Difference Between Linux and Ubuntu

Linux and Ubuntu are operating systems that are based on Unix. Choosing between both depends on the user’s needs and expertise. Beginners might prefer Ubuntu for its user-friendly interface, while expert or advanced users might choose a different Linux distribution that offers more customization options and require more technical knowledge. In this article, we will briefly discuss what Linux and Ubuntu are and how they differ from each other based on various parameters. That may lead to choosing what best suits you.

 

Linux is a Unix-based operating system that is publicly available, which means that anyone can view and contribute to the source code. It is known for its stability, efficiency, and safety. On the other hand, Ubuntu is a dedicated Linux distribution that offers a user-friendly and more intuitive experience, especially for newcomers to the Linux environment. Like Linux, Ubuntu is an open source. 

Read Also: What is Operating Systems – Types, Function, and Example 

Must Check: Operating Systems Online Courses and Certifications

So, let’s start!!

Table of Content

• Difference Between Ubuntu and Linux: Ubuntu vs Linux
• What is Linux?
  • Features of Linux
  • Advantages and Disadvantages
• What is Ubuntu?
  • Features of Ubuntu
  • Advantages and Disadvantages
• Applications of Linux and Ubuntu
• Key Similarities and Differences between Linux and Ubuntu

Difference Between Linux and Ubuntu: Linux vs Ubuntu

What is Linux?

Linux is an operating system based on the Unix operating system created by Linus Torvalds in 1991. Linux is a family of free and open-source software operating systems built on Linux Kernel. These are often referred to as Linux distribution. Some of the popular distributions are Fedora, Debian, and CenterOS.

Unlike the other operating systems Windows or MacOS, they are free and open-source, i.e., anyone can view, modify, and contribute to the source code.

Linux is widely used in servers, embedded systems, and supercomputers due to its stability, security, flexibility, customizability, scalability, and performance.

Features of Linux

• Open-Source: Linux is free and open-source, i.e., means anyone can contribute to the development.
• Security: Less vulnerable to viruses and malware compared to the operating system.
• Customizability: Linux allows users to modify the system as per the requirements, and even they can create their own distributions.
• Performance: It provides high performance on various networks and workstations, which allows many users to work simultaneously to handle complex tasks.
• Compatibility: It is compatible with a wide range of hardware and runs on multiple platforms, including x86 and x64.

Also Read: What is Linux?

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of Linux

• Cost Efficient
• Highly stable, it can run for years without rebooting.
• Large and Active Community.
• Respect users’ privacy as they do not collect such personal data.

Also Read: What is Linux?

Disadvantages of Linux

• It requires more technical knowledge, which makes it difficult for beginners.
• Not all software is available in Linux.
• It supports a wide range of hardware, but some proprietary hardware may not be as expected due to a lack of drivers.
• Vast community support, but finding professional support is quite difficult compared to Windows and MacOS.

What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is among the popular distribution of the Linux operating system, which is first released in 2004. The first release was built on Debian (another Linux distribution). The main purpose of Ubuntu is to offer a user-friendly and intuitive experience for newcomers to the Linux experience.

Similar to Linux, it is also open-source and customizable. It comes in several versions, including Ubuntu Desktop, Ubuntu Server, Ubuntu Server, and Ubuntu Core (for IoT devices).

Features of Ubuntu

• User-friendly
• It has a built-in software centre allowing users to download and install additional software.
• It has a large, active community.
• Ubuntu is secure and comes with built-in firewall settings.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages of Ubuntu

• Considered one of the most user-friendly Linux distributions.
• It has a large community and professional support.
• It is based on stable Debian distribution, which provides a solid base for its distribution.
• Ubuntu is good at recognizing and automatically installing hardware.

Disadvantage of Ubuntu

• The newer version of Ubuntu requires more system resources than other Linux distributions.
• Ubuntu provides customization, but the functionalities are limited compared to the other Linux distributions.
• The major concern of Ubuntu is privacy, as it collects the user’s data.

Application of Linux and Ubuntu

Key Similarities and Differences Between Linux and Ubuntu

• Open-Source: Both Linux and Ubuntu are open-source.
• Unix-Based: Both are based on the Unix operating system.
• Security: Linux and Unix are known for robust security compared to other operating systems.
• Software Compatibility: Both Linux and Unix can run various open-source software applications. 
• Nature: Linux is a kernel, whereas Ubuntu is a specific distribution of Linux.
• User-Interface: It varies greatly among the Linux distributions. Ubuntu uses the GNOME desktop environment by default.
• Release Cycle: It varies from distribution to distribution. Ubuntu has a regular release cycle, with a new version released every six months and a long-term version released every two years.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed what is Linux, what is Ubuntu, its features and some of its applications.

The article also discusses how these two operating systems differ from each other based on different parameters.

Hope you will like the article.

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