this post was submitted on 26 Nov 2023
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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What are the major components of any Linux distribution? (lemm.ee)
submitted 11 months ago by perishthethought@lemm.ee to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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Hi all - I am learning about Linux and want to see if my understanding is correct on this - the list of major parts of any distro:

  1. the Linux Kernel
  2. GRUB or another bootloader
  3. one or more file systems (gotta work with files somehow, right?)
  4. one or more Shells (the terminal - bash, zsh, etc...)
  5. a Desktop Environment (the GUI, if included, like KDE or Gnome - does this include X11 or Wayland or are those separate from the DE?)
  6. a bunch of Default applications and daemons (is this where systemd fits int? I know about the GNU tools, SAMBA, CUPS, etc...)
  7. a Package Manager (apt, pacman, etc...)

Am I forgetting anything at this 50,000 foot level? I know there are lots of other things we can add, but what are the most important things that ALL Linux distributions include?

Thanks!

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[–] jollyrogue@lemmy.ml 0 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Package manager needs to be higher since Linux distros are software distribution projects mainly.

  1. Package manager
  2. Config tools
  3. Config defaults
  4. Kernel
  5. Init process
  6. Software
[–] just_another_person@lemmy.world 3 points 11 months ago (1 children)

Well, bootloader first, then kernel, then init.

[–] jollyrogue@lemmy.ml 0 points 11 months ago

What are we ranking? The boot order of computers?

Of the 3 you listed, the init is only important to a few distros.

Also you forgot this is Linux and the initramfs.