Linus Torvalds
Linus Torvalds is a Finnish-American software engineer who is best known for creating the Linux kernel, which became the foundation for the Linux operating system. Here are some key details about his life and contributions:
- Birth and Early Life: Linus Benedict Torvalds was born on December 28, 1969, in Helsinki, Finland. His parents, Anna and Nils Torvalds, were involved in leftist politics, with his grandfather, Ole Torvalds, having been a poet and a member of the Finnish Parliament.
- Education: Torvalds studied computer science at the University of Helsinki, where he got his first computer, a Sinclair QL, in 1987. His work on the Linux kernel began as part of his studies at the university.
- Creation of Linux: In 1991, Torvalds announced the first public version of the Linux kernel, version 0.01, on the Usenet newsgroup comp.os.minix. This was a pivotal moment in the history of open-source software. He released the kernel under the GNU General Public License (GPL), which allowed anyone to use, modify, and redistribute the software freely.
- Development and Community: Over the years, Torvalds has managed the development of the Linux kernel, which has grown into a massive collaborative project with contributions from thousands of developers worldwide. His approach to software development, which emphasized collaboration and peer review, has influenced the open-source movement significantly.
- Git: In 2005, Torvalds created Git, a distributed version control system, initially to better manage Linux kernel development. Git has since become the standard for version control in software development.
- Professional Career: After initially working for Transmeta and then the Open Source Development Labs (OSDL), which later merged with the Free Standards Group to form the Linux Foundation, Torvalds has been supported by the Linux Foundation to work full-time on Linux development.
- Recognition: Torvalds has received numerous awards for his work, including the Lovelace Medal, the Pioneer Award from the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and honorary doctorates from various universities.
- Personal Life: Torvalds is married to Tove Torvalds, with whom he has three daughters. He is known for his direct communication style, which he has toned down over the years to foster a more inclusive development community.
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