User Interfaces on Linux
Linux itself does not have one single predefined graphical user interface. Instead, different desktop environments can be installed.
Components of a Desktop Environment
A desktop environment typically contains:
- Window manager
- Desktop and wallpaper
- Start menu or application overview
- Panel or taskbar
- File manager
- System settings
- Notification system
- Network and power management
Well-Known Desktop Environments
| Desktop Environment | Features |
|---|---|
| GNOME | Modern, clean, and distraction-free |
| KDE Plasma | Highly customizable |
| Xfce | Lightweight and traditional |
| Cinnamon | Traditional interface with a start menu |
| MATE | Classic and lightweight interface |
| LXQt | Especially resource-efficient |
| Budgie | Simple and modern |
| Pantheon | Clean design, mainly used by elementary OS |
A desktop environment is not the same as a Linux distribution. A distribution such as Debian, Fedora, or Arch Linux can be used with different desktop environments.
Graphical Sessions
Modern Linux systems usually use Wayland to display graphical applications. Older systems, as well as systems that continue to support it, use X11, also known as the X Window System.
Wayland and X11 are not desktop environments. They are underlying technologies for displaying and managing graphical applications.
Application
↓
Desktop environment
↓
Window manager or compositor
↓
Wayland or X11
↓
Graphics card and display