Welcome to the world of Linux! This guide is intended for first-time users and those transitionining from proprietary platforms. Here, we outline the structural concepts of Linux, its distributions, and how to understand release cycles.
Do not worry—although Linux works differently than other operating systems, it is highly logical and accessible once you learn a few fundamental concepts.
What are Linux, Ubuntu, and Distributions?
In the proprietary software world, a single company develops, distributes, and maintains the entire operating system. In the open-source world, systems are modular.
- The Linux Kernel: The core engine of the operating system that manages hardware communication, memory, and processes. It was originally released by Linus Torvalds in 1991.
- GNU Utilities: The user-space tools, compilers, and shells that run on top of the kernel.
- Distribution (Distro): A complete, packaged operating system combining the Linux kernel, GNU utilities, package management systems, and pre-configured applications. Examples include Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and Arch Linux.
Desktop Environments & Variants
One of the greatest strengths of Linux is modularity. Unlike other operating systems where the user interface is locked, Linux allows you to choose your Desktop Environment (DE).
While the underlying system libraries and core architecture remain identical, different distributions packages offer different interfaces:
- Ubuntu: The standard version, utilizing a customized GNOME desktop shell designed for modern usability.
- Kubuntu: Employs the KDE Plasma software suite, offering high customizability and a traditional desktop paradigm.
- Xubuntu: Features the Xfce desktop environment, which is highly stable and lightweight.
- Lubuntu: Utilizes LXQt, optimized specifically for energy efficiency and low-resource hardware.
Because the underlying core is identical, programs built for KDE can easily run on GNOME, and vice versa. You can install multiple desktop environments on a single machine and select your preferred interface at the login screen.
How Version Numbers & Releases Work
Linux distributions follow different release models. Some follow a “rolling release” (always updated, no distinct major versions), while others use “point releases” (scheduled lifecycle versions). Ubuntu uses scheduled point releases.
Understanding the Release Numbering
Ubuntu releases a new version every 6 months (in April and October). The version number represents the year and month of release:
- 22.04 was released in April (04) of 2022 (22).
- 24.04 was released in April (04) of 2024 (24).
- 24.10 was released in October (10) of 2024 (24).
Codenames
In addition to numbers, releases are assigned alphabetical animal codenames prefixed with an adjective:
- Version 22.04 is Jammy Jellyfish.
- Version 24.04 is Noble Numbat.
What is LTS (Long Term Support)?
Every two years, the April release is designated as an LTS (Long Term Support) version. While standard releases are supported for 9 months, LTS releases receive 5 years of security updates and bug fixes by default, making them the standard choice for enterprise systems and servers.
Processor Architectures: 64-Bit
Modern hardware utilizes 64-bit processors capable of handling larger registers of data transmission. In the Linux ecosystem, you will frequently see architectures labeled as:
- amd64 (or
x86_64): The standard for modern 64-bit Intel and AMD processors. - arm64 (or
aarch64): The standard for modern ARM-based processors, found in mobile devices, single-board computers (like Raspberry Pi), and modern cloud servers.
If you are deploying a new system, you should always choose the 64-bit architecture to take advantage of hardware security, performance optimizations, and modern software support.