Linus Torvalds had a lasting impact on the world of software engineering with his visionary idea of developing an operating system based on open and freely accessible source code. The open-source license of “Linux” enabled developers worldwide to access, improve and extend the code. This collaborative approach has not only made “Linux” one of the most robust operating systems in the world but has also revolutionized software development and set new standards for transparency and collaboration throughout the IT industry.
From “Commodore VIC-20” to the Linux kernel
Linus Torvalds was born on December 28, 1969, in Helsinki, Finland. Torvalds was already interested in computers at the age of 10 and attempted his first programming on his grandfather’s computer, a “Commodore VIC-20”. While studying computer science at the University of Helsinki, he bought his first computer. It ran on a disk operating system from Microsoft but Torvalds preferred the Unix operating system that he had learned about at university. However, this was designed for mainframe computers and workstations, not for the PCs that were common at the time. He then decided to develop his own PC-based version of Unix, which he called “Linux”.
The rise of Linux
In 1991, Torvalds presented the Linux kernel, the central element of the operating system that enables communication between hardware and the software running on it, as open-source software. He released an early version of the system for free use on the Internet in 1992. Over the next few years, “Linux” saw continuous development under Torvalds’ guidance, with volunteer programmers from all over the world making a significant contribution and transforming the operating system into a community project. This innovative and collaborative approach earned Torvalds such recognition that he obtained a position as a research assistant at the University of Helsinki. His master’s thesis in 1997 dealt with the operating system he had developed and attracted attention in the professional world.
Torvalds‘ commitment to open-source principles
After graduating from university, Linus Torvalds moved to Silicon Valley in California with his family and began working for a processor manufacturer, in addition to further developing “Linux”. By 1999, “Linux” had spread millions of times worldwide. Thanks to the extensive knowledge that went into its development and improvement, it became one of the most widespread and stable operating systems in the world. Torvalds’ philosophy also stood for the free and creative use of the new electronic media, as envisioned by its original developers. In this way, “Linux” formed a counter-design to the ever-increasing commercialization by large companies.
Building a global software community
Torvalds’ strong commitment to open-source principles has been essential in building a community that shares and develops knowledge. Today, Torvalds is at the service of the Linux Foundation, which promotes cooperation between developers from industry, academia, and freelancers. The aim of the foundation is to develop standardized open-source software and hardware solutions that can be used by anyone without restriction.
Fun Fact:
According to some reports, Linus Torvalds initially considered naming his kernel “Freax”, a fusion of “Unix” and “free”. On the advice of a colleague, he decided on “Linux”.
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