What is the difference between Linux and BSD?

Both Linux and BSD are free, open-source, and Unix-like systems. They even use a lot of the same software. They look like an operating system. what are their differences? In fact, the difference between the two is far more than what we mentioned below, especially

Both Linux and BSD are free, open-source, and Unix-like systems. They even use a lot of the same software. They look like an operating system. what are their differences?

In fact, the difference between the two is far more than what we mentioned below, especially in the philosophy of building a complete operating system and licensing, it is far different. Through this short article, you can easily understand the differences between them.

Basic

What many people call "Linux" is actually not Linux. Linux is only a Linux kernel technically. a typical Linux release includes the Linux kernel and many software. This is why Linux is sometimes called GNU/Linux. In fact, many software used on Linux are also used on BSD.

Both Linux and BSD are UNIX-like operating systems. We can read the history of UNIX-like operating systems and find that Linux and BSD have different origins. Linux was developed by Linus Torvalds when I went to university in Finland. BSD stands for "Berkeley Software Distribution, Berkeley Software suite". it originated from a series of modifications to the Bell Laboratory UNIX developed by the University of California Berkeley, and eventually developed into a complete operating system, there are now multiple different BSD branches.

Kernel vs. complete operating system

Strictly speaking, Linux is just a kernel. All you need to do to create a Linux release is to collect all the software required to create a complete Linux operating system, combine it into a Linux release such as Ubuntu, Mint, Debian, RedHat, or Arch. There are many different Linux releases.

In contrast, BSD represents its kernel and operating system. For example, FreeBSD provides FreeBSD kernel and FreeBSD operating system. It is maintained as a single project. In other words, if you want to install FreeBSD, there is only one FreeBSD available for you to install. If you want to install Linux, you must first select among many Linux distributions.

BSD includes a system named Ports, which provides a method for installing software packages. The Ports system contains the source code of the software package, so if you want to install the software on your computer, you need to compile them first. (If you have used the popular Gentoo before, it's a bit similar .) However, software packages can also be pre-installed binary, so that you do not need to spend time and system resources compiling to run them.

License

A license is a typical difference, although it does not affect most people. Linux uses the GNU General Public License, namely, GPL. If you modify the Linux kernel and distribute it, you must release the modified source code.

BSD uses the BSD license. If you modify the BSD kernel or release version and release it, you do not need to publish its source code. You can freely do anything you want to do with your BSD code. you are not obligated to publish the source code you modified. of course you want to publish it as well.

Both are open source code, but in different ways. People sometimes fall into debate about which licenses are "more free. GPL can help users to ensure they can have the source code of the GPL software, and restrict developers from forcing them to open the code. The BSD license does not ensure that users can own the source code, but gives developers the right to decide whether to publish the code, even if they want to turn it into a closed-source project.

BSD branch

The following are three common "mainstream" BSD operating systems:

• FreeBSD: FreeBSD is the most popular BSD for high performance and ease of use. It supports 32-bit and 64-bit Intel and AMD processors.
• NetBSD: NetBSD is designed to run on almost any architecture and supports more architectures. The motto on their home page is "of course we are running on NetBSD ".
• OpenBSD: OpenBSD is designed to maximize security-not only the features it claims, but also in practice. It is designed for key systems of banks and other important institutions.

There are two other important BSD operating systems:

• DragonFly BSD: The design goal of DragonFly BSD is to provide an operating system running in a multi-threaded environment-for example, a computer cluster.
• Darwin/Mac OS x: Mac OS X is actually based on the Darwin operating system, while the Darwin system is based on BSD. It is a little different from other BSD. although the underlying kernel and other software are open source code (BSD code), most of the operating systems are closed source Mac OS code ). Apple developed Mac OS X and iOS on the basis of BSD, so that they do not have to write the underlying operating system, just as Google developed android on the basis of Linux.

Why do you choose BSD instead of Linux?

Linux is obviously more popular than FreeBSD. For example, Linux often provides support for new hardware earlier than FreeBSD. BSD has a compatibility package available to enable native execution of Linux binary programs like most other software.

If you have used Linux, FreeBSD will not make you feel much different. If you use FreeBSD as a desktop operating system, you can also use the same GNOME, KDE, or Xfce desktop environment. you can also use most other Linux software on BSD. Note that FreeBSD does not automatically install a graphical desktop, so you need to spend more time taking care of your BSD than Linux. BSD is more conservative.

FreeBSD's reliability and stability may be more suitable for server operating systems. Vendors also choose BSD instead of Linux as their operating systems, because they do not have to release their modified code.

If you are a PC desktop user, you really don't need to care too much about BSD. You may like Linux because it has more advanced hardware support, easier installation, and features a modern operating system. If you focus on servers or embedded devices, you may prefer FreeBSD.

We may hear some people say they use FreeBSD on their desktops. you may also be one of them! However, open-source operating systems like Ubuntu or Mint provide better and more advanced experience for most users.