10 Linux Advantages You Should Know

Linux acts as a mediator between application software and the hardware of a device, serving as an operating system. Its greatest strength lies in being unobtrusive to the user. It also provides additional benefits such as safeguarding user data and facilitating seamless application compatibility. This guide delves into the benefits and explores why it could be a viable option for an operating system.

Overview

While Linux has a rich history, it is primarily the brainchild of Linus Torvalds, who initiated the development of the Linux kernel in 1991. However, it’s important to note that Richard Stallman laid the groundwork with his GNU (GNU’s Not Unix) project in 1983, which aimed to create a freely available version of the Unix operating system. Unix, invented by Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie for AT&T Labs in 1969, was never free due to its proprietary nature, as were all other operating systems at the time. Thus, it’s crucial to understand the historical context to fully appreciate its contemporary applications and significance.

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What is Linux Good For?

Linux has a ubiquitous presence across a wide range of platforms, including desktops, servers, clouds, mobile devices, supercomputers, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The significance of it lies in its highly customizable nature, which allows for application development without being constrained by third-party limitations. Additionally, it operates at a fast pace and can function on older hardware, further emphasizing its versatility. Although there may be a learning curve in navigating Linux initially, the knowledge gained applies to its many supported platforms. Moreover, this serves as the foundation for other operating systems, such as Android, due to its unparalleled flexibility.

Importance

The primary incentive for adopting Linux is its ability to increase return on investment (ROI) in virtually any setting. This is because Linux is available at no cost, and it can operate on existing hardware, making it a cost-effective solution. By leveraging, organizations can potentially turn a profit rather than incur losses, underscoring its importance.

Additionally, Linux represents a prime example of a successful open-source project. Its source code is publicly accessible, enabling anyone to modify and distribute it, and it is collaboratively developed with the Linux community. These aspects contribute to the numerous benefits including robust security measures.

10 Benefits

There are compelling reasons to consider Linux as the operating system for your organization, research project, web application, or any other specific purpose. The following sections outline ten key advantages of utilizing Linux in your environment.

Strong Security

Linux boasts superior security measures compared to the majority of other operating systems, owing to the following reasons:

• It has a plethora of distributions, including popular ones like Ubuntu, Debian, and CentOS, with new distributions emerging frequently. They are updated regularly, making it extremely difficult to create a virus that targets Linux as a whole, as it is a constantly evolving target.
• It adheres to a model where users only have privileges to their own applications and data. Once an administrator installs and configures an application, the user can only use it without having any other control over it.
• It is not the most widely used operating system in standalone environments, making it a less attractive target for virus writers. Typically, virus creators aim for operating systems that have a more substantial user base, representing lower-hanging fruit.

Low Cost

One of the advantages of Linux is that its kernel is freely available and open source, licensed under the General Public License (GNU GPL). This means that you can customize it to suit your requirements by adding any desired features. Almost all Linux distributions can be downloaded, with a fully functional version of the Linux kernel available free of charge, with some exceptions. Paid services like Ubuntu and Red Hat Enterprise may incur costs.

Fantastic Terminal Support

With Linux, you don’t require any special software to connect to your project’s backend servers using add-on software. Secure Shell (SSH) utility allows you to access the server securely. Moreover, editors such as Emacs, Nano, and Vim are available, allowing you to update config files or hosted Python scripts in real time. These advantages save developers valuable time that would otherwise be spent on figuring out complex processes, enabling them to focus on writing and testing code.

Amazing Driver Support

One of the advantages of Linux is that it includes the necessary drivers right from the start, so you don’t have to spend time looking for the driver disk for your device. Additionally, Linux has extensive device support that goes beyond just the latest devices, making it possible to repurpose an older machine as a firewall, router, or backup server.

Great Scalability

Linux offers several ways to achieve scalability, which is crucial for any practical software requirement. These include:

• Linux is compatible with a wide range of platforms, making it suitable for various devices.
• It can scale according to the device’s specifications, including robots and industrial computers.
• It has a small footprint, making it usable on devices with limited capabilities.
• The operating system doesn’t slow down under heavy workloads.
• It efficiently utilizes system resources, only using them when the application requires them.

Strong Developer Support

Applications, not flexibility, are what sell an operating system to users. Linux offers support for a wide range of programming languages, making it an attractive option for developers across different fields. For instance, if you work as a data scientist and use Python as your preferred programming language, you would choose Linux for its faster and more resource-efficient execution of Python applications. Linux supports all the major programming languages, including C, C++, Java, and JavaScript, which makes it a great choice for any business, research, or other practical software needs that require code to run faster and with fewer resources.

Available Source Code

The Linux kernel’s source code is easily accessible, providing several advantages over other operating systems, such as:

• Many people are constantly looking for potential flaws and coming up with solutions.
• Linux can be tracked down or modified to meet specific needs.
• Observing the source code in a debugger allows for discovering how the operating system works.

Compatible Applications

The design of the Linux operating system and the open-source nature of its kernel give software developers better insights into creating compatible and reliable applications. Additionally, there are fewer layers to navigate when working with Linux, leading to a more streamlined development process.

Incredible Server Support

Linux is widely considered a server operating system, and as a result, developers tend to create applications that are optimized for this environment. This translates to reliable and secure applications that run efficiently on Linux. Professionals often prefer Linux as a workstation operating system because it requires minimal maintenance and allows them to focus on their work without worrying about frequent operating system issues. As a result, Linux is commonly used as a workstation operating system across various professions.

Flexible UI Customization

Most operating systems have only one user interface (UI) that users are stuck with, but with Linux, users can install and customize various interfaces to their liking. Although it may take extra effort and time to set up, users can end up with a UI that meets their specific needs and becomes invisible.

Potential Drawbacks of Linux

Given the complexity of operating systems, it’s often challenging to find a perfect solution to a problem, especially since many variables may be unknown. Linux, despite its many advantages, is not immune to potential drawbacks. Here are some factors to consider:

• Distributions: Using mainstream distributions such as Ubuntu and Debian is the best way to start using Linux, even though many people create their own version of Linux as a must-have distribution.
• Gaming and other Consumer Applications: Linux is not considered the ideal choice for gaming and other consumer needs, even though it performs exceptionally well in various practical settings. Although it is possible to use Linux for gaming, it often requires additional steps to install and use the software.
• Market Share: Although it may seem materialistic, the market share of an operating system is a key factor in determining the resources that organizations allocate to it. Unfortunately, Linux is currently ranked low on the list of operating systems based on market share.
• Legal Requirements: Certain industries are obligated to comply with specific legal requirements, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). In such cases, it might be less complicated to fulfill these obligations by utilizing other operating systems instead of Linux.

Conclusions

Linux is an open-source operating system with several advantages over other operating systems. It has a wide range of applications and can be used on various devices, from older machines to robots and industrial computers. It offers scalability, flexibility, and reliability, making it an excellent choice for practical software needs. With its readily available source code, developers can easily customize and modify the system to meet their specific needs, making it an attractive option for many professionals. Although Linux may not be the best choice for gaming, it still provides several benefits, including access to multiple user interfaces. However, it’s important to note that Linux may not be the best option for some industries that must meet specific legal requirements. Overall, it offers many advantages that make it a compelling choice for practical software needs.

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