The relationship between Linux small knowledge translation-"linux" and the "release version"

"linux" meant only the kernel. 5 years ago, most of them thought so, but I didn't say so recently.

Recently it is generally said that "linux" is an OS, where the OS, not just the kernel, but the overall environment of the computer (in addition to the kernel, including some peripheral software).

The kernel is inherently a bridge between hardware and various application software, and only the kernel PC is unusable.

As a result, a variety of software and kernels are combined, packaged as an OS that can be run, and the packaged OS is called the "linux release.

More recently, the "linux distribution has been called"linux".

However, "linux kernel" only one, "linux release" There are many. Why is that?

This is because there is a lot of software that can be combined with the "linux kernel, and there are various combinations of methods. As a result, a variety of "linux distributions have been produced."

In fact, the "linux kernel" is not unique. In addition to using a variety of patches in the kernel, some distributions use their own kernels (that is, some modifications on the standard kernel).

To differentiate from the standard kernel, the kernel published on kernel.org is called the "vanilla kernel.

So, the "linux distribution" How many kinds? "

If you want to answer, there's probably an infinite number of them.

The people who make the "linux distribution are all over the world, and there are various distribution types available for commercial/non-commercial, server/desktop users, enhancements to certain features, and so on.

A production "linux release" of the people may also make a number of distributions, in addition to some do not know the distribution, but also now popular to make their own "linux distribution".

So the "linux distribution" is as much as the stars in the sky. "

Making your own "linux distribution" sounds hard, but it's not as hard as you think, "he thought, referring to some of the books that have been published. If you have a chance, you can challenge it.