The fundamental difference between FreeBSD and Linux 10

The logo of Linux is a very cute little penguin, and FreeBSD's logo is a small demon with a fork. Do you often hear people confuse Linux and BSD systems? Yes, I sometimes hear a lot of newbies, even the media say so. Of course, there are actually a lot of similarities between the two, for example, they are all based on Unix, and basically both of these systems are developed by nonprofit organizations and teams, and I would like to say that both systems have a common goal – to create the most useful and reliable operating system.

But then again, there is a clear difference between the two systems, and when people overlook this, the entire BSD community feels unusually angry, so we can often see the BSD community or BSD users being dismissive of Linux. So I will do my best to help my BSD brethren, and let more people know where Linux differs from BSD.

1. License

As we know, the Linux operating system is licensed under the GPL license. This license prevents the open source software from being converted to the closed code software and ensures the availability of the source code. The purpose of the GPL license is to prevent the binary package from becoming the only source of software distribution.

BSD licenses are much less restrictive and even allow binary packages to be the only source of distribution. This is the core difference, as you can understand: The GPL license gives you the right to have any method you want to use the software, but you must make sure that you provide the source code to the next person who uses it (including your changes to it section). The BSD license does not require you to do so. (Translator Note: This is Wikipedia's explanation of the BSD and GPL license)

2. Code Control

BSD code is not controlled in any one hand, and the Linux kernel is basically controlled by Linus Torvalds (the Linux founders), BSD does not have a single person to say what can or what not to enter the code. Instead, BSD manages the project through a core Team of core teams, which has more say than the non-caucus to guide the development of the BSD community (the translator notes: As far as I know, the members of the FREEBSDD caucus will be elected every two years. )

3. Kernel vs Operating system

The BSD project maintains the entire operating system, while Linux is primarily focused on a single kernel. This is really something to be aware of, although many of the same software is running on both systems.

4, Unix-like

Here's an old version of BSD vs Linux: "BSD is something you get when a bunch of Unix hackers sit down to try to port a Unix system to the Pc. Linux is a bunch of PCs hackers sit down and try to write a UNIX system for the PC ", there is a lot of expression here. You will find that BSD systems are more like UNIX, and in fact it is a direct derivative of traditional UNIX. Linux, however, is a loosely based UNIX derivative (Minix) and a newly created OS.

5. Basic System

This is a crucial concept for the difference between BSD and Linux. Linux's "Basic system" does not really exist, many people will say that the basic Linux system is the kernel, but the problem is that if there is no application available, then the kernel is completely worthless. BSD, on the other hand, has a basic system that includes many tools, and even libc is part of the basic system. Because these components are used as a basic system, they are all developed and packaged together, and many facts show that this creates a more cohesive whole.

6, more from the source code

Because of the BSD development approach (using the Ports system), the user is more from the source code to install the program, rather than pre-compiled binary package. Is this an advantage or a disadvantage? This depends on the different users. If you think more about friendliness or ease of use, you may have the idea of giving up after seeing this, especially for new users. But some new users also have the desire to compile the installation from source code, which can be tiring. However, the installation from the source also has some advantages, such as library version control, through the special package to build the system and so on.

7. Upgrade

Because of the BSD way of development (see 5th), you can use an instruction to upgrade your basic system to the latest version (Freebsd is using the freebsd-update Fetch UPDATE command). Or you can download the entire source tree and then upgrade it by compiling it. In Linux, you can also upgrade your system with a built-in package management system. The former (BSD) only updates the base system, while the latter (Linux) upgrades the entire system. Keep in mind, however, that upgrading to the latest basic system in BSD does not mean that all additional packages will be updated, and that all packages will be upgraded when Linux is upgraded. Does this mean that Linux is better handled? Not in my view. I often see a serious error in upgrading Linux, which requires reinstalling the entire system, but this is unlikely to happen during the BSD upgrade process.

8. Cutting-edge technology

Basically, you're not likely to see the BSD system running any very cutting-edge version of the software. On the Linux side, a large number of distributions will distribute the latest version of the package. If you are a "if it isn ' t broken, don ' t fix it" view holder, you will be a BSD super fan. However, if you are trendy and want to experience all the latest things, then you'd better move to Linux as soon as possible.

9. Hardware Support

You will find that Linux usually has hardware support earlier than BSD. But this is not to say that BSD does not support enough hardware like Linux, it simply means that in some cases Linux will support some hardware before BSD. Therefore, if you want the latest, best graphics card, basically do not consider BSD. If you have a new notebook with the latest wireless chip, it is recommended that you choose Linux, if you are lucky, it will support.

10. User Group

Here I venture to summarize the computer users, but I want to first declare that every thing has an exception. Below I want to show you my summary of user distribution.

mac–> windows–> linux–> bsd–> UNIX

From the left to the right, it is the transition that "the user with the OS is the least proficient in the computer" to the "most computer-savvy user base in the OS". We can see that Linux is placed in the middle, while BSD is closer to the right. Many people will argue about it, and others may feel offended. However, the individual considers this to be a fairly accurate generalization of "which users are using which systems".

The fundamental difference between FreeBSD and Linux 10