What is the Difference Between the Linux Kernel and the Linux System? You’ll Understand After Reading This!

Introduction: Why Can Your Computer Run?

When you write code on Ubuntu, browse the web on Fedora, or come across news about the “HarmonyOS computer coming soon” on your phone, have you ever wondered how these systems actually work behind the scenes? The key to the answer lies in the relationship between the Linux kernel and the Linux system. Today, we will break down this inseparable technical duo in the simplest terms!

1. Kernel vs System: Who is the “Boss”?

1. Linux Kernel: The “Heart” of the Operating System

• Function The kernel is the “underlying commander” of the computer, directly managing hardware resources such as the CPU, memory, and hard disk. It is responsible for core tasks like process scheduling, memory allocation, and hardware driver management, much like an engine provides the basic power for a car.
• Characteristics The kernel itself does not have a graphical interface or user tools; it is merely a “behind-the-scenes worker”. For example, the Linux 6.15 kernel introduced precise fixes for vulnerabilities in Intel’s hybrid architecture CPUs, but ordinary users are hardly aware of these changes.

2. Linux System: The “Luxury Package” of the Kernel

• Composition The Linux system (i.e., distribution) = kernel + toolchain + software ecosystem + desktop environment. For instance, Ubuntu 25.04 not only includes the Linux 6.14 kernel but also integrates the GNOME 48 desktop, Firefox browser, and even replaces the default PDF reader with Papers, which is written in Rust.
• Diversity The same kernel can give rise to different systems. For example, Ubuntu, based on the Linux 6.14 kernel, emphasizes ease of use, while Fedora focuses more on adapting to new features.

2. The “Division of Labor and Cooperation” Between Kernel and System

1. Different Update Rhythms

• Kernel Updates Quickly The Linux kernel community releases new versions every 2-3 months (e.g., 6.14 → 6.15), focusing on hardware support and security patches. For example, Linux 6.15 will optimize the performance of AMD Zen 3+ processors and support new hardware like the Apple Touch Bar.
• System Updates are More Cautious Distributions will “select” stable kernels and maintain them for a long time. For instance, Ubuntu 25.04 chooses the Linux 6.14 kernel, while the older Ubuntu 24.04 LTS still relies on an earlier kernel to ensure stability.

2. Differences in User Perception

• Kernel Upgrades Ordinary users may only care about whether the “system runs faster” or “is compatible with new graphics cards”, while developers pay attention to the trend of Rust in kernel code—more drivers may be written in Rust in the future to enhance security.
• System Upgrades Users experience more intuitive changes in the interface (such as UI improvements in GNOME 48) or pre-installed software updates (like LibreOffice 25.2).

3. Real-World Cases: The “Love-Hate Relationship” Between Kernel and System

1. Insights from HarmonyOS Computers

The Huawei HarmonyOS PC attempts to challenge Windows, but its foundation still relies on the hardware compatibility of the Linux kernel. However, domestic systems face long-term ecological challenges: Windows has 700,000 applications, while HarmonyOS needs to build a native ecosystem from scratch, even relying on virtual machines for transition. This precisely illustrates that: no matter how strong the kernel is, it needs the support of a system ecosystem.

2. The “Mutual Cooperation” of Ubuntu and the Kernel

Ubuntu 25.04 Beta optimizes the Netplan network configuration tool by integrating the Linux 6.14 kernel and removing the outdated SysV init system. This model of “the kernel lays the foundation, and the system optimizes” is key to the prosperity of the Linux ecosystem.

4. Technical Trends: The Future of Kernel and System

1. The Rise of Rust The Linux kernel is gradually adopting Rust for driver development to address memory safety issues in C. For example, future NVMe or GPU drivers may be among the first to be “Rustified”.
2. Hybrid Architecture Optimization With the popularity of Intel’s big.LITTLE architecture CPUs, the kernel needs to more accurately distinguish between performance cores (P cores) and efficiency cores (E cores) for task allocation, avoiding “one-size-fits-all” performance losses.
3. All-Scenario Interconnectivity The distributed architecture of HarmonyOS provides insights into the future of the Linux ecosystem—where the kernel offers cross-device hardware scheduling capabilities, and the system layer achieves seamless collaboration between phones, PCs, and tablets.

Conclusion: Kernel and System, Both Are Indispensable

If we compare a computer to a car, the kernel is the engine, determining power and efficiency; the system is the entire vehicle, providing the steering wheel, seats, and entertainment systems. Without the kernel, the system cannot run; without the system, the kernel is useless.

Whether developers are learning kernel source code or users are choosing Ubuntu or HarmonyOS, understanding this relationship will help you navigate the digital world more confidently.

References

• Differences Between Linux Kernel and Operating System (Yisuyun)
• Details on Ubuntu 25.04 Beta Release (Tencent News)
• Analysis of HarmonyOS Computer Ecological Challenges (Tencent News)