between Linux and Ubuntu
- Difference Between Linux and Ubuntu
- Definition
- Basis
- Developer
- Initial Release
- Applications
- Conclusion
- About the Author: Lithmee
- 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 Linux and Ubuntu
Linux is a popular operating system. The Linux architecture consists of components such as kernel, system libraries, system tools, development tools and end-user tools. The kernel is the core of the operating system. It handles devices memory and manages processes. The system libraries help to access kernel features. The commands are the systems tools. The development tools are the additional tools and libraries written by programmers to produce working applications. Moreover, there are end-user tools such as browsers, multimedia players, graphic design tools etc. There are various Linux distributions, and one of them is Ubuntu.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Linux
– Definition, Features
2. What is Ubuntu
– Definition, Features
3. Similarities Between Linux and Ubuntu
– Outline the Common Features
4. Difference Between Linux and Ubuntu
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Linux, Ubuntu, Operating System
What is Linux
Linux is an OS based on UNIX. It is built on the Linux Kernel. The common use of Linux is in personal computers, desktops, game development, embedded systems, smartphones, tablets, and many more. Linux is a free and open source. Any user with programming knowledge can modify it. It enables the users to run the program, change the code and to redistribute the modified copies. Therefore, anyone can download and distribute it for free. Moreover, the developers around the globe can share and collaborate to develop the code for Linux. It is the major reason behind the popularity of Linux.
Overall, Linux provides multiple advantages for the user. It is a stable and secure operating system. It is a multi-user system because it allows multiple users to work simultaneously. It is an OS that supports and utilizes more processors at the same time. Moreover, it is multitasking and allows running many processes at the same time.
What is Ubuntu
There are various Linux Distributions. Some of them are Red Hat, CentOS, Debian, Fedora, Linux Mint. Ubuntu is also a Linux Distribution. There are various editions in Ubuntu. The Ubuntu Desktop version is suitable for personal computers. The Ubuntu Server is suitable for cloud and servers while Ubuntu Core is for developing Internet of Things (IoT) based devices. The Edubuntu is Ubuntu Education Edition featuring a large number of educational applications.
Ubuntu contains a Graphical User Interface (GUI) and a Command Line Interface (CLI). The GUI allows the user to easily perform tasks using graphical components such as buttons, windows, means textboxes, etc. Also, the CLI allows the user to enter commands and execute them quickly. Moreover, it is easy to install Ubuntu, and it contains a Multi Boot loader to boot up the system quickly.
Ubuntu systems contain a lot of software. Libre Office, Firefox web browser, VLC media player, GIMP Adobe Photoshop clone, MySQL Database Management System are some of them. The user can download more free software and tools from Ubuntu software center or other APT-based package management tools. Furthermore, it is a secure operating system that provides protection for data and resources from malicious software such as the virus, worms, spyware and other malware.
Similarities Between Linux and Ubuntu
- Both are free and open source.
- They support multi-user
- Both allow multitasking and multithreading.
- They allow multiprocessing.
- They are highly secure and stable.
Difference Between Linux and Ubuntu
Definition
Linux is a family of free, open-source software operating system built around the Linux Kernel. Ubuntu is a free, open-source operating system and Linux distribution based on Debian.
Basis
The Linux is the core operating system. Ubuntu is an operating system which is a distribution of Linux.
Developer
Linus Torvalds was the initial developer of Linux. The Linux community can support the development of the OS. Canonical Ltd developed ubuntu, and the Ubuntu community can support its development.
Initial Release
The first release of Linux was in 1991 whereas the initial release of Ubuntu was in 2004.
Applications
The Linux is used for personal computers, game consoles, embedded systems, desktops and servers. Ubuntu is used for personal computers, servers, cloud computing and IoT.
Conclusion
The Linux is highly secure and robust. It is used for enterprise level applications as it is highly reliable and stable. On the other hand, Ubuntu is a distribution of Linux, and it has almost all the features of Linux. The difference between Linux and Ubuntu is that the Linux is a free and open source operating system based on UNIX while the Ubuntu is a distribution of Linux.
Reference:
1. “Linux Ppt.” LinkedIn SlideShare, 22 Nov. 2013, Available here.
2. Nirma University. “Ubuntu-Overview.” LinkedIn SlideShare, 21 Oct. 2011, Available here.
3. “Linux Features – Javatpoint.” Www.javatpoint.com, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Ubuntu logo” By Canonical Ltd – Ubuntu Visual Identity -This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this: Logo-ubuntu cof-orange-hex.svg (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “151619” (CC0) via Pixabay
About the Author: Lithmee
Lithmee holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Systems Engineering and is reading for her Master’s degree in Computer Science. She is passionate about sharing her knowldge in the areas of programming, data science, and computer systems.
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