What is Ubuntu?
An Open-Source Project
Ubuntu is an operating system that distinguishes itself from Windows by being an open-source operating system. Unlike Windows, which is copyrighted by Microsoft, Ubuntu is freely available for anyone to use and modify. The concept of open-source means that no individual holds the rights to this software. Every aspect of its creation, including the source code, is open and accessible for scrutiny.
If the technical terminology seems overwhelming or if you feel like the information is going over your head, don’t worry. Stay with me throughout this article, and you will find everything you want to know.
Now, let’s begin by understanding what an operating system is.
Operating System
An operating system is software that runs on a device, such as a computer or a mobile phone. If you are reading this blog on a computer or a mobile device, then your device is composed of several hardware components, such as a screen, speaker, memory card, motherboard, and more. To access and interact with these hardware components, we need software. The software can take various forms, and one of the primary software is the operating system (OS). On top of the operating system, numerous other software applications, known as apps, run.
For example, Android is an operating system, which is a type of software. We can install various apps from the Play Store on Android, such as WhatsApp, Facebook, games, and more. These apps are also software but are specifically designed to run on a particular operating system.
Linux Distributions
Before understanding what Ubuntu is, let’s familiarize ourselves with the concept of Linux distributions, or “distros” in short. This is where people often get confused.
Let’s consider the example of making a pizza. To make a pizza, we need dough. Suppose we have a plain pizza without any flavor, which we call Debian pizza. You can choose to add onion or cheese flavor or any other flavor you like. Now, try to understand the analogy:
Debian is the base, and many operating systems in Linux are built upon it. Ubuntu is one of them. It’s important to note that Debian is not the only significant distribution. There are others like Arch Linux, Fedora, OpenSUSE, and more. Debian, especially in the Linux world, is highly respected for its stability and security. Ubuntu takes Debian as its base and adds its own features, optimizations, and user interface to create a user-friendly and popular operating system.
What is Ubuntu?
Ubuntu is a Linux distribution based on Debian and primarily built with free and open-source software. It is one of the most popular operating systems for personal computers, servers, cloud computing, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Ubuntu is developed and maintained by Canonical Limited, a UK-based company, along with a large community of volunteers. The goal of Ubuntu is to provide a user-friendly, secure, and stable platform for various computing needs. Ubuntu releases a new version every six months, with long-term support (LTS) versions available every two years. The latest LTS version of Ubuntu is 22.04 Jammy Jellyfish. The name “Ubuntu” is derived from an African philosophy, which means “humanity to others” or “I am because we are”.
Use Case and Security
Ubuntu is widely used for hosting websites on the internet because it is open-source. It offers a high level of security and is resistant to hacking attempts. The file system of Ubuntu starts with the ‘/’ (slash) symbol. One notable feature of Ubuntu’s file system is that you can determine access rights for each folder. You have the option to grant access to everyone or protect it with a password.
You might be thinking that these features are present in all operating systems, so what makes Ubuntu special? First, it is essential to understand its significance. Imagine a scenario where a hacker successfully breaches your system and introduces a virus. In such a case, the virus would be contained within the folder where it was placed by the hacker, unable to spread to other folders. This means that even if a hacker manages to infiltrate your system, the damage can be limited to a specific folder, safeguarding the rest of your system from harm. [ref]
Open-Source
As I mentioned earlier, Ubuntu’s source code is accessible, allowing computer experts and those familiar with coding to easily examine how the software functions. This may raise concerns about an increased risk of hacking. However, Ubuntu is considered one of the most secure operating systems precisely because a large community of users continually utilizes and contributes to its development.
This strong community actively uses and supports Ubuntu. Whenever they identify a bug or vulnerability, they promptly rectify it and send the fix to the main branch. If a fix cannot be made immediately, they report the issue, ensuring that the software remains secure. This collaborative and vigilant approach ensures that Ubuntu is constantly improving and becoming more secure over time.
The Bottom Line
Ubuntu is a Linux distribution derived from Debian. It adheres to the core principles of open-source software while providing a user-friendly interface and additional features. Ubuntu offers us the flexibility to customize it according to our preferences. We can even change its flavor if we wish. The default flavor of Ubuntu is Gnome, but you can call it “Gnome or Genom or Nom” — it’s up to you. In the vast and diverse world of Linux distributions, Ubuntu stands as one of the available options with its own unique offerings.
