this post was submitted on 25 Oct 2025
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Doesn't every computer have a bios? Genuinely asking
I think (not 100% sure) that UEFI is a replacement for BIOS. All modern computers use UEFI.
People still colloquially call it "BIOS" because it serves a similar purpose, but there is a technical difference.
That is correct, it's been quite awhile now since UEFI became standard but almost everyone still calls it the BIOS. Although I've noticed the word firmware is starting to be used more as well.
which is funny because firmware is a legacy term for what evolved into what is honestly software.
You don't need to socket any new chips nowadays.
I mean, if what we're using is pulled from a chipset on the motherboard whose storage space isn't rewritable from the OS interface, wouldn't that be called firmware? You are using a flash chip to boot after all.
You are in fact correct. UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is the modernized version of the very very old BIOS (Basic Input/Output System).
It brought a parade of improvements including the GPT (GUID [Global Unique Identifier] Parition Table) partition table replacing the old MBR (Master Boot Record) partition table.
Computer is a pretty broad term. Not all have or need a BIOS, e.g. in embedded systems.
Yes, though I think the exception is (some?) ARM based PCs don't run UEFI, in which ARM in general doesn't have a universal standard for booting which adds complexity to it. Perhaps that's already changed though, I haven't kept up too well in the ARM space.
Not sure if maybe the Walmart self checkout terminals aren't x86 machines, perhaps they're ARM or another embedded type of system.