Why Linux is ACTUALLY GNU/Linux

I’m sure a handful of people commented on my full video “it’s not Linux! It’s GNU/Linux!” It’s a bit more nuanced than than. The Linux kernel is just Linux, but what most people refer to as Linux today, the distributions, is GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux.
GNU played an incredibly important role in the development of Linux as we know it. As a matter of fact, in the “Notes for linux release 0.01”, Torvalds lists the GNU software that is required to run Linux:
"Sadly, a kernel by itself gets you nowhere. To get a working system you need a shell, compilers, a library etc. These are separate parts and may be under a stricter (or even looser) copyright. Most of the tools used with linux are GNU software and are under the GNU copyleft. These tools aren't in the distribution (although, I think a binary of GNU’s bash shell actually was) - ask me (or GNU) for more info."
In 1992, Torvalds suggested releasing the kernel under the GNU General Public License instead of its very own license it had been using, and did so that December. Linux and GNU developers worked to integrate GNU components with Linux to make a fully functional and free operating system.

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[baggier]

1 month user: Linux
1 year user: AkShULLY ItS GnU/LiNuX 🤓☝️
10 year user: yup Linux, sure

[Jaydoff]

Such a clean loop. Using those YouTuber audience engagement techniques I see.

[ganode]

That loop was just **chef's kiss**

[realthunder]

Alpine Linux and other BusyBox+Linux systems : Bonjour!

[perritobrodersen]

GNU is not the rest of the system it's only parts of the basic tools making up the system. GNU is one project out of many making up the modular system called Linux. The reason to use Linux as the name is because it's simple, it sounds good and great as an identity. But you're right Linux and Gnu are only two projects out of many making up Linux or whatever you would call it.

[firebadnofire]

"I use Linux as my operating system, " I state proudly to the unkempt, bearded man. He swivels around in his desk chair with a devilish gleam in his eyes, ready to beardsplain with extreme precision. "Actually", he says with a grin, "Linux is just the kernel. You use GNU+Linux!' I don't miss a beat and reply with a smirk, "I use Alpine, a distro that doesn't include the GNU coreutils, or any other GNU code. It's Linux, but it's not GNU+Linux."

The smile quickly drops from the man's face. His body begins convulsing and he foams at the mouth and drops to the floor with a sickly thud. As he writhes around he screams "I-IT WAS COMPILED WITH GCC! THAT MEANS IT'S STILL GNU!" Coolly, I reply "If windows was compiled with gcc, would that make it GNU?" I interrupt his response with "-and work is being made on the kernel to make it more compiler-agnostic. Even if you were correct, you won't be for long."

With a sickly wheeze, the last of the man's life is ejected from his body. He lies on the floor, cold and limp. I've muslpilled him to death.

[MrMaxRiley]

Yeah, but if we kept listing off the core components of a lot of Linux distros, wouldn't it be something along the lines of GNU + Linux + Systemd + GNOME (or any DE/WM), etc.? Cool short!

[sougamerz_]

I am one of those people who would like to interject for a moment. What you’re referring to as Linux, is in fact, GNU/Linux, or as I’ve recently taken to calling it, GNU plus Linux. Linux is not an operating system unto itself, but rather another free component of a fully functioning GNU system made useful by the GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX. Many computer users run a modified version of the GNU system every day, without realizing it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the version of GNU which is widely used today is often called “Linux”, and many of its users are not aware that it is basically the GNU system, developed by the GNU Project. There really is a Linux, and these people are using it, but it is just a part of the system they use. Linux is the kernel: the program in the system that allocates the machine’s resources to the other programs that you run. The kernel is an essential part of an operating system, but useless by itself; it can only function in the context of a complete operating system. Linux is normally used in combination with the GNU operating system: the whole system is basically GNU with Linux added, or GNU/Linux. All the so-called “Linux” distributions are really distributions of GNU/Linux.

[sainishwanth]

At this point why not it call it GNU/SYSTEMD/GNOME(OR KDE OR WHATEVER DM/WM)/LINUX

I like and respect Richard Stallman but this whole gnu/linux debacle is just dumb

[Gamer-cthb]

Nope that's a lie for me. I use sbase+Linux. It's just stupid. You don't call linux grub+Linux. Alot of distros use grub. More than than gnu+linux users. There is no point.

[vegabro]

HI, kindly, make a video on chatgpt 4 and what skills beginners should learn in 2023

[waltz]

But so are many other things that makes up the full operating system that aren’t just GNU. Should I also call my OS and so on? It would be more appropriate to call it a “Linux-based” operating system. That’s technically more accurate than “GNU/Linux”.

[douglasknapp]

There's always that one guy... We call him pedantic...

[hehehepaitachato]

there is a flaw in this logic. hardly you would use an operating system alone, and commonly installed programs as browsers, windows managers, displays protocols, init systems, aren't requested to be referred as well. Never saw anyone complaining about not using

[prked]

I'd just like to interject for a moment.

What you're referring to as "Linux", is in fact, Systemd/Linux, or as I've recently taken to calling it, Systemd plus Linux

[ahuvagottdiener]

I'd like to interject for a moment. What you are referring to as Gnu/linux Is actually called linux Or as i've been personally starting to call it linux With Gnu Seasoning

[nitrogenez]

i just call Linux system Linux and Linux kernel Linux kernel.

distributions are not forced to ship gnutils by default.

only nerds cal it gnu/Linux

[funoolesbian]

The technical motive for saying gnu ÷ linux is boring. The ethical reason for keeping gnu alive in the minds of computer users is more important. We very well might not have had half the major developments in computing over the past 30 years without the GPL and the fundamental tools that gnu made accessible. But whats most important is why those tools are accesible at all. We should care because if we dont, then someday we wont be allowed to. That sucks

[mmoonman]

I'd just like to interject for a moment. What you're referring to as "GNU Linux" is in fact called "GNU *SLASH* Linux", or as I've taken to calling it recently "GNU FORWARD-SLASH Linux".

What you're referring to as "GNU Linux" actually comprises two separate free components of a fully functioning GNU/Linux system made useful by a Linux Kernel and GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components comprising a full OS as defined by POSIX.

Many computer users run versions of GNU/SLASH/Linux every day, without realising it. Through a peculiar turn of events, the versions of GNU and Linux that are widely used today are often called "GNU Linux", and many users are not aware that these are separate systems developed by the GNU Project and Linux foundation, respectively.

There really is a GNU, and there really is a Linux, and these people are using them, but these are separate parts of the system they use. The GNU corelibs, shell utilities and vital system components are essential parts of the operating system, but useless by themselves. They can only function in combination with the Linux kernel. All the so-called "GNU Linux" distributions are really distributions of GNU/SLASH/Linux!

[motsyrhc]

Busybox/Linux is a thing though and is separate from GNU altogether