Is Android just Linux?

Nishantjawla
2 min readJul 6, 2020

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To understand the above headline we need to understand what one means when he speaks the word ‘Linux’.

When someone says the word ‘Linux’ they may be referring to:

  • The Linux kernel
  • A Linux Distro
  • GNU/LINUX

Then why we consider Android as Linux?

There’s only one argument in favor of classifying Android as Linux, but it’s a strong one: Every Android smartphone or tablet contains a Linux kernel. You can even see what version of the kernel is put in on your device.

But we don’t call it Linux. right?

There are many reasons to support it…

  • It doesn’t use the Standard Linux Kernel.
  • It doesn’t include GNU Software Libraries.
  • You cannot run Linux apps on Android and the other way around.
  • Android is a Google product.
  • Android’s ‘ Open Source Status’ is up for debate.
  • You cannot Customize Android OS By Default.

WRAPPING UP

  • Ultimately(and frustratingly) it all hinges on how you define a Linux distro. If you agree that we should always all be pertaining to Linux distros as GNU/Linux rather than Linux, then the solution is not any, as Android includes little or no GNU software.
  • If you define ‘Linux Distro’ as an OS that has the Linux Kernel and fulfills one or more additional criteria, but, the solution is extremely likely to be no.
  • However, if your definition of a Linux distro is an OS that’s supported the Linux kernel, then Android may be a Linux distro.

Recommended reading

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  2. Introduction to machine learning
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  4. The Basics of Version Control System

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