Linux from Scratch #1: What is Unix? Why Was It Created?
Before understanding Linux, I realized I first needed to understand Unix. In my previous article, I shared how installing Ubuntu completely changed the way I thought about operating systems. As I started learning Linux, one word kept appearing everywhere: Unix. People would say things like: "Linux is Unix-like." or "macOS is based on Unix." That made me wonder: If Unix already existed, why was…
To truly grasp the significance of Linux, it is essential to first understand Unix. In a recent piece, I discussed how switching to Ubuntu transformed my perspective on operating systems. As I delved deeper into Linux, the term Unix repeatedly surfaced. People would say things like "Linux is Unix-like" or "macOS is based on Unix." This piqued my curiosity: If Unix had already been developed, why was Linux created? To answer this question, I needed to look back more than 50 years.
In the 1960s, computers were vastly different from today's devices. They were large machines shared by numerous users, and each manufacturer had their own operating system. Furthermore, programs written for one computer often wouldn't run on another, and there was no unified method to interact with computers.
The Dawn of Unix
In 1969, researchers at Bell Labs, led by Ken Thompson and subsequently Dennis Ritchie, embarked on a mission to create a new operating system. Their objective was not to build something overly complex. Rather, they aimed to develop an operating system that was simple, reliable, portable, and user-friendly. This operating system eventually came to be known as Unix.
A Transformational Operating System
Unix was not just another operating system; it introduced concepts that have endured for decades. For instance:
Everything is considered a file.
Programs should excel at performing a single task.
Programs should collaborate using pipes (|).
Multi-user systems.
Multi-tasking.
A command-line shell.
I became familiar with Linux commands such as grep, sort, cat, and pipes. It became evident that these commands originated from Unix. This led me to wonder: Why hadn't everyone adopted Unix? The answer lies in licensing. Unix belonged to AT&T, and over time, using Unix became increasingly costly as companies had to purchase licenses.
Many universities and developers desired an operating system they could examine, modify, and share freely. This predicament eventually sparked the creation of projects like GNU and later Linux. These topics will be covered in upcoming articles.
Insights Gained
Prior to writing this article, I perceived Unix as merely an antiquated operating system. Now, I have a deeper understanding: Unix was not simply software; it introduced ideas that continue to influence Linux, macOS, Android, and numerous other operating systems currently in use. Attending to Linux without first comprehending Unix is akin to reading Chapter 2 without first reading Chapter 1. I am grateful I took the time to delve into its history first.
What Lies Ahead?
In the subsequent article, we will address one of the most perplexing questions I had: Is Linux an operating system, or is it purely a kernel? Until then, stay tuned for Linux from Scratch #2.
Written by urgent.news from Dev.to's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
