Linux

family of Unix-like operating systems
class os Q388
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Linux was influenced by MINIX [1][2]. It is a Unix-like operating system kernel developed as a free and open-source alternative to proprietary systems. The development of Linux began in 1991 by Linus Torvalds, who built upon the design principles observed in MINIX [1][2]. The kernel was released under the GNU General Public License, enabling widespread collaboration and modification by developers worldwide. Linux has since become the foundation for numerous distributions used in servers, desktops, embedded systems, and mobile devices.

Linux

Summary

Linux ranks in the top 3% of os entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (17,134 views/month).[1]

Key Facts

  • Linux is the creator of Linus Torvalds[2].
  • Linux was influenced by MINIX[3].
  • Linux was influenced by Q11368[4].
  • Linux kernel is named after Linux[5].
  • Linus Torvalds is named after Linux[6].
  • Q11368 is named after Linux[7].
  • Linux's based on is recorded as Linux kernel[8].
  • Linux's programmed in is recorded as Q15777[9].
  • Linux's programmed in is recorded as assembly language[10].
  • Linux is a type of Unix-like operating system[11].
  • Linux is a type of free software[12].
  • Linux is a type of computing platform[13].
  • Linux is a type of project[14].
  • Linux is a type of collaborative work[15].
  • Linux's Commons category is recorded as Linux[16].
  • Linux's platform is recorded as DEC Alpha[17].
  • Linux's platform is recorded as Q182933[18].
  • Linux's platform is recorded as Q272629[19].
  • Linux's platform is recorded as ARM architecture[20].
  • Linux's platform is recorded as PowerPC[21].
  • Linux's platform is recorded as RISC-V[22].
  • Linux's platform is recorded as MIPS architecture[23].
  • Linux was distributed by digital download[24].
  • Linux was distributed by floppy disk[25].
  • Linux was distributed by CD-ROM[26].

Body

Works and Contributions

Linux is the creator of Linus Torvalds[2]. Things named for Linux include Kali Linux[27], a Linux distribution[28], founded in 2013[29]; GNU/Linux naming controversy[30], a controversy[31]; Winux[32], a Linux distribution[33]; Yggdrasil Linux/GNU/X[34], a Linux distribution[35], founded in 1992[36]; ALT Linux[37], a Linux distribution[38], founded in 2000[39]; Linux user group[40], an association[41]; Linux Game Publishing[42]; and LinuxFr[43].

Why It Matters

Linux ranks in the top 3% of os entities by monthly Wikipedia readership (17,134 views/month).[1] Linux has Wikipedia articles in 30 language editions, a strong signal of global cultural recognition.[44] Linux is known by 23 alternative names across languages and contexts.[45]

Linux has been cited as an influence by macOS[46], a proprietary operating system[47], founded in 2001[48] and Darwin[49], an Unix-like operating system[50].

Entities named for Linux include Kali Linux[27], a Linux distribution[28], founded in 2013[29]; GNU/Linux naming controversy[30], a controversy[31]; Winux[32], a Linux distribution[33]; Yggdrasil Linux/GNU/X[34], a Linux distribution[35], founded in 1992[36]; ALT Linux[37], a Linux distribution[38], founded in 2000[39]; and Linux user group[40], an association[41].

FAQs

Who did Linux influence?

Linux has been cited as an influence by macOS[46] and Darwin[49].

References

Programmatic citations — every numbered marker resolves to a verifiable graph row below.

Direct Wikidata claims

  1. [5] . wikidata.org.
  2. [6] . wikidata.org.
  3. [7] . wikidata.org.
  4. [8] . wikidata.org.
  5. [2] . wikidata.org.
  6. [9] . wikidata.org.
  7. [10] . wikidata.org.
  8. [11] . wikidata.org.
  9. [12] . wikidata.org.
  10. [13] . wikidata.org.
  11. [14] . wikidata.org.
  12. [15] . wikidata.org.
  13. [16] . wikidata.org.
  14. [17] . wikidata.org.
  15. [18] . wikidata.org.
  16. [19] . wikidata.org.
  17. [20] . wikidata.org.
  18. [21] . wikidata.org.
  19. [22] . wikidata.org.
  20. [23] . wikidata.org.
  21. [24] . Just for Fun: The Story of an Accidental Revolutionary. wikidata.org.
  22. [25] . Just for Fun: The Story of an Accidental Revolutionary. wikidata.org.
  23. [26] . Just for Fun: The Story of an Accidental Revolutionary. wikidata.org.
  24. [3] . groups.google.com. Retrieved . groups.google.com. Provenance: wikidata.org.
  25. [4] . Just for Fun: The Story of an Accidental Revolutionary. wikidata.org.

Inverse relationships (entities pointing at this one)

  1. [46] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  2. [49] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  3. [27] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  4. [30] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  5. [32] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  6. [34] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  7. [37] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  8. [40] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  9. [42] . wikidata.org. → on this site
  10. [43] . wikidata.org. → on this site

Inline context (facts about related entities)

  1. [47] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  2. [48] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  3. [50] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  4. [28] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  5. [29] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  6. [31] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  7. [33] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  8. [35] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  9. [36] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  10. [38] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  11. [39] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site
  12. [41] . Wikidata. wikidata.org. → on this site

Aggregate / graph-position facts

  1. [1] . Wikimedia Foundation. dumps.wikimedia.org.
  2. [44] . Wikidata sitelinks. wikidata.org.
  3. [45] . Wikidata aliases. wikidata.org.

📑 Cite this page

Use these citations when quoting this entity in research, articles, AI prompts, or wherever provenance matters. We aggregate Wikidata + Wikipedia + authoritative open-data sources; the stitched, scored, cross-referenced view is what 4ort.xyz contributes.

APA 4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph. (2026). Linux. Retrieved April 19, 2026, from https://4ort.xyz/entity/linux
MLA “Linux.” 4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph, 4ort.xyz, 19 Apr. 2026, https://4ort.xyz/entity/linux.
BibTeX @misc{4ortxyz_linux_2026, author = {{4ort.xyz Knowledge Graph}}, title = {{Linux}}, year = {2026}, url = {https://4ort.xyz/entity/linux}, note = {Accessed: 2026-04-19}}
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Edit History

Rolling log of changes to this entity's Wikidata record. Values shown reflect the current state of each edited property — follow the history link to see the precise diff for any edit.

  1. 2d ago · Piotr Osada · 2026-05-19 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    National library of poland mms id 9810604228805606
    "/* wbsetclaim-create:2||1 */ [[Property:P7293]]: 9810604228805606"
  2. 8d ago · HelloImSteven · 2026-05-13 view diff on Wikidata ↗
    Foldoc id Linux
    "/* wbsetclaim-create:2||1 */ [[Property:P12946]]: Linux"
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