Important features of Linux Operating System

Basic Features

Following are some of the important features of Linux Operating System.

• Portable – Portability means softwares can works on different types of hardwares in same way.Linux kernel and application programs supports their installation on any kind of hardware platform.
• Open Source – Linux source code is freely available and it is community based development project. Multiple teams works in collaboration to enhance the capability of Linux operating system and it is continuously evolving.
• Multi-User – Linux is a multiuser system means multiple users can access system resources like memory/ ram/ application programs at same time.
• Multiprogramming – Linux is a multiprogramming system means multiple applications can run at same time.
• Hierarchical File System – Linux provides a standard file structure in which system files/ user files are arranged.
• Shell – Linux provides a special interpreter program which can be used to execute commands of the operating system. It can be used to do various types of operations, call application programs etc.
• Security – Linux provides user security using authentication features like password protection/ controlled access to specific files/ encryption of data.

Linux is fast, free and easy to use, power laptops and servers around the world. Linux has many more features to amaze its users such as:

• Live CD/USB: Almost all Linux distributions have Live CD/USB feature by which user can run/try the OS even without installing it on the system.
• Graphical user interface (X Window System): People think that Linux is a command line OS, somewhere its true also but not necessarily, Linux have packages which can be installed to make the whole OS graphics based as Windows.
• Support’s most national or customized keyboards: Linux is used worldwide and hence available in multiple languages, and supports most of their custom national keyboards.
• Application Support: Linux has its own software repository from where users can download and install thousands of applications just by issuing a command in Linux Terminal or Shell. Linux can also run Windows applications if needed.