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Linux and Shell Programming UNIT I: Introduction To LINUX Operating System: Introduction - The LINUX Operating

Linux is a multi-user, multi-tasking operating system. It includes a kernel that manages hardware resources and communicates with devices, a system user space for configuration and software installation, and applications. The kernel is the core of the operating system and controls everything in the system, managing resources like memory, processes, and disk access. Linux can run on different hardware, is open source and free to use, allows multiple users to access the system simultaneously, and has advantages like compatibility, stability, and privacy.

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49 views

Linux and Shell Programming UNIT I: Introduction To LINUX Operating System: Introduction - The LINUX Operating

Linux is a multi-user, multi-tasking operating system. It includes a kernel that manages hardware resources and communicates with devices, a system user space for configuration and software installation, and applications. The kernel is the core of the operating system and controls everything in the system, managing resources like memory, processes, and disk access. Linux can run on different hardware, is open source and free to use, allows multiple users to access the system simultaneously, and has advantages like compatibility, stability, and privacy.

Uploaded by

Vivetha 20IT56
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LINUX AND SHELL PROGRAMMING

UNIT I: Introduction to LINUX Operating System: Introduction - The LINUX Operating

System.

What is Linux?

Linux is a multi-programming, multi-user operating system, it means the same system


can be used by different users with different access rights and simultaneously many
applications can be run on it.
 Linux is an open source operating system (OS). An operating system is the software
that directly manages a system’s hardware and resources, like CPU, memory, and storage.
The OS sits between applications and hardware and makes the connections between all of
your software and the physical resources that do the work.

How does Linux work?

Linux was designed to be similar to UNIX, but has evolved to run on a wide variety
of hardware from phones to supercomputers. Every Linux-based OS involves the Linux
kernel—which manages hardware resources—and a set of software packages that make up
the rest of the operating system.

The OS includes some common core components, like the GNU tools (i.e., is an
extensive collection of free software, which can be used as an operating system or can be
used in parts with other operating systems), among others. These tools give the user a way to
manage the resources provided by the kernel, install additional software, configure
performance and security settings, and more. All of these tools bundled together make up the
functional operating system. Because Linux is an open source OS, combinations of software
can vary between Linux distributions.

What does Linux include?


1) Kernel
The base component of the OS. Without it, the OS doesn’t work. The kernel manages the
system’s resources and communicates with the hardware. It’s responsible for memory,
process, and file management.
2) System user space
The administrative layer for system level tasks like configuration and software install. This
includes the shell, or command line, daemons, processes that run in the background, and the
desktop environment, the interface the users interacts with.

3) Applications
A type of software that lets you perform a task. Apps include everything from desktop tools
and programming languages to multiuser business suites. Most Linux distributions offer a
central database to search for and download additional apps.

What is kernel?

A Kernel is a computer program that is the heart and core of an Operating System. Since
the Operating System has control over the system so, the Kernel also has control over
everything in the system. It is the most important part of an Operating System. Whenever a
system starts, the Kernel is the first program that is loaded after the bootloader because the
Kernel has to handle the rest of the thing of the system for the Operating System. The
Kernel remains in the memory until the Operating System is shut-down.

The Kernel is responsible for low-level tasks such as disk management, memory
management, task management, etc. It provides an interface between the user and the
hardware components of the system. When a process makes a request to the Kernel, then it
is called System Call.

A Kernel is provided with a protected Kernel Space which is a separate area of memory and
this area is not accessible by other application programs. So, the code of the Kernel is
loaded into this protected Kernel Space. Apart from this, the memory used by other
applications is called the User Space. As these are two different spaces in the memory, so
communication between them is a bit slower.

Functions of a Kernel
Following are the functions of a Kernel:
 Access Computer resource: A Kernel can access various computer resources like
the CPU, I/O devices and other resources. It acts as a bridge between the user and
the resources of the system.

 Resource Management: It is the duty of a Kernel to share the resources between


various process in such a way that there is uniform access to the resources by every
process.

 Memory Management: Every process needs some memory space. So, memory


must be allocated and deallocated for its execution. All these memory management
is done by a Kernel.

 Device Management: The peripheral devices connected in the system are used by


the processes. So, the allocation of these devices is managed by the Kernel.

Characteristics of Linux

 Linux can work on different types of hardware, so Linux is portable.

 Linux is open source, so it is free to use and users can also work on enhancing
features of the Linux operating sytem.

 It is multi-use operating system, that means multiple users can access the system.

 Linux is secure as it provide password protection and encryption of data.

 Linux is multi-programming as multiple application can be run at same time.


Advantages of Linux

 Linux is compatible with large number of file format.

 Linux is free of cost so it is easily available for users to download and use.

 It is enhancing day by day as users can make changes in the Linux operating system.

 Linux system rarely crashes as they are very stable.

 Linux does not collect much user data, so it ensures privacy of user.

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