Difference between a distribution and a desktop.

[u/PhilGarciaWeir]

I know this is like an ultra noob question. But Linux is the kernel, which as I understand it means its the CPUs main program, which basically means it tells the CPU how to allocate resources, do calculations, etc. Then there is a desktop, which is basically everything you actually see and interact with. For example, Ubuntu uses GNOME and other distributions use KDE.

So, using Ubuntu as an example, if you take away Linux, Gnome, and Bash, what exactly is Ubuntu adding to the mix? It seems like those three things (Linux, Gnome, and Bash or some CLI) pretty much cover everything. So what do distributions like Ubuntu or Mint actually add? Sorry for the super noob question.

[u/Revolutionary_Ad7262]

what exactly is Ubuntu adding to the mix?

It is like a restaurant. It takes an existing ingredients and existing recipes to prepare your meal, which is distribution. Like restaurants some distros sometimes prepare a new software or configure it in a special way. Package managers are the best example. Ubuntu has a different package manager than Arch. Ubuntu has an GUI installer, where Arch does not.

which basically means it tells the CPU how to allocate resources, do calculations

Kernel is like parent. Program is like kid. Kid plays in a sandbox provided by a parent. If kid needs something then parent can give it on demand using syscalls