Understand what the GNU Project, Linux, Free Software Foundation and the GPL - GNU General Public License are.

# GNU/Linux

## Brief history about GNU

In the 1980s, at MIT, a nerd named Richard Stallman was dissatisfied with the development of exclusively proprietary software, where developers and users had no freedom to study the software.

In 1983 Stallman created the GNU Project (Gnu is Not Unix) with the idea of a free Unix, without the restrictions that proprietary software of the time imposed. Thus, he and several programmers enthusiastic about the idea of free software began to develop some of the tools that are used to this day, such as the GCC compiler, Bash and many others.

## The Birth of Linux

While the GNU Project advanced in developing a free operating system, an essential component was missing from the system: a free kernel. The kernel is the operating system component responsible for “talking” to the hardware, it’s the bridge that connects the “physical” part of the computer with the “logical” part. The GNU Project was developing its own kernel, called Hurd, however, its development progress was slow.

In 1991 a Finnish student named Linus Torvalds began developing his own kernel as a hobby, his goal was to create a system that was Unix-compatible, free and that could run on personal computers.

Torvalds posted his idea on a forum at the time and invited other programmers to contribute to the project. Thus, the kernel was called Linux (a mix of Linus + Unix).

## GNU/Linux

The use of GNU Project tools with the Linux kernel resulted in what is now so well known as GNU/Linux. This fusion was only possible thanks to the characteristics of free software.

# Free Software Foundation and GPL

## Free Software Foundation

The Free Software Foundation was created in 1985 by Richard Stallman with the goal of promoting free software. The FSF works to ensure that programs can be used, studied, modified and shared freely, without restrictions from companies or governments.

## GPL License - GNU General Public License

Also created by Stallman, the GNU Public License, GNU GPL or simply GPL is a software license designed to guarantee four fundamental freedoms to users:

• Freedom to run the program
• Freedom to study and modify the source code
• Freedom to redistribute copies
• Freedom to distribute modified versions

The marriage between GNU and Linux is largely due to the fact that both share the philosophy of free software and the GPL licenses that are present in both software.

# Conclusion

GNU/Linux is the operating system that dominates the tech market. It’s present in servers, smartphones, smartwatches, smart refrigerators and even on Mars, aboard Ingenuity.

In summary, GNU is a set of tools and utilities designed to create a free operating system, based on Unix principles. Linux is a kernel that brings the GNU tools to life.

GNU + Linux = Complete operating system.