- Kernel: The Linux kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system. It acts as an interface between hardware and software, managing system resources and providing essential services. The Linux kernel is the foundation of the Linux computer operating system. A kernel is the lowest level of software that can interface with computer hardware. (What language is the kernel written in??)
- Open Source: Linux is an open-source operating system, which means its source code is freely available and can be modified, studied, and distributed by anyone. This promotes collaboration, innovation, and transparency.?
- Monolithic Design: The Linux kernel follows a monolithic design, where all essential functionalities, such as process management, memory management, device drivers, and file systems, reside in a single binary. This design offers efficiency but can also make the kernel larger and more complex. (Is this in contrast to other OS designs? Are there microservice designed kernels? If not, why is this important?)
- Device Drivers: Linux supports a wide range of hardware devices through device drivers. These drivers enable the kernel to communicate with hardware, allowing applications to access and utilize devices like network cards, printers, and graphics cards.
- Process Management: The kernel manages processes, which are instances of executing programs. It schedules and allocates system resources, such as CPU time, memory, and input/output operations, to ensure fair and efficient multitasking.
- Memory Management: Linux handles memory management by providing processes with virtual memory. It abstracts physical memory into virtual addresses, allowing efficient memory allocation, protection, and sharing between processes.
- File Systems: The kernel provides support for various file systems, such as ext4, Btrfs, and XFS. These file systems organize and manage data on storage devices, allowing for file creation, modification, deletion, and access.
- Interprocess Communication (IPC): Linux facilitates communication between processes through various IPC mechanisms like pipes, shared memory, and sockets. These mechanisms enable data exchange and synchronization between processes.
- Networking: The kernel includes networking protocols and drivers that enable network communication. It handles tasks such as routing, packet forwarding, and establishing connections, allowing applications to communicate over the network.
- Security: Linux incorporates security features like user permissions, access control, and encryption to protect system resources and user data. It enforces user privileges and ensures separation between processes for enhanced security.
- Extensibility: The Linux kernel supports dynamic loading of modules, which are code components that can be added or removed from the running kernel without rebooting. This enables easy extension and customization of the kernel's functionality.
- Community Development: The Linux kernel development is driven by a global community of developers who contribute to its improvement and maintenance. Collaboration occurs through mailing lists, version control systems, and regular kernel releases.
