Previously, companies could afford to neglect the importance of Linux, an operating system favoured by some developers for its dependable and secure nature. However, its relevance is typically limited to cases where a stable environment is deemed necessary for their tasks.
Previously, Windows monopolised the market share for developers. Nevertheless, this trend has shifted in recent years, causing a decline in such market share. Presently, the share of developers is divided as follows:
- The majority (61%) of computers operate using Windows.
- Linux – 47% of developers
- macOS – 44% of developers
Yet, the reasons for why your engineers require Linux expertise surpass the aforementioned factors. As a matter of fact, the open-source platform is progressively gaining recognition for business utilisation, beyond personal objectives.
It is crucial to adopt a broader perspective and not limit oneself to a specific application. Despite your developers being proficient in Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS, having a comprehensive understanding of Linux is indispensable for achieving success in the present competitive landscape.
Now, let us analyse this matter in detail.
Initiating with Packaging
Our discussion revolves around containers, owing to their surging implementation among leading enterprises. The benefits of containers, i.e., enhanced responsiveness, sustainability, and scalability, predominantly govern this trend. Moreover, they offer a cost-efficient and adaptable alternative, juxtaposed to monolithic deployments, which are devoid of comparable potential for flexibility and scalability.
It is evident that deficient Linux knowledge amongst your engineers could render the implementation of containerization a challenging task. Since a majority of container images rely on Linux distributions, it is critical to have a comprehensive comprehension of this operating system.
It is crucial for engineers to possess Linux filesystem structure awareness for productive usage of the starting images. In addition, they also need to have an extensive understanding of the Linux command line.
Proceeding to Kubernetes
As organisations expand and necessitate multi-container deployments, the significance of a container orchestrator becomes apparent. Kubernetes is the most preferred alternative that facilitates managing and automating of individual containers, alongside large-scale deployments. Nevertheless, it is crucial to bear in mind that a comprehensive understanding of Linux is imperative to efficiently operate Kubernetes.
Kubernetes is primarily employed on Linux and is commonly installed and managed by users. Although installing Kubernetes on macOS and Windows is not as effortless, it can still be implemented on these systems. Thus, if your company aims to substantially enhance container deployment, Kubernetes incorporation is probably on the horizon.
Next in Line: The Cloud
Linux dominates as the operating system in the cloud, with Red Hat reporting powering 54% of cloud-based applications. Ubuntu Linux holds the highest deployment share, with 31.9% of cloud-based systems operating on it, whereas Windows holds only 2.14% and ranks sixth in terms of deployment. It is evident that this fact has a significant impact.
Considering that Linux commands a substantial share of the cloud market, it is imperative for developers to have proficiency in this open-source operating system in case your enterprise intends to employ public, private, or hybrid clouds.
How About Discussing the Data Center?
The utilisation of Linux servers in our organisation’s on-premises data centre has significantly surged owing to its versatility and adaptability.
The cost-effectiveness of Linux renders it as an appealing choice for companies keen on escalating their profitability. Linux should be regarded as a feasible operating system for their data centre by any enterprise interested in maximising growth. Additionally, since Linux serves as the foundation of multiple development stacks, deploying it in the data centre appears as an evident decision.
Computer Programming Offers a Wide Array of Language Choices
Linux is capable of supporting a diverse set of programming languages, with readily available pre-installed versions designed for Linux usage. Therefore, these languages can reach their full potential on this platform. Numerous renowned programming languages like Python, PHP, Java, and JavaScript operate seamlessly with Linux, and most popular frameworks function efficiently on this platform.
Advantages of a General Education
Pursuing Linux education imparts a wholesome comprehension of how operating systems function, allowing exploration of the computer’s internal workings. Possessing a basic understanding of the system can be advantageous to engineers since the kernel’s source code (and other OS layers) are readily available for downloading.
Linux Emerges as the Victor
Linux is progressively establishing itself as an elemental component of cloud, containers, virtual machines, the Internet of Things, and edge computing. Thus, it is crucial for enterprises to take into account Linux when devising expansion strategies into new technology areas, ensuring their success. While hiring software engineers, it is vital to give priority to those having a solid grasp of the Linux operating system.
Conclusion
Linux may not be ubiquitous on all desktops, but it plays a pivotal role in the delivery pipelines and cloud services of numerous businesses. Refusing to embrace an open-source operating system could impede your enterprise’s capability to compete on a large scale and in an economically effective way in the future.
