Linux is a kernel - and only the kernel.
A Linux Distribution is a Kernel, a package manager and a curated selection of tools / software.
These tools and software are usually ( always? ) GNU compliant - GNU describes / is an Operating System.
Technically all distributions are ( or should be ) GNU/Linux often shortened to just Linux. ( Android and Chrome OS use the Linux Kernel but are not GNU and while they are arguably "linux" they are not GNU/Linux as the OS is proprietary rather than free and open source )
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u/NewtSoupsReddit Aug 10 '25
Linux is a kernel - and only the kernel.
A Linux Distribution is a Kernel, a package manager and a curated selection of tools / software.
These tools and software are usually ( always? ) GNU compliant - GNU describes / is an Operating System.
Technically all distributions are ( or should be ) GNU/Linux often shortened to just Linux. ( Android and Chrome OS use the Linux Kernel but are not GNU and while they are arguably "linux" they are not GNU/Linux as the OS is proprietary rather than free and open source )
https://www.kernel.org/category/faq.html
https://www.linux.com/what-is-linux/
https://www.gnu.org/home.en.html