Differences between Linux and Unix

Source: Internet
Author: User
Title: Differences between Linux and Unix. Linux is a technology channel of the IT lab in China. Includes basic categories such as desktop applications, Linux system management, kernel research, embedded systems, and open source.

The biggest difference between Linux and UNIX is that the former is free software for source code development, while the latter is a traditional commercial software that implements intellectual property protection for source code. This should be their biggest difference. this difference is reflected in the fact that users have a high degree of autonomy over the former, while users can only passively adapt to the latter; this difference is also manifested in that the development of the former is in a completely open environment, while the development of the latter is completely in a black box, only relevant developers can access the prototype of the product.

The Linux source is traced back to the oldest UNIX. In 1969, Ken Thompson of Bell Labs began to develop a multi-user, multi-task operating system using an idle PDP-7 computer. Soon, Dennis Richie joined the project and, with their joint efforts, created the earliest UNIX. Richie was inspired by MULTICS, an earlier project, and named the operating system Unix. Early UNIX was written in assembly language, but its third version was redesigned with a brand new programming language C. C is the programming language designed by Richie and used to compile the operating system. With this rewrite, Unix can be ported to a more powerful DEC PDP-11/45 and 11/70 computers. What happened later, as they said, has become history. Unix came out of the lab and became the mainstream operating system. now almost every major computer vendor has its own version of Unix.

Linux originated from the simple needs of a student. Linus Torvalds, the author and principal maintainer of Linux, the only software he can afford when attending college is Minix. Minix, a Unix-like, simple operating system widely used to assist in teaching. Linus was not very satisfied with Minix, so he decided to write the software by himself. He started his work on an Intel 386 PC based on the familiar Unix of the student age. He has made rapid progress and is encouraged by his achievements. he shares this achievement with other students through the Internet and is mainly used in academic fields. Someone saw the software and started distributing it. Whenever a new problem occurs, someone will immediately find a solution and add it to it. soon, Linux becomes an operating system. It is worth noting that Linux does not include the Unix source code. It was rewritten according to the public POSIX standard. Linux uses a lot of GNU software from the Cambridge free software fund in Massachusetts, and Linux itself is built with them.

Two other differences:

1) most UNIX systems are compatible with hardware, while Linux can run on multiple hardware platforms.

2) UNIX is a commercial software, while Linux is a free software, free of charge, open source code.

UNIX (US $50 thousand) and Linux free

[History]

Unix has a long history since linux. Linux originated from Unix.

[Product]

Both unix and linux are the names of the operating systems. However, in addition to the names of the operating systems, unix also serves as a trademark owned by SCO.

Linux commercially available include RedHat Linux, SuSe Linux, slakeware Linux, domestic red flags, and Turbo Linux.

Unix mainly includes Sun Solaris, ibm aix, HP HP-UX, and SCO Unix/Unixware on the x86 platform

[Other differences]

The core of linux is free and free to use. the core source code is open.

The core of unix is not open.

In terms of hardware, linux is lower than unix and less demanding than unix. linux is easier to master than unix in installation.

Linux is not as complex as unix.

Most Unix systems are the operating systems of hardware vendors targeting their own hardware platforms. They are mainly related to CPU and so on. for example, Sun Solaris is commercially used, it is located on the workstations and servers that use the CPU of the instance. of course, Solaris also has the x86 version, while Linux also has the server version of the CPU of the instance.

But to be exact, it is not appropriate to take the Unix on the RISC and the Linux on the x86.

As for the price, the Linux used by individuals is basically free of charge. different Linux vendors have some optimizations for Enterprise-level applications on basic systems, such as RedHat Enterprise products, these products, including support services, are expensive.

For Unix systems like IBM/HP/SUN, the operating system is usually priced at the device price because it is mainly targeted at its hardware platform. (No one buys a Unix operating system separately)

In terms of performance, linux is not as comprehensive as unix, but basically for individuals

Users and small applications are more than enough.

Generally, if you have the opportunity to use Unix environments, such as the banking and telecommunications departments, they are generally fixed-type Unix. For example, SUN in China Telecom, HP in civil aviation, and IBM in banks. Note that different Unix command sets are different in learning.

As for the study, I think linux is a little more studious, and now I like

More and more linux users are involved.

There are also many. if you want to learn it yourself, Linux or BSD is a good choice. One x86 machine is enough.

For applications, unless they are large websites, enterprises or individuals can use Linux.

UNIX is a powerful multi-user, multi-task operating system with comprehensive performance. it can be used on a variety of platforms from a giant computer to a general PC. it is the most widely used and influential operating system.

Linux is an operating system with the same appearance and performance as UNIX. However, Linux does not come from any version of UNIX source code, but is similar to UNIX. Linux successfully imitates UNIX systems and functions. Specifically, Linux is an operating System compatible with System V and bsd unix. for System V, currently, the software program source code can be run after being re-compiled under Linux. for bsd unix, its executable files can be run directly in Linux.

Generally speaking, Linux is an operating system that complies with POSIX (portable operating system environment) specifications. it can implement all UNIX features on general PC computers and has the capability of multi-task and multi-user. Another major reason Linux is favored by many computer enthusiasts is that it has all UNIX functions, and anyone who uses a UNIX operating system or wants to learn a UNIX operating system can benefit from Linux.

In terms of network management capabilities and security, people who have used Linux admit that Linux is similar to UNIX. UNIX systems have been used as high-end applications or server systems. Therefore, they have a complete set of network management mechanisms and rules. Linux follows these excellent rules to make the network highly configurable, it provides great flexibility for system management.

Contact Us

The content source of this page is from Internet, which doesn't represent Alibaba Cloud's opinion; products and services mentioned on that page don't have any relationship with Alibaba Cloud. If the content of the page makes you feel confusing, please write us an email, we will handle the problem within 5 days after receiving your email.

If you find any instances of plagiarism from the community, please send an email to: info-contact@alibabacloud.com and provide relevant evidence. A staff member will contact you within 5 working days.

A Free Trial That Lets You Build Big!

Start building with 50+ products and up to 12 months usage for Elastic Compute Service

  • Sales Support

    1 on 1 presale consultation

  • After-Sales Support

    24/7 Technical Support 6 Free Tickets per Quarter Faster Response

  • Alibaba Cloud offers highly flexible support services tailored to meet your exact needs.