From the point of view of the end-user, Unix and Linux are the same thing. So where really does the difference come in?
The comparison between Unix and Linux
| ItemComparedWith | Linux | Unix |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | Community contributors, Linus Torvalds | Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie etc. |
| Written in | C, assembly languages, and others | C and assembly language |
| OS family | Unix-like | Unix |
| Working state | Current | |
| Source model | Open | mainly proprietary, some are open |
| Initial release | September 17, 1991 | Announced outside Bell Labs in October 1973 |
| Repository | git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/ | |
| Marketing target | Cloud computing, embedded/mobile devices, mainframe/personal/super computers, servers | |
| Available in | Multilingual | English |
| Platforms | Alpha, ARC, ARM, C6x etc. | |
| Kernel type | Monolithic | Varies; monolithic, microkernel, hybrid |
| Userland | GNU | |
| Default | Unix shell (CLI) | CLI and Graphical |
| user interface | Most distributions include a desktop environment (GUI) | |
| License | GPLv2 and others (the name "Linux" is a trademark) | Varies; some versions are proprietary, others are free/open-source software |
| Official website | www.kernel.org | opengroup.org/unix |
From the table above, we can see the noticeable differences as below:
Linuxis a derivative ofUnix.Linuxis totally open source and free.Linuxhas a common kernel which was designed by Linus Torvalds.Linuxhas shown a significant advantage over proprietaryUnixis in its availability across a vast number of hardware platforms and devices.- Most
Linuxdistributions include a desktop environment (GUI). Linuxis essentially a kernel, typically used withGNU. This combination is the GNU/Linux operating system. While Unix is a family of multi-tasking, multi-user computer operating systems.
What is GNU
GNU (/ɡnuː/) is an extensive collection of free software, which can be used as an operating system or can be used in parts with other operating systems. The use of the completed GNU tools led to the family of operating systems popularly known as Linux. Most of GNU is licensed under the GNU Project's own General Public License (GPL).
What is POSIX
The Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX) is a family of standards specified by the IEEE Computer Society for maintaining compatibility between various operating systems.
Unix genealogy diagram
This Unix genealogy diagram clearly shows the history of Unix, BSD, GNU and Linux.
Summary
In short, Unix and Linux both refer to a large group of operating systems. Unix is proprietary, Linux is a free derivative of Unix. POSIX is a standard enforced by IEEE to maintain compatibility between different operating systems.
