Linux发行版概览
Linux kernel ubiquity and Linux Distributions Timeline till 2023
Linux is a family of open-source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991, by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged as a Linux distribution (distro), which includes the kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses and recommends the name "GNU/Linux" to emphasize the use and importance of GNU software in many distributions, causing some controversy.
History#
The two oldest and still active distribution projects started in 1993. The SLS distribution was not well maintained, so in July 1993 a new distribution, called Slackware and based on SLS, was released by Patrick Volkerding. Also dissatisfied with SLS, Ian Murdock set to create a free distribution by founding Debian, which had its first release in December 1993.
Kernel#
Distribution Timeline#
Timeline of the development of main Linux distributions
Popular Linux distributions include Debian, Fedora Linux, Arch Linux, and Ubuntu. Commercial distributions include Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise. Desktop Linux distributions include a windowing system such as X11 or Wayland and a desktop environment such as GNOME or KDE Plasma. Distributions intended for servers may not have a graphical user interface at all, or include a solution stack such as LAMP. Because Linux is freely redistributable, anyone may create a distribution for any purpose.
Almost one thousand Linux distributions exist. Because of the huge availability of software, distributions have taken a wide variety of forms, including those suitable for use on desktops, servers, laptops, netbooks, mobile phones and tablets, as well as in minimal environments typically for use in embedded systems. There are commercially backed distributions, such as Fedora Linux (Red Hat), openSUSE (SUSE) and Ubuntu (Canonical Ltd.); and entirely community-driven distributions, such as Debian, Slackware, Gentoo and Arch Linux. Most distributions come ready-to-use and precompiled for a specific instruction set, while some (such as Gentoo) are distributed mostly in source code form and must be compiled locally for installation.
common（Widely）#
Linux 的发行版本可以大体分为两类：
- 商业公司维护的发行版本，以著名的 Red Hat 为代表；
- 社区组织维护的发行版本，以 Debian 为代表。
Linux各发行版来源与区别
常见Linux的发行版有哪些？
常见Linux发行版本有哪些？
常用Linux发行版操作系统大盘点
linux各发行版本之间的关系与区别
The website DistroWatch lists many Linux distributions and displays some of the ones that have the most web traffic on the site.
Widely used GNU-based or GNU-compatible distributions
Slackware - suse#
opensuse - based on slackware
SuSE Linux 以 Slackware Linux 为基础，原来是德国的 SuSE Linux AG 公司发布的 Linux 版本，1994 年发行了第一版，早期只有商业版本，2004 年被 Novell 公司收购后，成立了 OpenSUSE 社区，推出了自己的社区版本 OpenSUSE。
SuSE Linux 在欧洲较为流行，在我国国内也有较多应用。值得一提的是，它吸取了 Red Hat Linux 的很多特质。
fedora - RHEL - centos#
Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux :: Fedora Docs
What's the difference between Fedora and Red Hat Enterprise Linux
fedora - - upstream of RHEL
centos - upstream=RHEL
mageia - forked from the Mandriva Linux distribution, based on Red Hat - Mandrake
scientificlinux - based on RHEL
Red Hat 公司的产品主要包括 RHEL（Red Hat Enterprise Linux，收费版本）和 CentOS（RHEL 的社区克隆版本，免费版本）、Fedora Core（由 Red Hat 桌面版发展而来，免费版本）。
debian - ubuntu#
ubuntu - based on Debian
deepin - derived from debian-knoppix
linuxmint - Based on Debian and Ubuntu, 从windows到Linuxmint
trisquel - derived from ubuntu
steamos - draws from Debian 8(Debian Jessie)
Ubuntu 基于知名的 Debian Linux 发展而来，界面友好，容易上手，对硬件的支持非常全面，是目前最适合做桌面系统的 Linux 发行版本，而且 Ubuntu 的所有发行版本都免费提供。
archlinux#
Pacman, a package manager written specifically for Arch Linux, is used to install, remove and update software packages.
