As an operating system, Linux can be used to develop almost any type of
application. Among the applications available for Linux are the following:
Text and word
processing applications In addition to commercial word processing software
such as WordPerfect, StarOffice, and Applixware, Linux offers powerful tools
for editing text files and processing text in an automated fashion.
Programming
languages A wide variety of programming and scripting languages and tools are
available for Linux and all Unix operating systems. This abundance of
programming tools makes it easy to develop new applications that can run not
only on Linux but also on most Unix and Unix-like operating systems.
X Windows X Windows is
Unix’s answer to the graphical user interface (GUI). X Windows is a highly
flexible and configurable GUI environment that runs on Linux as well as on most
Unix systems. Numerous applications that run in X Windows help to make Linux an
easy-to-use operating system.
Internet tools In addition to
supporting well-known software such as Netscape and Mosaic, Linux provides a
wide range of Internet software, including character-based and graphical mail-reading
applications, the full range of software needed to create Internet servers (Web
servers, mail servers, and news servers), plus complete network support to
connect to the Internet via a local network or modem.
Databases Like all Unix
platforms, Linux provides a robust platform for running client-server database
applications. From its earliest days, powerful, free databases such as mSQL and
Postgre have been available for Linux. As Linux has grown in popularity,
especially in corporate information systems, the number of commercial
relational database servers for Linux has
grown. Today, Oracle, Sybase, and Informix all offer relational database
products for Linux.
DOS and Windows
compatibility software “Linux and DOS/Windows,” Linux can be made to run DOS
software with a high degree of stability and compatibility and offers several
approaches to running Windows software. In fact, the entire text of this
book was written using Microsoft Word for Windows on a computer running Linux.
This provides strong evidence of Linux’s ability to work well in a Windows
environment.
30 Best Linux Apps and software:-
For Web Development
1. Eclipse
Eclipse is
a popular integrated development environment (IDE) that works on OS X and
Windows as well, thanks to being built on Java. It relies on plugins to provide
support for many programming languages, including Python, C++, Ruby, Scala and
Clojure. This extensibility makes it possible for programmers to customize
Eclipse according to their skills, needs and projects they’re working on.
2. LightTable
LightTable
is a modern-looking advanced code editor with more than 100 plugins available.
It supports several programming and scripting languages, and the feature that sets it apart
from other, similar apps is the instant feedback option. This feature helps you
evaluate your code as you’re working on it, so it’s easier to catch mistakes
and learn new functions.
3. Code::Blocks
Code::Blocks
is a development environment for C, C++ and Fortran. It’s also cross-platform,
and supports several different compilers, code folding and completion. Among
other useful features, Code::Blocks offers a tabbed interface, a hex editor and
a GUI designer module to help you create application interfaces.
4. Brackets
Brackets is a beautiful and lightweight
text editor primarily used for HTML and CSS scripting. It supports all the
features that modern text editors have, like automatic indentation, code
folding, themes and countless plugins. There’s also a live preview mode which is
great for web development, as it lets you see the changes on your website
on-the-fly, in your browser.
5. Aptana Studio
Aptana
Studio is based on Eclipse, but it’s focused on the development of web
applications. With plugins, it’s possible to create Adobe AIR and iPhone
applications with Aptana. It features a helpful Code Assist functionality, a
built-in terminal and integration with Git for better version control.
For Communication
6. Pidgin
Pidgin is the favorite instant messenger of many Linux users, and for a good reason. With support for all the popular chat protocols – Gtalk, IRC, Yahoo, ICQ, XMPP – and others (like Facebook) available via official and third-party plugins, who wouldn’t love Pidgin? It also works on Windows, and has many cool features, like custom emoticons, “Now Playing” status messages, different types of notifications, and buddy grouping and filtering.
6. Pidgin
Pidgin is the favorite instant messenger of many Linux users, and for a good reason. With support for all the popular chat protocols – Gtalk, IRC, Yahoo, ICQ, XMPP – and others (like Facebook) available via official and third-party plugins, who wouldn’t love Pidgin? It also works on Windows, and has many cool features, like custom emoticons, “Now Playing” status messages, different types of notifications, and buddy grouping and filtering.
7. Telegram
Telegram is
a relatively new player on the instant messaging scene, and it has the
advantage over Pidgin (and many others) in that it supports almost all
platforms (OS X and iOS, Android, Linux, Windows and Windows Phones). It’s
focused on privacy and security, so it encrypts all messages and even lets them
self-destruct if the users want that. All your chats are kept in sync across
devices, and you can use Telegram to send files to groups of up to 200 friends.
8. Claws Mail
Claws is an
email client perfect for users who seek simplicity and stability. With its
uncluttered interface and many useful features (multiple account support; email
filtering, folders and labels; threaded conversations; email scheduling;
integrated address book; anti-phishing measures…), Claws is a great alternative
to Thunderbird, which many uses often describe as bloated.
9. Choqok
There
aren’t many Twitter clients for Linux, or at least not many that work and have
all the features that a power-user would require. Choqok is an exception: a
feature-packed yet easy to use Twitter client with support for multiple
accounts, notifications, Twitter lists, image and video previews, URL
shortening, and filtering/hiding Tweets from your timeline.
10. Jitsi
Jitsi is
proof that there are powerful Skype alternatives for Linux. It’s a full-fledged
communication center with support for Google Talk, Facebook chat, Yahoo, ICQ
and XMPP, but that’s not all. You can use Jitsi for audio and video calls,
conference calls, desktop streaming and group chats. It supports encrypted
conversations, file transfer, call recording, notifications and more.
For Internet
11. Firefox
Firefox is
the default browser on many Linux distributions, and there are hundreds of
extensions that let you change its appearance and functionality. It’s a great browser for
all types of users because it’s easy to personalize. The growing amount of
users worldwide should convince you to try it, if you haven’t done so yet.
12. SpiderOak
Backups are
extremely important, yet people put them off and perceive them as a hassle.
SpiderOak is a secure way to automate online backups. A free account gets you 2
GB of cloud storage, and you can install the client on your
computer as well as mobile devices, and keep everything synchronized. You can
backup only selected folders, define schedules, and password-protect files
which you want to share with others.
13. qBitTorrent
qBitTorrent
is often described as the closest Linux alternative to utorrent. It’s
lightweight with a nice interface, and has all the features you need: from
integrated search, DHT and peer exchange support, encryption and port
forwarding to bandwidth scheduling, IP filtering and download queues.
14. TeamViewer
TeamViewer is not an open-source
application, but it’s on this list because it has a Linux version and because
many new Linux users rely on it when they get stuck with a software problem.
It’s an application for remote desktop control that lets another user access
and administer your system. However, it can also be used for online meetings
and direct file transfer between computers.
15. uget
Sometimes
you can’t download everything from torrents, and you don’t want to keep your
browser running all the time. Then you need a download manager, and uget is a
fantastic one that works on Linux, Android and Windows. It lets you queue,
schedule and categorize downloads, and most importantly, supports download
resuming. Uget offers even more than that, but it manages to stay lightweight
and simple to use, which is really commendable.
For Security
16. Tor
We might
pretend we don’t care or console ourselves by thinking we’ve got “nothing to
hide”, but the fact is that privacy and security are extremely important, and
that it’s a wise practice to be mindful of them on the Internet. Tor helps you
in that mission by providing a browser and communication tools that block
trackers and enable anonymized surfing. Of course, there’s so much more to it,
and you can learn all about it on the project website.
17. KeePass
Security
offline matters as much as online, if not even more. Your passwords need to be
kept safe and preferably encrypted, and KeePass is a tool that’s cut for the
job. It can run as a portable application, and can import and export your
passwords in several formats. KeePass can also help you manage new passwords
with a random password generator and clipboard integration.
