Features of Linux Operating System

• The term Open Source refer to a program or software.

• In this program or software the code is available for public use
or modification.
• Open source operating system are released under a licence
where copyright holder allow to study ,change or distribute
the software.
• Linux is one of the most popular open source operating
system.
• Linux has an Internet Based Development Environment.
 Features of Linux Operating System
Features of Open Source Operating System.
• No royalty for licensing free open source operating system.
• Allow greater opportunity for software application
architecture.
• Incorporate tool for any system in real world.
• Easy to manage.
• Easy to understand.
Features of Linux Operating System
 Features of Linux Operating System
Kernel −

• Kernel is the core part of Linux.

• It is responsible for all major activities of this operating
system.
• It consists of various modules and it interacts directly with the
underlying hardware.
• Kernel provides the required abstraction to hide low level
hardware details to system or application programs.
 Features of Linux Operating System
System Library −

• System libraries are special functions or programs using which

application programs or system utilities accesses Kernel's
features.
• These libraries implement most of the functionalities of the
operating system and do not requires kernel module's code
access rights.
 Features of Linux Operating System
System Utility −
• System Utility programs are responsible to do specialized,
individual level tasks.
 Features of Linux Operating System
Features of Linux:
• Open Source
• Portable
• Multiprogramming
• Multi-user
• Hierarchical File System
• Security
• Graphical User Interface
• Application Support.
 Features of Linux Operating System
Linux Distributions.
• A complete Linux system package is called a distribution.
• Complete package carry Linux kernel, GNU tool ,libraries
additional software documentation, window system window
manager & desktop environment.
 Features of Linux Operating System
The different Linux distributors are often
divided into following three categories:

• Full Core Linux Distributions.

• Specialized Distributions.
• Live CD test Distributions
 Features of Linux Operating System
Core Linux Distributions.

• A core Linux distribution contain a kernel one or more

graphical desktop environment & all Linux application that
are available & precompiled for the kernel.
• The core Linux distribution provides complete Linux
installation for any user requirements.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Core Linux Distributions.

Sr No Distribution
1 Slackware
2 Red Hat
3 Fedora
4 Gentoo
5 Mandriva
6 OpenSuSe
7 Debian
 Features of Linux Operating System
Specialized Distributions
• Specialized Distribution contain only a subset of application
depending on the end user.
• Ex: Specialized linux Distribution with only office products for
business users.
Sr No Desrption
1 Xandros
2 SimplyMEPIS
3 Ubuntu
4 PCLinuxOS
5 Mint
6 Dyne:bolic
7 Puppy Linux
 Features of Linux Operating System

Live CD Linux Distributions

• Linux LiveCD distribution allows you to install the Linux
distribution directly from the Live CD.
• Linux LiveCD enables you to boot with CD, test drive the linux
distribution& then install.
Sr. No. Desription
1 Knoppix
2 Simply MEPIS
3 PCLinuxOX
4 Ubuntu
5 Slax
6 Puppy Linux
 Features of Linux Operating System
Advantages of Linux:
• Fast & easy Installation.
• Low Cost.
• Security.
• Wider Choice.
• Compatibility.
• Stability.
• Performance.
• Flexibility.
• Network Friendliness.
• Open source.
• Better use of Hard Disk.
 Features of Linux Operating System
Dis-Advantages of Linux:
• No standard Edition.
• Learning Curve.
• Compatibility.
• Alternative Program.
• Unsupported Hardware.
• Open Source.
 Features of Linux Operating System
OS Services
An operating system provides services to both the user & to the
program.
• Process Related Service.
• I/O Related Service.
• File System Service.
• Communication Related Service.
• Error Handling Service.
• Resource Management Service.
• Protection Service.
 Features of Linux Operating System
Application of Linux.
• Web Servicing.
• Networking.
• Database.
• Desktops.
• Scientific Computing.
• Home Computing.
Features of Linux Operating System
 Features of Linux Operating System
Linux system architecture is consist of
Following layer.

• Hardware Layer.
• Kernel.
• Shell.
• GNU Utilities.
 Features of Linux Operating System
Hardware Layer.
• Hardware consists of all peripheral devices like RAM/
HDD/CPU etc.
 Features of Linux Operating System
Kernel
• The core of the Linux system is the Kernel.
• The heart of the Linux system is a program called kernel.
• The kernel control all the hardware & software of the
computer system.
• Kernel allocate hardware when necessary.
• Kernel execute software when required.
 Features of Linux Operating System
Kernel is preliminary responsible for main
function.

• System Memory Management.

