Popular free open source Linux Distributions flavours distros

A distro or distributions are versions that are derived based on the popular Linux operating system. in a simple way it distributes a software package. All distributions frequently released with some of the modifications in packages and the Graphical user interface components as an update in Linux OS.

Example: Debian, Ubuntu, Suse.

all distributions are different in terms of packages, supported configuration, license, GUI, Kernel, GNU tool.

About UNIX:

it is multi-tasking as well as a multi-user computer operating system.

It is developed on the AT&T Unix.

Developed at the Bell Labs research center in the year 1970.

Developers are Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, and others.

License: proprietary, free/open-source software

Written in: C, Assembly language.

About LINUX:

Linux is an open-source Unix-like operating system.
It is based on the Linux kernel.
This operating system kernel first released by Linus Torvalds.
It is packaged in a Linux distribution.
Developer: Community; Linus Torvalds
License: GPLv2 and others
Written in: C, Assembly language

Introduction to Distributions:

it supports this user interfaces Unix shell, KDE Plasma 5, MATE, Cinnamon, Unity, LXDE, elementary OS, Xfce

There are multiple different Linux distributions. they are different in the sense such as Fedora, refuse to include closed-source software, while others, like Mint, include closed-source stuff to make it easier for users.

They are having different default software – like how Ubuntu includes Unity, Ubuntu derivatives include other desktop environments, Fedora includes GNOME Shell, and Mint includes Cinnamon or MATE.
Many Linux distributions may use different package managers, configuration utilities, and other software. Some distributions are on the lap of cutting-edge technologies and they do not receive support for a very long duration.

Others, such as Ubuntu LTS or Red Hat Enterprise Linux is designed to be stable distributions that will be supported with security updates and bug fixes for many years.

The most Preferred & used distributions are:

Debian

It is known as Debian GNU/Linux.
It is a Linux distribution composed of free and open-source software.
It is developed by the community-supported Debian Project
OS family: Unix
user interface: GNOME
Package manager: APT, dpkg
Developer: The Debian Project
Updates: Long-term supported(LTS)

The earliest non-commercial distribution is maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles and democratic project management

Knoppix

It is an operating system based on Debian OS.
It is designed to be run directly from a CD / DVD or a USB flash drive.
It was developed by, and named after, Linux consultant Klaus Knopper.
Default user interface: LXDE, KDE
Package manager support: dpkg
Languages support: German language, English Language

it is the first Live CD distribution from Linux to run completely from removable media without installation to a hard disk, derived from Debian
Linux Mint Debian Edition (LMDE) uses Debian packages directly (rather than Ubuntu)

Ubuntu

It is based on Debian Linux distribution.
It is composed of free open-source software.
it is released in three editions: Desktop, Server, and for the Internet of things devices, robots.
It can run on the computer alone or a virtual machine.
Developed by: Canonical Ltd.
Source: Open-source FOSS
Programming languages Used: Python, Java, C, C++, C#

for ubuntu, a desktop and server distribution created from Debian and it is maintained by British company Canonical Ltd.

there are several distributions that are based on Ubuntu that mainly replaces the GNOME desktop environment:

1] for example like Kubuntu based on KDE, Lubuntu based on LXQT.

2]Xubuntu is based on XFCE, Ubuntu MATE is based on MATE.

3] Ubuntu Budgie is based on Budgie.

4]Other official versions have specific uses like Ubuntu Kylin is for Chinese-speaking users or Ubuntu Studio is for media content creators.

Linux Mint

It is a community-driven Linux distribution.
It is completely based on Ubuntu or Debian.
It is packaged with a variety of free and open-source applications.
It can provide full multimedia Operation support.
user interface: Cinnamon
OS family: Linux/Unix
Update method: APT and Software Manager, Update Manager & Synaptic package manager user interfaces
Package manager support: dpkg & Flatpak

Linux Mint is a distribution based on Ubuntu and it is also compatible with Ubuntu. usually, it Supports multiple desktop environments among others GNOME Shell forks like Cinnamon and GNOME 2 forks like MATE.

Fedora

This Linux distribution was developed by the open community-support fedora project.
It is a project by Red Hat and a subsidiary of IBM.
Developed by the corporation: The Fedora Project
OS family: Unix
Update methods available: DNF, yum

Fedora is a community distribution supported and created by US company Red Hat, Red Hat Linux. It aims to be a technology base for Red Hat's commercial Linux offering, where new open source software is prototyped, developed, and tested in a communal setting before it converted into Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL)

It is created and published by the company Red Hat.
It is the most used Linux distribution,
It also comes in the Red Hat Commercial Linux license.
The Red Hat published its first non-beta release as OS.
Developed by: Red Hat Software
OS family: Linux/Unix
Developer community: Red Hat
Source model: Open-source model

Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) is a version of Fedora, it is maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat Enterprise. It provides tested, secure, and stable Linux server and workstation support to all businesses.

CentOS

it is a Linux distribution.
It provides a free, community-supported computing platform.
Its functionalities are compatible with Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
release date: 14 May 2004
OS family: Linux
License: GNU GPL and other
Source model: Open source
Developer: The CentOS Project
Default user interfaces: Bash, GNOME Shell

CentOS is a distribution created from the sources which are used by Red Hat, and it is also maintained by a dedicated volunteer community of developers with Red Hat-compatible versions and an upgraded version that is not always fully upstream compatible.

Oracle Linux

It is a Linux distribution freely distributed by Oracle.
It is available under GNU General Public License(GPL).
It is compiled from Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Developed by Corporation: Oracle Corporation
License supported: GNU GPL
Update method supported: yum (PackageKit support)
OS family: Linux/Unix

Oracle Linux is a distribution created from Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and it is maintained and commercially supported by Oracle corporation.

Scientific Linux

It is a Linux distribution by Fermilab, CERN, DESY and, ETH Zurich.
It is an open-source and free operating system based on the Red Hat Enterprise edition of Linux.
This product is forked from the open-source software from Red-Hat, Default user interface supported: GNOME
Update method supported: yum
Package manager supported: RPM Package Manager

Scientific Linux is a distribution created from the sources used by Red Hat Linux, and it is maintained by Fermilab corporation.

Mandriva Linux

It is a discontinued Linux distribution.
It was developed by Mandriva S.A.
Mandriva supports desktop as well as Server products.
Developed by the corporation: Mandriva
Package manager supported: urpmi (command-line frontend support); rpmdrake (GTK frontend support).rpm (package format support)
Source model supported: Open source (with exceptions support)

Mandriva Linux is a Red Hat Linux derivative popular in several European countries and Brazil countries, it is supported by the French company name Mandriva. After this, it was superseded by OpenMandriva Lx,290 although a number of distributions now have a larger user base.

Mageia

It is a Linux-based operating system and it is distributed as free and open-source software.
It is a fork of the Mandriva Linux distribution.
The term mageía means enchantment, glamourous, wizardry.
License: GNU
Package manager: urpmi (command-line frontend support); rpmdrake (graphical frontend support).rpm (backend support)
OS family supported: Unix
Default user interfaces supported: KDE Plasma 4, GNOME Shell, Xfce

Mageia is a community fork from the Mandriva Linux which is created in the year 2010.

PCLinuxOS

It is often known as PCLOS.
It is an x86-64 Linux distribution.
It comes with KDE Plasma Desktop, MATE, and XFCE as its user interfaces.
the free operating system for personal computers.
It is considered a rolling release.
Package manager support: apt-get (RPM)
Source model: Open-source model
Developers: Bill Reynolds
user interfaces supported: KDE, MATE, Xfce

PCLinuxOS is a version of Mandriva Linux, which grew from a group of packages into a community provided desktop distribution environment.

openSUSE

It is known as SUSE Linux.

It is a Linux distribution sponsored by SUSE Software Solutions and GmbH.

Developer corporation: The openSUSE Project

Package manager supported: ZYpp ; YaST (front-end support); RPM (low-level support)

Default user interfaces supported: GNOME Shell, Xfce, KDE Plasma 5

Available in languages: English Language, German language, Russian Language, Portuguese Language

openSUSE is a community distribution is mainly supported and sponsored by a German company with the name SUSE.

SUSE Linux Enterprise

It is known as SUSE enterprise edition Linux.
It is a Linux distribution sponsored by SUSE Software Solutions and GmbH.
Developer corporation: The openSUSE Project
Package manager supported: ZYpp ; YaST (front-end support); RPM (low-level support)
Default user interfaces supported: GNOME Shell, Xfce, KDE Plasma 5
Available in languages: English Language, German language, Russian Language, Portuguese Language

SUSE Linux Enterprise is derived from openSUSE, and it is maintained and commercially supported by SUSE.

