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Linux distribution

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A Linux distribution is a complete Linux operating system: a collection of free and sometimes non-free software created by individuals, groups and organizations from around the world and having the Linux kernel at its core. Companies such as Red Hat, SuSE, MandrakeSoft and Gentoo as well as the community Debian project, compile the software and provide it as a complete system ready to install and use.

Linux distributions started to enjoy limited popularity in the mid to late 1990s as a free alternative to the Microsoft Windows operating systems and MacOS on the desktop, mostly among people used to Unix from work or school. It has proven more popular in the server market, primarily for Web and database servers.

The Linux kernel and much of the additional software making up a typical Linux-based system is Free Software; even more of it falls under the somewhat broader definition of open source software. Like all Free and Open Source software, it is distributed by its maintainers in source code form. This form has to be compiled into binary or executable form first before it can be run directly.

A Linux distribution offers compiled versions of the Linux kernel, standard system libraries, and assorted programs that make up an operating system. Many provide an install process similar to other operating systems which are distributed in binary form (Solaris Operating Environment, Microsoft Windows, etc.) Other self-hosting distributions (Gentoo Linux, etc.) provide the source code of all software and binaries only of a basic kernel, compiler toolchain, and installer, and the installer compiles all the software specifically for the machine's microarchitecture.

Distributions are normally segmented into packages, each one holding a specific application or service: one package may hold a library for handling PNG images, another may contain a number of fonts, while a third one supplies a web browser.

In addition to just providing packaged compiled code, most distributions offer tools for installation/removal of packages that are more powerful than simple archiving software: Packages may contain meta-information like description, version, "dependencies" (other packages needed for this one), etc. The package management software can evaluate this information, to allow package searches, automatic upgrade to newer versions, checks whether all dependencies of a package are fulfilled up to fulfilling them automatically, and much more.

Although Linux distributions often contain much more software than the typical commercial operating system, it is normal for administrators to install software that is not available through the distribution (or only in an older version). If this software is distributed in source form, this involves compilation. However, if a program is installed from source code (such as a new version of a program for which the distribution publisher has not yet created a package), the state of the system may fall out of synchronization with the state of the package manager's database, and the user will need to override the package manager's dependency checker.

Typical distributions also incorporate some configuration management, as many programs need to be configured correctly to be useful. A default configuration tuned to the distribution may be provided, or the administrator may be queried for configuration information by means easier than the traditional editing of configuration files.

By replacing everything provided by a distribution, an administrator may reach a distribution-less state: everything was retrieved, compiled, configured, and installed by herself. It is possible to build such a system from the start, but one needs a way to generate the first binaries until the system is self-hosting (has a bootable kernel, and compilation tools to generate more binaries). This can be reached via compilation on another system that is able to build binaries for the intended target (possibly by cross-compilation). See Linux From Scratch Guide for instructions.

General Purpose Distributions

These are the most popular and therefore the most common distributions of Linux for PCs and other workstations, listed approximately in order of their share of the installed base worldwide:

See: DistroWatch for a comprehensive, up-to-date listing.

  • Red Hat Linux: The most popular distribution in the USA by a large margin, Red Hat has also served as a base for many other distributions.
  • Debian: Put together by countless volunteers, Debian has the largest selection of packages (over 8000) of any distribution. It supports the largest number of hardware platforms, and is well known for ease of upgrading.
  • SuSE: Based in Germany, SuSE is the most popular distribution in Europe. Like Red Hat, it is a rather large distribution; it features a unique configuration tool named YaST.
  • Mandrake: Mandrake tries to be the easiest distribution for beginners. Originally a Red Hat variant optimized for the Pentium, it has diverged while retaining strong compatibility.
  • Xandros: A newcomer in the distribution market, Xandros (based on the defunct Corel Linux) focuses on the desktop market. The Xandros distribution, unlike most others, may not be freely copied.
  • Lindows: Another desktop-oriented distribution, which is based on licensed Xandros code.
  • Slackware: One of the oldest distributions still alive, Slackware is a more minimal distribution,
  • Caldera
  • Conectiva: a Brazillian distribution
  • Sorcerer GNU/Linux
  • Gentoo: mainly for developers and network professionals. All software that you specify arrives as source code. This unique approach has a twofold intention: to promote (not guarantee!) usage on most any platform,and to allow compilers of this source code to optimize for platform specific performance.
  • Knoppix: A "Live Linux CD" distribution which is instantly usable after booting from the CD and comes with with 2gb of software in the single CD.
  • Lycoris Desktop/LX: targeted for the desktop market.
  • Beehive
  • Turbolinux


Special Purpose Distributions

Some groups compile special purpose Linux distributions as turnkey firewalls, for embedded systems, and for other special purposes.

Special Purpose Linux Distributions:

There are more than 100 different linux distributions. See the external links for additional lists of distributions.

See also: List of popular Unix programs

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