Linux is an open-source, UNIX-like operating system commonly used in various devices.
Linux manages the communication between software and hardware on a device. Important components include the bootloader, kernel, daemons, shell, graphical server, desktop environment and applications.
Linux was developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991. The GNU Project, started in 1983, contributed several important components to Linux.
Linux distributions, or "distros", are software packages containing Linux and various applications. Examples include Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu and RPM-based distributions like Fedora.
Key Linux terms include Kernel, Distribution (Distro), Package Manager, Desktop Environment (DE), Terminal, Shell, Command, Command Line Interface (CLI), Graphical User Interface (GUI), File System, and File Permissions.