University student complains he has to study about Linux in our operating systems class...

And your point is...? ICT engineer here. Never used linux, so there is really no need to!

Only reason we use Linux at work is VMWare ESX everything else is Microsoft and previous companies all Microsoft

@Lasse My point is that Linux is legitimate os not only on desktops. It's unix based and cs students should know about it.

@Lasse good for you

Meanwhile, in the real world, students should be learning the skills commonly desired by employers.

Learning OS concepts is great. But learning specifically about Linux is not really a "must". Most will never use it.

@Lasse Simply not true. The vast majority of development happens on the web, and the vast majority of web servers run Linux. That aside, many embedded devices run some for of Linux. Many mobile phones run Linux (Android). Microsoft is not the whole world!

@PiranhaGeorge if an employer requires you to know Linux the job often is sysadmin or something like that. As a CS graduate you really don't want to take that job!

Even Microsoft uses Linux internally and has contributed to the Linux kernel. The Internet is built on Linux and BSD servers. If you as a computer scientist can't handle a *NIX-system you've made your world smaller.

@Lasse WTF computer science != development. CS students need to learn operating systems even if they ultimately only work with it in an abstracted way.

That said, most developers will use Linux at some point. Even in gaming, a predominately Windows arena, Linux is becoming an increasing requirement.

@np-zero this is a little off topic now. My point was, that learning to use Linux is really not something every person working with IT must do.

I agree leaning how operation systems work in general is useful.

@Lasse are you trying to be funny or maybe a poor pj and everyone is misreading your comments.

no Linux/ Unix you ain't cs

@apsa I'm simply stating that learning Linux in university in a "operating systems class" seem weird to me too. That class should be about how operating systems works as a concept. Not about how Linux (or Windows for that matter) works.

Isn't that what the initial post is saying?

I actually was scared of linux too. I was on the first year of uni, I had never seen linux before. Everything was like magic. I've become fascinated about complete control of my machine and started reading tutorials.

5 years into linux, never coming back to windows :) forced updates? Annoying viruses? Nope!

The one who complains are the one who cannot use it, leave them be 😂😂😂

Of course Linux should be covered in Operating Systems class. Those of you contemplating why, obviously haven't taken Operating Systems or maybe don't have CS degrees.

Linux is obviously *nix based and the kernel is open source. If you're learning operating systems and how they work with hardware at a layer just a little higher than machine code and assembly, you have everything you need with Linux.

A lot of you are missing the point, and the point is that sometimes CS is theory and not practicality or application, and that's a good thing. And besides, without at the very least, a simple understanding of operating systems, how do you think OSX, Android, and Ubuntu came to be in the first place.

All of you arguing against learning Linux (The most widely used server OS in the world) in an Operating Systems class that often times introduces CS students to something beyond a gaming and Facebook, you should continue taking MIS courses for practicality and applications and let CS be.

Besides, its Operating System(s) with an S on the end. Plural. More than one. Not Windows Class. Not the study of different versions of the same old shit. I'd be disappointed if they didn't at least partially cover BSD, Linux, and Windows. Or at least a topical view of Unix would be expected. If you're in the class to learn how to use a UI, you need to switch majors to MIS like the rest of the CS dropouts.

Not sure I understand where you a going with this....

Nevermind! Have fun doing whatever you are doing. This is obviously not the place to be of another opinion.

@Lasse You're entitled to your opinion, which I am sure is shared by others, as much as those of us disagreeing are entitled to ours. No need to get whiny about it.

One thing worth considering about your stance is that it doesn't have a logical end. If there's no point learning Linux because you may never use it, is there any point learning any other subject that you may not use?

In my opinion, a primary responsibility of education is to introduce students to new ideas. Not introducing a student to Linux would be depriving them of a potential opportunity.

@Lasse My point is that if you're taking Operating Systems to learn how to use an operating system, which most of the arguments here seem to imply, you're in the class for all the wrong reasons. If you're in the class to learn about operating systems and HOW they actually work, then I expect that learning the different systems out there makes sense. Pretty much, if you're being a whiny bitch because you "have to learn" Linux in class, you need to tuck tail and run for an IT/MIS degree and leave the theory and deeper thinking to the CS majors.

Im not complaining that I have to learn anything?!?' Where do you get that from? I took that course long ago...?!

@Lasse I'm speaking on behalf of the student being referred to in the OP.

Linux knowledge is an invaluable resource. While not required for most careers, knowing it opens up a lot more opportunities. Not to mention all the awesome hobby projects. As for an OS course, *nix OSes use different kernels and knowing how tasks are scheduled and handled at a low level is never a bad thing.

Plus, there's this...

https://www.devrant.io/rants/202854

Learning OS this semester and I really enjoy it.

About what you wrote: it's not about what students think is important or not, but about learning different topics so you experience more. Also building a base for what is about to come is really useful!