Arch Linux

Arch Linux is a Linux distribution for computers with X86 as well as X64 processors.
Arch Linux shows five principles: simple, modern pragmatism, user central, and versatile.
Default user interface: Command-line interface (Bash)
OS family: Unix
Source model: Open source

Arch Linux is a rolling release distribution targeted at experienced Linux users and maintained by a volunteer community that offers official binary packages and a wide range of unofficial user-submitted source packages. Packages are usually defined by a single PKGBUILD text file.

Manjaro Linux

It is a free open-source Linux distribution.
It is created on the Arch Linux operating system.
It focuses on user-friendliness and accessibility.
It comes with its variety of pre-installed software.
OS family: Linux/Unix
Package manager support: pacman, libalpm (back-end)
Developed by: Manjaro GmbH & Co. KG
Default user interfaces supported: Xfce, KDE Plasma 5, GNOME

Manjaro Linux is created from Arch Linux which includes a graphical installer tool and other ease-of-use features for new Linux users. it has Rolling packages support from Arch Linux repositories that are held for further testing to achieve increased stability, and packages identified as addressing security issues of critical or high severity are fast-tracked to the stable branch.

Gentoo

This Linux distribution is based on the Portage package management system.
It is not like binary software distribution, the whole source code is compiled locally.
Supports user's preferences and it is optimized for the specific computer type.
Package manager support: Portage
License support: Free software
Source model: Open-source model
Developer corporation: Gentoo Foundation
user interfaces supported: Xfce, LXQt, GNOME, Fluxbox, i3, Sway

Gentoo is a distribution targeted at a large set of users, known for its FreeBSD Ports-like automated system for compiling applications from source code.

Chrome OS

It is a free open-source operating system.
It is built to run web applications and to browse the World Wide Web.
It is the development version of Chrome OS and Linux distribution proposed by Google.
This OS also includes the Portage package manager, which was Part of Gentoo Linux.
Source model: Open source
Developer: Google
user interface support: Chromium (web browser), Aura Shell (Ash)

Google's commercial operating system based on Chromium OS that only runs on Chromebooks, Chromeboxes, and tablet computers. Like Android, it has the Google Play Store and other Google apps these are lightweight applications supported by most of the mobile devices.

Slackware

It is a simple Linux distribution by Patrick Volkerding.
It is completely based on the Softlanding Linux System.
It has been acting as a base for many other Linux distributions.
Developer: Patrick Volkerding
Package manager supported: pkgtool, slackpkg
Update method used: slackpkg
Source model: Open source model

Slackware is created in 1993, it is one of the first Linux distributions and among the earliest still maintained, committed to remaining highly Unix-like and easily modifiable by end users2non-primary source needed.

Popular Linux distributions with examples:

1]RPM based

Linux distributions that use .rpm remote package manager file format.

Examples:

Fedora, Mandriva, Open Suse, Red Hat.

2]Cent OS /RHEL based

Examples:

scientific Linux, Oracle Linux, Fermi, Miracle

3]Fedora based

supports community distributions with the latest software free of cost.

Examples:

Berry, Blag, Linux XP, Trustix

4]Open SUSE based

Examples:

Suse Enterprise, Suse Desktop, Gecko Linux

5]urpmi-based

Examples:

Mandriva, Mageia, Rosa, Unity

6]apt-rpm based

Examples:

PC Linux, Vine, ALT

7]independent RPM-based

Examples:

Caldera, cAos, Turbolinux

8]Debian Based

Examples:

BackTrack, gLinux, Kali, Ubuntu, Astra

9]Ubuntu-based

Examples:

Ubuntu

10]official distributions

Examples:

Kubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu mate, Ubuntu Server, Xubuntu

11]Third party distributions

Examples:

elementary, KDE neon, LiMux, Vinux, Zorin

12]Debian Based stable distributions

Examples:

Astra, Bharat, Raspberry Pi, Slax

13]Mepis

Examples:

antiX, MX Linux

14]knoppx

Examples:

Damn, Feather

15]pecman

Examples:

Arch Linux, Artix, Arch Labs, Manjaro

16]Gentoo

Examples:

Calculate, Chrome OS, Chromium OS, Tin Hat

17]slackware

Examples:

Kate, Mu Linux, Salix, Santry, Zip Slack

18]slax based

Examples:

DNA Linux, Porteus

19]source based

Lunar, Guix

Free open source softwares for linux distributions

Search This Blog