Biography
Linus Torvalds
- Born
- 28 December 1969
- Nationality
- Finnish-American
- Known for
- The Linux kernel, The Git version control system
Linus Torvalds has written two pieces of software that much of the modern world runs on, and given both away for free. The first is Linux, the second is Git, and between them they sit underneath a huge share of the computing people use every day, usually without knowing his name.
In 1991, as a student in Finland, Torvalds started building a free operating system kernel as a hobby and posted it online for anyone to use and improve. That kernel became Linux. Combined with other free software, it grew into a complete operating system that now runs most web servers, nearly all supercomputers, and, through Android, most of the world’s phones.
His second creation solved a problem the first one caused. Coordinating thousands of contributors to the Linux kernel needed better tools, so in 2005 he wrote Git, a system for tracking changes to code and merging the work of many people. Git spread far beyond Linux and is now the standard way software is built. Torvalds still leads Linux kernel development, known for high standards and blunt technical judgement.
Frequently asked
What did Linus Torvalds create?
He created Linux, an open-source operating system kernel, in 1991, and later Git, the version control system now used across the software industry.
Did Linus Torvalds create Git?
Yes. He built Git in 2005 to manage development of the Linux kernel, and it has since become the standard tool for tracking changes in source code worldwide.
Is Linux free?
Yes. The Linux kernel is free and open source, meaning anyone can use, read and change it. Many complete operating systems built on it are also free to use.