Choosing the Right Linux Distribution
In this chapter, we will dive into the Linux world from the very beginning. We will briefly touch on Linux history, explain what a distribution is, and explain what to take into account when choosing one for production use. You are not expected to know anything about Linux, its administration, or the cloud. If you don’t understand some words that we use, worry not. There shouldn’t be a lot of confusing terminology in this chapter, and if there is, we will explain it in later chapters. When you finish reading this chapter, you should be able to understand why there are so many Linuxes out there, how much you should expect to pay for it, and how to think about choosing the right Linux for yourself.
In this chapter, we will cover the following main topics:
- What is Linux and what is a Linux distribution?
- What can you use to help you make the right decision?
- Several major Linux distributions that are quite popular today