Linux comes in many different flavors or ‘distros’. Linux distribution is a package of components that can be installed in a user’s machine. It includes the kernel, libraries, device drivers, core utilities, and applications.
Components of a Linux Distribution
- Kernel
- System Services: systemd
- Core Utilities: bash shell, networking, file system tools
- Supplementary softwares
- Software management
- Source-based distribution
- RPM (Red Hat Package Manager) based distribution
- Debian package (dpkg, .deb) based distribution
Source based
- Slackware
RPM Based Distribution
- Redhat -> Fedora, CentOS -> Oracle Linux
- CentOS: Stable and ideal for a server, Not good for daily desktop usage
- SuSe -> OpenSUSE
- OpenSUSE: Very secure and you can create your own version of OS
- Mageia
Debian based distribution
- Debian
- Ubuntu -> Elementary OS, Linux Mint
- Ubuntu: stable and easy to use, integrate with cloud computing, most popular
- Elementary OS: excellent (nice-looking) desktop environment
- Linux Mint: good media support and good for new users switching from Windows or Mac.
- Kali
Which one to use?
- For newbies: Ubuntu, Elementary OS, Linux Mint
- For developers and sysadmins: OpenSUSE
- For Enterprise Server: CentOS
Uses of Linux as a Platform
- Web Server: Apache, Nginx
- Email Server: POSTFIX, Sendmail
- Database Server: MySQL, PostgreSQL, MariaDB
- Virtualization: Xen, KVM, VirtualBox
- Containers: Docker, Kubernetes
- Compatibility with MS Windows: Samba, Wine, Steam
Mobile Platform
- Ubuntu Mobile, Ubuntu Touch
- Sailfish OS
- Android Mobile
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