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Basic Terminology

Common terms in all linux distros are:

  • Kernel: Layer between the applications and the hardware. Sits in the middle of the two (Controls the HW and interacts with the applications).
  • Distribution: Collection of software on top of a linux kernel (Also known as OS)
  • Bootloader: Program that boots the OS(E.g. GRUB, ISOLINUX)
  • Service: Program that runs as a background process (e.g. httpd, ftpd, etc.)
  • Filesystem: Method for storing and organizing files (e.g. ext3, FAT, NTFS, etc.)
  • X Windows System: Provides a toolkit and protocols to build GUIs on Linux-based OS
  • Desktop Environment: GUI on top of a OS (e.g. GNOME, KDE, Xfce)
  • Command Line: Interface for typing commands on top of the OS
  • Shell: Command Line interpreter. Translator between the CL and the OS (e.g bash, zsh)

Linux Distributions

The Linux kernel is the core of the operating system. A full Linux distribution consists of the kernel plus a number of other software tools for file-related operations, user management, and software package management

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