18. Tox
Although we
could’ve listed Tox under communication tools, its strong focus on security and
privacy earned it a place in this category. Tox lets you exchange encrypted
messages with your friends and make free audio and video calls. It has a
stylish, attractive interface that will fit well into any desktop environment.
19. Privoxy
Privoxy is
an advanced web filtering tool which you can use to block ads, prevent trackers
and control which sites can access your computer. There’s much more to Privoxy,
and it takes some effort to learn how to configure it, but it’s well worth it
if you care about privacy.
20. Gufw
Gufw is a
simple and very user-friendly firewall for Linux which you can configure in
just a few clicks. It provides basic protection, and supports app filtering and
custom rules. You can also use it to log and track your Internet traffic and
“invisible” activities that happen while you’re browsing the Web.
For Image Manipulation
21. Krita
Krita is a
Linux h(e)aven for digital artists and illustrators. This amazing application
lets you customize its appearance to suit your workflow, and has a special
painting mode that eliminates all distractions and lets you focus on your art.
You can use it to create patterns and textures, modify and import brushes,
apply filters and effects, manage layers, and achieve perfect symmetry with
in-built drawing aids.
22. Pinta
Pinta is
inspired by Paint.NET and offers all the basic image editing and drawing
options. It’s a bit like advanced Microsoft Paint – simple enough to use, but
not lacking in crucial features. You can use Pinta to draw various shapes,
retouch images with effects and filters, and even manage layers of your photos.
23. Gimp
You
probably already know everything about Gimp – it’s the most powerful image
editing tool for Linux, well-deserving the title of the best Photoshop alternative.
If you’re not happy with what Gimp offers by default, there are many awesome plugins that add new functions and image effects.
24. Darktable
Professional
photographers might appreciate darktable, because it supports RAW image
editing, among other cool features. You can use it to tweak every little detail
of your photos. One of the best things about darktable is the extensive,
helpful documentation available on the official website and as a PDF guide.
25. PhotoQt
PhotoQt is
a non-intrusive, lightweight image viewer app for Linux that hides many
features below the surface. You can preview images as a slideshow, set the
wallpaper directly from PhotoQt, as well as rename and delete images, scale,
rotate and zoom them, and set your own keyboard shortcuts for image browsing.
For Entertainment
26. Atraci
Atraci is a
fresh, cross-platform app that lets you search and stream music directly from
YouTube. You can organize your favorite tracks in playlists, view videos in
full screen, and browse current top songs on YouTube directly from Atraci.
27. Miro
Miro
(previously called “Democracy Player”) is a versatile multimedia application
that lets you play a number of audio and video formats, as well as stream
online content, watch Internet TV and download videos. It can also convert some
video formats, has built-in torrent support and lets you schedule videos,
online shows and downloads. Basically, Miro is a full-fledged multimedia center
akin to Kodiand other home entertainment apps.
28. Tomahawk
Tomahawk is
a truly innovative Linux app that combines music and social media. It lets you
stream songs from a bunch of online services, like Last.fm, Soundcloud,
Grooveshark, Jamendo, Deezer, Google Play and many more. You can connect your
social accounts and get detailed stats on your music consumption and
preferences. With Tomahawk, it’s easy to share songs and playlists with your
friends and get recommendations tailored to your taste.
29. Clementine
Clementine
is a reliable music player that’s inspired by Amarok, but not as complicated to
use. It has so many great features: a tabbed interface for playlists, lyric and
artist info fetching from online sources, search and streaming support for
Internet radio and services like Spotify and Grooveshark, podcast discovery and
download, remote control from Android devices and support for music copying to
iPods and USB music players. Clementine is all you need to enjoy music and
manage your collection on a Linux system.
30. SMPlayer
SMPlayer is
one of the most practical multimedia players for Linux because it comes with
built-in codecs, ready to play all popular formats right out of the box. It can
play YouTube videos, download subtitles for your movies and remember individual
settings for every file you play. Advanced users will appreciate features like
the equalizer, video filters and custom subtitle positions and synchronization.
