In simple words, Linux is software on a computer that allows applications and the user to access devices to perform their desired functions. An operating system (OS) transfers instructions from an application, for example, to a computer processor. The latter performs the given task, and then sends the results back to the application through the OS. Linux is very similar to other operating systems, such as Windows and OS X. But what are the pros and cons of Linux?
How is this platform different?
Linux is slightly different from other operating systems. Unlike other shells, it is developed jointly. This means that no company is solely responsible for its development or ongoing support. Developers involved in the development of Linux share research and development costs with their partners and competitors. This distribution of efforts between individuals and companies has led to the creation of a popular and effective system.
Main characteristics
To understand the pros and cons of the Linux operating system, you should learn more about its architecture. The shell was originally designed for Intel x86 hardware and was available for more than two dozen types of processors, including ARM.
Linux uses Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, Jfs, ReiserFS, Xfs, Btrfs. The OS can be installed on a wide variety of computer hardware - from mobile phones, tablets and game consoles to mainframes and supercomputers.
Linux typically offers two graphical interfaces - KDE and Gnome. However, this component (GUI) is optional. The platform market share is about 1.29%. What are the pros and cons of Linux?
Threat Detection & Solution
In Linux, detection and elimination of threats is very fast, since the OS is supported by a whole community of developers. Whenever any Linux user publishes a message about a threat, several experts start working on it from different parts of the world. Today, Linux has only about 60-100 viruses.
Cost
Mentioning the pros and cons of Linux, one cannot help but recall the free license. This platform can be distributed, downloaded and supplemented for free. There are also paid versions of Linux, but they are usually cheaper than Windows. The most common free distributions include Redhat Enterprise, Fedora, Debian, Suse Enterprise, Ubuntu, Linux Mint. The pros and cons of these versions may be slightly different, but they have one common advantage - free access.
Usage for servers
Due to their initial stability, Linux- based distributions are the best choice for Internet servers, with much of the World Wide Web working on them. Linux is often used with Apache, creating a stable combination of Linux-Apache.
Familiarization and understanding
Pros and cons of Linux should be considered in the next plane. Familiarity with this operating system requires patience, as well as some training. You should have a desire to memorize some details yourself and understand them. This platform will not do everything for you. Despite its simplicity, it is significantly different from Windows, and it may be difficult for beginners to start using it.
Compatibility
Linux is sometimes lagging behind when it comes to compatibility with new hardware. Despite the fact that the developers of the kernel and the platform itself are working hard to keep it up to date, Linux does not have the same corporate support as alternative operating systems. Most often, you can find third-party applications, and sometimes they are simply not available.
Hardware
Speaking about the pros and cons of Linux and Windows, one should not lose sight of the following aspect. In "Windows", each new distribution package surpasses the previous one not only in the available functionality, but also in the system requirements for the device. In addition, older versions of the OS cease to be supported after a certain time.
Linux, in turn, is ideal for older computers that have virtually no processing power or memory, but which, in principle, are operational. You can install some supported Linux distributions on them and use the device as a firewall, file server or backup server. In fact, this opens up endless possibilities.
Older computers that have almost no RAM work under Linux without any problems. Running Windows on these machines is not possible, and Linux will successfully help reanimate them.
Alternative programs
Considering the pros and cons of Linux, you can not ignore the following aspect. The developers of this platform have done a lot of work to create alternatives to popular Windows applications, but still there are still services in Windows that have no equivalent in Linux.
However, in Linux there are so many software options when it comes to performing a specific task. For example, you can find hundreds, if not thousands, of various text editors.
Regular users and programmers are constantly providing new applications. Sometimes this is a simple modification or extension of the capabilities of existing software, but in some cases it is completely new services. In addition, programs on Linux often have more features and are more convenient than their counterparts on Windows. Another advantage is that the vast majority of Linux software is open source. You get not only software for free, but also the ability to change it and add additional features if you understand the programming language.
Installation Features
For most inexperienced users, installing an operating system can seem like a daunting task. However, Linux offers one of the easiest installation procedures of all OSs.
Most versions of Linux offer the so-called Live distribution. This means that you are starting the operating system from a CD / DVD or USB drive without any changes to your hard drive. You get full functionality without the need for installation. After you have tested the platform and decided that you want to use it, simply double-click the “Install” icon and go through a simple installation wizard.
Conclusion
Having studied in detail what the Linux operating system is and what its corresponding characteristics are, many will agree that this system will only become more popular over time.
One of the main problems that the development team faces is to attract more people to the system. This does not mean that very few users use it today. Rather, it suggests that more and more people should use it and appreciate the benefits of Linux.
It is important that people see Linux as a good option for many tasks and that computer users are not limited to stereotypes.