10 differences between Linux and BSD

1: Licenses
As we all know, the Linux operating system is licensed under the GPL. This license is
used to help prevent the inclusion of closed source software and to ensure the
availability of the source code. The GPL attempts to prevent the distribution of
binary-only source.
The BSD License is much less restrictive and even allows for the distribution of
binary-only source. The core difference, however, can be looked at like this: The GPL
gives you the right to use the software any way you want, but you MUST ensure the
source code is available to the next person who uses it (or your variation of it). The
BSD license does not require that you make sure the next person who uses (or
modifies your code) makes that code available.
2: Control
The BSD code is not controlled by any one user, which many people see as a big
bonus. Whereas the Linux kernel is mostly controlled by Linus Torvalds (the creator
of Linux), BSD does not have a single person dictating what can and cant go into
the code. Instead, BSD uses a core team to manage the project. This core team
has more say in the direction of the project than all non-core members of the BSD
community.
3: Kernel vs. operating system
The BSD project maintains the entire operating system, whereas the Linux project
focuses primarily on the kernel alone. This really isnt quite as encompassing as it
seems because many of the applications that are used are used on both operating
systems.
4: UNIX-like
There is an old saying about BSD vs. Linux: BSD is what you get when a bunch of
UNIX hackers sit down to try to port a UNIX system to the PC. Linux is what you get
when a bunch of PC hackers sit down and try to write a UNIX system for the PC.
That expression says a lot. What you will find is that the BSDs are much more
similar to UNIX because they are, in fact, direct derivatives of traditional UNIX.
Linux, on the other hand, was a newly created OS loosely based on a UNIX
derivative (Minix, to be exact).
5: Base systems
This one is crucial to understanding the differences between BSD and Linux. The
base system for Linux doesnt really exist, as Linux is a conglomeration of smaller
systems that come together to make a whole. Many will say that the Linux base

system is the kernel. The problem is a kernel is pretty worthless without any usable
applications. BSD, on the other hand, has a base system that encompasses
numerous tools even libc is a part of the base system. Because these pieces are
all treated as a base system, they are all developed and packaged together. Many
argue that this creates a more cohesive whole.

6: More from source

Because of the way BSD is developed (using the Ports system), more users tend to
be installing from source rather than prepackaged binary packages. Is this an
advantage or a disadvantage? That depends on the individual. If youre a fan of
user-friendly simplicity, you will surely look at this and immediately turn away. This
is especially true for new users. Few new users want to have to compile from
source. This can make for a cumbersome distribution. But installing from source has
its advantages as well (library versioning, building system specific packages, etc.).
7: Upgrades
Because of the way BSD is developed (see item #5), you can upgrade your entire
base system to the most recent release by issuing a single command. Or you can
download the sources to whatever build you want, unpack them, and build them as
you would any application. With Linux, you can also upgrade a system by using the
built-in package management system. The former updates only the base system;
the latter will upgrade the entire installation. Remember, though, upgrading to the
newest base system does not mean that all of your additional packages will be
updated. With the Linux upgrade, all your packages will benefit from the upgrade
process. Does that mean the Linux process is better? Not necessarily. I have been a
first-hand witness to a Linux upgrade that went horribly wrong, requiring the entire
system to be reinstalled. This is much less likely to happen with a BSD upgrade.
8: Bleeding edge
Its unlikely that youll see a BSD running a bleeding edge version of anything.
Linux, on the other hand, has plenty of distributions that offer bleeding edge
packages. If youre a fan of If it isnt broken, dont fix it, you will be a big fan of
BSD. But if youre of the ilk that requires the most recent of everything, you better
migrate over to Linux ASAP or youll be behind the curve in the time it takes you to
reinstall your OS.
9: Hardware support
You will find, in general, that Linux supports hardware much sooner than BSD does.
This doesnt mean that BSD doesnt support as much hardware as Linux. It just
means that Linux will support it before BSD (in some cases, LONG before BSD). So if
you want the latest, greatest graphics, dont even think about BSD. If youre looking

at a shiny new laptop with a newer wireless chipset, you might have better luck with
Linux.
10: User base
From the left to the right we go from the least PC-savvy users to the most PC-savvy
users. As you can see, Linux falls in the middle, where BSD leans closer to the right.
Many will argue this; some will be offended by it. But this is a fairly accurate
generalization of which users use which operating systems.
Mac > Windows > Linux > BSD > UNIX