Linux is an open-source operating system kernel based on the Unix Architecture. It was created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. It is the core part of the OS that communicates between hardware and software. Unlike Windows or macOS, Linux is Free to use and modify, open for anyone to contribute, and super versatile – it runs on desktops, servers, mobile phones, and more.
To learn the benefits of Linux and opportunities it provides to the career in IT industry, the detailed guide about Linux benefits should be read Why Learn Linux – Benefits, Career Scope and Future Opportunities.
A common question about Linux
is, Why is Linux so popular and attractive. The answer is simple: Linux has
rich features that make it distinguish itself from other operating systems.
That’s the reason professionals and even regular users love Linux. The list of
Linux features is so large that we cannot cover all in this post but we will
discuss some of the most important features here.
- Security
- Encryption
- Performance
- Customization
- Portability
- Multitasking
One of the top features is Linux security. Built-in permission control provides a safeguard against malicious activity. Linux has the principle of least privileges, user permissions and access controls to ensure integrity, confidentiality and availability of data and resources. The installation of regular security updates and patches helps to solve known vulnerabilities.
Linux also provides the powerful tools to manage the users, permissions, and groups for the secure system administration. Learn how this works in our guide on Managing Users and Groups in Linux.
A firewall provides an extra layer of security
to block unauthorized access and control network traffic. Various security
tools are available to audit the system security and help to maintain the
stability of the system. Linux is less vulnerable to malware as compared to
other Operating Systems.
After the basics of the Linux, you have to know how to activate terminal and basic commands. We have a beginner tutorial on. 10 Basic Linux Commands Every Beginner Should Know.
The Processes are the programs running inside the operating system. System administrators often monitor and control them using the Linux tools. Learn more in our tutorial on Linux Process Management for Beginners.
A Linux distribution (or distro) is a complete operating system built using the Linux kernel. It includes the kernel, system tools, software and a packagemanager. Each distribution consists of packages and tools to perform significant functions. Every distribution is different from other distributions in terms of function, interface and working.
These distributions are built for
different purposes and environments. Each distribution as Fedora, Ubuntu, RedHat, Linux Mint, Debian, SUSE, has its significance. Different distros are
created for different needs — beginners, advanced users, servers, hacking,
gaming, etc.
4.1 Ubuntu
- Beginner-friendly
- Good for desktops and laptops
- Huge community and documentation
- Easy to install and use
- Long-term support is available
- The software repository is easily available
- Automatically updates the features
- Easy to update patches and upgrades
4.2 Debian
- Stable and secure
- Used as the base for Ubuntu
- Excellent for servers
- Mostly used by developers
- Advanced Package tools for package management
- 100% freely available
- Massive access to online repositories
- Significantly used for LAMP stack
4.3 Red hat
- User-friendly and robust
- Focus on enterprise solutions
- Popular for automation and security
- Scalable for various environments
- Large community support
- Support variety of applications and workloads
4.4 Fedora
- Cutting-edge technology
- Backed by Red Hat
- Popular among developers
- Strong community help
- Supports variety of applications and tools
- Suitable both for desktop and server
4.5 Kali Linux
- Debian base linux distribution
- Variety of pre-installed security tools
- Supports over 600 pre-installed tools for
penetration testing
- Kali Linux supports multiple languages
- Supports different hardware architectures
- Built for penetration testing and cybersecurity
|
Feature |
Linux |
Windows |
macOS |
|
Open source |
Yes |
No |
Partial |
|
Security |
Secure |
Medium |
High |
|
Flexibility |
High |
Low |
Medium |
|
Use cases |
Server, cloud |
Desktop |
Creative |
6. Real World Use Cases of Linux
Linux is actually used in areas as such:
- Web servers (Apache, Nginx)
- Cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP)
- Programming environments
- Embedded systems
- IoT devices
7. How to Choose the Right Distro?
Ask yourself:
- Are you a beginner? → use Ubuntu or Linux Mint
- Want full control and learning? → use Arch or Debian
- Into cybersecurity? → Use Kali Linux
- Need a powerful dev environment? → use Fedora or openSUSE
Start with a distro as Ubuntu
or Linux Mint, and explore from there. Only 2% use Linux...? Think again. Yes,
Linux might have a small footprint on desktops, but it silently powers 97% of
the world’s servers and 2+ billion smartphones (hello, Android!). Most of the
cloud infrastructure we rely on daily basis. It is not just an OS—it is the
backbone of the internet. If you’re in IT, DevOps, Cybersecurity or Cloud.
Linux isn't optional; it is essential.
Linux is widely used for the networking and server management. To understand the network fundamentals in the Linux environments read our Linux Basic Networking for Beginners Guide.
Linux is a robust and complete platform in all aspects and supports a large-scale environment. Linux offers freedom, flexibility and power whether you’re a beginner or an expert. The variety of distributions makes it easy to find the one that fits your needs and fulfills your requirements.
For popular Linux distros like Ubuntu or Mint, or
an advanced user exploring specialized types of Linux distributions, the
advantages of Linux make it an excellent choice for long-term growth in
technology and career opportunities.
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