Malaysian Open Source Centre

Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system family which uses the Linux kernel. Linux is one of the most prominent examples of free software an open source development; typically all the underlying source code can be freely modified, used, and redistributed by anyone.

Predominantly known for its use in servers, it is installed on a wide variety of computer hardware, ranging from embedded devices and mobile phones to supercomputers.

The name "Linux" comes from the Linux kernel, originally written in 1991 by Linus Torvalds. The system's utilities and libraries usually come from the GNU operating system, announced in 1983 by Richard Stallman. The GNU contribution is the basis for the alternative name GNU/Linux.