[wplug] Re: GNU/Linux or Politically Correct Computing
Steven Leach
stevenaleach at mac.com
Tue Feb 17 16:44:10 EST 2004
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From The UNIX Programming Environment, Kernighan and Pike
Copyright 1984 Bell Laboratories, Incorporated
Page 1
What is "UNIX"? In the narrowest sense, it is a time-sharing operating
system kernel...<snip>
In a broader sence, "UNIX" is often taken to include not only the
kernel, but also essential programs like compilers, editors, command
languages, programs for copying and printing files, and so on.
Still more broadly, "UNIX" may even include programs developed by you
or other users to be run on your system, such as tools for document
preparation, routines for statistical analysis, and graphics packages.
Which of these uses for the name "UNIX" is correct depends on which
level of the system you are considering. When we use "UNIX" in the
rest of this book, context should indicate which meaning is implied.
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The word Linux is just as ambiguous as the word UNIX.
It is perfectly acceptable to refer to a Linux operating system as
Linux. As someone pointed out earlier, Linux is technically supposed
to refer to the kernel only, but it is clear than in standard usage
this is not the case. The kernel is usually referred to as either "The
Linux Kernel" or as simply "The Kernel" in contexts where it is not
necessary to specify.
Linux, however, is nearly universally used as a shorthand for "The
Linux Operating System" regardless of distribution of configuration.
Or think of it this way: If someone posted a message to say
debian-user that said "how do I recompile Linux?" they would appear to
be a moron and would probably not get any useful responses like they
would if they posted "how do I recompile the kernel".
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http://homepage.mac.com/stevenaleach/
I am not cynical. I am not bitter. I just believe that if you aren't
angry then you aren't paying enough attention.
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