I'm trying to get a clearer picture of how the Linux kernel works in relation to different distributions. I understand that when a new Linux kernel is released, it's effectively the same across all distros. However, I believe it's the responsibility of each distribution to tailor the shell and the rest of the operating system around that kernel. Is that correct? Are distros essentially just customized versions of the kernel?
1 Answer
Actually, distros don’t all use the exact same kernel version. Many of them apply their own patches and custom configurations. Depending on what you mean by 'shell', it's not always customized either.
When I say 'shell', I mean the command-line interface like bash or ksh. It's how I interact with the software. Plus, things like Xorg vs. Wayland and desktop environments like Gnome or KDE can be quite different across distros.