Linux was first compiled by Linus Benedict Torvalds in 1991. Introduction to various Linux distributions and their similarities and differences. Prior to this, Richard Stallman created the FreeSoftware Foundation (FSF) organization and the GNU projectlinux distribution introduction, and continued to compile and create GNU programs (the license form of this program is GPL: GeneralPublicLicense). As outstanding programmers and developers continue to join the GNU organization, the Linux we see today is created, or GNU/Linux.

Linux distributions can be roughly divided into two categories. One is the distribution maintained by commercial companies, and the other is the distribution maintained by community organizations. The latter is represented by the well-known Redhat (RHEL), and the former is represented by Debian. represent. The following introduces the characteristics of each release version:

Redhat should be called the Redhat series, including RHEL (Redhat Enterprise Linux, also known as Redhat Advance Server, paid version), Fedora Core (developed from the original Redhat desktop version, free version), CentOS (the community clone version of RHEL, free). Redhat should be said to be the most widely used Linux version abroad. Some people even equate Redhat with Linux, and some veterans only use this version of Linux. Therefore, this version is characterized by a large number of users and a lot of information. The implication is that if you don’t understand something, it is easy to find someone to ask. However, the usual Linux tutorials on the Internet use Redhat as an example. of. The package management method of the Redhat series uses the YUM package management method based on RPM packages. The package distribution method is a compiled two's complement file. In terms of stability, RHEL and CentOS have very good stability and are suitable for server use, while Fedora Core has poor stability and is best used only for desktop applications.

Debian, or Debian series, including Debian and Ubuntu, etc. Debian is the benchmark for community Linux and is the Linux system that most adheres to GNU specifications so far. Debian was first created by Ian Murdock in 1993 and is divided into three version branches: stable, testing and unstable. Among them, unstable is the latest test version, which includes the latest software packages and has relatively many bugs, making it suitable for desktop users. The tested versions have been tested in unstable and are relatively stable. They also support many new technologies (such as SMP, etc.), notebook information "Introduction to Linux Releases and Their Pros and Cons" (). Stable is usually only used on servers. Most of the software packages in it are relatively outdated, and the stability and security are very high. The most distinctive feature of Debian is the apt-get/dpkg package management method. Although Redhat's YUM also imitates Debian's APT mode, APT should be the best among the two's complement file distribution modes. Debian also has a lot of information, and there are many supportive communities. If you have any questions, there are places to go:)

Strictly speaking, Ubuntu cannot be considered an independent distribution. Ubuntu is based on the enhanced unstable version of Debian. It can be said that Ubuntu is a nearly perfect Linux that has all the advantages of Debian and its own enhanced advantages. Desktop system. Depending on the desktop system chosen, there are three versions to choose from, Gnome-based Ubuntu, KDE-based Kubuntu and Xfc-based Xubuntu. The characteristics are that the interface is very friendly, easy to use, and the hardware support is very comprehensive. Linux can view hardware information. It is the most suitable Linux distribution for desktop systems.

Gentoo, the great Gentoo is the youngest distribution version in the Linux world. Because of its youthlinux distribution introduction, it can absorb the advantages of all previous distributions. This is why Gentoo is called One of the most perfect Linux distributions out there. Gentoo was originally created by Daniel Robbins (one of the developers of FreeBSD), and the first stable version was released in 2002. Because developers are familiar with FreeBSD, Gentoo has a well-known ports system that rivals FreeBSD - the Portage package management system. Unlike two-complement file distribution package management systems such as APT and YUM, Portage is distributed based on source code and must be compiled to run. It is relatively slow for small software, but because all software is compiled on the local machine , after various customized compilation parameter optimizations, the machine's hardware performance can be maximized. Gentoo is the most complex Linux operating system to install among all Linux distributions. It is also the easiest to manage after installation, and it is also the fastest version to run in the same hardware environment.

Finally, let’s introduce FreeBSD. It should be pointed out that FreeBSD is not a Linux system! However, a considerable part of the user groups of FreeBSD and Linux overlap, the hardware environments supported by the two are relatively consistent, and the software used is relatively similar, so FreeBSD can be compared as a Linux version. FreeBSD has two branches: stable and current. As the name suggests, stable is a stable version, while current is a beta version that adds new technologies. FreeBSD uses the Ports package management system, which is similar to Gentoo. It is distributed based on source code and must be compiled on the local machine to run. However, the Ports system is not as easy to use as the Portage system and is slightly more complicated to use. The biggest feature of FreeBSD is its stability and efficiency, making it the best choice as a server operating system. However, its hardware support is not as complete as Linux, so it is not suitable as a desktop system.

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