History of LINUX - Literature review Example

History of Linux History of Linux The history of Linux has been quite spectacular given the controversy it has raised and the simplicity involved in its features. Oodles of factors contributed to the advent of Linux. Dennis Ritchie and Ken Thompson developed the UNIX operating system in AT & T Bell Laboratories, in 1969, before its official release in 1970. To make UNIX portable, Ritchie and Thompson were compelled to rewrite it in a novel programming language named C, something that led to its wide use in institutions (Negus, 2013). Richard Stallman, in 1983, began the GNU project with intent to create an operating system that was similar to UNIX, but free, and created the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL). However, Hurd, the GNU kernel, was left uncompleted because of failure to attract sufficient support form supporters. Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) was another operating system project that had begun in 1977 but its development and adoption was limited since it comprised of a UNIX code, and hence was involved in a lawsuit with AT&T. The first of its kind, with a 32-bit instruction set, x86 microprocessor was developed and released by Intel in 1985. Two years later, Andrew Tanenbaum developed Minix, which was similar to UNIX, with redistribution and modification restrictions. Besides, Minix was not compatible with the 32-bit features of many of the personal computers developed using Intel 386 computer architecture. Despite UNIX being compatible with this feature, the price was too high for personal-computers users (Ide-Kostic, 2012). This meant that a free and widely adaptable operating system was desperately needed to solve all this problems encountered when using other operating system, leading to the advent of Linux. Linux was developed as a simple personal project of a Finnish student. In 1991, Linus Torvalds, from Helsinki University, Finland, started a personal project with an objective of creating an operating system kernel that was free and widely adaptable, just like it was required by personal computers at that particular time. Using GNU C Compiler, Torvalds developed his operating system on Minix. Although other compilers, including the Intel C Compiler, can be used to develop the code too, the GNU C Compiler emerges as the most appropriate in compiling Linux presently. The personal project of Torvalds, which based on a hobby rather than on professional grounds, came to be the Linux kernel. After writing the operating system kernel, he eventually posted it on the internet on August 25, 1991 (Eckert, 2011). Through the exploration of a hobby, the problems of personal computer users came to be solved with the development of an operating system that was aligned to their needs. Notwithstanding the efforts of Torvalds, other people did not see the benefit of Linux and claimed that its future is bleak. Andrew Tanenbaum, the developer of Minix, composed an article titled “Linux is obsolete”. The article marked the beginning point of the renowned debate about Linux’s structure. Critics accused Linux kernel of being imposing in size, bulky, and hence considered it old-fashioned ( Stallings, 2009) Others claimed that it was wrong for Torvalds to develop an operating system that was exclusively tied to a specific hardware piece, Intel 386 processor, since it rendered the operating system importable. Additionally, the critics considered the lack of any stringent control over the Linux kernel source code by a specific person. Tanenbaum, in addition, believed that some of the features employed in Linux were useless and hence the operating system had only a few years of relevance before being outdated and instead replaced by GNU Hurd (Eckert, 2011). These sentiments have been proved wrong since Linux has significantly penetrated into the corporate world owing to its quality. Optimal performance from various pieces of hardware has been achieved through the ability of Linux to be modified easily. In addition, the availability of the source code means that vendors are able to fine-tine utilities and applications to match their particular needs. In addition, many several computers have been developed using the x86 microprocessors, dismissing the criticism that the alignment of Linux kernel to the Intel 386 is awry. Experienced programmers with Torvalds’ permission (Yang 2013) have developed subsequent versions of Linux. Linux has sustained its relevance over the years, contrary to the critic’s assertions. Then again, Linux has experienced stiff competition from Microsoft. Initially, Torvalds believed that Microsoft’s fear that Linux was posing a great threat to it was of trivial relevance to him. However, there have been many antagonistic interactions between the two operating system developers. First was Eric Raymond’s document that outlined the threats that free software, such as Linux, pose to Microsoft. Further, Microsoft published a document on its website, in 2004, which showed the results of a case study of the customers on their evaluation on the use of Windows and Linux under the title “Get the Facts” (Noronha et al., 2010). The document maintained that Windows was much better than Linux on the grounds of security, total cost of ownership and reliability. In response, Linux published a similar document of Novell’s web under the name “Unbending the truth”, which outlined the advantages of Linux over Windows. IBM also published its survey findings in support of Linux under the name “The Linux at IBM competitive advantage”. On neutral grounds, Red Hat commenced a campaign under the name “Truth Happens”, which condemned the advertising of products through studies and instead proposed the product’s performance to be left to speak for itself. However, Microsoft has attempted to settle the antipathy by submitting 22,000 lines of source code, under the GPLV2, to Linux (Ide-Kostic, 2012). Moreover, Microsoft ranked as the 17th major contributor to Linux (Paul, 2012). This means that Linux has gained acceptance, even by itscompetitors. In