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CHAPTER 1
Linux Basics

THE LINUX OPERATING SYSTEM HAS become one of the most widely used operating systems, popular among researchers, application developers, and hobbyists alike. These days, the Linux operating system can be found in a variety of computer environments, from mobile phones to satellites.

This chapter examines just what the Linux operating system is and why there are so many different Linux distributions available to choose from. With this information, you can select the right Linux distribution for your environment.