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CHAPTER 2
Linux and Software

APPLICATIONS MAKE OR BREAK AN operating system. Many good-intentioned operating systems have died due to lack of software support. Fortunately, Linux has benefited from a wide assortment of open source applications, both on the desktop and on the server.

This chapter discusses the most popular desktop and server applications available in Linux. It shows how applications are installed by default and how to add new applications to your Linux system. The chapter finishes up by discussing the different ways Linux distributions keep the installed software updated and patched for security vulnerabilities. These days those features are just as important as the initial installation of the software.