Torvalds

Torvalds, Linus Torvalds, born December 28, 1969, is a Finnish software engineer best known for initiating the development of the Linux kernel and for creating the Git version control system. He was born in Helsinki, Finland, and studied computer science at the University of Helsinki, where he earned a Master of Science degree in 1996.

In 1991, while a student, Torvalds released the first version of the Linux kernel under the GNU General Public License. The kernel is the core component of the Linux operating system, and together with surrounding software it underpins a wide range of open-source operating systems used on servers, desktops, mobile devices, and embedded systems worldwide. The Linux kernel and its ecosystem have played a central role in the growth of open-source software and collaborative software development.

In 2005, Torvalds created Git, a distributed version control system designed to manage large-scale software development and to support the needs of kernel development. Git has since become one of the most widely used tools for software version control, adopted by numerous organizations and projects beyond Linux.

Torvalds serves as the principal maintainer of the Linux kernel, coordinating contributions from developers around the world in collaboration with the Linux Foundation and a global community. His work has significantly influenced open-source practices, software licensing, and collaborative governance in technology projects.