The article describes what a distribution is, what they are, what they can be called and what not, and where this concept comes from.
What it is?
The concept of "distribution" came into our life relatively recently, around the time of the growing popularity of free operating systems of the Linux family. The system distributions were then mainly distributed on CD-ROMs, since the speed of Internet access did not allow downloading ISO-images from the Web. Over time, the name spread to other products. Now almost everywhere you can hear the word "distribution". What it is? This is what we will try to understand in this material.
Starting to use the word "distribution"
This concept came to us from among users and developers of free operating systems. They called the distribution kit a compiled image containing the kernel, the main programs, the shell of the working environment, and in general everything that was needed to install a workable system. Now this concept is used to refer to any software product written to disk or elsewhere.
In general, this term implies a minimum set of programs to ensure the operation of the operating system in the initial stages. Such a definition of the concept is hardly suitable for such phrases as the "distribution of the game." What kind of distribution is it if it does not have an operating system as such? In this case, it is simply a computer game on a physical medium or compiled for downloading on the Web and installing without a disk. This is especially true at the present time, when this method is becoming increasingly popular. It got to the point that sometimes, when assembling a new computer, it simply does not have a drive.
With the development of the Internet, ISO images have become distributions. They can be downloaded from the official site and burn to disk or USB-drive. Using such bootable media, you can install the operating system on any computer.
Linux distributions
Since this concept has come to us from the world of free OSs, first we look at Linux OS distributions. They are full of. All of them have their own specific "chips." But they are similar in one. All Linux distributions have a complete set of drivers and applications required for operation. And for none of them you do not need to pay. This is what a true distribution means. What are these software products? These are mainly Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Debian. They are all based on Debian, so they are fully compatible with each other.
Distributions of such "Linux-like" systems, such as AltLinux, ArchLinux, CentOS and Fedora, cannot boast of such compatibility with computer hardware. They will have to download additional drivers. But they also have a basic set of necessary applications.
Windows distributions
Strictly speaking, the installation discs of the Windows operating system can hardly be called distributions. After all, this concept assumes the presence of drivers “out of the box” and a set of applications for the full working capacity of the system.
True, with the release of the "tens" the situation has changed somewhat. Now the Windows distribution contains a number of drivers necessary for the normal operation of the system. But you still have to download software for the video card. With applications, everything is bad. They cannot ensure the normal operation of the system. Although Windows 10 adopted a lot of things from Linux (terminal, alternative desktops), it is still far from the proud name of "distribution".
The main advantage of Windows is compatibility with all computers and devices. If desired, it can be installed on computers from Apple. But somehow I do not want to spoil the perfect "apple" computers with a fake from Microsoft.
MacOS distribution
Since MacOS is a “Unix-like” system, it might not have been considered, but without it the review would have been incomplete. Like all operating systems, Makos has its own distribution. What is this in this case?
It should be noted that MacOS is made only for Apple products. And their support in the OS is implemented in the best way. Drivers for all devices are installed without problems, and there are so many applications that it is completely possible not to add third-party ones. As always, Apple is on top. The image of the system from the "Yabloko" can definitely be called a distribution.
If you use some specialized programs, then the MacOS distribution can be made to work on ordinary computers. True, it is very desirable to have an Intel processor from the Core line. It is with these processors that the best MacOS performance on "third-party" computers is observed.
Software distributions
Now let's talk about something that cannot be called a distribution in any way - about software discs. Many people are used to calling the media with one or another program (for example, 1C distribution). This is fundamentally wrong. Mainly because there is no operating system on the disk at all.
Very often a distribution kit is called a collection of programs for a particular system. There is a deal of truth in it. Such a collection of programs and applications may well be called a distribution.
Some software products have their own additional distributions. For example, databases or sample sets.
Conclusion
So here we have got a short "educational program" on the topic of "distribution". What is it - we finally figured it out. Now you know what their types are and what can be called a distribution in general. Of course, in our time the framework of this concept has been somewhat blurred, and now this word is used to refer to everything. But thanks to our article, now you know what can rightfully be defined as a distribution.