Linux-0.01
Linux-0.01 is the first publicly released version of the Linux operating system, which was announced by Linus Torvalds on August 25, 1991. This initial release was pivotal in the history of open-source software and the development of what would become one of the most influential operating systems in computing.
Background
Linus Torvalds, then a student at the University of Helsinki, started working on Linux in 1991 after being inspired by Minix, a small Unix-like operating system created by Andrew S. Tanenbaum for educational purposes. Torvalds aimed to create an operating system that would be compatible with the Intel 80386 microprocessor, which was not directly supported by Minix.
Release and Features
- Announcement: The release was announced in a post to the Usenet group comp.os.minix, where Torvalds invited comments and suggestions.
- Size: The entire system was extremely small, fitting on a single 1.44 MB floppy disk.
- Components:
- The kernel was very basic, supporting only a minimal set of hardware.
- It included a rudimentary shell, GCC (GNU Compiler Collection) for compiling programs, and basic utilities like Bash.
- It did not have a graphical user interface; all interaction was via command line.
- License: Initially, there was no clear license, but it was later released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which was crucial for its development as an open-source project.
Development and Reception
The release of Linux-0.01 was met with both skepticism and enthusiasm:
- Some dismissed it as a toy project, while others saw its potential.
- Over time, the community grew, and contributions from around the world helped shape Linux into a robust operating system.
Historical Context
At the time of its release:
- Proprietary operating systems like Unix were dominant, with licensing fees making it expensive for widespread personal use.
- The idea of an operating system being developed openly over the Internet was novel and helped to foster the open-source movement.
Legacy
Linux-0.01 laid the foundation for:
- The rapid evolution of the Linux kernel.
- The growth of the open-source software community.
- The creation of numerous Linux distributions tailored for different needs.
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