What is the difference between Unix and Linux?
UNIX was the first operating system to be introduced to the world but Linux has advanced user interface characteristics that developers are looking for these days.
Linux is a UNIX clone created by Linus Torvalds from the scratch with the aid of hackers all around the world.
Single and Multi-tasking OS, Single and Multi-user OS, Distributed OS, Templated OS, Embedded OS, Real-time and Library OS are some of the operating systems accessible in the globe. UNIX and Linux are two of the most well-known.
In this Unix vs Linux comparison, we’ll look at the differences between the two operating systems.
What is Unix?
Unix is an operating system that is only available to Unix users. It is multi-tasking, multi-user operating system for servers, desktops, and laptops.
It started as a one-man venture under the initiative of Ken Thompson of Bell Labs. It has many corporate uses, but it is not an open-source operating system. Unix systems have a centralized operating system kernel that manages the entire system.
The Unix operating system was designed to function using the Command Line Interface (CLI), although there have lately been improvements for GUI on Unix computers.
What is Linux?
Linux is a free and open source operating system that is extensively used for servers, smartphones, desktop, computer hardware and software, game development, tablet PCs, mainframes, and other applications.
Linus Torvalds created the Linux kernel in 1991. Unix ruled the computer world before Linux and Windows.
A Linux kernel, GNU system and utilities, a compiler for library functions, and a window system and desktop environment make up Linux.
“Linux” earned its name from the Linux Kernel that it uses. It is the software on a computer that allows apps and users to access the computer’s peripherals in order to complete a certain task.
Linux is not a Unix-like operating system, but it is similar to Unix. The Linux operating system is based on Unix and is a continuation of the Unix foundation.
Let us see the key difference between Unix and Linux in tabular form.
Also Read: Difference Between Windows and Linux
Difference Between Unix and Linux: Unix VS Linux
| Unix | VS | Linux |
|---|---|---|
| It is a proprietary operating system. | Definition | It is a free and open-source operating system. |
| Developed by AT&T and various vendors. | Development | Developed by sharing the code and collaborating with various developers. |
| fs, gpfs, hfs, hfs+, ufs, xfs, zfs. | Supported File system | Ext2, Ext3, Ext4, Jfs, ReiserFS, Xfs, Btrfs, FAT, FAT32, NTFS. |
| x86/x64, Sparc, Power, Itanium, PA-RISC, PowerPC, and many others. | Processors | Originally for Intel’s x86 but many others can work. |
| C and Assembly Language | Written In | C and other programming languages |
| Unix | OS Family | Unix – like |
| English | Available Language | Multilingual |
| October, 1973 | Released In | September 1991 |
| Differs and can be monolithic, microkernel and hybrid. | Kernel Type | Monolithic Kernel |
| Currently, GENOM but initially uses a command based OS. | GUI | GENOM and KDE.But there are many other options. For example, LXDE, Xfce, Unity, Mate, and so on. |
| Internet servers, workstation and PCs. | User | Personal Computer and developers. |
| 80-120 viruses listed till date. | Viruses | 60-100 viruses that are not spreading currently. |
| Takes time | Threat Detection | Fast |
| Unix is available in different versions like HP-UX, AIS, BSD, etc. | Version | Linux is available in different versions like Redhat, Ubuntu, OpenSUSE, etc. |
| It is not portable. | Portability | Portable and booted using USB. |
| The default interface is BASH. | Interface | Uses Bourne Shell. |
| Licensing varies. Few versions are proprietary while others are free/OSS. | License | GNUv2(GPL General Public License) and others. |
What are the limitations of Unix?
- User Interface is not friendly.
- Slow system performance.
- Files get destroyed with typing mistakes.
- Because the versions on different machines differ slightly, there is a lack of consistency.
- It does not support real time response time systems.
What are the limitations of Linux?
- Standard edition of Linux is not available.
- Difficult to operate for new users.
- Many Windows-only programs can only be run on Linux with the help of a complex emulator. As an example. Microsoft Office is a program that allows you to create documents.
- Linux has less reliable driver support, which can cause the entire system to fail.
Conclusion
Unix is a very old operating system that is regarded as the mother of all operating systems. Unix is also the source of the Linux kernel. The biggest distinction between Unix and Linux-based operating systems is not in their appearance, but rather in how they operate within, particularly in the kernel.
Because of its low cost and ease of adaptation, Linux is thought to have an advantage over UNIX. Linux is flexible, but UNIX is rigid.
According to some studies, Linux has grown faster than any other operating system in recent years. As a result, Linux may overtake UNIX deployments in the future.
- References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unix
- References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux