Why Choose Linux Over Windows for Embedded Systems?

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Why is Linux dominating the embedded field now, rather than Windows? This has a lot to do with their development.

The UNIX system was open-source and free as early as the 1970s. However, on a day in 1979, AT&T announced a commercialization plan for the UNIX system, which transformed the open-source software industry into a copyright software industry. The source code was treated as a commercial secret and became a patented product, and from then on, people could no longer freely enjoy the fruits of technology.

So in 1984, Richard Stallman, faced with such a closed software creation environment, initiated the GNU source code open plan and established the famous GPL licensing agreement.

Richard Stallman, the leader of the Free Software Movement and the founder of the GNU Project.

Richard Stallman

In 1987, the GNU project made a significant breakthrough by releasing the gcc compiler, allowing programmers to write their own open-source software based on this compiler. Subsequently, in October 1991, Linus Torvalds, a student at the University of Helsinki in Finland, wrote an operating system called Linux, which quickly gained support from the GNU project and many hacker programmers due to its high code quality and open-source nature based on the GNU GPL license, and thus the Linux system entered a vigorous development stage.

Linus Torvalds: Creator of the Linux Kernel

In January 1994, Bob Young (founder of Red Hat) integrated numerous source codes and programs based on the Linux kernel, released the Red Hat system, and began selling technical services, further promoting the popularity of the Linux system.

Bob Young: Co-founder and former CEO of Red Hat

After 1998, with the continued popularity of the GNU source code open plan and the Linux system, several IT giants, led by IBM and Intel, began to vigorously promote the development of open-source software.

By the end of 2017, the Linux kernel had developed to version 4.13, and there were hundreds of versions of the Linux system, but they all still used the Linux kernel developed and maintained by Linus Torvalds. Red Hat also became the leading company in the open-source industry and Linux system.

Readers who are new to Linux may have a question: Windows is also very user-friendly and can meet daily work needs. Why should we learn the Linux system?

Some beginners might say that “Linux is open-source” as the answer to this question, but that is not the case. There are at least 100 open-source operating systems, and at least 100,000 open-source software applications. Why not study each one? The open-source nature of Linux is just one of its advantages and not the main reason for learning Linux.

For users, the open-source spirit only adds to the benefits; the real reason is that the Linux system is an excellent software product, with a UNIX-like program interface, and inherits the stability of UNIX, which can better meet work requirements.

Most readers probably started learning about computers and networks from Microsoft’s Windows system. Objectively speaking, Windows is indeed excellent, but it is difficult to be satisfied in terms of security, high availability, and high performance. For example, if you often use Windows, you should have seen the interface shown in the following image:

Windows System Crash

At this point, everyone should realize why Linux is used in environments that require long-term stable operation, such as website servers, big data cluster systems, and collaborative working environments.

Advantages of Linux Over Windows

The differences between Linux and Windows systems lie in that Linux is stable and efficient, free or low-cost, has fewer vulnerabilities and quick patches, supports multitasking and multiple users, has a more secure user and file permission policy, is suitable for small kernel embedded systems, and consumes relatively fewer resources.

References:

http://c.biancheng.net/view/5837.html

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