Advantages of Linux

Introduction to Advantages of Linux

Linux is an operating system like Windows; Mac OS X was developed by Linus Torvalds

in 1991. The operating system is the interface between the software and the hardware.

It provides services for applications and manages computer hardware. Initially, Linux

was just an operating system, but now it has become the platform to run desktops,

embedded systems, and servers. It was developed as an alternative to Minix (a UNIX

clone by Andrew S. Tanenbaum).

Linux has many variations and distributions because of its modular design. A kernel is

at the base or core of the Linux system. It schedules applications or processes,

manages basic peripheral devices, handles network access and oversees file system

services. Linux provides many advantages over other operating systems, so it is used

almost in every field nowadays, from smartphones to supercomputers, cars to home

appliances.

Advantages of Linux

Let us now discuss some of the advantages of Linux:

1. Open Source

One of the main advantages of Linux is that it is an open-source operating system, i.e.

its source code is easily available to everyone. Anyone capable of coding can

contribute, modify, enhance and distribute the code to anyone and for any purpose.

2. Security

Linux is more secure than other operating systems, such as Windows. Linux is not
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entirely secure, as there is some malware for it also, but it is less vulnerable than

others. Every program in Linux, whether an application or a virus, needs authorization

from the administrator in the form of a password. Unless the password is typed, the

virus won’t execute. There is no requirement for any anti-virus program in Linux.

3. Revive Older Computer Systems

Linux helps you to use or utilize your old and outdated computer systems as a firewall,

router, backup server or file server and many more. There are many distributions

available to use according to your system capability. As you can use Puppy Linux for

low-end systems.

4. Software Updates

In Linux, you encounter a larger number of software updates. These software updates

are much faster than updates in any other operating system. Linux updates can be

quickly done without facing any major issues or concerns.

5. Customization

A feature that gives a major advantage over other operating systems is customization.

You can customize any element and add or delete it according to your need, as it is an

open-source operating system. Also, various wallpapers and attractive icon themes can

be installed to give an amazing look to your system.

6. Various Distributions

There are many distributions available, also called distros of Linux. It provides various

choices or flavours to the users. You can select any distros according to your needs.
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Some distros of Linux are Fedora, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Debian, Linux Mint and many

more. If you are a beginner, you can use Ubuntu or Linux Mint. If you are a good

programmer, you may use Debian or Fedora.

7. Free to Use (Low Cost)

Linux is freely available on the web to download and use. You do not need to buy the

license for it as Linux and many of its software come with GNU General Public License.

This proved to be one of the significant advantages Linux faces over Windows and other

operating systems. You need to spend a huge amount to buy the license for Windows,

which is not the case with Linux.

8. Large Community Support

Forums by excited users are made on the web to help and solve the problem any other

user is facing. There are a lot of dedicated programmers there to help you out

whenever and wherever possible.

9. Stability (Reliability)

Linux also provides high stability; this is a good advantage, i.e. it does not need to be

rebooted after a short period. Your Linux system rarely slows down or freezes. As in

Windows, you need to reboot your system after installing or uninstalling an application

or updating your software, but this is not the case with Linux. You can work without any

disturbance on your Linux systems.

10. Privacy

Linux ensures the privacy of users’ data as it never collects much data from the user
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while using its distributions or software. However, this is not true for many other

operating systems.

11. Performance

Linux provides high performance on various networks and workstations. It allows many

users to work simultaneously and handles them efficiently.

12. Network Support

Linux supports network functionality as it was written by programmers over the

internet. Linux helps you set up client and server systems on your computer systems

easily and quickly.

13. Flexibility

Linux provides a high range of flexibility as you can install only the required

components. There is no need to install a complete suite. You can also keep Linux files

under multiple partitions, so there is no major loss if one corrupts. You only need to

repair that particular partition, not the complete file, which is not the case with other

operating systems.

14. Compatibility

Linux runs or executes all possible file formats and is compatible with many file

formats.

15. Fast and Easy Installation

Linux can be easily installed from the web and does not require any prerequisites as it
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can run on any hardware, even your oldest systems.

16. Proper use of Hard Disk

Linux performs all the tasks efficiently even after the hard disk is almost complete. This

increases the performance of Linux; hence Linux provides high performance also.

17. Multitasking

Linux is a multitasking operating system as it can perform many tasks simultaneously

without decreasing speed, such as downloading a large file would not slow down the

system.

18. Run Multiple Desktops

Linux provides various desktop environments to make it easy to use. While installing

Linux, you can choose any desktop environment according to your wishes, such as KDE

(K Desktop Environment) or GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment).