Linux is a tried-and-true, open-source operating system released in 1991 for computers, but its use has expanded to underpin systems for cars, phones, web servers and, more recently, networking ...

Does the developer operating system play a part in the SDLC equation anymore? Well, it depends on what you're programming. Mobile and cloud development demand different OS best practices.

Some of it is moved inside simple switch and router appliances, where software is comprised of open-source operating systems and open-source controllers.

Dell has released its latest networking operating system, OS10, designed to decouple the software from the hardware.