Updated May 23, 2023
Introduction to Advantages of Linux
Linux is an operating system like Windows; Mac OS X was developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991. The operating system is the interface between the software and the hardware. It provides services for applications and manages computer hardware. Initially, Linux was just an operating system, but now it has become the platform to run desktops, embedded systems, and servers. It was developed as an alternative to Minix (a UNIX clone by Andrew S. Tanenbaum).
Linux has many variations and distributions because of its modular design. A kernel is at the base or core of the Linux system. It schedules applications or processes, manages basic peripheral devices, handles network access and oversees file system services. Linux provides many advantages over other operating systems, so it is used almost in every field nowadays, from smartphones to supercomputers, cars to home appliances.
Advantages of Linux
Let us now discuss some of the advantages of Linux:
1. Open Source
One of the main advantages of Linux is that it is an open-source operating system,m, i.e. its source code is easily available to everyone. Anyone capable of coding can contribute, modify, enhance and distribute the code to anyone and for any purpose.
2. Security
Linux is more secure than other operating systems, such as Windows. Linux is not entirely secure, as there is some malware for it also, but it is less vulnerable than others. Every program in Linux, whether an application or a virus, needs authorization from the administrator in the form of a password. Unless the password is typed, the virus won’t execute. There is no requirement for any anti-virus program in Linux.
3. Revive Older Computer Systems
Linux helps you to use or utilize your old and outdated computer systems as a firewall, router, backup server or file server and many more. There are many distributions available to use according to your system capability. As you can use Puppy Linux for low-end systems.
4. Software Updates
In Linux, you encounter a larger number of software updates. These software updates are much faster than updates in any other operating system. Linux updates can be quickly done without facing any major issues or concerns.
5. Customization
A feature that gives a major advantage over other operating systems is customization. You can customize any element and add or delete it according to your need, as it is an open-source operating system. Also, various wallpapers and attractive icon themes can be installed to give an amazing look to your system.
6. Various Distributions
There are many distributions available, also called distros of Linux. It provides various choices or flavours to the users. You can select any bistros according to your needs. Some bistros of Linux are Fedora, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, Debian, Linux Mint and many more. If you are a beginner, you can use Ubuntu or Linux Mint. If you are a good programmer, you may use Debian or Fedora.
7. Free to Use (Low Cost)
Linux is freely available on the web to download and use. You do not need to buy the license for it as Linux and many of its software come with GNU General Public License. This proved to be one of the significant advantages Linux faces over Windows and other operating systems. You need to spend a huge amount to buy the license for Windows, which is not the case with Linux.
8. Large Community Support
Forums by excited users are made on the web to help and solve the problem any other user is facing. There are a lot of dedicated programmers there to help you out whenever and wherever possible.
9. Stability (Reliability)
Linux also provides high stability; this is a good advantage, i.e. it does not need to be rebooted after a short period. Your Linux system rarely slows down or freezes. As in Windows, you need to reboot your system after installing or uninstalling an application or updating your software, but this is not the case with Linux. You can work without any disturbance on your Linux systems.
10. Privacy
Linux ensures the privacy of users’ data as it never collects much data from the user while using its distributions or software. However, this is not true for many other operating systems.
11. Performance
Linux provides high performance on various networks and workstations. It allows many users to work simultaneously and handles them efficiently.
12. Network Support
Linux supports network functionality as it was written by programmers over the internet. Linux helps you set up client and server systems on your computer systems easily and quickly.
13. Flexibility
Linux provides a high range of flexibility as you can install only the required components. There is no need to install a complete suite. You can also keep Linux files under multiple partitions, so there is no major loss if one corrupts. You only need to repair that particular partition, not the complete file, which is not the case with other operating systems.
14. Compatibility
Linux runs or executes all possible file formats and is compatible with many file formats.
15. Fast and Easy Installation
Linux can be easily installed from the web and does not require any prerequisites as it can run on any hardware, even your oldest systems.
16. Proper use of Hard Disk
Linux performs all the tasks efficiently even after the hard disk is almost complete. This increases the performance of Linux; hence Linux provides high performance also.
17. Multitasking
Linux is a multitasking operating system as it can perform many tasks simultaneously without decreasing speed, such as downloading a large file would not slow down the system.
18. Run Multiple Desktops
Linux provides various desktop environments to make it easy to use. While installing Linux, you can choose any desktop environment according to your wishes, such as KDE (K Desktop Environment) or GNOME (GNU Network Object Model Environment).
Recommended Articles
This has been a guide to the Advantages of Linux. Here we have discussed the introduction and different advantages of Linux, respectively. You may also look at the following articles to learn more –
