Linux Torvalds
Linus Torvalds is a Finnish-American software engineer who is best known for creating the Linux kernel, which is the foundation of the Linux operating system. Here's an in-depth look into his contributions and background:
Early Life and Education
- Linus Benedict Torvalds was born on December 28, 1969, in Helsinki, Finland.
- He studied at the University of Helsinki, where he pursued a degree in computer science.
- During his time at university, Torvalds became interested in operating systems, particularly Unix, which influenced his later work on Linux.
Creation of Linux
- In 1991, while at the University of Helsinki, Torvalds began developing what would become the Linux kernel. He was inspired by Minix, a small Unix-like operating system.
- The first public release of Linux was on September 17, 1991, when Torvalds announced the project on the Usenet newsgroup "comp.os.minix."
- He chose the name "Linux" partly as a play on his own name and partly because "Linux" was a combination of "Linus" and "Unix."
Development and Open Source
- Torvalds released the Linux kernel under the GNU General Public License, which made it an open-source project. This decision was crucial for its widespread adoption.
- Over time, Linux became the kernel for various distributions like Debian, Ubuntu, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, among others.
- He has been very active in maintaining the kernel, managing its development, and ensuring its growth through community contributions.
Notable Contributions and Awards
- Torvalds has received numerous awards, including the Millennium Technology Prize in 2012, which is often referred to as the "Nobel Prize for Technology."
- He was also awarded the Lovelace Medal in 2000 by the British Computer Society for his contributions to computing.
Current Role and Influence
- As of now, Torvalds continues to oversee the development of the Linux kernel, with his primary role being the "benevolent dictator for life" (BDFL) of the project.
- He also works on Git, a distributed version control system he created to better manage Linux development.
Publications and Personal Life
- Torvalds co-wrote the book Just for Fun: The Story of an Accidental Revolutionary with David Diamond, detailing his life and the creation of Linux.
- He is known for his straightforward, sometimes blunt communication style, especially in emails and on mailing lists related to Linux development.
External Links
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