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What are the differences between UNIX and Linux, and what about all those choices within Linux?

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Question by dan G: What are the differences between UNIX and Linux, and what about all those choices within Linux?
What are the operational differences between Linux and UNIX? Why would a programmer choose one over the other? What about software selection and ease of programming (with already basic knowledge of programming, and wanting to dive in to open source)?

In terms of Linux, what makes things like Red Hat cost money and things like Ubuntu not? Is pay-for OS based on Linux better quality than freely distributed OS? What is the best choice for Linux-or-Unix OS for a budding programmer?

Best answer:

Answer by Steven
Unix is old. Originally, there was no GUI on Unix. It was only command line, like DOS but more sophisticated.
Linux is a port of Unix onto various platforms, mostly “Wintel”, but Tivo and Sony, etc use it in their products.
When you pay money for it, you should get something that has been well tested and complete, however, an army of amateurs will always be more creative and innovative. As a budding programmer, a few bugs to solve is a good exercise. If you are not interested in the inner working of the OS, then you should stick with Microsoft.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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  • Cubbi

    UNIX used to be the name of an OS from early 1970s, but now it is the name of an open standard ( http://www.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/007908775/toc.htm ), which many different operating systems follow, more or less precisely.

    Linux is one of such systems. Orther such systems are Solaris, HPUX, AIX, IRIX, FreeBSD, SCO, and so on.

    A programmer would program for UNIX (say, calling gettimeofday() or pthread_join()) if he wants the program to be portable between all UNIX-compliant systems, and he would program specifically for Linux (say, using inotify_add_watch() or the FS_IOC_FIEMAP ioctl — I love that one!) if the target platform is known to be one of the Linux distributions.

    Red Hat and Ubuntu are distributions of Linux. Different distributions of Linux have different installation procedures, package management systems, and well, distribution processes (and yes, some distributors charge money), but they are exactly the same with regards to programming.

    A budding programmer, in my opinion, should strive for the most portability and not make any expectations about the OS (other than it is sufficiently modern). But it shouldn’t stop you from exploring POSIX and Unix and even LInux-specific system calls. Just keep in mind, when learning about something, what standard is it from.

  • dds

    If you are beginner I would suggest Linux for you. Unix. you have understand cisco level of networking(CCNA or CCIE) with some of C++. But Linux is more like “windows”.

    Linux have so call “LICENSE” issues. The license basic write “If you add/remove original Linux you must instead your polisher,polisher have decisions to make profit or not however all responsibility are within in that company”

    So let makes easier: Red Hat are operate like real “company” and Ubuntu are more like “Education&Research”

    For Unix I would think FreeBSD it might best for you. For Linux,,,too many but they are really not best for budding programmer because they all lack one thing..”shell”

  • Beryl 0.2.1/Linux Mint 8

    What is Linux
    http://www.linux.org/info/

    What is UNIX
    http://www.unix.org/what_is_unix.html

    Why Linux is Better
    http://www.whylinuxisbetter.net/

    Linux is open source therefore in most cases free of charge with the exception of enterprise releases such as SUSE Linux and Red Hat
    http://www.novell.com/linux/
    http://www.redhat.com/
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_software

    What is Ubuntu

    Ubuntu is a community developed operating system that is perfect for laptops, desktops and servers. Whether you use it at home, at school or at work Ubuntu contains all the applications you’ll ever need, from word processing and email applications, to web server software and programming tools.

    Ubuntu is and always will be free of charge. You do not pay any licensing fees. You can download, use and share Ubuntu with your friends, family, school or business for absolutely nothing.

    We issue a new desktop and server release every six months. That means you’ll always have the latest and greatest applications that the open source world has to offer.

    Ubuntu is designed with security in mind. You get free security updates for at least 18 months on the desktop and server. With the Long Term Support (LTS) version you get three years support on the desktop, and five years on the server. There is no extra fee for the LTS version, we make our very best work available to everyone on the same free terms. Upgrades to new versions of Ubuntu are and always will be free of charge.
    http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu

    Here are some options for installing or trying out Linux

    Option One (Full installation)

    I thoroughly recommend Linux Mint 8 Main Edition which is built upon Ubuntu 9.10 Its easy to install and easy to use plus it comes with much of the software you are likely to need preinstalled

    Linux Mint 8 Download
    http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=44

    The Perfect Desktop – Linux Mint 8 (Helena) Installation
    http://www.howtoforge.com/the-perfect-desktop-linux-mint-8-helena

    Linux Mint 8 Helena User Guide
    http://www.scribd.com/doc/23787138/Linux-Mint-8-Helena-User-Guide

    You download the ISO. image of Linux Mint 8 then you need to create a Bootable LiveCD for installation

    Linux Mint 8 can also be run direct from the LiveCD from Booting up without touching your Hard Drive

    Option Two (Install Linux inside Windows)

    Installing Ubuntu as a dual-boot with Windows without partitioning
    http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/wubi

    You keep Windows as it is, Wubi only adds an extra option to boot into Ubuntu. Wubi does not require you to modify the partitions of your PC, or to use a different bootloader, and does not install special drivers. It works just like any other application.

    Wubi keeps most of the files in one folder, and if you do not like it, you can simply uninstall it as any other application.

    Boot in to windows insert the Ubuntu 9.10 LiveCD and you will offered the option of installing inside windows which is where the Wubi installer comes in, you will be asked how many gigabytes you wish to allocate to Ubuntu (I recommend 8gb) then you set a password for your installation then click install and thats it.

    Once Ubuntu is fully installed upon starting your PC you will be given a choice of which operating system you want to use Windows or Ubuntu

    Ubuntu 9.10 Download
    http://releases.ubuntu.com/9.10/

    Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) User Guide
    http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Karmic

    Linux Mint 7 has a similar feature called mint4win and the directions given above for Wubi can be followed (XP and Vista only)
    http://duncsweb.com/2009/09/27/mint4win-a-wubi-based-installer-of-linux-mint/

    Linux Mint 7 Download
    http://www.linuxmint.com/edition.php?id=38

    Linux Mint 7 Gloria User Guide
    http://www.scribd.com/doc/15884753/Linux-Mint-7-Gloria-User-Guide

    Ubuntu 9.10 and Linux Mint 7 can also be run straight from the LiveCD without touching your Hard drive

    At present I do not recommend Ubuntu 10.04/Linux Mint 9 owing to multiple stability issues

    Option Three (LiveCD)

    Here the possibilities are endless as you can try out as many different Linux distros. until you find the one thats right for you DISTROWATCH.COM gives full listings (second lists the major distributions)
    http://distrowatch.com/

    Major Linux Distributions
    http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major

    LUg.

  • firebender

    well UNIX operating systems are proprietary to the companies the developed them and for the most part only run on specialized hardware. with the exception of Solaris which runs both on SPARC CPUs and X86-64. Solaris 11 for X86-64 can be downloaded for free from SUN Microsystems.

    All Linux variations are based on the same kernel. The commercial versions like RHEL5 has a cost due to the addons that red hat developed.

    free linux versions:
    Fedora – Red Hat free version
    Suse
    Debien
    Ubuntu
    Oracle Linux
    etc..

    Other Unix OSes are

    freeBSD,
    SCO (Santa Cruz OS)