Introduction to Linux

Linux  is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open-source software development and distribution. The defining component of Linux is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. The Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to describe the operating system, which has led to some controversy.  Linux was originally developed for personal computers based on the Intel x86 architecture, but has since been ported to more platforms than any other operating system. Because of the dominance of the Linux kernel-based Android OS on smartphones, Linux has the largest installed base of all general-purpose operating systems. Here, are the Linux Distros listed Below.

Top 10 Linux Distros in 2018 :

1. Arch Linux

Arch Linux is a Linux distribution for computers based on x86-64 architectures. It used to have support for i686, but the architecture has been deprecated since version 2017.03.01. Arch Linux is composed predominantly of free and open-source software, and supports community involvement. It is very Light-Weight and Easy to Explore things.

• Developer – Aaron Griffin and others
• Platforms – x86-64 i686 (deprecated) ARM (unofficial)
• Kernel type – Monolithic (Linux)
• Package manager – pacman
• Official website – https://www.archlinux.org/

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2. Debian

Debian is a Unix-like computer operating system that is composed entirely of free software, most of which is under the GNU General Public License and packaged by a group of individuals participating in the Debian Project.The Debian Project was first announced in 1993 by Ian Murdock, Debian 0.01 was released on September 15, 1993, and the first stable release was made in 1996.The Debian stable release branch is one of the most popular for personal computers and network servers, and has been used as a base for many other distributions.

• Developer – Debian Project
• Platforms – ARM64, armel, armhf, MIPS, mipsel, PowerPC, PPC64le, x86-32, x86-64, z/Architecture
• Kernel type –  Linux,  kFreeBSD (in development),  GNU Hurd (in development)
• Package manager – dpkg
• Official website – https://www.debian.org/

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3. Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a Debian-based Linux operating system for personal computers, tablets and smartphones, where Ubuntu Touch edition is used. It also runs network servers. That is usually with the Ubuntu Server edition, either on physical or virtual servers (such as on mainframes) or with containers, that is with enterprise-class features. It runs on the most popular architectures, including server-class ARM-based. Among all of 10, Ubuntu is the popular Linux Distro. Personally, I recommend you to use Ubuntu. It is the best for User Point of View.

• Developer – Canonical Ltd., Ubuntu community
• Platforms – I386, IA-32, AMD64; ARMhf (ARMv7 + VFPv3-D16), ARM64; Power, ppc64le; s390x
• Kernel type – Monolithic (Linux); Hybrid Linux and Windows NT (under Windows 10)
• Package manager – dpkg, Snappy
• Official website – http://www.ubuntu.com/

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4. Solus

Solus is an independent desktop operating system based on the Linux kernel. It is offered as a curated rolling release model under the slogan “Install Today. Updates Forever”.

• Developer – Ikey Doherty
• Platforms – AMD64
• Kernel type – Monolithic (Linux)
• Package manager – eopkg
• Official website – https://solus-project.com/

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5. Fedora

Fedora is a Unix-like computer operating system based on the Linux kernel and GNU programs, developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by Red Hat. It contains software distributed under various free and open-source licenses and aims to be on the leading edge of such technologies.

• Developer – Fedora Project (sponsored by Red Hat)
• Platforms – i686, x86-64, ARM-hfp, ARM AArch64, PPC64, PPC64le, IBM Z, MIPS-64el, MIPS-el, RISC-V
• Kernel type – Monolithic (Linux)
• Package manager – RPM
• Official website – https://getfedora.org/

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6. Raspbian

Raspbian is a Debian-based computer operating system for Raspberry Pi. Since 2015 till now it is officially provided by the Raspberry Pi Foundation as the primary operating system for the family of Raspberry Pi single-board computers. Raspbian was created by Mike Thompson and Peter Green as an independent project. The initial build was completed in June 2012. The operating system is still under active development. Raspbian are mainly used in Raspberry Pi’s.

• Developer – Raspberry Pi Foundation
• Platforms – ARM
• Kernel type – Monolithic
• Package manager – dpkg
• Official website – https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/

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7. OpenSUSE

openSUSE  formerly known as SUSE Linux and SuSE Linux Professional. openSUSE is a Linux-based project and distribution sponsored by SUSE Linux GmbH and other companies. The focus of its development is creating usable open-source tools for software developers and system administrators, while providing a user-friendly desktop and feature-rich server environment.

• Developer – openSUSE Project
• Platforms – IA-32, x86-64, (secondary/preview: PPC64, PPC64le, ARM, ARM64)
• Kernel type – Monolithic (Linux)
• Package manager – RPM Package Manager
• Official website – https://www.opensuse.org/

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8. CentOS

CentOS stands for  Community Enterprise Operating System. It is a Linux distribution that attempts to provide a free, enterprise-class, community-supported computing platform functionally compatible with its upstream source, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). .

• Developer – The CentOS Project (affiliated with Red Hat)
• Platforms – x86-64
• Kernel type – Monolithic (Linux kernel)
• Package manager – RPM Package Manager
• Official website – https://www.centos.org/

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9. Gentoo

Gentoo  is a Linux distribution built using the Portage package management system. Unlike a binary software distribution, the source code is compiled locally according to the user’s preferences and is often optimized for the specific type of computer. Precompiled binaries are available for some larger packages or those with no available source code.

• Developer – Gentoo Foundation
• Platforms – IA-32, x86-64, IA-64, PA-RISC; PowerPC 32/64, SPARC 64-bit, DEC Alpha, ARM, Motorola 68K
• Kernel type – Monolithic (Linux)
• Package manager – Emerge
• Official website – https://www.gentoo.org/

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10. Puppy Linux

Puppy Linux is an operating system and lightweight Linux distribution. It  focuses on ease of use and minimal memory footprint.  The tool Woof can build a Puppy Linux distribution from the binary packages of other Linux distributions.

• Developer – Barry Kauler (original); Larry Short, Mick Amadio and Puppy community (current)
• Platforms – x86, x86-64, ARM
• Kernel type – Monolithic
• Package manager – Puppy Package Manager
• Official website – http://www.puppylinux.com/

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Conclusion

Hurray!! 🙂 😀 Hence, These are the top 10 linux distros in 2018. If you have any questions, suggestions, feedback please don’t hesitate to write them in the comment box below because it will help us to improve or correct our contents. Thanks, Happy FOSS Computing. ?