Linux (operating system)

Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system family that uses the Linux kernel. A Linux system which includes system utilities and libraries from the GNU Project is sometimes referred to as GNU/Linux.

Initially developed and used primarily by individual enthusiasts on personal computers, Linux has since gained the support of corporations such as IBM, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, and Novell, Inc., and has risen to prominence as an operating system for servers; Netcraft reported in September 2006 that eight of the ten most reliable internet hosting companies run Linux on their web servers.

Linux has been more widely ported to different computing platforms than any other operating system.It is used in devices ranging from supercomputers to mobile phones, and has a foothold in the personal computer and business desktop markets.