What is Linux?

Linux is a free, open-source operating system kernel created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. An operating system manages your computer's hardware and lets software run on top of it.

Because the source code is open, anyone can use, modify, and distribute it. This led to hundreds of Linux distributions (distros):

• Ubuntu: beginner-friendly, popular for desktops and servers
• Debian: stable, widely used on servers
• Fedora: cutting-edge features
• Arch Linux: highly customisable, for experienced users
• Android: a mobile OS built on the Linux kernel

Linux runs:

• The vast majority of the world's servers
• All Android devices
• Most supercomputers
• Forms the foundation of macOS

Valued for stability, security, transparency, and a powerful command-line interface.