What is a Linux Distribution

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A Linux distribution also called as Linux distro is a set of packages that together make up a operating system.  Each of the package provides a specific function to the system.

Example of packages include:

  • Linux Kernel: provides operating system features for example memory management, process management, multitasking etc
  • X Server and the desktop environment
  • GNU Shell Utilities: the terminal
  • Others include : System Libraries, web servers, databases, e-mail utilities and more.

There are different distros for different purposes. 

  • Desktop Environment: Ubuntu, Fedora
  • Server: Red Hat
  • Embedded Systems: Buildroot, OpenWRT

Installing software in these distros varies as each of them uses a different packaging mechanism. For example, software in ubuntu comes in <sw>.deb and installing it uses dpkg package manager. deb stands for debian.










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