Linux and the Unix Philosophy

3.7 Linux is both a Third System and a Second System

Linux came along soon after the turbulent period in the late 1980s when Unix went through a tumultuous Second System period. Signs of "Second System Syndrome" abounded as major factions from the AT&T and Berkeley Unix communities bickered over which Unix implementation would dominate. Committees such as the Open Software Foundation were formed to try to convince users that it was "open interfaces," not the operating system philosophy, that truly mattered. Many implementations of both Unix flavors became fat and slow.

As the next major implementation of the Unix philosophy in a field of little-known systems that implement that philosophy, Linux exhibits many characteristics of a Third System. People who are tired of the bloat and bickering in the Unix world have found much joy in it. The best original Unix concepts continue to be developed under Linux. Many Linux developers are taking the time to implement kernel structures, interfaces, and GUIs correctly. And let's not overlook the obvious: Linux is a name change for Unix.

Linux also embodies a few Second Systems of its own. The system of thought known as "open source software," for example, is really taking off in the Linux world. After an extended period during which people will debate, hold symposiums on, and expound upon its merits ad nauseaum, it will move into the Third System stage where the source code for software will always be distributed freely as common practice.