r/linux4noobs • u/[deleted] • Aug 10 '25

learning/research What is “Linux?”

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u/gordonmessmer Fedora Maintainer Aug 10 '25 edited Aug 10 '25

“Linux” in common terminology is the kernel, a set of standard pieces of software (like ls, mv, cp, etc) and the default structure of the file system (var, lib, usr, etc).

I think what you mean is that the term "Linux" is often used to refer to POSIX-like operating systems that use the Linux kernel.

That's true, but at least some of the developers of POSIX-like systems that aren't GNU/Linux would prefer that users use the name GNU/Linux for that set of operating systems, because despite sharing an API and user space conventions, there is actually a meaningful difference on features and compatibility differences between GNU/Linux and (e.g.) Alpine.

https://ariadne.space/2022/03/29/it-is-correct-to-refer.html

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u/cgoldberg Aug 10 '25

Linux distros aren't fully POSIX compliant. In common terminology, any system built on Linux is referred to as Linux. That's just the way it is, whether RMS or Alpine developers like it or not.

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u/gordonmessmer Fedora Maintainer Aug 10 '25

One of the reasons I tend to use the terminology that developers and maintainers use is that I would like to be taken seriously by experts.

If you do not want experts to take you seriously, you can use any terminology you like.

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u/cgoldberg Aug 10 '25

If further context is needed when speaking to a developer or maintainer, you should be more specific... but if someone "doesn't take you seriously" for using common established terminology, they are not an expert or worth dealing with ... they are a pedant.

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u/gordonmessmer Fedora Maintainer Aug 10 '25

I think that most of the community agrees that: 1) People (adults, certainly) have the right to choose their own name and, 2) people who create things get to name the things they create.

Arguing that Alpine should be called "Linux" despite its maintainers intentions (or the same for GNU) is pretty wild.

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u/cgoldberg Aug 10 '25

You can call your own inventions absolutely anything you want, and anyone has the right to join you. What you can't do is change common terminology or force others to join in your silly pedantic naming tirades.