1.3 Introduction to the Linux Environment
Why Use Linux for ROS?
If you're new to both Linux and ROS, you might wonder: "Why do we use Linux?" Here’s an easy-to-understand explanation:
ROS (Robot Operating System) is primarily developed to run on Linux because Linux offers many advantages that make it ideal for robotics:
Flexibility: Linux gives users full control over the system. You can modify almost anything to suit your needs, which is useful in robotics where you may need to tweak the operating system for specific hardware or software requirements.
Powerful Command-Line Tools: Unlike other operating systems that rely heavily on graphical user interfaces (GUIs), Linux offers a powerful command-line interface (CLI). With just a few typed commands, you can manage files, install software, run programs, and more. For ROS, this CLI is essential for controlling nodes, launching programs, and debugging.
Open-Source Nature: Linux is open-source, meaning that anyone can access, modify, and distribute it. This aligns perfectly with ROS, which is also open-source. Using open-source software helps to reduce costs, foster innovation, and build strong communities where people contribute to improving the system.
In this training, we will use Ubuntu 20.04 LTS (Long-Term Support), which is a version of the Linux operating system. It's reliable and is fully compatible with ROS Foxy, the version of ROS we will be learning. Ubuntu is one of the most popular Linux distributions, and it is beginner-friendly compared to other Linux versions.
Key Points to Remember:
Linux is chosen for ROS because it provides the flexibility, control, and tools needed for robotic applications.
Ubuntu 20.04 LTS is widely used for ROS development because of its stability and compatibility.
Command-line tools in Linux will be your main way of interacting with ROS.
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