Date: Thu, 9 Oct 1997 20:05:45 +0930 From: Greg Lehey <grog@lemis.com> To: Robert Rusk <rrusk@thorung.eeng.dcu.ie> Cc: freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: Linux vs freeBSD Message-ID: <19971009200545.24922@lemis.com> In-Reply-To: <343D1CA7.47F7@ugmail.eeng.dcu.ie>; from Robert Rusk on Thu, Oct 09, 1997 at 11:04:24AM -0700 References: <343D1CA7.47F7@ugmail.eeng.dcu.ie>
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On Thu, Oct 09, 1997 at 11:04:24AM -0700, Robert Rusk wrote:
> I'm just wondering what advantages freeBSD has over Linux.
> If you could enlighten me on this matter I would be most grateful
That's a hot potato. A lot of people get fanatical about the
question. Still, I've just had to write this up for the new edition
of "The Complete FreeBSD", so here goes. I welcome any comments or
corrections.
Greg
What about Linux?
Linux is a clone of UNIX written by Linus Torvalds, a student in Helsinki,
Finland. At the time, the BSD sources were not freely available, and so Linus
wrote his own version of UNIX.
Linux is a superb example of how a few dedicated, clever people can produce an
operating system that is better than well-known commercial systems developed by
a large number of trained software engineers. It is better even than a number
of commercial UNIX systems.
Obviously, I don't think Linux is as good as FreeBSD, or I wouldn't be writing
this book, but the differences between FreeBSD and Linux are more a matter of
philosophy rather than of concept. Here are a few contrasts:
Table 1-1. Differences between FreeBSD and Linux
FreeBSD is a direct descendent of the Linux is a clone and never contained any
original UNIX, though it contains no AT&T code
residual AT&T code.
FreeBSD is a complete operating system, Linux is a kernel, personally maintained
maintained by a central group of soft- by a Linus Torvalds. The non-kernel
ware developers. There is only one programs supplied with Linux are part of
release of FreeBSD. a distribution, of which there are sev-
eral.
FreeBSD aims to be a stable production Linux is still a ``bleeding edge'' de-
environment. velopment environment, though many dis-
tributions aim to make it more suitable
for production use.
FreeBSD is still relatively unknown, Linux did not have any lawsuits to
since its distribution was restricted contend with, so for a long time it was
for a long time due to the AT&T law- the only free UNIX-type system avail-
suits. able.
As a result of the lack of knowledge of A growing amount of commercial software
FreeBSD, not much commercial software is is becoming available for Linux.
available for it.
As a result of the smaller user base, Just about any new board will soon have
fewer drivers are available for FreeBSD a driver for Linux.
than for Linux.
Because of the lack of commercial appli- Linux appears not to need to be able to
cations and drivers, FreeBSD will run run FreeBSD programs or drivers.
most Linux program. The drivers can
also be ported relatively simply.
FreeBSD has a large number of afficiona- Linux has a large number of afficionados
dos who are prepared to flame anybody who are prepared to flame anybody who
who dares suggest that it's not better dares suggest that it's not better than
than Linux. FreeBSD.
In summary, Linux is also a very good operating system. For many, it's better
than FreeBSD. It's a pity that so many people on both sides are prepared to
flame each other.
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