Have you ever wondered what makes operating systems like Mac OS, Windows, and Android different from each other? Well, the answer lies in UNIX and Linux. While both of these are operating systems, their similarities end there. In this blog post, we’ll look at what makes these two OSes different from one another. Further, we’ll briefly dive into their history and why you need to know about them if you want to pursue a career in software development or system administration.

What is UNIX?

UNIX is a computer operating system that was initially created in 1969 by a group of researchers in AT&T Bell Labs. UNIX is an example of a multi-tier system where each layer has different tasks to carry out. UNIX has three layers like most other OSes: the kernel, the shell, and the userspace.

The kernel is responsible for controlling the computer’s hardware. The shell is responsible for controlling the userspace, which is the layer of the OS where software resides.

What is Linux?

Linux is a kernel, a core part of an operating system that controls computer hardware and schedules tasks for execution. It was created by a programmer named Linus Torvalds in 1991. The open source community uses Linux to create a variety of operating systems for many different computer architectures. Linux is usually used in servers and the embedded systems in devices such as automation systems, robots, industrial control systems, mobile phones and embedded handhelds. Linux is a Unix-like operating system, meaning that it is based on the principles of the original operating system, Unix.

It is also a clone of various Unix operating systems, because it contains most of the source code that was used to create those systems. Linux is distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL) open source license.

How are UNIX and Linux Different?

There are three important aspects that make UNIX and Linux different from each other. Let’s look at each of them –

History of UNIX and Linux

The history of UNIX and Linux begins in 1969 when a group of researchers from AT&T Bell Labs created UNIX. UNIX was written in a language called C that resembles mathematical notation. It was created to be a multi-user, multi-tasking system.

UNIX was initially used for hardware testing and controlling telephone switches. It was also used to automate computation like weather forecasting, mathematical modelling, and financial analysis. Over the years, UNIX was modified and ported to other computer architectures. The source code of these different versions of UNIX was freely distributed and modified.

Many people began using these source codes to create their own customized versions of UNIX. This led to the formation of the Open Source movement. The goal of this movement was to create software that was freely available and could be modified by anybody.

Why is it important for developers to know about UNIX and Linux?

There are many reasons why it’s important for programmers to know about UNIX and Linux. Some of them are mentioned below –

Conclusion

UNIX and Linux are two of the most popular operating systems in the world. They are semi-closed systems that were designed to be used by programmers. While both of these OSes are used for different purposes and serve different industries, they have a lot of things in common.

END If you are interested in learning more about UNIX, Linux or want to start a career in software development, you need to know about these two amazing operating systems.