Linux is a Kernel: Linux is essentially a kernel and not an operating system. The term “Linux” is commonly used to refer to operating systems based on the Linux kernel such as Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Mint, and so much more. These are correctly referred to as Linux distributions or flavours since they ride on the Linux Kernel, which is the core of any operating system and interfaces the underlying hardware with the operating system and installed applications.
100 Mind-Blowing Debian Facts
Hundreds of Linux Distributions: Currently, there are over 600 Linux distributions ranging from popular distributions (or distros) such as Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora to newer distributions such as Rocky and AlmaLinux.
Debian: The Mother of Many Linux Distributions: Debian was among the first GNU/Linux distributions to be community-driven. Debian 0.01 was the first Debian release and was made publicly available on September 15, 1993. Its first stable version – Debian 1.1 – was released on June 17, 1996. Debian is considered the ‘Mother’ of many Linux distributions. Popular Debian-based Linux distributions include Ubuntu, MX Linux, Deepin, and Pop! OS, Zorin OS, and Kali Linux to mention a few examples.
With many of its fundamental parts, package management system, and ideologies, Ubuntu is derived from the Debian Linux distribution. But Ubuntu stands out from the competition by emphasising usability, frequent release cycles, and intuitive features.