What is Linux?

Linux is a free, open-source operating system kernel created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. It is based on the Unix philosophy and powers everything from personal computers and servers to smartphones (Android) and supercomputers. A complete Linux OS — often called a Linux distribution (distro) — bundles the kernel with a package manager, shell, utilities, and desktop environment. Popular distros include Ubuntu, CentOS, Debian, Fedora, and Arch Linux. Linux is renowned for its stability, security, and flexibility in server and cloud environments.