> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://blog.syselement.com/tcm/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://blog.syselement.com/tcm/courses/linux-101/1-linux-distributions/linux-distributions.md).

# Linux Distributions

## What is Linux?

* Linux is an open source Operating System (O.S.)
  * Can be downloaded for free
  * Wide variety of distributions
* An OS manages resources such as CPU time, memory, storage space, etc.
* Linux is, *at its most basic*, just the Kernel of the OS
  * the always running core at the lowest level of the operating system

## What is a Linux Distribution?

* A **Linux *****distro*** is the Linux kernel combined with all the software necessary for an OS, like:
  * desktop environment (GUI)
  * applications
  * package managers
  * philosophy and goals of the distro developers
* Other operating systems are similar to Linux (e.g. Mac OS)

> 📌 Check the [Linux Distributions Timeline](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1b/Linux_Distribution_Timeline.svg) for more in depth information.

![GNU/Linux Distributions Timeline | © Andreas Lundqvist, Donjan Rodic, Mohammed A. Mustafa | © Muhammad Herdiansyah, Fabio Loli](https://1178537843-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F2KUxfxUFmy000PDT7MtM%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-0d95fa8e5c8c09dc6040680dc45adc704d10a6ba%2Fimage-20220724200352501.png?alt=media\&token=a6cc71e4-170e-465a-8206-c6164e152253)

### Popular Distributions

* [**Debian**](https://www.debian.org/) - a Free Operating System.
* [**Ubuntu**](https://ubuntu.com/) - Debian-based modern distro with updated free software for the widest audience and platforms. Ubuntu [Flavors](https://ubuntu.com/desktop/flavours) offer different desktop environments and specific intended use cases.
* [**Linux Mint**](https://linuxmint.com/) - derivative of Ubuntu and Debian, "doing less to do better" and "works Out of The Box" philosophy.
* [**Fedora**](https://getfedora.org/) - derivative of Red Hat Linux, for personal use, workstations, servers, IoT and plenty of "[spins](https://spins.fedoraproject.org/)" and "[labs](https://labs.fedoraproject.org/)", versions of Fedora with different software bundles.
* [**Kali**](https://www.kali.org/) - Debian-based distro, geared towards various Information Security tasks (Penetration Testing, Security Research, Computer Forensics, Reverse Engineering).
* [**ParrotOS**](https://www.parrotsec.org/) - Debian-based distro designed for Information & Cyber Security operations (Red Team and Blue Team), provides "Hacking tools at your fingertips".
* [**Suse**](https://www.suse.com/) - one of the oldest Enterprise-quality Linux distributions, with a secure foundation for a broad range of datacenter and cloud environments and industries.
* [**Arch Linux**](https://archlinux.org/) - a general purpose, lightweight and flexible distribution.

> 📌 Check ready-to-use Linux guest operating systems from [**OSBoxes**](https://www.osboxes.org/)

***