Linux and Unix
Linux and Unix share some similarities but have key differences in their origins, licensing, kernel complexity, availability, community support, accessibility, bug-fixing time, file system support, graphical user interface, and use cases.
| Differences | Linux | Unix |
|---|---|---|
| Origins | Linux was developed in the 1990s by Linus Torvalds as a free and open-source alternative to Unix. | Unix was developed in the 1970s at Bell Labs. |
| Introduction | Linux is Open Source, and a large number of programmers work together online and contribute to its development. | Unix was developed by AT&T Labs, different commercial vendors, and non-profit organizations. |
| Licensing | Linux, on the other hand, is open-source software and can be used freely without any licensing fees. | Unix is a proprietary operating system, meaning that it requires a license to use. |
| Kernels | Both have a similar design but are less complex than the Unix kernel. | Both have a similar design but larger and more complex than the Linux kernel. |
| Availability | Linux is widely used on both enterprise and personal computers. | Unix is typically found on enterprise-level servers and workstations and is less commonly used on personal computers. |
| Community Support | Linux has a large and active community of developers and users who contribute to its development and provide support. | While Unix also has a community, it is generally smaller and more focused on enterprise-level users. |
| Accessibility | It is an open-source operating system which is freely accessible to everyone. | It is an operating system which can only be utilized by its copywriters. |
| Bug Fixing Time | Threat recognition and solutions are very fast because Linux is mainly community-driven. So, if any Linux client poses any sort of threat, a team of qualified developers starts working to resolve this threat. | Unix clients require longer hold-up time to get the best possible bug-fixing and a patch. |
| Graphical User Interface | Linux provides two GUIs, KDE and Gnome. But there are many other options, for example, LXDE, Xfce, Unity, Mate, and so on. | Initially, Unix was a command-based OS; however, later a GUI was created called Common Desktop Environment. Most distributions now ship with Gnome. |
| Use Cases | It is used everywhere from servers, PCs, smartphones, and tablets to mainframes. | It is used on servers, workstations, and PCs. |