> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://olb.gitbook.io/linux-essentials-certification/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://olb.gitbook.io/linux-essentials-certification/1.linux_community/1.1-linux_evolution.md).

# 1.1 Linux evolution

**Weight 2**\
Key knowledge areas

* Distributions
* Embedded Systems
* Linux in the Cloud

Partial list of the used files, terms and utilities

* Debian, Ubuntu (LTS)
* CentOS, openSUSE, Red Hat, SUSE
* Linux Mint, Scientific Linux
* Raspberry Pi, Raspbian
* Android

***

## Linux

* created by Linus Torvalds in 1991 - written in C language
* Inspired by UNIX - AT\&T 1970s
* 'Unix-like' for x86 computers
* No Unix code in Linux but same principles & ideas

## Distributions

Distro = Linux Kernel + selection of applications for a certain use case or user group

### Distro families

* **Debian** : Ian Murdock 1993 (wife Debbie = Debian) - packages `.deb`
  * stick to FSF / Stallman philosophy - freedom to run/study/distribute/improve the software
    * **No proprietary software** by default
    * **Ubuntu**: Mark Shuttleworth 2004
      * Easy to use and configure desktop/laptop env.
      * release every 6 months. LTS every 2 years
      * Linux Mint / Raspbian / Pop!\_OS ...
* **RedHat** :started in 1994 Red Hat company - packages `.rpm`
  * rebranded RHEL in 2003
  * acquired by IBM in 2019
  * for professional server env.
  * fee-based subscriptions / licenses
  * CentOS / Fedora are free
  * **Fedora** founded in 2003 aimed at desktop PC / very progressive / test-bed for RHEL
* **SUSE** : 1994 in Germany - packages `.rpm`
  * YaST & zypper config. tool (package + network + setup server)
  * **SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES)** : commercial edition
  * **openSUSE** 2004 - is free
* Others :
  * Kali : security
  * QubesOS : security
  * Docker (Alpine) : containers
  * Embedded systems or smart devices ...

## Embedded systems

Embedded software help to control a small electronic device and access the hardware Embedded software are mostly based on Linux kernel

* #### Android
  * 2005 Google
  * OS Free / Open Source (but Gmail, Maps, Chrome, PlayStore are proprietary)
  * Smartphones, TVs, watches, tablets, set-top boxes, cameras
* #### Raspbian
  * distro from Debian family for Raspberry Pi an ARM based computer with no hard disk
  * Raspbian : start from a memory card
  * Raspberry PI : small ARM based computer with GPIO pins to attach electronics devices / extension boards
  * Platform for hardware development
* ### Kodi
  * distro for media center

## Cloud Computing

* Linux : 90% of the cloud workload
* AWS and GCP essentially but also Azure
* Linux is part of *IaaS* offering
* Cloud 'Instance' = a Linux image
* Cloud :
  * Flexibility (scaling is easier)
  * Easy to recover (backup / restore is easier)
  * Low use cost (you pay only what you use)