Burak Ozdemir ’s Blog » Blog Archive » Linux and BSD

BSD is a version of Unix developed at University of California, Berkley. It is compatible for x86, AMD64, ULTRASPARC architectures and compatibility with some additional platforms is in advanced stage of development. It is known for some of its cutting edge features as advanced networking, security, compatibility which are not there even in some of the best commercial operating systems. Its features make it preferable to even commercial Unix workstations. Any one can contribute to BSD through a committer.

However, despite the large number of similarities between BSD and Linux, there are equally large numbers of differences. These differences have resulted into many deep seated disagreements. Principally the differences emerge from disagreement over development methodology.

It is free, comes with full source code and simple to install. Its licenses have been vetted by Open Source initiative and certified as meeting the definition of open source. However a principal difference that makes it different from other free software is presence of default restrictions in its copyright and hence it is also known as copycenter as against copyleft as called to Linux.

Most users use term “Linux” for any distribution, while actually Linux is only a kernel and its actual package is released by various distributions as RedHat, Mandrake, Suse, Ubuntu.

Despite BSD’s differences with the Linux, it is known for its similarities with Linux. After initial differences in the naming conventions, it is quite similar to implement. Best part is that ideas, or improvements in one operating system is quickly seen incorporated in other operating system. Both these systems favor interactive processes, use active and expired queue, have mechanism to take benefit of caching and load balancing. Both use data abstraction layer to hide the file system details.

However, despite the large number of similarities between these systems, there are equally large numbers of differences. These differences have resulted into many deep seated disagreements. Principally the differences emerge from disagreement over development methodology.

First and the foremost one is that Linux is a kernel with its distributions as RedHat, Suse providing the installer. Multiple distributions make it difficult to transfer skills from one distribution to another. Different distributions differ in ease of installation, directory layout, patching routines etc. On the other hand BSD has both kernel and utilities working under one development team, it becomes a complete operating system. Any development in this system is under one team and any security vulnerabilities are addressed quickly.

Second, BSD is more organized in implementing changes. After programmers contribute a code, there is a tem that ensure quality control and finally a security officer to be very sure about the change. In Linux, changes vary widely depending upon each distribution’s programming base and organization structure.

Thirdly, Driver support could be an issue with Linux as compared to BSD. In case of any problem with a specific hardware configuration, users have experienced faster support response from BSD.

Supporters of BSD insist that BSD is fastest among free operating systems. Then the fact is BSD works on larger number of platforms as compared to Linux. BSD has its own share of drawbacks. It can only be installed on a primary partition unlike Linux.

Supporters of Linux disagree partially with some of above and insist Linux has much better support systems. They also argue that for any platform, the crucial issue is drivers, an area where Linux leads the pack of all free operating systems. While there are no official statistics on the subject, from the discussions in various forums, it appears that more users have shifted from Linux to BSD than vice versa.

The debate continues, and both systems have their own superiorities and weaknesses. Linux appears to have edge in desktop environment, while BSD appears to have edge in server markets. Today both the operating systems are fighting against Microsoft’s monopoly in the OS market. Today none of the Free OS can claim to suit all the platforms and are in the stage of development. While BSD has advantage of growing under unified and structured command, more companies are financing growth of Linux.

Which so ever operating system wins; the result would be worth the wait and watch.

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