Linux distribution Introduction and how to learn Linux

First, choose the right Linux distribution

When it comes to Linux releases, too much, and probably no one can give an accurate number, but one thing is for sure, Linux is becoming more and more popular, and in the face of so many Linux distributions, beginners who intend to move from other systems to Linux may be confused, even if the faithful Linux users do not have the time and effort to try each, so beginners in the study of Linux before, need to have a clear direction, choose a suitable system to start learning Linux is essential! We will introduce the classification below.

1.1 Beginners First Choice-redhat series

Before you learn Redhat series Linux, first understand the following Redhat Linux distributions.

1. Red Hat Linux

Red Hat Linux is Redhat's first released personal version of Linux, and its 1.0 version was released on November 3, 1994. Although its history is not as long as other Linux distributions, Red Hat has a much older history than many Linux distribution suites. Since the release of the Red Hat 9.0, RedHat has no longer developed a desktop version of Linux distribution, and Red Hat Linux has stopped developing and focused all its efforts on the development of the server version, the Red Hat Enterprise Linux version. April 30, 2004, Red Hat Company officially stopped its support for the Red Hat 9.0 version, marking the official end of Red Hat Linux. The original desktop Red Hat Linux release kit was merged with Fedora from the open source community to become the Fedora Core release version.

Red Hat is currently divided into two series: Red Hat offers fee-based technical support and updated Red Hat Enterprise Linux, as well as a free fedora Core developed by the community.

2. Fedora Core

Fedora Core (abbreviated as FC) is an experimental site where Red Hat company is positioned as a new technology, and many new technologies will be tested in FC, and Red Hat will consider joining Red Hat Enterprise Linux if it is stable.

Fedora Core 1 was released at the end of 2003, and FC is positioned as a desktop user. FC provides the latest package, while its version update cycle is also very short, only 6 months. Because of the frequent version update, performance and stability is not guaranteed, therefore, generally on the server does not recommend the use of Fedora Core.

In fact, Fedora is the Red Hat release Red Hat Enterprise version of the experimental version of Linux, the user to do the test, the Red Hat Enterprise release lay the foundation.

3. Red Hat Enterprise Linux

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (abbreviated as Enterprise Edition of Rhel,red hat). Red hat is now primarily a server version of Linux development, with a focus on performance and stability and hardware support in the release. Due to the long development cycle of the enterprise version of the operating system, performance, stability, and server-side software support, the version update is relatively slow.

RedHat Enterprise Linux is divided into 4 versions Advanced Server (AS), ES Workstation (WS), Desktop, they are not very different, but functional differences.

4. Centos

CentOS Full name is "Community Enterprise Operating System" (Community Enterprise operating system)

Background of the CentOS generation:

Redhat released Redhat 9. After 0, no longer develop Redhat 10,11 ..., the overall shift to Redhat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) development, and, unlike ever before, the new Redhat Enterprise Edition requires users to buy lisence first, Redhat also promises to ensure product stability and safety. Rhel binaries are no longer available for downloading, but as part of the Redhat service, but the source code is still open. In this case, there is a CentOS, Whitebox, DAO, and so on a batch of open source Enterprise version, which is the most active CentOS.

Here's how CentOS is produced:

The CentOS community will download all the source code from the Redhat website and recompile it. Since AS/ES/WS is a commercial product, all Redhat logos and logos must be changed to their CentOS logo. For example, will AS4.0 original srpm source code compiled, put on the CentOS community logo, this became the CentOS 4.0. Redhat Enterprise Linux AS4 Update1 Source code compiled, it became a CentOS4.1. AS4 Update2 Source code compiled, became a CentOS4.2 and so on. That's how CentOS is produced.

So, it can be said that CentOS is a free version of Redhat's As/es/ws, using CentOS to get the same functionality and performance as Redhat Enterprise-class Linux. At the same time, CentOS also offers free long-term upgrades and update Services. So, in many Rhel clones, CentOS is outstanding.

Although CentOS is a clone of Rhel, it is not exactly the same, and the clone is said to have 100% interchangeability. For the CentOS is actually not the same, Rhel software in CentOS above can not guarantee 100% normal work.

After understanding the differences in each version of the Redhat series. In fact, we found the reason why we chose to Redhat Linux as Beginners ' learning.

First of all: at home, and even the world's Linux users most familiar with the most heard of the detailed distribution must be Red hat. Because Red Hat is the "Boss" of Linux, Red Hat Linux, the US Red Hat Company, is the most commercially successful Linux release suite, so Red Hat's Linux is trustworthy, Red Hat There is no doubt about Linux's functionality and performance.

Second: Red hat now has a huge network of users, network Linux basic 90% are based on Redhat Linux, if you encounter any problems in the learning process, random search network, there are thousands of answers to show in front of you.

Third: Red Hat Linux version complement each other: if you first contact Linux, then we recommend that you first install Fedora Core, Fedora Core installation is simple, hardware support is very good, the interface is also gorgeous, but also can experience redhat The latest Linux features, if you have a certain understanding of Linux, you need to learn more, we recommend that you use the CentOS system; If you are doing Linux enterprise applications, it is recommended that you use the Rhel version.

Finally: Redhat wide range of applications, typical and Representative, many systems (such as the red Flag Redflag, the winning bidder Linux,oracle released Enterprise Linux) are based on Red Hat Linux, so that can be said to learn Red Hat Linux, you can analogy, other similar Linux systems can quickly grasp, and now around learning Linux are generally Redhat Linux, so that the exchange is convenient, learning problems, more easily solved. At the same time Redhat Linux installation and use is also the simplest, so basically not in the "Loading system" waste too much time.