• Knowing about the definition, history and Linux versions
• Knowing comparison of Linux with other Operating Systems
• Knowing the structure of Linux
1.1 What is Linux?
Linux is the name of an operating system (operating system) for the PC that works Multitasking and MultiUser. Linux works in multi-tasking means it can run multiple applications simultaneously, for example, can play games while downloading from the Internet. Linux works in multiuser means Linux supports the use of the application or computer to serve multiple users at once, such a program can be used together on a network line.
Linux is actually a clone (clone) of UNIX that are designed to run on PCs. Talk about UNIX, basically the operating system is portable (not dependent on specific hardware) that can be used ranging from supercomputers to notebook platforms. Similarly, Linux, the operating system is already very popular and much in demand by professionals.
On the other hand UNIX is a commercial operating system that is expensive. UNIX initially created for large computers such as mainframes and supercomputers. UNIX version for PC is a further modification of the original version. Because the version of UNIX to a PC typically requires large computer specifications and momboroskan hard drive space, making it less efficient UNIX to a PC. This makes UNIX clone for the PC platform, including Minix and Linux.
As an operating system, Linux has a variety of uniqueness and advantages that are not owned by other operating systems. And the most typical Linux is a Free software.
1.2 The development of history and Linux Version
Linux itself is derived from the name of the creator of the beginning, Linus Torvalds, which actually refers to a complete set of software which together with the kernel compile a complete operating system. Linus Torvalds created inspired by Minix - a simple UNIX clone system that made Andy Tanenbaum.
Linux operating system environment includes hundreds of programs, including compilers, interpreters, editors and utilities. Assistive devices that support connectivity, ethernet, SLIP and PPP and interoperability. Reliable software product (reliable), including the latest development version. Group of developers spread around the world who have worked and make Linux portable to a new platform, as well as supporting the user community who have diverse needs and also users can participate act as its own developer team.
1.3 The fundamental difference Linux
One thing that distinguishes Linux to other operating systems is price. Linux is cheaper and can be copied and redistributed without having to pay a fee or royalty to someone. But there are other things more important in addition to price considerations, namely the source code. Linux source code is available to all
people so that everyone can get involved directly in its development. This freedom has allowed hardware vendors make driver for a particular device without having to obtain a license source code that is expensive or menandatanganiNon Disclosure Agreement (NDA). And it also has to provide the possibility for everyone to look into a real operating system and commercial quality. Because Linux is freely available on the internet, various vendors have made a distrbusi package which can be regarded as a packaged version of Linux. This package includes the complete Linux environment, the software for installation and may include specialized software and dedicated support.
1.4 Comparison of Linux to other operating systems
Linux is based on POSIX operating system standard that actually derived based on the work function of UNIX. UNIX is compatible with Linux at the system call level, this means that the majority of programs written for UNIX or Linux can be recompiled and run on other systems with minimal changes. Generally speaking, Linux runs faster than other Unix on the same hardware. And again UNIX has a weakness that is not free.
MS-DOS has similarities with Linux is a file system that is hierarchical. But MS-DOS can only run on x86 processor and does not support multi-user and multi-tasking, as well as non-free. MSDOS also do not have good support in order to interoperate with other operating systems, including the unavailability of network software, program developers and utility programs that exist in Linux. C Compiler uses gcc from the Free Software Foundation's GNU Project. The compiler is widely used in the environment Hewlett-Packard and Sun. Nowadays, a lot of Linux applications that can be used for office purposes such as for spreadsheets, word processor, database and graphics editor program that has the function and look like Microsoft Office, that Star Office. In addition, Corel version is also available for Linux and applications like Matlab on Linux known as Scilab. Linux can be found in a variety of distribution (often called distributions). Distro is a bundle of the Linux kernel, along with a basic Linux system, the installation program, basic tools, and other programs that are useful in accordance with the purpose of making distributions.
