Unix-like Systems
Unix-like systems are operating systems that behave similarly to the original Unix system, developed at Bell Labs in the 1970s, but are not necessarily derived from its source code. They provide a multi-user, multitasking environment with a hierarchical file system, command-line interface, and a set of core utilities. Common examples include Linux distributions (e.g., Ubuntu, CentOS) and BSD variants (e.g., FreeBSD, macOS).
Developers should learn Unix-like systems because they are widely used in server environments, cloud computing, and development workflows, offering stability, security, and powerful scripting capabilities. They are essential for backend development, system administration, and DevOps roles, where tasks like server management, automation, and containerization (e.g., with Docker) rely on Unix-like tools and commands.