A Linux distribution (also called GNU/Linux distribution by some vendors and users) is a member of the family of Unix-like software distributions built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions (often called distros for short) consist of a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players and database applications. The operating system will consist of the Linux kernel and, usually, a set of libraries and utilities from the GNU project, with graphics support from the X Window System. Distributions optimized for size may not contain X, and tend to use more compact alternatives to the GNU utilities such as Busybox, uClibc or dietlibc. There are currently over six hundred Linux distributions. Over three hundred of those are in active development, constantly being revised and improved.
Because most of the kernel and supporting packages are free and open source software, Linux distributions have taken a wide variety of forms — from fully featured desktop and server operating systems to minimal environments (typically for use in embedded systems, or for booting from a floppy disk). Aside from certain custom software (such as installers and configuration tools), a distribution is most simply described as a particular assortment of applications installed on top of a set of libraries married with a version of the kernel, such that its "out-of-the-box" capabilities meet most of the needs of its particular end-user base.
One can distinguish between commercially backed distributions, such as Fedora (Red Hat), openSUSE (Novell), Ubuntu (Canonical Ltd.), and Mandriva Linux (Mandriva) and entirely community-driven distributions such as Debian and Gentoo, though there are other distributions that are driven neither by a corporation nor a community, perhaps most famously Slackware.
Popular Distribution :
Well-known Linux distributions include:
- Arch Linux :- a distribution based on the KISS principle with a rolling release system
- CentOS :- a distribution derived from the same sources used by Red Hat, maintained by a dedicated volunteer community of developers with both 100% Red Hat-compatible versions and an upgraded version that is not always 100% upstream compatible
- Debian :- a non-commercial distribution maintained by a volunteer developer community with a strong commitment to free software principles
- Fedora :- a community distribution sponsored by Red Hat
- Gentoo :- a distribution targeted at power users, known for its FreeBSD Ports-like automated system for compiling applications from source code
- Knoppix :- the first Live CD distribution to run completely from removable media without installation to a hard disk, derived from Debian
- Kubuntu :- the KDE version of Ubuntu.
- Linux Mint :- a distribution based on and compatible with Ubuntu.
- Mandriva :- a Red Hat derivative popular in France and Brazil, today maintained by the French company of the same name.
- openSUSE :- a community distribution mainly sponsored by Novell.
- Pardus :- Turkey's national operating system developed by TÜBİTAK/UEKAE.
- PCLinuxOS :- a derivative of Mandriva, grew from a group of packages into a community-spawned desktop distribution.
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux :- which is a derivative of Fedora, maintained and commercially supported by Red Hat.
- Sabayon Linux :- Gentoo Based Distribution, aiming at working Out of the box.
- Slackware :- one of the first Linux distributions, founded in 1993, and since then actively maintained by Patrick J. Volkerding.
- SUSE Linux Enterprise :- derived from openSUSE, maintained and commercially supported by Novell.
- Ubuntu :- a popular desktop and server distribution derived from Debian, maintained by Canonical Ltd..
- Xubuntu :- is the Xfce version of the popular desktop distro Ubuntu. Commonly used by Linux users that wish to have the function of a bigger distro such as Ubuntu or openSuse with the speed of a smaller distro.
1) Ubuntu
2) Fedora
3) OpenSuse
4) Debian
5) Mandriva
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