Introduction to Advantage Of Linux

Introduction to Advantage Of Linux

Linux is an operating system just like Windows; Mac OS X developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991. Operating system is the interface between the software and the hardware. It provides services for the applications and manages computer hardware. Initially, Linux was just an operating system but now it became the platform to run desktops, embedded systems, and servers. It was developed as an alternative for Minix (UNIX clone developed by Andrew S. Tanenbaum).

Linux has many variations and distributions because of its modular design. A kernel is at the base or core of the Linux system. It schedules applications or processes, manages basic peripheral devices, handles network access and oversees file system services. Linux provides many advantages over other operating systems and that is why it is used almost in every field nowadays, from smartphones to supercomputers, cars to home appliances and many more.

Advantages of Linux

Let us now discuss some advantages of Linux in brief:

1. Open Source

One of the main advantages of Linux is that it is an open source operating system i.e. its source code is easily available for everyone. Anyone capable of coding can contribute, modify, enhance and distribute the code to anyone and for any purpose.

2. Security

Linux is more secure in comparison to other operating systems such as Windows. Linux is not completely secure as there is some malware for it also but it is less vulnerable than others. Every program in Linux whether an application or a virus needs authorization from the administrator in the form of a password. Unless the password is typed virus won’t execute. There is no requirement of any anti-virus program in Linux.

3. Revive older computer systems

Linux helps you to use or utilize your old and outdated computer systems as a firewall, router, backup server or file server and many more. There are many distributions available to use according to your system capability. As you can use Puppy Linux for low- end systems.

4. Software Updates

In Linux you encounter a larger number of software updates. These software updates are much faster than updates in any other operating system. Updates in Linux can be done easily without facing any major issue or concern.

5. Customization

A feature that gives a major advantage over other operating systems is customization. You can customize any feature, add or delete any feature according to your need as it is an open source operating system. Not only this, various wallpapers and attractive icon themes can be installed to give an amazing look to your system.

6. Various Distributions

There are many distributions available also called distros of Linux. It provides various choices or flavors to the users. You can select any bistros according to your needs. Some bistros of Linux are Fedora, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Debian, Linux Mint and many more. If you are a beginner you can use Ubuntu or Linux Mint. If you are a good programmer you may use Debian or Fedora.

7. Free to use (Low Cost)

Linux is freely available on the web to download and use. You do not need to buy the license for it as Linux and many of its software come with GNU General Public License. This proved to be one of the major advantages Linux faces over Windows and other operating systems. You need to spend a huge amount to buy the license of Windows which is not the case with Linux.

8. Large Community Support

Forums by excited users are made on the web to help and solve the problem any other user is facing. There are a lot of dedicated programmers there to help you out whenever and wherever possible.

9. Stability (Reliability)

Linux provides high stability also this is good advantage i.e. it does not need to be rebooted after a short period of time. Your Linux system rarely slows down or freezes. As in windows, you need to reboot your system after installing or uninstalling an application or updating your software but this is not the case with Linux. You can work without any disturbance on your Linux systems.

10. Privacy

Linux ensures the privacy of user’s data as it never collects much data from the user while using its distributions or software but this is not true for many other operating systems.

11. Performance

Linux provides high performance on various networks and workstations. It allows a large number of users to work simultaneously and handles them efficiently.

12. Network Support

Linux gives support for network functionality as it was written by programmers over the internet. Linux helps you to set up client and server systems on your computer systems easily and in a fast manner. 

13. Flexibility

Linux provides a high range of flexibility as you can install only required components. There is no need to install a full or complete suite. You can also keep Linux file under multiple partitions so if one of them corrupts then there is no major loss. You only need to repair that particular partition, not the complete file which is not the case with other operating systems.

14. Compatibility

Linux runs or executes all possible file formats and is compatible with a large number of file formats.

15. Fast and easy installation

Linux can be easily installed from the web and does not require any prerequisites as it can run on any hardware, even on your oldest systems.

16. Proper use of Hard Disk

Linux performs all the tasks efficiently even after the hard disk is almost full. This increases the performance of the Linux hence Linux provides high performance also.

17. Multitasking

Linux is a multitasking operating system as it can perform many tasks simultaneously without any decrease in its speed such as downloading a large file would not slow down the system.

18. Run multiple desktops

Linux provides various desktop environments to make it easy to use. While installing Linux you can choose any desktop environment according to your wishes such as KDE (K Desktop Environment) or GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment).