What is Linux?

Linux is a free, open-source operating system (OS) that's used in many computer systems, servers, and mobile devices: 

• Features
• Linux is known for its stability, security, and flexibility. It's also highly modular, allowing users to choose which components to install and configure.
• Development
• Linux was developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991 as a hobby. It's developed using open source principles, which include transparency, collaboration, and releasing early and often.
• Distribution model
• Linux has a distribution model, where different organizations and communities create their own versions of Linux, called distributions or distros. Some popular Linux distributions include Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and CentOS.
• Installation
• Linux is considered one of the easiest operating systems to install. Most versions of Linux offer a Live distribution, which means you can run the operating system without making any changes to your hard drive.

You can install Linux on a virtual machine, which is a separate operating system that shares a computer's resources. Oracle VirtualBox is a free virtual machine that you can use to install Linux.