what is a linux distribution

What is a linux distribution?

Linux distribution (English: Linux distribution, also called GNU/Linux distribution) is a pre-integrated Linux operating system and various application software for general users. Generally, users do not need to recompile. After direct installation, they only need to change the settings slightly to use it. Application software is usually managed by a software package management system.

Linux distributions usually include application software including desktop environments, office packages, media players, databases, etc.

These operating systems usually consist of the Linux kernel, a large number of function libraries from the GNU Project, and a graphical interface based on X Window. Some distributions do not come with X Window pre-installed due to capacity considerations, but use more lightweight software, such as busybox, uclibc or dietlibc.

There are now more than 300 Linux distributions (Linux distribution list). Most are under active development and are constantly being improved.

Because most software packages are free software and open source software, Linux distributions come in a variety of forms - from full-featured desktop systems and server systems to small systems (usually in embedded devices, or boot floppy disk).

Except for some customized software (such as installation and configuration tools), distributions usually just install specific application software on a bunch of function libraries and kernels to meet the needs of specific users.

These distributions can be divided into commercial distributions, such as Ubuntu (Canonical Company), Fedora (Red Hat), openSUSE (Novell) and Mandriva Linux; and community distributions, which are supported by the free software community. Such as Debian and Gentoo; there are also distributions that are neither commercial distributions nor community distributions, such as Slackware.

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