How to in Linux What is a Linux Distro, and how are they different from another?

What is a Linux Distro, and how are they different from another?

If you've heard of Linux at all, you've probably heard of Linux distributions - often abbreviated to "Linux distros." When you decide to use Linux - on a desktop computer or server - you must first select a distro.

For many, Ubuntu has become synonymous with Linux. But Ubuntu is one of many distros, and you have a lot of choices when it comes to Linux.

What is Linux Distro, anyway?

Linux is not like Windows or Mac OS X. Microsoft combines all pieces of Windows internally to produce each new version of Windows and distribute it as a single package. To have Windows, you must choose one of the versions Microsoft offers.

Linux works differently. The Linux operating system is not manufactured by a single organization. Different organizations and people work with different parts. These are the Linux kernel (the core of the operating system), the GNU shell tools (the terminal interface and many of the commands you use), the X server (which produces a graphical desktop), the desktop environment (which runs on the X server to provide a graphical desktop ) and more. System services, graphical programs, terminal commands - many are designed independently of one another. They are all open source software distributed in source code form.

If you want, you can grab the source code for the Linux kernel, GNU shell tools, Xorg X server and all other programs on a Linux system, mount everything yourself. But compiling the software will take a lot of time - not to mention the work involved in getting all the different programs right together.

Linux distributions do the hard work for you, taking all the code from open source project and compiling it for you, combining it into a single operating system you can boot and install. They also make choices for you, such as choosing the default desktop environment, browser and other software. Most distributions add their own finishers, such as themes and custom software. Uniforms desktop environment Ubuntu provides, for example.

When you want to install new software or update to new versions of software with critical security updates, your Linux distribution will provide them in precompiled, packaged form. These packages are quick and easy to install, saving you the hassle of doing the hard work.

How are the distros different?

There are several different Linux distributions. Many have different philosophies. Some, like Fedora, refuse to include software with closed software, while others, like Mint, include closed stuff to make it easier for users. They include various standard programs - such as how Ubuntu includes Unity, Ubuntu derivatives include other desktops, Fedora includes GNOME Shell, and Mint includes cinnamon or MATE.

Many also use various package managers, configuration tools and other software. Some distributions are bleeding edge and will not receive support for a very long time. Others, such as Ubuntu LTS or Red Hat Enterprise Linux, are designed to be stable distributions that will be supported with security updates and bug fixes for many years.

Some Linux distributions are for desktops, some for servers without a graphical interface, and others for special applications, such as home theater PCs.

Some are designed to work out of the box - like Ubuntu - while others need a little more customization, such as Arch Linux.

What Distro Should I Choose?

Different Linux distributions are suitable for different purposes. Which Linux distribution you should choose depends on what you do with it and your personal preferences.

If you are a desktop user, you will probably want something simple, like Ubuntu or Mint. Some people may prefer Fedora, openSUSE or Mageia (based on Mandriva Linux).

People looking for a more stable, well-tested system may want to go with Debian, CentOS (a free version of Red Hat Enterprise Linux), or even Ubuntu LTS.

There is no right distribution for everyone, even if everyone has a favorite. Linux distributions offer choices, which can be messy, but also very useful. Anyone can create their own distribution by collecting it from the source code themselves, or even taking an existing distribution and modifying it - that's why there are so many Linux distributions.

How to create partitions in Linux

For many, the most difficult part of installing a new operating system is coming up with partitions. It does not have to be. Partitioning in Linux is easy if you have the right software.

Instructions

1. Start- GParted. If you are installing Linux for the first time, do not worry --- most modern distros include GParted as part of their installation process. To run GParted within the existing Linux installation, first make sure it is installed (try typing "GParted" on the command line --- if nothing happens, you do not need it.) If it is not installed, contact your distro website to see how the package system works. An especially easy way to use GParted is the GParted live CD, which boots a special version of Linux along with the program. Check Resources in this article for a link to live CD download.
2. Set up the new partition. If there is free space on a connected drive, right-click it and click "Format to", then the file structure you want to format the partition to. If this partition will be accessible only with Linux, use Ext3. If it will be used by both Linux and Windows, does FAT32.Want to delete an existing partition? Right-click it and click "Delete". That partition will be empty, which can then be formatted.
3. Click "Apply all operations" as soon as you have set up everything the way you want it. Partitioning may take a while, but once done, your new partitions will be ready to go.

Problems with GRUB & Installing Linux

If you have a multiboot computer, you may have problems with GRUB, or Grand Unified Bootloader, if one of your partitions is Windows. You do not need to install an operating system to fix the problem. Instead, you can often fix the problem by installing a Linux partition. GRUB

GRUB is a bootloader that can work with almost any operating system. When you start your computer, GRUB is the first to load. If your computer has only one bootable partition, GRUB will automatically start the operating system on that partition. If you have more than one bootable partition, GRUB loads a list of operating systems on your computer and lets you choose which one to boot. Most Linux distributions use GRUB as their default bootloader.