addition, the naming of this operating system has been characterized by simplicity and relevance. Initially, Torvalds had intended to name his invention as Freax, which is a blend of the words “ free”, “ freak” and to acknowledge Unix’s allusion, he included “x”. Even in the course of his development, he stored the files of his project as “Freax” for almost six months. The name “Linux” had crossed the mind of Torvalds, but he considered this as too egotistical for him to induct it as the name for his personal project (Eckert, 2011). It was necessary for the files to be uploaded onto the FUNET’s FTP server to alleviate the development. Coincidentally, his coworker at the University of Helsinki, Ari Lemmke, was a volunteer administrator of the FTP server and Lemmke thought the name “Freax” was not appropriate for the project and opted name it “Linux” without the consent of Torvalds. However, Torvalds came to agree to the name “Linux” for his development, and from this time, it was adopted. Besides, he provided an audio guide together with the kernel’s source code in order to help people pronounce “Linux” properly (Berry, 2008). Practically, the development was initially not taken with much seriousness by both Torvalds and other parties to it, hence the changing of names. All the same, there has been a subsequent controversy in naming the operating software. On the initial publishing of the Linux kernel, Torvalds provided a distinct license for this software, which restricted commercial use. Nevertheless, it was a primal requirement for Linux kernel to be used with software that was developed as a component of the GNU project and hence license under the GNU GPL. Even the first version of Linux kernel, LINUX 0.01, consisted of binary of bash shell of GNU. To make it convenient for the prospective users of the operating system, Torvalds saw it wise to release Linux under the GNU GPL, which was integral to the operation of Linux. He implemented this plan in 1992, by publishing version 0.99 under the GNU GPL (Negus, 2013). As a result, GNU developers worked with Torvalds to make sure that the new development was functioning properly by integrating the components of GNU were fully integrated with Linux, something that was positively received by Torvalds. This initiative emerged as the most popular embracement of GNU. Richard Stallman, the developer of GNU, published an article, in 1996, in which he changed the name of the operating system to Lignux from Linux. Stallman’s intention was to show the combination that existed between Linux and GNU. This was controversial and was abandoned later on for “GNU/Linux”. Even though this latter name was also disputed, it is still used by the Debian projects and the GNU with the majority of the people referring to the combination using the name “Linux” (Stallman, 2014). This controversy in naming the operating system is very instrumental in the spectacular history of Linux. The mascot of Linux was settled at through Torvalds’ simple encounter. In 1996, Torvalds made it public that he was intending to have a mascot for Linux, which he chose to be a penguin. He attributed his decision to the encounter he had with a penguin in the zoo. On visiting the National Zoo and Aquarium in Canberra, Australia, a small penguin bit Torvalds (Negus, 2013). This encounter gave an idea about the operating systems mascot, which coincided to be an issue of concern during that particular period. Subsequently, Larry Ewing was engaged the initial drafting of the renowned mascot grounded on Torvalds experience in the zoo. The mascot is named Tux after James Hughes suggested the name as a derivation from “Torvalds Unix” (McNamara, 2009). Commonly, firms to choose mascots that symbolize the objective of their firms, but for Torvalds, he decided to go against the grain by using a penguin that he had an exciting and simple encounter with on his visit to the zoo. Conclusion Linux has had a history that is characterized by controversy and simplicity. The idea of developing Linux was coined as a bid to fill the market gap that existed in the operating system industry and a hobby was transformed into a real solution, Linux kernel. Despite criticism and stiff competition, Linux has been successful due to its easy to configure and free distribution features. However, the naming of the company has undergone several controversies and its initial naming was quite dramatic. Moreover, the mascot of Linux was coined through a simple encounter. Linux has sustained its relevance over the years. Even its competitors, such as Microsoft, currently endorse it. Indeed, in the middle of controversy, simplicity and focus can take one a long way, just like Torvalds. References Berry, D. M. (2008). Copy, rip, burn: The politics of open source. London: Pluto. Eckert, J. (2011). Linux+ Guide to Linux Certification. Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning. Ide-Kostic, P. (2012, January 10). The Future of Open Source versus Proprietary Software. A Journal of Science and Technology Options Assessment. Brussels: The secretariat. McNamara, J. (2009). Netbooks for dummies. Hoboken, N. J: For Dummies. Negus, C. (2013). Linux bible 2010 edition: Boot up to Ubuntu, Fedora, Knoppix, Debian, Opensuse, and 13 other distributions. Hoboken, N. J: Wiley. Noronha, F., Malcolm, J., & Consumers International. (2010). Access to knowledge: A guide for Everyone. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Consumers International. Paul, R. (2012, April 4). Linux kernel in 2011: 15 million total lines of code and Microsoft is a top contributor. Ars Technica. Retrieved from http://arstechnica.com/business/2012/04/linux-kernel-in-2011-15-million-total-lines-of-code-and-microsoft-is-a-top-contributor/ Stallings, W. (2009). Operating systems: Internals and design principles. New Delhi: Pearson. Stallman, R. (2014, April 12). Linux and the GNU System. GNU Operating System. Retrieved from https://www.gnu.org/gnu/linux-and-gnu.html Yang, L. (2013). The art of Linux kernel design: Illustrating the operating system design principle and implementation. Read More