8 Linux concepts older than Linux itself
Linus Torvalds announced the first version of Linux in 1991, but some Linux concepts are even older than Linux itself.
While Linux is generally considered a modern operating system, some of the concepts are much older than you might think. The following are some concepts that have a long history in Linux systems.
1. Dual boot
Using dual-boot has been the standard way to share Linux between different operating systems, including Windows. The concept of a multi-boot operating system is almost as old as computers.

It is also popular in Unix-like environments, such as running Unix and MS-DOS on older PC Unix systems such as Xenix. Dual boot was also implemented on the Amiga before Linux.
The Commodore Amiga 3000UX comes with Amiga Unix, a customized version of System V, and the standard Amiga Workbench operating system. You can select the operating system at boot time by using the left and right mouse buttons.
2. Support different architectures
When Linus Torvalds released the Linux kernel on Usenet in 1991, he himself did not foresee that it would expand to other architectures besides the Intel x86 platform, but he probably should have left history with such a precedent.
Like the original Unix, Linux is written in the C language. C itself is a portable language. As long as a C program makes no assumptions about the underlying environment, it can be compiled on any computer, as long as it has a corresponding compiler.
Like many operating systems of the time, Unix was originally written in assembly language, but Dennis Ritchie rewrote it in the C language he invented in the early 1970s. A side effect of this was that the operating system was decoupled from the hardware and Unix became a general-purpose operating system.
This was unusual at the time because the operating system was tied to a specific machine. This is one of the reasons why Unix made such a splash in computer science circles in the 1970s and 1980s.
3. Concepts of different Shells
The Bash shell is the popular default shell on Linux systems, but you can easily change your login shell to any shell of your choice. You probably know that this is a feature of the original Unix systems, but did you know that the idea is even older than Unix?

DEC is developing an operating system called MICA that will run on a new processor architecture called PRISM. It will be based on DEC's popular minicomputer operating system VMS, but will also have a Unix flavor.
This ambitious project is the brainchild of Dave Cutler. DEC eventually canceled the MICA project, and Cutler moved to Microsoft to lead the project that would eventually become Windows NT.
On the VMS side, there is also a program called Eunice, which can also run Unix programs. Like the original WSL, it works, but it also suffers from performance and compatibility issues compared to native Unix.
When Windows NT finally came out in 1993, it had a POSIX environment, but seemingly only so that Microsoft could say it was POSIX compliant and bid on certain contracts with the U.S. federal government.
Microsoft will also release a more complete environment-Windows Services for Unix, and the open source Cygwin project will also appear.
5. Legal issues
In the early 2000s, the lawsuit filed by SCO against IBM received widespread attention in the Linux and open source communities. SCO claimed that Linux infringed on their rights to original Unix code, which they had acquired ownership of.
While IBM and the Linux community ultimately prevailed, this situation had precedent in the original Unix days. AT&T's Unix System Laboratories (USL) claimed copyright on Berkeley's software distribution code, which put pressure on Berkeley in the early 1990s.
Linux became the darling of computer enthusiasts, although it turned out that only a small number of files were "restricted" and could be easily rewritten for open source distribution.
6. Competition between different versions
Although the Linux community likes to argue about which distribution is better, this is nothing new to Unix culture.
In the 1980s, the debate between AT&T's System V and BSD was a big deal. The latter is more popular in academia and was developed at the University of California, Berkeley. It is also a major component of workstation Unix, such as Sun Microsystems.
By the late 1980s, the Unix world was mired in the so-called "Unix Wars." AT&T and Sun began working together to merge BSD and System V, which alarmed other computer companies such as Hewlett-Packard, DEC, and IBM. These companies later formed the Open Software Foundation, and Sun and AT&T formed Unix International.
This "war" finally ended with a ceasefire. The two organizations merged, but Linux eventually replaced proprietary Unix in most applications.
7. "Year of the Unix Desktop"
Linux distributions are known for their desktop user interfaces and are designed to make Linux accessible to non-technical users. This effort also has a long history, as can be seen in the 1989 PBS television show The Computer Chronicles.
In the show, we can see products from Sun Microsystems, HP and even Apple. Apple has also launched a Unix-based operating system A/UX.
8. Open source software
Although Linux popularized the concept of open source software, the idea has been around for a long time and may have existed in computers themselves.
Although the GNU project gained its reputation for its clear philosophy of providing free software, the software has long circulated freely in academia. BSD developers created their own license allowing free distribution.
Many Linux concepts are older than you think
You might be surprised how old some concepts in Linux culture, such as dual boot and open source software, are. Much of Linux's special features can be explained by its origins in Unix.
One example that confuses many people new to the Linux command line is that the commands look strange. Why are they so short? The reason is that they were originally designed for teletypes, not screens.
The above is the detailed content of 8 Linux concepts older than Linux itself. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

The main difference between Linux and Windows in user authentication is that Linux uses PAM modules, while Windows relies on Active Directory and local security policies. 1. Linux provides flexible authentication configurations through PAM, such as passwords, fingerprints, etc. 2. Windows realizes centralized management and enterprise network integration through Active Directory.