Dual boot issues with Windows

When setting up a dual boot computer with Windows and a Linux distribution, the first step is to use the Linux installation disk to partition the hard drive. Since you already have the Linux installation disk in your computer, you may be tempted to install the Linux distribution first; if you do, GRUB will install. However, when you later install Windows, the Windows installation will configure your computer to run Windows Boot Manager instead of GRUB. When you start your computer, you will not have the option to boot Linux presented to you, and Windows will boot by default. To resolve this issue, delete the Linux partition and install GRUB.

Install GRUB

To reinstall GRUB on dual boot computer, you need to boot into Linux installation disk again. Do not install the operating system, instead select the option to run the operating system from disk. On the desktop, open a terminal. For Debian-based distributions, type "sudo grub" and press "Enter." On other distributions, replace "sudo" with "su-c." Type "root (hd0, 0)" and press "Enter", type "setup (hd0) "and press" Enter ", type" Exit "and press" Enter ". If you did not initially install GRUB on the first partition on the first hard disk of your computer and specify the correct locations instead of "hd0." If you are not sure where you installed GRUB, is the first partition default location. GRUB loads when you start the computer.

Other GRUB Problems

You may run into other problems with GRUB, including missing operating systems, sloppy menus, and more. You can usually resolve most issues by installing Linux. However, it is best to search for information about your specific problem, and then fix GRUB accordingly. Normally you only need to edit a configuration file, but the exact solution depends on the problem. Installing an operating system should be a last resort.

How to install Linux on a laptop

If you want to install Linux on a laptop, you need to consider hard disk space. The installation is less intuitive than you might think, and can be especially challenging if you want to be able to dually run Windows. The following steps are a generalized approach that can be applied to the various variants of Linux operating system. You need

Linux

Laptop

1. Prepare for installation. Collect any hardware manuals you have. Gather information about the hardware configuration by running the Microsoft Diagnostics Utility (msd.exe in ms - dose 5.0 or higher).
2. Download the binary Linux files from a place like Hungry Penguin. The files will be about 300-400 megabytes in size.
3. Insert the binaries into CD-ROMs. Use these bootable disks instead of booting Linux from your hard drive. To make CDs bootable, enter the bio screen of your computer.
4. Change the boot sequence of the bios screen so that your computer will boot from CD-ROMs that contain Linux files. Select "Insert CD-ROM." Save the changes and restart the computer.
5. Start boot sequence. The first part of the sequence will ask you if you want to install different aspects of CD-ROM files. Usually it just requires continuing to press the "Enter" button. Taking the default settings is usually the easiest option.
6. Partition your hard drive by creating file systems, either on your own or with purchasable software. You will need to make four partitions for Linux.
7. Create a / boot partition. This tells the computer that the hard drive can be booted from the Linux kernel, analogous to the lower level functions of a brain.
8. Create a / swap partition. This partition determines how the Linux kernel receives information from RAM. Typically, this partition will be about twice the size of RAM.
9. Create a root partition, designated by a single slash (/). This partition is basically the same as the C drive on a Windows machine. It will contain the installation files and directories for various devices on your computer.
10. Create a / home partition. This will contain all user files. The installation sequence will ask you a series of questions about what you want to install (there are many options). When done, click "OK" and Linux will begin installing.

How to Describe a Command in Linux

The "type" command in Linux is one of the more useful commands but it is also one of the more blunt ones. Using the "type" command shows how any of the commands or names you include beyond the command would be interpreted if input. This means that it would explain any macros you have created, any commands you have aliases or any other additions you have made in BASH (BASH = Bourne - Again Shell). You need Linux BASH

1. create aliases for commands to make the "type" command useful. For example, you may want to shorten a string like ls- F to just ls. Typing alias ls = 'ls- F' would make the default ls command behave like the ls- F command instead. In general, creating aliases reduces the time it takes to enter commands, and incorporates your own personal preferences.
2. Use a text editor to create a BASH file that contains all your aliases. The name of the file. Bash_aliases, and it will run when Linux boots. Creating your list of nicknames this way so that you do not have to enter them line by line in the BASH console.
3. Type "type [- ATP] [name ...]" on the command line to use the "type" command. This will return the current value for [name ...] you specify, as well as adjust the output according to the parameters you include. For example, if you were typing "type ls" then you should get "ls -F" as a return.
4. Include command-line switches "- a," "- t" or "- p" to change the parameters of a command at the time of use. Use "- a" will show a list of all executable file name.
5. Note what each command line parameter function is. Use "-t" to display a single word about the actual type of command you want to describe (alias, function built-in, keyword or file). Using "-p" will display the name of the file used with the "type" command.