Linux kernel

Linux kernel

Tux the penguin, mascot of Linux[1]
Linux kernel 3.0.0 booting
Developer	Linus Torvalds and thousands of collaborators
Written in	C and assembly[2]
OS family	Unix-like
Initial release	0.01 (17 September 1991; 33 years ago (1991-09-17))
Latest release	6.13.4[3]  / 21 February 2025
Repository	git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git
Available in	English
Kernel type	Monolithic
License	GPLv2 with optional binary blobs[4][5]
Official website	kernel.org

Linux is an operating system kernel used by a group of Unix-like operating systems. These are known as Linux operating systems.

The Linux kernel is released with the GNU General Public License version 2 (GPLv2) and developed by programmers worldwide.

1. ↑ "Linux Logos and Mascots". Linux Online. 2008. Archived from the original on 15 August 2010. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
2. ↑ The Linux Kernel Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page
3. ↑ Greg Kroah-Hartman (21 February 2025). "Linux 6.13.4". Retrieved 23 February 2025.
4. ↑ Stallman, Richard (2002). "Linux, GNU, and freedom". Free Software Foundation. Retrieved 21 February 2007.
5. ↑ "kernel/git/stable/linux-stable.git". git.kernel.org. 16 October 2002. Archived from the original on 13 January 2013. Retrieved 21 August 2012. path: root/firmware/WHENCE