Final answer:
GNU/Linux is a set of tools for creating a free Unix-like OS, developed by Linus Torvalds as an affordable alternative to UNIX. It allows for customization and has various distributions like Red Hat, Debian, and Ubuntu, becoming popular for its flexibility in different computing environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
GNU/Linux is a set of tools used to create a free Unix-like operating system. In the early 1990s, Linus Torvalds, a Finnish graduate student, developed an open-source operating system kernel, which was eventually named Linux. It was created as a free alternative to the costly UNIX systems and became popular for its free distribution and easily configurable nature.
Programmers could tweak the Linux kernel to suit their needs, leading to a wide array of OS distributions such as Red Hat, Debian, and Ubuntu. Major PC manufacturers like IBM and Dell offered Linux as a cost-effective option to break free from Microsoft's OS monopoly. Its adaptability made Linux popular in various applications, including file servers, internet routers, and even supercomputing, where clusters of Linux-powered PCs can rival proprietary supercomputers.
The creation and commercialization history of operating systems is complex. The UNIX system, created by AT&T Bell Labs and the University of California, Berkeley, was initially more open but became commercialized through various sales and proprietary versions, such as IBM's AIX and Sun Microsystems' Solaris. However, Linux emerged as a powerful, free alternative, changing the computing landscape and challenging the dominance of these commercial systems.