Linux OS Timeline 1991 – 2023

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Linux Free Open Source Operating System

Table of Contents
Year Linux Version Key Features & Milestones
1991 Linux 0.01 Created by Linus Torvalds, the first release of Linux, a free and open-source kernel based on Unix.
1992 Linux 0.12 The kernel becomes more stable, with improved hardware support and better documentation.
1993 Linux 1.0 Official release of Linux 1.0, marking the first stable version with full functionality.
1994 Linux 1.2 Adds support for multiple architectures and extended hardware support, including the first major changes to filesystem management.
1996 Linux 2.0 Introduces multi-threading, improved SMP (Symmetric multiprocessing) support, and a larger codebase.
1999 Linux 2.2 Introduces IPv6 support, improved memory management, and scalability for enterprise usage.
2001 Linux 2.4 Adds support for USB devices, enhanced networking, and a more robust ext3 filesystem.
2003 Linux 2.6 Major improvements in multi-core processing, scalability, and new filesystems like ext4.
2005 Linux 2.6.12 Introduces no-op I/O scheduler for faster disk access and improved virtual memory management.
2011 Linux 3.0 Linux kernel version jumps to 3.0 with improvements in performance and new hardware support.
2015 Linux 4.0 Adds live patching for kernels, improves graphics, and better power management.
2017 Linux 4.15 Introduces Spectre and Meltdown patches, improved security, and enhanced hardware compatibility.
2019 Linux 5.0 Introduces support for AMD’s Ryzen processors, ext4 optimizations, and faster networking.
2021 Linux 5.10 Released as a long-term support (LTS) version with key security updates, driver support, and hardware improvements.
2022 Linux 5.15 Includes improvements for Intel Alder Lake chips, enhanced graphics performance, and security features.
2023 Linux 6.0 Introduces updates for ARM processors, real-time kernel improvements, and enhanced energy efficiency.

This timeline provides a quick overview of the major milestones in Linux‘s development from its inception in 1991 to the present day, showcasing key kernel versions and their impact on performance, hardware support, and new features.