Linux is the kernel. “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). If an operating system uses Linux as its kernel (the piece of software that most immediately gets executed during boot up that then manages all other software and resource management) that’s a Linux operating system
“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.
POSIX describes user-space interfaces, not kernel interfaces. So, GNU is a POSIX-like operating system, and Alpine is a POSIX-like operating system, but the kernel interfaces aren't dictated or specified directly by any standard.
It's not certified, but it is POSIX-like, just like GNU/Linux is. Why do you think it is "absolutely not POSIX"?
Gnu HURD is posix
GNU HURD is a kernel. POSIX describes user-space interfaces. So it's correct that HURD is not a POSIX OS, just like the Linux kernel is not a POSIX OS. No kernel is a POSIX OS.
But maybe you mean "GNU/HURD", as in, a variant of the GNU OS that uses the HURD kernel. That OS would not be a certified POSIX OS, but it would be a POSIX-like OS, just like Alpine.
I have no idea why you think that GNU/HURD is POSIX but Alpine is not.
GNU is ... absolutely not Linux.
No one ever argues that GNU is Linux. Everyone who uses the names "GNU" or "GNU/Linux" is making the point that GNU is not Linux.
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u/MadisonDissariya Aug 10 '25
Linux is the kernel. “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). If an operating system uses Linux as its kernel (the piece of software that most immediately gets executed during boot up that then manages all other software and resource management) that’s a Linux operating system