Linux in 2025: Desktop Environment Architecture

Publié par Marc sur 3 Novembre 2025, 07:34am

Catégories : #Desktop Environment, #Linux, #Gnome, #Kde Plasma, #Cinnamon, #Xfce, #Mate

Complete guide to Linux desktop environments in 2025. Discover GNOME, KDE Plasma, Cinnamon, XFCE, MATE, LXQt and Wayfire. Comparison, choices, practical advice.

Linux 2025: Desktop Environment Architecture - GNOME, KDE Plasma, Cinnamon Guide

🐧 Linux in 2025: Desktop Environment Architecture

Part 1/2: The Foundations - Modular Architecture and the 8 System Layers

📖 2-Part Article Series

This article is part of a comprehensive series on Linux desktop environments in 2025.

📍 You are here: Part 1

Linux modular architecture and the 8 system layers

➡️ Next: Part 2

Desktop environments, recommendations and compatibilities

Access Part 2 →

🔍 Study Introduction

🌐 The Cultural Shock of Switching to Linux

You've decided to install Linux. The computer boots up, the screen lights up... and there, it's completely different. No familiar Start Menu. Windows don't behave like on Windows. The graphical interface seems foreign. This is the cultural shock of switching to Linux.

⚙️ Linux Modularity

But this apparent "disorder" is actually a freedom that Windows doesn't offer you. Unlike Windows, which is a prefabricated house delivered with unique decor, Linux is a modular system. The core system (the Linux kernel and GNU tools) is the same, but the graphical interface is a choice. You can replace it, customize it, choose it according to your needs. And this choice is made by you.

📊 SafeITExperts Expertise

This article, published on SafeITExperts, helps you understand this rich and varied landscape of desktop environments so that this transition, far from being an obstacle, becomes a fulfilling discovery.

⚙️ GNU/Linux System Modular Architecture

🏗️ The 8 Layers of Linux System

To fully grasp desktop environments, it's essential to understand the 8 main layers of a GNU/Linux system. It's not a single monolith like a proprietary operating system, but a stack of software interacting with each other.

🔧 Layer 1 - Hardware

The construction site. Provides computing power, memory, storage - the raw resources.

🐧 Layer 2 - Linux Kernel

The concrete foundations. Directly manages hardware and allows all other layers to communicate with it.

🛠️ Layer 3 - System Tools

The electricity and plumbing. Provides basic commands and essential services.

🖼️ Layer 4 - Display Server

The electrical wiring plan. Allows graphical programs to "talk" to your screen.

🎨 Layer 5 - Graphical Libraries

The paints and finishes. Defines the appearance of buttons, menus and ensures consistent style.

🚀 Layer 6 - Desktop Environment

The interior decoration. Provides windows, menus, desktops - the complete interface.

🔐 Layer 7 - Login Manager

The entrance door. Identifies you and gives access to your personal session.

📦 Layer 8 - Applications

The furniture and equipment. Programs you actually use (browser, word processor).

🎯 Modularity and Freedom

It's this modular architecture that allows the same Linux kernel to support environments ranging from extreme lightness (Openbox on X11) to functional richness (KDE Plasma on Wayland), while offering choice to the end user.

🚀 Linux Advantages

🎯 Versatility

Linux offers the flexibility needed to adapt to almost all use cases. It supports all types of technologies, from small edge computing devices to complex cloud-native applications of the largest companies.
Advantages: Adaptability, flexibility, edge → cloud‑native. 💡 💡 💡

🔒 Security

Modularity offers many security advantages. A kernel component since 2003, SELinux gives administrators visibility and granular control over user access and application permissions.
Advantages: Modularity, fine access control. 💡 💡 💡

👥 Community

For decades, an international community has formed around the Linux project. Thousands of smaller communities support specific projects, sharing ideas, troubleshooting tips and innovations.
Advantages: Global ecosystem, mutual aid, innovation. 💡 💡 💡

🏗️ Layered Modular Architecture

🐧 The Kernel

Essential core component for system operation. The kernel manages system resources and communicates with hardware. Responsible for memory, process and file management.
Advantages: Hardware and resource management. 💡 💡

💻 User Space

System-level task administration layer: configuration, software installation. Consists of shell daemons, background processes and desktop environment.
Advantages: Admin tools, desktop, configurable. 💡 💡 💡

