Final answer:
UNIX and Linux are both operating systems. UNIX was initially intended to be machine independent but became commercialized, while Linux was developed as an alternative to the high-cost UNIX.
Step-by-step explanation:
UNIX is an operating system that was initially intended to be machine independent. However, its memory management scheme may vary from one system to another. UNIX had originally been an open-source operating system but became commercialized when AT&T sold its rights.
Linux, on the other hand, is an open-source operating system that was developed as an alternative to the high-cost UNIX. It gained popularity among hackers due to its free distribution and configurability.
Linux allowed users to configure the kernel with only the desired features, which led to the development of various OS distributions and its incorporation into embedded systems. Linux became an attractive option for PC manufacturers as it reduced the cost of their systems and provided an alternative to Microsoft's monopoly on the OS.
It also replaced expensive proprietary systems, such as IRIX, Microsoft NT, and Cisco, in file servers and internet routers. Linux's capabilities were further demonstrated when clusters of networked off-the-shelf PCs running Linux rivaled the computing power of proprietary supercomputers. Therefore, Linux played a significant role in the decline of workstation and server markets for companies like Sun and SGI.