Linux is not a computer itself, but rather an operating system. It is an open-source operating system kernel that serves as the foundation for various Linux-based operating systems. Linux was originally created by Linus Torvalds in 1991 and has since grown into a widely used and influential operating system.

Unlike commercial operating systems such as Windows or macOS, Linux is distributed under open-source licenses, allowing users to access and modify the source code. This openness has fostered a vast community of developers who contribute to the development and improvement of Linux-based operating systems.

Linux is known for its stability, security, and flexibility. It is used on a wide range of devices, from ,personal computers to servers, supercomputers, smartphones, and embedded systems. Popular Linux distributions (or "distros") include Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, CentOS, and Linux, Mint.