Computing / Softwares / Operating systems / UNIX
Informatique / Logiciels / Systèmes d'exploitation / UNIX

LINUX		Linus Torvalds' Unix

Linux

Linux Powered


Voir aussi : Caldera

Linux

Linux

<operating system> ("Linus Unix ") An implementation of the {Unix} {kernel} originally written from scratch with no proprietary code.

The kernel runs on {Intel} and {Alpha} hardware in the general release, with {SPARC}, {PowerPC}, {MIPS}, {ARM}, {Amiga}, {Atari}, and {SGI} in active development. The SPARC, PowerPC, ARM, {PowerMAC} - {OSF}, and 68k ports all support {shells}, {X} and {networking}. The Intel and SPARC versions have reliable {symmetric multiprocessing}.

Work on the kernel is coordinated by Linus Torvalds, who holds the copyright on a large part of it. The rest of the copyright is held by a large number of other contributors (or their employers). Regardless of the copyright ownerships, the kernel as a whole is available under the {GNU} {General Public License}. The GNU project supports Linux as its kernel until the research {Hurd} kernel is completed.

This kernel would be no use without {application programs}.
The GNU project has provided large numbers of quality tools, and together with other {public domain} software it is a rich Unix environment. A compilation of the Linux kernel and these tools is known as a Linux distribution. Compatibility modules and/or {emulators} exist for dozens of other computing environments.

The kernel version numbers are significant: the odd numbered series (e.g. 1.3.xx) is the development (or beta) kernel which evolves very quickly. Stable (or release) kernels have even major version numbers (e.g. 1.2.xx).

There is a lot of commercial support for and use of Linux, both by hardware companies such as {Digital}, {IBM}, and {Apple} and numerous smaller network and integration specialists. There are many commercially supported distributions which are generally entirely under the GPL. At least one distribution vendor guarantees {Posix} compliance.
Linux is particularly popular for {Internet Service Providers}, and there are ports to both parallel supercomputers and {embedded} {microcontrollers}.

{funet Linux Archive (ftp://ftp.funet.fi/pub/Linux)}, {US
mirror (ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/)}, {UK Mirror
(ftp://sunsite.doc.ic.ac.uk/packages/Linux/)}.

(21 May 1996)

 

"Un système d'exploitation dérivé d'Unix, qui a réussi à attirer une communauté de fidèles qui prend de l'ampleur chaque année." - Internet Cyber Guide, 01/1997


Système d'exploitation Unix gratuit pour Amiga, Atari, PC.... - 01 RESEAUX (03/1997), informatiques (10/1997)


"Linux a été conçu en 1991 par un jeune étudiant nommé Linus Torvald et s'est rapidement développé grâce aux efforts conjoints de centaines d'internautes à travers le monde.

Son utilisation par les entreprises, spécialement en France, a été freinée par son manque de support par rapport à un produit commercial." - 01 RESEAUX N°36 (03/1997), p.34

Caldera entend remédier à ce problème en mettant en place un réseau de distribution et de maintenance, au niveau européen, via la société Avalan. Voir aussi : Caldera Open Linux (COL).


Linux INSIDELinux et Unix

"Concurrent d'UNIX" - Prof. d'info. 1996

"Linux est un Unix." - PC Team, 02/1997


Versions de Linux

Linux 2.0 POWERED

Powered by LinuX

Linux is NOT copyright...! :-)

Author(s) : Laurent Jo

Machine(s) used : Macintosh Performa 5300
Power Macintosh 8600/250

References : DReAM (1997)
Sources : 01 RESEAUX (1997), DREAM (1997), FOLDOC (1997), Internet (Cyber Guide, 1997), PC Team (1996-97)
Bad sources : dictionnaire Marabout de la micro-informatique (1994), dictionnaire de la MICRO 94 (Ma)