Linux terms, explained
The words you will meet when choosing a Linux distribution, defined in a sentence or two.
- Linux distribution (distro)
- A complete operating system built around the Linux kernel, bundled with a package manager, system tools, and usually a desktop environment.
- Desktop environment
- The graphical interface: panels, menus, file manager, and settings. GNOME, KDE Plasma, Xfce, and Cinnamon are common examples. Many distributions offer several.
- Package manager
- The tool that installs, updates, and removes software from the distribution’s repositories, such as APT, DNF, Pacman, or Zypper.
- Stable (point) release
- A release model where major software versions are frozen for the life of a numbered release, and you upgrade to the next version periodically.
- Rolling release
- A release model with continuous updates and no version upgrades. You get new software quickly, with more frequent change.
- LTS (long-term support)
- A release that receives security and maintenance updates for an extended period, often five years or more.
- End of life (EOL)
- The date after which a release stops receiving security updates. Running an EOL release is a security risk.
- Atomic / immutable distro
- A system whose base is read-only and updated as a whole image, with the previous image kept for rollback.
- Init system
- The first process started at boot, which starts and supervises services. systemd is the most common; OpenRC, runit, and sysVinit are alternatives.
- Flatpak
- A cross-distribution format for sandboxed desktop applications, commonly installed from Flathub.
- Snap
- Canonical’s cross-distribution package format, integrated by default in Ubuntu.
- AUR (Arch User Repository)
- A community collection of build scripts for Arch-based systems. Packages are user-maintained and should be reviewed before installing.
- Live USB
- A bootable USB drive that runs a distribution without installing it, useful for testing hardware compatibility.
- Proton
- Valve’s compatibility layer, based on Wine, that runs many Windows games through Steam on Linux.
- Wine
- A compatibility layer that runs many Windows programs on Linux by translating Windows system calls, with no Windows installation needed. Proton, Bottles, and CrossOver are built on it. Results vary by program, so check each one before relying on it.
- Wayland
- The modern display protocol replacing X11 on most major desktops, with better security and smoother graphics.
- Kernel
- The core of the operating system that manages hardware, memory, and processes. Newer kernels generally support newer hardware.