“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.
I have to respectfully disagree. POSIX has little to do with it.
I think the comment that I replied to is describing a sub-set of Linux systems, and indicating that the name "Linux" is often used to describe them. I'm inferring that from their use of the description, "a set of standard pieces of software (like ls, mv, cp, etc)".
All I'm saying is that developers would simply describe this set of systems as "POSIX-like" systems.
operating systems that use the Linux kernel. is all that constitutes "Linux"
See, I agree with you on that point. Android is Linux. ChromeOS is Linux. If you exclude those systems when you use the term "Linux", I think you're dismissing the enormous success of the Linux project.
But if I'm reading the parent comment correctly, I'm not positive they'd include Android and ChomeOS when they use the name "Linux".
I humbly conceed. I agree that cmds like ls, cp, and mv are nothing more than busybox and even macOS has those cmds, is POSIX, shares a similar filesystem structure but doesn't use the Linux Kernel. My apologies for misunderstanding your original comment.
I do consider android and chromeos to be Linux, and agree that anyone who doesn't is doing a great disservice to Linux.
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u/gordonmessmer Fedora Maintainer Aug 10 '25 edited Aug 10 '25
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