What is Linux?

Linux is a family of open-source operating systems built on the Linux kernel, created in 1991 by Linus Torvalds.  These operating systems operate very similarly to Unix, one of the first operating systems created in the 1960s.  Linux is modular by design and built by a global community of open-source developers.

The Linux kernel is the core of the operating system that facilitates between software and hardware.  The kernel is packaged alongside software created by other open-source developers into a 'distro' – or a distribution.  Entire Linux distros can derive from other distros and create a family tree.

 

Lineage

Ethos

Bootloader

Kernel

Terminal or Console 

Filesystem

Desktop Environment