• Software program management.
• Hardware management.
• File System Management.
 Features of Linux Operating System
Shell:
• The Shell is a command interpreter.
• Shell provide a line oriented interactive & non interactive
interface between the user & the operating system.
• Shell act as interface between user & the operating system.
• The Shell provide services for a user.
• A user interact with the computer by using the Shell.
• A Shell is an environment in which we can run our command,
program & shell script.
 Features of Linux Operating System
GNU:
• GNU is a free and open-source operating system
• The GNU Core Utilities are the basic file, shell and text
manipulation utilities of the GNU operating system. These are
the core utilities which are expected to exist on every
operating system.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• System Calls:
1. The Linux is an open source operating
system.
2. This operating system architecture is
generally organized into two parts namely
Kernel space & User space.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Kernel space:
1. The core of the Linux system is kernel.
2. Kernel is also the operating system program.
3. Kernel is responsible for all major activities of this
operating system.
4. Kernel’s primary function is to manage the computer
resource’s
5. Kernel also support other program who wants tp use
these resources.
6. User does not interact directly with kernel.
7. User can interact with the kernel with shell.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• User Space:
1. User space execute application program like
MS word, MS paint.
2. A system can enter from user to kernel made
using system call.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• System Calls:
1. Linux supports thousands of command.
2. These commands are use of a handful of functions called system
call.
3. System call are required communicating kernel.
4. All Linux flavours have one thing in common they (Linux flavours)
use same System call.
5. System calls are interface between the kernel & process.
6. When a program in user mode require access to RAM or a
hardware resource, it must ask the kernel to provide access to
that resource.
7. When a program makes a system call the mode is switched from
user mode to kernel mode is called a “context switch”
Features of Linux Operating System
Features of Linux Operating System
Features of Linux Operating System
Features of Linux Operating System
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Linux file system (Hierarchical file system)
1. Linus uses a hierarchical file system.
2. Hierarchical means a upside-down tree, with root at
the base of file system.
3. All the other directories spreading from there.
4. A Linux file system is a collection of files & directories.
5. A Linux has a root directory that contains other files &
directories.
6. A Linux is self contain.
7. There are no dependencies between one file system
& any other.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Linux File System :
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Common directories that exist on Linux OS :
Features of Linux Operating System
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Small list of Popular file system:
Features of Linux Operating System
 Features of Linux Operating System
• File System Features :
1. In Linux all files & directories are located in hierarchical like
structure.
2. The to most directory is preferred to the file system root.
3. All the other directories in Linux can be accessed from the
root directory.
4. All the directory arranged in a hierarchical structure.
5. Specifying Path.
6. Partitions, drivers/ devices & directories.
7. Mounting & Unmounting.
8. Case sensitive.
9. File extension.
10. Hidden file.
11. File system permission.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Data Structure:
1. The operating system must keep a lot of
information about the current state of system.
2. As things happen within the system these data
structure must be changed.
3. Mostly these data structure exist in physical
memory & accessible only by kernel.
4. Data structure contain data & pointers &
address of other data structure.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Linked List:
1. Linux uses a number of software engineering
techniques to link its data structure.
2. On a lot of occasions it uses linked or chained
data structure.
3. In a linked list a root pointer contain the address
of the first data structure or element in the list.
4. Each data structure contain a pointer to the next
element in the list
5. The last elements next pointer would be NULL.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Hash Table:
1. A hash table is an array.
2. An array is a simply set of things coming one
after another in memory.
3. A hash table is an array of pointers to data
structure & it’s indexed is derived from
information in those data structure.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Process:
1. A process is a single program that is running
in it’s virtual address space.
2. The process should be distinct from a job or a
command.
3. A process is defined as instance of a program
in execution.
4. A process is basically a program in execution.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Types of Processes:
1. Iterative Process:
a) Interactive process are initiated & 1
controlled by terminal session.
b) Interactive process run in the foreground.
2. Batch process:
a) Batch processing is very convenient for non-
urgent, long lasting data processing.
 Features of Linux Operating System
3. Daemons:
a) Daemons perform different system
related task.
b) Daemons wait in the background until
some process require services.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Process Attribute:
1. Parent Process ID (PPID).
2. Real & Effective User ID (RUID & EUID).
3. Real & Effective Group ID (RGID & EGID).
4. Process Group ID (PGID).
5. Control Terminal (TIY).
6. Terminal Group ID (TGID).
7. Current Working Directory (CWD).
8. Nice Number.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• File Descriptors:
1. File descriptor are integer.
2. File descriptor are used to identify file’s that
have been attached to process.
3. File descriptor 0, 1, 2 are associated with
standard input, output and standard error.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Process Status:
1. Runnable: The process is ready to execute whenever
there is CPU available.
2. Sleeping: The process is waiting for a specific event to
occurs.
3. Stopped: The process is suspended & forbidden to run
as the result of the required stop signal.
4. Zombie: The process is trying to die another common
term defunt.
5. Swapped : The process is removed from the system
main memory to disk.
Features of Linux Operating System
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Content Switching:
1. The scheduler is responsible for deciding what process gets to
run.
2. When a process is running, the system is said to be in that
context of that process.
3. When the kernel decide to execute another process, it does a
context switch.
4. For doing a context switch the kernel has to save enough
information. So that it can switch back to the earlier process.
5. The kernel allows a context switch only when a process from
the state kernel running to the state asleep in memory.
6. The kernel maintain consistency of its data structure.
7. A context switch is the switching of the CPU from one
processes to another.
8. This task is known as Context Switch.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Shell:
1. A shell is a program that acts as an interface
between user and Linux operating system.
2. The shell is the command prompt within the
linux where you can type command.
3. The shell is a program.
4. Shell uses a collection of start-up scripts to
create an environment.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Concept of Shell:
1. The shell is the command interpreter in operating
system. Such as Linux.
2. Shell is an environment in which we can run our
command.
3. Shell provides a computer user an interface.
4. Shell gathers a input from user & execute program
based on that input.
5. When program finish executing it (program) display that
program’s output.
6. Shell leads input after you press enter.
7. Shell determines the command you want to execute by
looking at the first word of your input.
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Working of Linux Shell:
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Various Linux shell and their features:
 Features of Linux Operating System
• Various Linux shell and their features: