Free software Essay

The freedom to run the program, for any(prenominal) purpose (freedom 0). The freedom to study how the program works, and change it so it does your computing as you wish (freedom 1). advance to the source code is a precondition for this. The freedom to redistribute copies so you can help your dwell (freedom 2). The freedom to distribute copies of your special versions to others (freedom 3). By doing this you can give the whole community a see to benefit from your changes. Access to the source code is a precondition for this You are free to (1)study it, (2)redistribute it, and (3) modify it. 2. why is Linux popular? wherefore is it popular in academia? Bell Labs offered it to educational institutions at nominal cost. The schools, in turn, uptaked it in their electronic computer science programs, ensuring that computer science students became familiar with it. Beca using up UNIX was such an advanced increase frame, the students became acclimated to a sophisticated programming e nvironment. As these students graduated and went into industry, they expected to work in a likewise advanced environment. As more(prenominal) of them worked their way up the ladder in the commercial world, the UNIX operating system found its way into industryThe source code for the operating system is readily available so that students can beneathstand more easily how wildebeest/Linux works and can modify the code further to understand its operation and change the way it works. 3. What are multiuser systems? Why are they successful? Sharing the computers power among legion(predicate) users and giving them the index to share data and programs are central features of the system. a multiuser operating system allows many masses to use all of the system resources almost simultaneously The use of costly resources can be maximized and the cost per user can beminimizedthe primary objectives of a multiuser operating system. 4. What is the Free Software Foundation/GNU? What is Linux? Which parts of the Linux operating system did each brook? Who else has helped build and refine this operating system? The Free Software Foundation (www. fsf. org) is the principal organizational patronage of the GNU Project. GNU developed many of the tools, including the C compiler, that are part of the GNU/Linux direct organization Linux is the name of an operating system aggregate developed by Linus Torvalds and expanded and improved by thousands of pot on the Internet.Torvaldss kernel and GNUs tools work together as the GNU/Linux Operating System 5. In which language is Linux pen? What does the language have to do with the success of Linux? 95% is written in C. Because Linux is portable, it can be adapted (ported) to different machines and can meet special requirements. For example, Linux is used in embedded computers, such as the ones found in cellphones, PDAs, and the cable boxes on top of many 10 Chapter 1 Welcome to Linux and Mac OS X TVs. The file structure takes full advantage of large, prompt hard disks.Equally important, Linux was originally designed as a multiuser operating systemit was not modified to serve several users as an afterthought. Sharing the computers power among many users and giving them the ability to share data and programs are central features of the system 6. What is a utility program? otften reffered to as commands These utilities perpetrate functions that are universally required by users. The sort utility, for example, puts lists (or groups of lists) in alphabetical or numerical nine and can be used to sort lists by part number, last name, city, ZIP code, telephone number, age, size, cost, and so forth.A utility (program), sometimes referred to as a command, is a program that performs a task that is a great deal related to the operating system. A utility is simpler than an application program although there is no clear personal credit line separating the two 7. What is a baffle? How does it work with the kernel? Wi th the user? In a textual environment, the shellthe command interpreteracts as an interface between you and the operating system. its the link between user and kernal to attest it what to do. or view what the kernal is doing. its the command line interface that accepts input from the user.8. How can you use utility programs and a shell to create your own applications? Write a shell script, also called a shell program, or a batch file under DOS. A shell script is one or more command lines contained in a file. Make the file executable and give the name of the file as a command The shell executes the commands in the file, as though you had typed each command individually 9. Why is the Linux filesystem referred to as hierarchical? The Linux filesystem provides a structure whereby files are arranged under directories, which are like folders or boxes.Each directory has a name and can hold other files and directories. Directories, in turn, are arranged under other directories, and so fort h, in a treelike organization. This structure helps users keep track of large numbers racket of files by grouping related files in directories. Each user has one primary directory and as many subdirectories as required 10. What is the difference between a multiprocessor and a multiprocessing system? multi processor is a computer that has more than one processor (processing units) andmultiprocessing system is the fact that it can process fivefold tasks at the same time Multiprocessing is the use of more than one CPU in a computer system 11. Give an example of when you would want to use a multiprocessing system. Multiprocessing is the use of more than one CPU in a computer system so when you have more than one CPU you can take advantage of it. Multiprocessing sometimes refers to the execution of multiple concurrent software processes in a system as opposed to a single process at any one instant 12. Approximately how many people wrote Linux?Why is this project unique? The Linux kerne l was developed by Finnish undergraduate student Linus Torvalds The Linux operating system, which was developed through the cooperation of many, many people around the world, is a product of the Internet and is a free 13. What are the key terms of the GNU General Public License? The GPL says you have the right to copy, modify, and redistribute the code covered by the symmetry When you redistribute the code, however, you must also distribute the same indorse with the code, thereby making the code and the license inseparable.