Unix-like

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Unix-like refers to operating systems that behave in a manner similar to the Unix operating system. These systems are often characterized by their adherence to the POSIX standard, which defines a set of operating system interfaces. Unix-like systems are widely used in both servers and workstations, and they form the basis for many modern operating systems.

History

The term "Unix-like" emerged as various operating systems began to adopt features and design principles from the original Unix system, which was developed at Bell Labs in the early 1970s. The Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) and System V are two major branches of Unix that have influenced many Unix-like systems.

Characteristics

Unix-like systems typically share several key characteristics:

• **Multitasking**: The ability to run multiple processes simultaneously.
• **Multiuser**: Support for multiple users accessing the system concurrently.
• **Hierarchical file system**: A directory structure that organizes files in a tree-like hierarchy.
• **Shell**: A command-line interface that allows users to interact with the system.
• **Portability**: The ability to run on various hardware platforms.

Examples of Unix-like Systems

• Linux: An open-source Unix-like operating system kernel created by Linus Torvalds.
• BSD: A family of Unix-like operating systems derived from the Berkeley Software Distribution.
• macOS: A Unix-like operating system developed by Apple Inc., based on the Darwin operating system.
• Solaris: A Unix-like operating system originally developed by Sun Microsystems.

POSIX Compliance

Many Unix-like systems aim to comply with the POSIX (Portable Operating System Interface) standard, which ensures compatibility and interoperability between different systems. POSIX defines a set of APIs, command-line utilities, and shell scripting capabilities.

Related Concepts

• Kernel: The core component of an operating system that manages system resources.
• Shell: A command-line interpreter that provides a user interface for the Unix-like operating system.
• File system: The method and data structures that an operating system uses to manage files on a disk or partition.
• Process: An instance of a program in execution.

See Also

• Unix
• POSIX
• Linux
• BSD
• macOS
• Solaris (operating system)
• Kernel (operating system)
• Shell (computing)
• File system
• Process (computing)