Table of Contents
Introduction to Linux Distro
What is the Linux Distro? Best Linux distro for developers 2022. In order to get or make a proper Linux operating system, we need a set of components and the processes to install these components which is called Linux Distro. A Linux Distro has:
- Linux Kernal
- Omnipresent GNU Tools
- Small Tools (Windowing System, Desktop Environment, Package Management System)
If the hardware architecture is different, different versions of kernels may be integrated into the same distro. Different services are provided through small tools.
Number of software packages available in package management system can be installed by default or as per the user requirement.
User document is the unique aspect of Linux distro. This documentation includes the installation guide and the procedure of contributing to the distribution.
How to choose a Linux Distro?
In order to choose a Linux distro first you should be aware of the fact that why there are so many Linux Distros and why do they exist. You can get the answer by going through its history and the circumstances that caused its existence.
Linux Origin
Linux was started for solving a particular problem of a developer. In 1990s, a student named Linus wanted to use an operating systems at home that he just used at his campus. But at that time he was using MINIX and he was unable to run on his PC 383. So he decided to make his own operating system.
This is how Linux Begun! Nobody knew that this small project would become that much ubiquitous operating system. According to the survey almost out of 500 supercomputers, 97% have Linux operating system. So we can say that Linux is found almost everywhere. Many servers and the consumer products like automatic cars have installed Linux.
International space stations and the large Hadron collider that are considered to be the most two complex, expensive and advanced projects are managed by Linux.
What was the first name of Linux?
It is quite interesting that the first name of Linux was Freax which was actually derived from “free” “freak” and “x”.
What are the main reasons for Linux Success?
There are four main reasons that make Linux a success:
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Based on Already existing UNIX OS
As mentioned previously, Linus wanted to use a system at home (UNIX based) just like that he used in his campus. Since he was already using MINIX . So many people were already willing to adopt the new family of operating system because of the success rate of UNIX.
2.Aimed at personal Computers
At that time the main computers UNIX based were MINIX and Xenix. They both had the following issues their using were facing:
The cost of MINIX license was very low and its source code was openly available. However, its source code was not allowed to be used for developing a new operating system using it. On the other hand MINIX license was quite expensive. Also its source code was not accessible.
3. It was free and open source
This was one of the main reasons that it was free and easily available. Since Torvalds wanted others to improve it, comment on it and use its commands. It also propelled hackers for early adoption.
Best Linux distro for developers 2022
Lets just have a look of selection criteria for Linux Distro.
While choosing a Linux distro, the first thing you need to ask is why do you want to use it? or what is its use? The professional or commercial use of LINUX distro will require different distros. For example, if you are planning to use it for tracking you finances or you are interested to serve a marketplace then same types of bistros should not be used. That will be quite a bad choice. Though you can be a new computer user but still you can probably decide it is quite a foolish act.
General Purpose Distros
These types of distros are general purpose just like other operating systems MS Windows and Apple OS. Just like from preparing document to editing videos to playing music etc. These types of distros are not task oriented. The common examples are: Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian and Mint.
Task Oriented Distros
Why anybody would need a task specific distro? There are many interesting reasons for it:
You want to use a distro for a specific purpose and a general purpose distro does not meet the requirements. This could be as simple or as complex from installing the heavy softwares. Its examples are educational distros and children oriented distros.
You want to focus only on a simple task and other features are not necessary. This may be because of hardware constraints, security, and ease of use.
Examples: Routers, gaming, cloud Apps, Android, Tizen and Ubuntu Phones.
Environment
The probable environment where you want to use the Linux distro: There are four basic application environments of Linux Distro. They are:
- Desktop
- Server
- Cloud/Virtualization
- Embedded/Mobile