Software Interface
Before we come into contact with Linux, we usually first encounter Windows? However, after we get used to the management and usage methods of Linux, when we return to use Windows, we actually feel a sense of rejection. We find the graphical interface cumbersome and feel that it is quite low-quality. At this point, we are almost heavy enthusiasts of Linux. We cannot resist Linux, it feels like encountering a noble lady, always mysterious with many places we want to explore.
As outstanding representatives of operating systems, both Windows and Linux have their ups and downs, and there are many untold stories between them.
1. Characteristics of Linux
① Compatible with Unix systems
② Free software with open source code
③ High performance and strong security
④ Easy to customize and redevelop
⑤ High interoperability
⑥ Comprehensive multitasking and a true 32-bit operating system
2. Characteristics of Windows
Intuitive and efficient object-oriented graphical user interface, easy to learn and use. The Windows user interface and development environment are object-oriented, simulating real-world behaviors, making it easy to understand, learn, and use.
3. Differences Between Linux and Windows
1. Free vs Paid
In China, both Windows and Linux are free, at least for personal users. If one day the domestic Windows really cracks down on piracy, then Linux’s spring will have arrived! However, Linux still has a long way to go, and the road ahead is long.
Some say that if Linux is free, then domestic Windows can also be considered “free,” as very few users pay for Windows. Therefore, Linux does not have a pricing advantage. The issue of payment differences is subjective!
2. Software and Support
Windows Platform: Advantages in quantity and quality, but most are paid software; important support and services are provided by Microsoft;
Linux Platform: Mostly open-source free software, users can modify, customize, and redistribute. Due to lack of funding support, some software may lack quality and experience; supported by global Linux developers and free software communities.
3. Security
Windows Platform: Regularly installs system security updates, yet still gets viruses and malware; users can feel this themselves.
Linux Platform: To say Linux has no security issues would be impossible. It is unlikely to get viruses, etc., but this is subjective; relatively speaking, it is definitely more secure than Windows. You also don’t need to install antivirus software when using Linux.
4. Open Source
Open source means the software source code is open to the public. If a legitimate independent commercial entity’s intellectual property and asset rights are publicly invaded or persecuted by political power, that is the open-source issue Microsoft faces in Europe (whether Microsoft is a villain is another matter and does not justify vandalism). Software vendors have the right to choose whether to be open source; whether to purchase or use this product is the user’s right.
However, the benefit of open-source also has its downsides: if problems arise, the customer service may not be as good as commercial systems. Many non-technical users are hesitant to take this gamble.
In fact, if Linux were not open source, would it have the current market? Many people use Linux specifically because of its open-source nature.
5. Usage Habits
Similar aspects: desktop, icons, mouse clicks, is there a difference? The difference is that Windows has abandoned DOS’s character mode, focusing on the graphical interface, making the desktop system easier to use. Linux runs better in character mode, and the graphical interface is just an accessory, optional. Based on their release times, it can only be said that Linux picked up what Windows discarded and developed it further.
However, in actual operation, I have heard many colleagues testing software complain about Linux’s interface being extremely ugly, with very few functions. The most complaints are about its input method; after trying several, none were satisfactory.
6. Technical Support
If you are unfamiliar with or have never used a computer:
Learning Windows: Anyone who has been online can guide you a bit. Learning Linux: Haha, self-learning is a bit challenging; you need to read books or watch series of videos.
If you are familiar with computers and the internet, there is actually no difference between Windows and Linux; there are various resources online for you to check. However, finding someone to repair a Windows computer is much easier than finding someone to fix a Linux computer! That’s the truth!
7. Key Differences Between Linux and Windows
① Linux is case-sensitive, while Windows commands in DOS mode are not case-sensitive;
② Everything in Linux is saved as a file, including hardware and users, whereas Windows files and hardware are unrelated;
③ Windows uses file extensions to differentiate files, such as .exe for executable files and .txt for text files, while Linux does not have the concept of file extensions. Of course, to facilitate differentiation for administrators, some extensions like .gz, .bz2, .tar.bz2 represent compressed packages, and .html, .php represent web files. These are purely for the convenience of administrators but Linux itself does not have file extensions; Linux differentiates files based on permissions, with a total of ten positions (which can be viewed with ls -l). For example, -rw-r–r–, the first position represents file permissions, and there are seven types of files in Linux:
– represents a regular file
d represents a directory file
l represents a link file
b represents a block device file
s represents a socket file
p represents a pipe file
c represents a character device file
The following three positions represent the permissions of the owner, group, and others.
④ An .exe file in Windows cannot be directly installed and run in Linux, while most of Linux is character-based, significantly increasing the security of the Linux system and reducing the possibility of malware attacks. Additionally, the character interface in Linux consumes fewer system resources than the graphical interface in Windows.