Linux Parts of a linux OS?

challapradyumna

challapradyumna

Disciple
For a linux OS the base is kernel which acts as a bridge between the hardware and the software. Then there are desktop environments like Gnome ,kde , lxde . So what are the other parts that constitute a linux OS?
 
Linux has many parts you have to be specific about your area of interest, I have jotted down few common terms -

Bootloader - GRUB (Primarily) , Lilo,Loadin

Ram Disk - INITRD, systemd, UPStart

Kernel - Linux Kernel

Display Server - Xorg/X-Server (Mainly used) , Wayland

Display Manager (Log in Screen in layman language) - Depends on the Desktop Environment you use, Ubuntu uses LIghtDm, Gnome has GDM, KDE has KDM and so on.

Desktop Environment - Gnome, KDE , XFCE

Desktop Shells - Plasma (KDE), Gnome-shell (from 3.0), Unity

Windows Manger - Kwin, Metacity, Compiz, Fluxbox

Windows Decoration - Emerald, DE decorating components managed by WM

Sound Server - ALSA, OSS, Pulse

Input Management - Managed by the X , a module / interface called DRI

Driver Management - MESA, Xorg, and other proprietary drivers.

Package Manager - Debian, RPM, Entropy, URPMI, yum, pacman

Wrapper for GUI Management - Ubuntu Software Center (Ubuntu), RpmDrake (DMV), YAST (Suse), PackageKit (Fedora , Kubuntu)

Each branch has diverse assortment of tools and utilities and are further divided in many sections.

What else ?
 
challapradyumna said:
@darkstar that is more than what i expected but i want to know what are the minimum things that are needed to run a stable OS?
Click to expand...

Totally depends on your needs. Minimum thing can be kernel, bootloader, and a sound sever. All CLI based setup with the general linker, loader, compilers.
 
redhatperl said:
For GUI - it's Xserver
Click to expand...

X-Server is not a GUI< its an interface that provides you API and tools for creating GUI on top of it, X server and wayland are display server that manages the input/output to and from the screen
challapradyumna said:
So i can create my own flavour by installing my favourate softwares form each of the category ??
Click to expand...

Yes. But its not that easy as its sound, only kernel, X or alsa won't make a distro, there are many peculiarities that are needed, linker loader compiler bindings and many more. Thats why DIY distro like arch, gentoo are preferred .
 
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