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Linux

LIH-nuhks, per creator Linus Torvalds's own recorded pronunciation guide; LY-nuhks is also common in English usage.
Also Known As Linux kernel Distinguishes the kernel itself from a complete Linux-based operating system distribution, which typically pairs it with GNU userland tools; the naming split (GNU/Linux) is itself a long-running, separately documented dispute.
Operating System

Linux is a family of free and open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, first released on 17 September 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Originally designed as a clone of Unix and distributed under the copyleft GPL license, it became the proof that software built in the open by volunteers and companies together could run most of the world's servers, supercomputers and, through Android, phones. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Year
1991 1
Significance
The free and open source Unix-like operating system family whose kernel, released in 1991, became the foundation of modern server and mobile computing. 1
Status
Status
Active / In Use 1
FAQs

Who owns the copyright to the Linux kernel?

Linus Torvalds holds the copyright on a large part of the kernel and many other contributors or their employers hold the rest.

No single person or company does. Linus Torvalds coordinates work on the kernel and holds the copyright on a large part of it, and the rest of the copyright is held by a large number of other contributors or their employers. Whatever the ownership of the individual pieces, the kernel as a whole is distributed under the GNU General Public License.
Connections

In Field

Operating Systems, Fields

Invented By

Linus Torvalds, Pioneers
Source Wikipedia: Linus Torvalds

Licensed Under

GNU General Public License Version 2, Concepts
Source The Linux kernel documentation (kernel.org): Linux kernel licensing rules

Long-Form Articles

The Accidental Name Behind Linux, and the Dispute Over What to Call It, Articles

Preceded By

Unix, Systems

Linux was originally designed as a clone of Unix.

Source Wikipedia: Linux
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Linux
Wikimedia Foundation
  • Overview section
    which was first released on 17 September 1991 by Linus Torvalds
  • Introduction
  • Naming and pronunciation section
  • Lead section
    Linux ( LIN-uuks) is a family of free and open-source software Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, which was first released on 17 September 1991 by Linus Torvalds.
  • Article text
    As of 2024, estimates suggest Linux accounts for at least 80% of the public cloud workload
View the Source
Wikidata: Linux
Wikidata Q388, label and description confirmed against the entity (w-fix-wikititles2-1002)View the Source
Wikipedia: Linus Torvalds
Wikimedia FoundationInvented By: Linus Torvalds, Introduction
Quote, Invented By: Linus Torvalds, Introduction
Linus Benedict Torvalds (born 28 December 1969) is a Finnish and American software engineer who is the creator and lead developer of the Linux kernel since 1991.
View the Source
The Linux kernel documentation (kernel.org): Linux kernel licensing rules
The Linux kernel documentation (kernel.org)Licensed Under: GNU General Public License Version 2, Licensing rules, first paragraph
Quote, Licensed Under: GNU General Public License Version 2, Licensing rules, first paragraph
The Linux Kernel is provided under the terms of the GNU General Public License version 2 only (GPL-2.0)
View the Source
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