“Linux” Isn’t Just Linux: 8 Pieces of Software That Make Up Linux Systems
 

Linux distributions aren’t just the Linux kernel. They all contain other critical software, like the Grub bootloader, Bash shell, GNU shell utilities, daemons, X.org graphical server, a desktop environment, and more.

All these different programs are developed by different, independent development groups. They’re combined by Linux distributions, where they build on top of each other to make a complete “Linux” operating system. This is unlike Windows, developed entirely by Microsoft.

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