There are so many Linux distributions, including:
RedHat, the most popular distributions, minimal in Indonesia. RedHat is the first distribution installation and easy operation.
Debian, the distribution that promotes stability and reliability, even at the expense aspects of ease and sophistication of the program. Debian uses the .deb package installation program.
Slackware, an ever dominate distribution in the Linux world. Almost all Linux documentation is based on Slackware. Two important things on Slackware is that all its content (kernel, library or application) is already proven. So it may be a bit old but certainly stable. The second because he advocated for installing from source so that every program that we install optimized with our system. It's the reason he did not want to use the binary RPM and up to Slackware 4.0, it still uses the libc5 not glibc2 like the others.
SuSE, the distribution of which is very famous with YaST (Yet another Setup Tools) to configure the system. SuSE is the first distribution in which the installation can use the Indonesian language.
Mandrake, RedHat distro is a variant optimized for Pentium. If we use a pentium computer up, generally Linux can walk faster with Mandrake.
WinLinux, distributions are designed to be installed on top of the DOS partition (WIndows). So to run it can be clicked from Windows. WinLinux made as if it is an application program under Windows. And many other distros that are already available or will appear.
1.5 Advantages of Linux
Here are described some advantages of the operating system Linux / UNIX compared to other operating systems. And the following are some of the facts of the things that benefit by using the programs and files of Linux / UNIX:
Basically, all the data stored in the hard disk even if there are some conditions where data is stored on a floppy disk.
Linux / UNIX provides some special process where terminals, printers and other hardware devices can be accessed as we access files stored on the hard disk or diskette.
When the program starts, the program is run from the hard disk into RAM and after the run will be named as the process.
Linux / UNIX provides service to create, modify programs, processes and files.
Linux / UNIX supports hierarchical file structure.
Linux / UNIX operating system is one that belongs to the class of operating systems that can perform multitasking. Multitasking itself is a state in which an operating system can do a lot of work at the same time.
In addition to multitasking, Linux / UNIX also supports multiuser. Namely the operating system at the same time can be used by more than one user is entered into the system. Even for Linux also supports to multiconsole where at the same time in front of computers directly without having to go through the network and allows more than one user entered into the system dakam.
Section 1.6 operating system
Operating System Linux / UNIX consists of the kernel, system program and several application programs. The kernel is the core of the operating system that regulates the use of memory, input output devices, processes, user files on the file system and others. The kernel also provides a set of services that are used to access the so-called kernel system call. System call is used to implement the various services required by the operating system.
System program and all other programs that run on top of the kernel is called user mode. The fundamental difference between the system program and application programs are programs that the system needed an operating system can be run while the application program is a program that is needed to run a particular application.
Example: daemon is a system and word processing program (word processor) is an application program.
1.7 Structure software linux
a. Kernel
The kernel is the most important part of the operating system Linux, which serves as the controller hardware and formed various functions at a low level. The kernel also in the service date, time, file management, security surveillance, process scheduling, memory management, system management, and error handling and intrupsi. Linux kernel consists of several important parts, such as process management, memory management, hardware device drivers, file system drivers, network management and others. But the most important part is the process management and memory management. Memory management to handle local memory consumption, swap area, parts of the kernel and for the buffer cache. Management process to handle the manufacturing processes and scheduling processes. At the base of the kernel contains a hardware device
b. Shell
Shell can be said as a translator in linux which serves to menyembatani between users of the system, meaning that the user simply provides the command and the shell will handle the next action. There is a built-in commands and external commands, built-in command is an internal command being owned by the shell itself being an external command, was the internal shell command outside the command itself. This command can be either utility or application program. There are three types of shell, among others bourne shell program name is sh, C program named csh shell, and Korn shell program called ksh.
c. Utilities
Utilities are small programs that are used to carry out certain tasks. Among others: to process files and directories, editor, communications and networking, system administration, analyzing the work system and others.
d. Program applications
Is a program that is ready to be used by users to meet their own needs. These programs are made with high tinggkat programming language.
