We need an operating system to instruct our computer and get results. Besides MS Windows, the operating system is MSDOS, Unix, GNU / Linux. In our daily life, we are used to Microsoft Windows due to its simple GUI usage. In this article, we delve into the key differences between GNU and Unix.
GNU vs Unix
The main difference between GNU and Unix is that GNU is free source code, while Unix is a trademark. GNU can be used by anyone, while Unix is paid, if you want to use Unix you have to pay. GNU was developed during the software movement, a collection of software that can run an operating system. Unix, on the other hand, is considered the basic operating system that was developed a long time ago.
GNU was developed as a project during the software movement. Richard Stallman began developing GNU in 1984 in a 1983 initiative. GNU is also known as GNU’s Not Unix, which means that it is not a derivative of Unix. GNU has a completely different code set that is inconsistent with Unix. It is a combination of a large amount of free software that is freely accessible to the public.
Unix was introduced as an operating system in the 1960s. Since then it has been adopted by several companies who modified the version and started their own operating system. It is considered the father of many of these operating systems. Other features of Unix include its multitasking capabilities and multiple users can use it at the same time.
Comparison Table Between GNU And Unix
| Parameters of Comparison | GNU | Unix |
| Function | Requires a kernel to function. | It already has a kernel and a shell and thus functions on its own. |
| shell and kernel | It uses its own shell but uses a Unix-like kernel. | It consists of its own kernel and shell. |
| Source code | open | closed |
| Origin | Richard Stallman developed it. | Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie developed it for bell labs. |
| Logo | Penguin or dark antelope | Letters of its name |
What is GNU?
During the software movement, Richard Stallman began developing GNU in 1984. It is compiled with several free programs. It was designed with the idea that it will be available to everyone. Therefore, the source code was kept open. Inspiration came from Unix, the basic operating system.
Gnu may be inspired by Unix, but its code is completely different from Unix. GNU provides us with a free source code. We don’t have to pay to use it. It is not owned by a brand like Unix. GNU was a project work licensed under the General Public License or GPL. Also, GNU cannot operate on its own because it lacks the kernel; the kernel is the medium through which the software interprets its code to the hardware. GNU is compiled with open-source software that anyone can use as needed. But it does need an operating system to run on a computer. In this way, GNU is combined with the Linux kernel to create the GNU / Linux operating system.
Etienne Suvasa designed the GNU logo, later it was modified by Aurelio Heckert. The Free Software Foundation published the logo in 2013. It is a penguin or dark antelope. Most popular is the penguin logo known as Tux.
What is Unix?
Ken Thompson and Dennis Ritchie designed Unix at bell labs. It was evolved in the 60s. Unix has been modified by various companies and organizations, and they have created their own operating system that implements and modifies Unix codes. In addition to being the basic operating system, Unix can be used by one or more users at the same time. The operating system is also capable of multitasking.
Unix comprises a kernel and shell. The kernel basically encompasses file storage, time, memory space, and so on, whereas the shell converts our commands into a binary number that is readable by the computer. Unix logo is just a normal plain text showing its letters.
Other features of Unix include communication, providing security in three layers, the first being passwords, then encryption, and finally permission to read, write or execute files. In addition, its characteristics also describe its portability, which means it can be moved from one machine to another.
Some Unix extensions are IBM AIX, SUN Solaris, Mac OS, HPUX. These companies implemented Unix code, modified it, and produced their own operating systems. During that time they priced this OS up to $5000, they were not freely accessible. Unix is also a trademark. Unix is written in C language.
Main Differences Between GNU and Unix
- GNU requires a kernel to function whereas Unix could function on its own.
- GNU uses its own shell and a Unix-like kernel while Unix has its own kernel and shell.
- GNU is licensed under General Public License, it is openly available to all. Unix on the other hand is owned by bell labs.
- Richard Stallman developed GNU in 1984, Unix was designed in the 1960s.
- GNU uses either a penguin or a dark antelope as its logo, Unix uses just its name written in plaintext as its logo.
Conclusion
During the software movement, Richard Stallman began developing GNU in 1984. The inspiration came from Unix, the basic operating system. GNU may be inspired by Unix, but its code is completely different from Unix. GNU provides us with a free source code. Also, GNU cannot work on its own because it lacks the kernel; The kernel is the medium through which software interprets its code to hardware. GNU is compiled with open-source software that anyone can use as needed. The Free Software Foundation published the logo in 2013.
Unix has been modified by various companies and organizations and they have developed their own operating system that implements and modifies Unix codes. In addition to being the basic operating system, Unix can be used by one or more users at the same time. Unix consists of a kernel and a shell. The kernel basically understands file storage, time, disk space, etc., while the shell converts our commands into a computer-readable binary number. These companies implemented and modified the Unix code and produced their own operating systems.
The fundamental distinction between GNU and Unix is that GNU is a free supply code, at the same time as Unix is a trademark. Everyone can use GNU, at the same time as Unix is paid, you need to pay in case you need to apply to Unix.
References
- https://academic.oup.com/bioinformatics/article-abstract/33/12/1886/2975328
- https://eprints.soton.ac.uk/256840/