This guide shows you how to set up the free and open-source DOS-compatible operating system, FreeDOS, within a Linux environment using the QEMU emulator. This allows you to run legacy DOS software and games on modern hardware without needing a separ

Linux Mint, an operating system known for its simplicity, stability and ease of use, is popular with users and is especially suitable for beginners. It uses the Cinnamon desktop environment by default, providing a simple and friendly user interface. But if you prefer a different look or need more customization options, you can install other desktop environments such as KDE Plasma. KDE Plasma is a feature-rich, highly customizable and visually excellent desktop environment that provides a modern and stylish user experience. It has a wide range of customization options, advanced window management capabilities and sophisticated aesthetics, perfect for users who want to have a better control over the desktop experience. This guide will guide you step by step to install KDE Pl on Linux Mint 22

Linux system performance optimization: Reduce RAM and CPU usage Linux systems are powerful and efficient, but high RAM and CPU usage can reduce performance, slow down applications, and even cause servers, workstations, or embedded systems to crash. Therefore, optimizing resource usage is crucial for the smooth operation of the system. This guide will explore practical ways to reduce RAM and CPU usage in Linux systems, covering monitoring tools, process management, kernel tuning and system optimization technologies to help you keep your system running efficiently. Identify resource-intensive processes The first step in reducing RAM and CPU usage is to identify which processes consume the most resources. To do this, you can use the following command-line tools: a. Use top

Single User Mode (also known as Rescue Mode) Guide for AlmaLinux 8 and 9 Single-user mode is a streamlined Linux environment that allows system administrators to perform maintenance tasks, troubleshoot problems, and recover from system failures. Single-user mode is especially useful when you need to reset your root password, fix configuration errors, fix corrupt file systems, or investigate system errors that prevent normal startup. As RHEL-based distributions, AlmaLinux 8 and 9 provide an easy way to enter single-user mode via the GRUB boot loader. This guide will explain step by step how to enter single-user mode on AlmaLinux 8 and 9. What is single use

Linux systems are known for their power and reliability, but even experienced users will encounter unexpected problems. Whether it is an unexpectedly deleted file, a forgotten root password, or a slow system running, efficient troubleshooting skills are the key to becoming a Linux expert. This guide will introduce common Linux problem solving scenarios and step-by-step solutions that are common among system administrators, developers, and everyday Linux users. Scene 1: Unexpected deletion of important files You accidentally deleted an important file using the rm command and now you need to restore it. Unlike Windows and macOS, Linux does not have a built-in "recycle bin" to store files deleted from the terminal. Recovery options depend on

Docker is a powerful tool that allows you to run applications in an isolated environment called containers. However, sometimes you may need to change the permissions of the Docker folder to ensure that your application has access to the necessary files and directories. This article will guide you through the process of permanently changing Docker folder permissions on Linux systems. Understand Docker folder permissions By default, Docker stores its data, including images, containers, and volumes, in specific directories on Linux systems. The most common directory is /var/lib/docker. The permissions of these folders determine who can read, write, or execute the files in it. if

Simplify Docker Management with Portainer CE on Linux: A Step-by-Step Guide Managing Docker containers via the command line can be daunting, especially for newcomers. Portainer CE (Community Edition) offers a free, lightweight, and intuitive solutio


Hot AI Tools

Undresser.AI Undress
AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos

AI Clothes Remover
Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.

Undress AI Tool
Undress images for free

Clothoff.io
AI clothes remover

Video Face Swap
Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!

Hot Article

Hot Tools

Atom editor mac version download
The most popular open source editor

VSCode Windows 64-bit Download
A free and powerful IDE editor launched by Microsoft

Zend Studio 13.0.1
Powerful PHP integrated development environment

SublimeText3 English version
Recommended: Win version, supports code prompts!

Notepad++7.3.1
Easy-to-use and free code editor