Derivatives:
Various distributions are focused around providing an Arch base with an easier install process, such as EndeavourOS and Manjaro.
SteamOS 3.0, the upcoming version of SteamOS used in Steam Deck is based on Arch Linux.
Android & ChromeOS#
Linux kernel based operating systems
- Android, Google's commercial operating system based on Android OSP that runs on many devices such as smartphones, smart TVs, set-top boxes.
- ChromeOS, Google's commercial operating system based on ChromiumOS that only runs on Chromebooks, Chromeboxes and tablet computers. Like Android, it has the Google Play Store and other Google apps. Support for applications that require GNU compatibility is available through a virtual machine called Crostini and referred to by Google as Linux support, see Chromebook § Compatibility with Linux applications (GNU compatibility).
Whether the above operating systems count as a "Linux distribution" is a controversial topic. They use the Linux kernel, so the Linux Foundation and Chris DiBona, Google's open-source chief, agree that Android is a Linux distribution; others, such as Google engineer Patrick Brady, disagree by noting the lack of support for many GNU tools in Android, including glibc.
Other Linux kernel based operating systems include Cyanogenmod, its fork LineageOS, Android-x86 and recently Tizen, Mer/Sailfish OS and KaiOS.
Niche（Minority）#
Other distributions target specific niches, such as:
- Routers – for example OpenWrt
- Microcontrollers without a memory management unit (MMU) – for example μClinux
- Internet of things – for example, targeted by Ubuntu Core and Microsoft's Azure Sphere
- Home theater PCs – for example, targeted by KnoppMyth, Kodi (former XBMC) and Mythbuntu
- Specific platforms – for example, Raspberry Pi OS targets the Raspberry Pi platform
- Education – examples are Edubuntu and Karoshi, server systems based on PCLinuxOS
- Scientific computer servers and workstations – for example, targeted by Scientific Linux
- Digital audio workstations for music production – for example, targeted by Ubuntu Studio
- Computer security, digital forensics and penetration testing – examples are Kali Linux and Parrot Security OS
- Privacy and anonymity – for example, targeted by Tails, Whonix, Qubes, and FreedomBox
- Offline use – for example, Endless OS
- Gaming – for example, SteamOS
树莓派操作系统（Raspberry Pi OS）(formerly Raspbian) is a Unix-like operating system based on the Debian GNU/Linux distribution for the Raspberry Pi family of compact single-board computers.
freebsd#
freebsd 和 linux 都是基于 UNIX 的 Unix-Like 操作系统。
FreeBSD is a free and open-source Unix-like operating system descended from the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD). The first version of FreeBSD was released in 1993 developed from 386BSD and the current version runs on x86, ARM, PowerPC and RISC-V processors. The project is supported and promoted by the FreeBSD Foundation.
- freebsd - integral part of Apple's Darwin，and the system software for Sony's PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4
As of 2005, FreeBSD was the most popular open-source BSD operating system, accounting for more than three-quarters of all installed and permissively licensed BSD systems. Much of FreeBSD's codebase has become an integral part of other operating systems such as Darwin (the basis for macOS, iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS), TrueNAS (an open-source NAS/SAN operating system), and the system software for the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 game consoles. The other BSD systems (OpenBSD, NetBSD, and DragonFly BSD) also contain a large amount of FreeBSD code, and vice-versa.
gentoo - based on freebsd, father of Chrome OS
Gentoo 最初由 Daniel Robbins（FreeBSD 的开发者之一）创建，首个稳定版本发布于 2002 年。Gentoo 是所有 Linux 发行版本里安装最复杂的，到目前为止仍采用源码包编译安装操作系统。
不过，它是安装完成后最便于管理的版本，也是在相同硬件环境下运行最快的版本。自从 Gentoo 1.0 面世后，它就像一场风暴，给 Linux 世界带来了巨大的惊喜，同时也吸引了大量的用户和开发者投入 Gentoo Linux 的怀抱。