If in some moment you decided to research about Linux, or you were looking for options to change your operating system, it is very likely that you have come across the term Unix, and is that both terms have a close relationship, although they are not the same.
To get started, both are operating systems and one is quite inspired by the other. Nevertheless, both were created for very different purposes, and they are very different from each other.
In the next paragraphs we will explain you in detail what is each of these operating systems about, what was that for designed each one and what are the differences fundamentals that they keep.
What is Unix and how does this mythical operating system for workstations work?
Unix was released as a standalone operating system in the year 1970 by members of Bell Laboratories, AT&T. Its architecture, written in C language, It was a novelty for the time, giving it great versatility for be used on multiple platforms and gain great popularity among developers.
In its beginnings, Unix was proprietary software owned by AT&T, so not everyone had permission to distribute it. However, Unix adaptations were released quickly, including the popular BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution). It was conceived as a secure, stable and fast multi-tasking and multi-user operating system, which is why it was quickly adapted for business use. Unix was used in expensive and powerful computers from various institutionsas it was not intended for personal use.
What is Linux and what are its most interesting features that have made it so famous?
In the strictest sense of the term, Linux refers to the kernel or kernel. Per se, Linux is an incomplete operating system, no desktop environment or applications. Its full name is actually GNU / Linux. It could be said in a way that Linux is based on Unix, but the correct term would be inspiredas it is not really built on top of your code. Actually, Linux was created from two Unix-inspired projects: the GNU project and the Linux kernel.
Since the latter ended up as an incomplete project, GNU Project took it and completed it, giving rise to the now legendary GNU / Linux operating system. The goal of this project was to build an operating system that behave similarly to Unix and offer similar functionality, but that could be freely distributed.
What are the main differences between Linux and Unix and why are they so confusing?
In general, there is some confusion when referring to these operating systems, since, depending on the context assigned to it, each of its terms have different meanings. Regardless of this, Unix was the first of both to hit the market.
Then Linux made its appearance due to the need for a free and reliable operating system:
Applications
As an operating system designed for business work and server management, Unix is not adapted for use on personal computers. In fact, it is designed to be used in advanced management systems, or by specialized users such as software designers and programmers. It is one of the most used systems in internal networks and joint computing systems, since it is very efficient when assigning resources to different users and connecting all of these to a central brain.
Linux, on the other hand, offers a host of Unix-like uses, but intended for the average user, since all its distributions are adapted to work on personal computers. Among the uses that can be given to Linux we can consider those of recreational, work, or server management system, since it has a multitude of distributions that are designed to cover different needs.
In summary, the differences between Linux and Unix in relation to how they are used could be described as follows:
- Unix is a system dedicated to corporate use. Linux can be used in many ways besides work.
- Linux is free software, while the original Unix is private, although some of its versions can be obtained for free.
- Unix is a complete operating system written in C language. Linux for its part is just the kernel and its multiple distributions are written in various programming languages.
- Linux, in its many distributions, is endorsed by the free software community, while Unix almost completely lacks technical support.
Architecture
exist noticeable differences is this aspect between Unix and Linux, and is that Linux, being only the kernel of the operating system, it can support the use of multiple programming languages to build on it. This is the faculty that has allowed the creation of all its distributions.
Unix, on the other hand, is a full-blown operating system built in the C language. And, among its most notable differences with Linux, stands out the fact that it is very unfriendly to the useras it requires prior experience and considerable skill to work with it efficiently. In addition, being a private system, Unix is not modifiableIt cannot be distributed without the permission of the owner, and it is strongly protected by intellectual property rights.