this post was submitted on 17 Aug 2023
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Linux
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Mr. Stallman would be angry if you didn't define it as the Linux kernel plus the GNU stuff that you need to do things with the kernel.
Kernel + environment = OS
The GNU+Linux thing is dumb. First, the GNU userspace programs aren't the only things added to the kernel to make a working OS. A more fitting name would be systemd+Xorg+PipeWire+Linux. Second, not all Linux distributions use GNU's programs. Some use Busybox, such as Android. Some don't even use GNU's libc, but musl. On an entirely headless system running completely unattended, you could probably not have any userspace at all. Finally, the GNU programs aren't used at all by the average Joe who only uses their computer for Web browsing, emails and games.
You don't need any GNU stuff for a Linux distro though. It's just very common to use GNU tools.
Nah. Defining Linux as 'the Linux kernel plus the GNU stuff' is what makes him angry. Defining 'Linux' as 'just the Linux kernel' and sticking to that narrow use would make his day.
Kernel = OS. Tools is what makes the OS actually useful, but strictly speaking they're not needed.
Nobody would call linux to android (or vice versa), despite having the same kernel.
At least if we speak colloquially, the environment/ecosystem is really enough to define the OS.