Ubuntu

Ubuntu is a free and open-source Linux distribution based on Debian. It is developed by Canonical Ltd. and a wide community of contributors. The project released its first version in 2004, and its name derives from the African philosophy ubuntu, meaning humanity toward others.

Ubuntu uses a regular release cycle with new versions every six months and Long Term Support releases every two years. LTS versions are supported for five years on desktop and server; interim releases receive nine months. The default desktop environment is GNOME.

Canonical publishes official flavors such as Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, Ubuntu MATE, Ubuntu Budgie, and Ubuntu Studio, each tailoring the system to a different desktop environment. In addition to the desktop edition, Ubuntu also offers Ubuntu Server, Ubuntu Cloud, and Ubuntu Core.

Ubuntu uses APT with .deb packages and provides the Snap format through the Snap Store, encouraging sandboxed applications. It also supports Debian packages and can run other formats via user choice.

Ubuntu is widely used in personal computing, education, and enterprise, and is a major platform for cloud services and servers. It powers many public cloud deployments and forms the basis for Linux-based appliances and IoT devices.