If at some point you decided to investigate LinuxIf you were looking for options to change your operating system, you've probably come across the term UnixThe two terms are closely related, although they are not the same.
To begin with, Both are operating systems And one is quite inspired by the other. However, both were created with very different purposes, and They have many differences between them.
In the following paragraphs we will explain in detail What does each of these operating systems consist of?, what each one was designed for and what the fundamental differences between them are.
What is Unix and how does this legendary operating system for workstations work?
Unix It was released as a standalone operating system in the year 1970 by members of Bell Labs, part of AT&T. Its architecture, written in C language, It was a novelty for the time, giving it great versatility for to be used on multiple platforms and gain great popularity among developers.
In the beginning, Unix was proprietary software owned by AT&TTherefore, not everyone had permission to distribute it. However, Unix adaptations were quickly released, including the popular BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution)It was designed as a secure, stable, and fast multitasking and multiuser operating system, so it was quickly adapted for business use. Unix was used on expensive and powerful computers at various institutions, since it was not intended for personal use.
What is Linux and what are its most interesting features that have made it so famous?
In the strictest sense of the term, Linux refers to the Kernel or coreIn itself, Linux is an incomplete operating systemwithout a desktop environment or applications. Its full name is actually GNU/Linux. In a way, Linux is based on Unix. But the correct term would be inspired.since it's not actually built on its code. Linux was actually created from two Unix-inspired projects: the GNU project and the Linux Kernel.
Since the latter ended up as an incomplete project, The GNU Project took it and completed it.giving rise to the now legendary Linux operating systemThe goal of this project was to build an operating system that It would behave similarly to Unix and offer similar functionalitiesbut that could be freely distributed.
What are the main differences between Linux and Unix, and why are they so often confused?
Generally, There is some confusion when referring to these operating systems.Because, depending on the context, each of its terms has different meanings. Regardless, Unix was the first of the two to reach the market.
Then Linux appeared due to the need for a reliable and free operating system:
Uses
As an operating system designed for business work and server management, Unix is not adapted for use on personal computers.In fact, it is designed to be used in advanced management systems, or by specialized users such as software designers and programmers. It is one of the most widely used systems in internal networks and shared computing systemsbecause it is very efficient at allocating resources to different users and connecting them all to a central brain.
Linux, on the other hand, It offers a wide range of uses similar to Unix, but geared towards the average user.because all its distributions are adapted to run on personal computers. Among the uses that can be given to Linux we can consider the following: recreational, work, or server management system, as it has a multitude of layouts that are designed to meet different needs.
In summary, the differences between Linux and Unix in terms of how they are used could be described as follows:
- Unix is a system dedicated to corporate useLinux can be used in many aspects, in addition to work.
- Linux is free softwareWhile the original Unix is proprietary, some versions can be obtained for free.
- Unix is a complete operating system written in the C language.Linux, for its part, is only the kernel, and its multiple distributions are written in various programming languages.
- Linux, in its many distributions, It is supported by the free software community, while Unix It almost completely lacks technical support.
Architecture
There are There are notable differences in this aspect between Unix and LinuxAnd that's because Linux, being only the kernel of the operating system, It can support the use of multiple programming languages to build upon it. This is the faculty that has allowed the creation of all its distributions.
Unix, on the other hand, is a fully-fledged operating system built in the C programming language. And, among its most notable differences with Linux, is the fact that It is very user-unfriendlybecause it requires prior experience and considerable skill to work with it efficiently. Furthermore, being a proprietary system, Unix is not modifiableIt cannot be distributed without the owner's permission, and is heavily protected by intellectual property rights.
