GNU/Linux

What Does GNU/Linux Mean?

GNU/Linux is a combination of operating system components and services that together create the Linux operating system. GNU/Linux is considered the first version of Linux that was built alongside the components and services of GNU and the Linux kernel.

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Techopedia Explains GNU/Linux

GNU/Linux is primarily referred to as the combination of the Linux kernel with the GNU OS components that form the complete Linux operating system. According to GNU the bulk of the work, except the Linux kernel itself, was done by the GNU community. The whole system as a whole is largely considered the work of GNU, but it is complimented with the Linux Kernel.

The GNU Project initially created the components and services that were to be used by UNIX, which were later embedded with the Linux kernel to create the GNU/Linux operating systems.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…