Module Title: dgt_sys04 – The Story of Linux
Description:
“The Story of Linux” covers the origins and development of GNU/Linux and is intended for both newcomers and experienced users. This module traces in detail how this operating system came to be.
This is mostly a theory module, and it is the ground on which the practical ones stand: knowing what is GNU and what is the kernel is exactly what lets you instruct the machine precisely later on. In the short exercises you ask it in natural language to tell you which kernel version and which GNU components are running on your lab system, and under which licenses they are distributed, then check its answers against what you have studied here.
Module 1: The Genesis of GNU
– Study the inception of the GNU Project, launched by Richard Stallman in 1983. Explore the philosophy of “free software” as set out in the GNU Manifesto and understand the motivations behind the creation of a completely free Unix-like operating system.
– Examine the early stages of development, including key milestones such as the release of the GNU Compiler Collection (GCC) and the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Module 2: The Birth of Linux
– Learn about Linus Torvalds’ role in creating the Linux kernel. Understand how his work, initially a personal project, evolved into a core component of operating systems worldwide.
– Discover how the kernel’s licensing under the GNU General Public License, shortly after its first release in 1991, set the stage for widespread adoption and collaboration.
Module 3: The Convergence
– Investigate how Linus Torvalds’ Linux kernel was combined with existing GNU components to form a complete, functional operating system. Examine how the two projects complement each other.
– Explore significant milestones in the development of the various distributions that combined components of both projects.
Module 4: Impact and Evolution
– Analyze the impact of GNU/Linux on computing, emphasizing its role in servers, desktops, mobile devices (Android), and beyond.
– Discuss ongoing developments, including community-driven improvements and contributions to open source ecosystems.
Module Outcomes:
By the end of this module, participants will have a thorough understanding of:
– The foundational principles and goals behind GNU.
– The development history of Linux as an operating system kernel.
– How the integration of GNU components with the Linux kernel shaped the modern computing landscape.
– The collaborative open source development model, and how this background helps them direct and verify the machine on a real Linux system.
The students can push their exercises to the Academy DevOps & SRE Git project. For this module, create a folder with your username as its name in the following subfolder: https://github.com/Garanti-Del-Talento/gdt_academy