Components of Linux: What is Linux made of?

Have you ever wondered what makes up the Linux Operating System and how it works together? Well let's take a look!

Components of Linux

Since we already know Linux is just the kernel, we are referring to the general components of a Linux Operating System, also known as a Linux Distro.

Bootloader

The bootloader is the initial software that runs when a computer starts up. Its primary function is to load the operating system kernel into memory. The kernel then initialises the rest of the operating system.

GRUB (Grand Unified Bootloader) is a commonly used bootloader in Linux systems, providing users with a boot menu, giving users the ability to choose between different operating systems installed on the machine.

Kernel

At the heart of every Linux operating system is the Linux kernel. The kernel is the core component responsible for initialising the rest of the operating system and then managing system resources, such as memory, CPU, devices, and file systems.

It is the lowest level of the operating system and acts as an intermediary between the hardware and software, ensuring smooth communication and resource allocation.

Init System

The init system is the first daemon(process) started by the kernel upon boot and is also the last daemon to terminate upon shutdown. It is responsible for bootstrapping the userspace and initialising and managing system all other processes during the boot process. It can be thought of as the parent process of all other processes.

Traditional init systems, such as SysV init, have been succeeded by more modern alternatives like systemd. The init system plays a crucial role in bringing the system to a functional and useable state during startup.

Daemons

Daemons are background processes that run independently of user interactions. They perform various tasks, such as handling network services, monitoring hardware, or managing system events. Examples of daemons include the Hypertext Transfer Protocol daemon (httpd) and the SSH daemon (sshd).

Most daemons either load during boot or upon logging in.

OS Shell

The operating system shell is a command-line interface that allows users to interact with the system through text-based commands. Common shells include Bash (Bourne Again SHell) and Zsh (Z Shell), providing users with a powerful and flexible way to navigate and control the system.

Graphics Server

The graphics server is responsible for managing graphical elements and rendering them on the screen. The X Window System(also known as "X11" or simply just "X"), is a widely used graphics server in Linux systems, provides a foundation for graphical user interfaces (GUIs). It runs as a daemon on the system and is called by applications when graphical output is required.

Without a graphical server, users would only be able to interact with the Linux system through the command-line interface.

Desktop Environment

The desktop environment uses the graphical server to provide a complete graphical user interface, including a desktop, taskbar, icons, and various applications.

Popular desktop environments in the Linux ecosystem include GNOME, KDE Plasma, XFCE, and LXQt. These environments offer a user-friendly experience and a consistent look and feel.

Window Manager

While the desktop environment handles the overall graphical user interface, the window manager is just one aspect of a desktop environment that focuses on managing individual windows. Users can customise the window manager to control window placement, appearance, and behavior.

Applications/Utilities

Applications/Utilities are programs that perform specific functions for the user or another program. While a desktop environment may come with many applications already, it may not offer the full array of apps that you want, so you will be free to install from the thousands of additional high quality applications that Linux offers.

Summary

A Linux operating system is a complex ecosystem of interconnected components that work harmoniously to provide a stable and efficient computing environment. From the bootloader to the system utilities and user applications, each element plays a crucial role in ensuring the functionality and performance of the system. Understanding these components will give you a greater understanding of how your linux system functions from boot up until shutdown.

Want to learn more about Linux?

You can learn more about Linux by checking out the recommended articles section below or by checking out our Linux Tag to view all of our Linux articles!