📦 Applications

Software to perform tasks, from desktop tools to multi-user enterprise suites. Most distributions provide a central base to search and download applications.
Advantages: Centralized repositories, varied software libraries, accessible. 💡 💡

🏗️ The 8 Linux Layers: Functions, Components and Maintainers

F Actual Function

Provide physical resources

C Components

CPU, RAM, SSD/NVMe, GPU

M Maintainers

Hardware manufacturers

R Role

Construction site

F Actual Function

Manage hardware and processes

C Components

Linux kernel, modules

M Maintainers

Linus Torvalds + community

R Role

Concrete foundations

F Actual Function

System commands and services

C Components

Bash/Zsh, Coreutils, systemd

M Maintainers

GNU Project + maintainers

R Role

Electricity and plumbing

F Actual Function

Manage graphical display

C Components

Wayland, X11, Hyprland

M Maintainers

Specialized teams

R Role

Electrical wiring plan

F Actual Function

Interface creation tools

C Components

GTK4, Qt6, Iced, EFL

M Maintainers

GTK, Qt teams, etc.

R Role

Paints and finishes

F Actual Function

Complete user interface

C Components

KDE, GNOME, Xfce, COSMIC

M Maintainers

KDE, GNOME teams, etc.

R Role

Interior decoration

F Actual Function

Authenticate users

C Components

SDDM, GDM, LightDM

M Maintainers

KDE, GNOME teams

R Role

Entrance door and keys

F Actual Function

Execute user tasks

C Components

Firefox, LibreOffice, GIMP

M Maintainers

Foundations and companies

R Role

Furniture and equipment

🖥️ Main Linux Desktops

G Philosophy

Less is more

G Target audience

Beginners, minimalists

G Wayland support

Default

G Where to find

Ubuntu, Fedora

Source: GNOME official website

K Philosophy

Total control

K Target audience

Advanced, creative

K Wayland support

Default

K Where to find

openSUSE, Kubuntu

Source: KDE Plasma official website

C Philosophy

Familiar interface

C Target audience

Ex-Windows 7/10

C Wayland support

Experimental

C Where to find

Linux Mint

Source: Linux Mint official website (Cinnamon)

X Philosophy

Performance, stability

X Target audience

Older PCs

X Wayland support

In development

X Where to find

Xubuntu, Linux Mint XFCE

Source: XFCE official website

M Philosophy

GNOME 2 continuity

M Target audience

GNOME 2 fans

M Wayland support

Via Wayfire

M Where to find

Linux Mint MATE

Source: MATE Desktop official website

L Philosophy

Extreme minimalism

L Target audience

Old PCs, embedded

L Wayland support

Yes (LXDE successor)

L Where to find

Lubuntu

Source: LXQt official website

W Philosophy

Aesthetics, animations

W Target audience

Aesthetes, experienced

W Wayland support

Wayfire (compositor), Enlightenment (DE)

W Where to find

Niche distributions

Source: Wayfire official website / Enlightenment

🔧 Linux Layers Compatibilities and Risks

✅ Compatibility

Linux universality

⚠️ Risk 1

Recent hardware drivers not integrated

⚠️ Risk 2

Proprietary peripherals

💡 Advice 1

Check compatibility before installation

💡 Advice 2

Prefer open source drivers

✅ Compatibility

All upper layers

✅ Stability

LTS kernel recommended

⚠️ Risk 1

Kernel too old

⚠️ Risk 2

Kernel too recent

💡 Advice 1

Distribution version

✅ Compatibility

All distributions

✅ Extensibility

Add modern shells/tools

⚠️ Identified risk

Mix package managers

💡 Advice 1

Tools provided by distribution

💡 Advice 2

Avoid replacing critical tools

✅ Compatibility

X11/Wayland interchangeable

⚠️ Risk 1

Wayland + Nvidia variable

⚠️ Risk 2

X11 applications under Wayland

💡 Advice 1

AMD/Intel: Wayland recommended

💡 Advice 2

Test before definitive adoption

✅ Compatibility

GTK/Qt coexistence

⚠️ Risk 1

Major version conflicts

⚠️ Risk 2

Theme inconsistency

💡 Advice 1

Integration themes

💡 Advice 2

Native DE applications

✅ Compatibility

Multi-DE possible

⚠️ Risk 1

Configuration conflicts

⚠️ Risk 2

Application duplication

💡 Advice 1

Max 2-3 environments

💡 Advice 2

Separate test accounts

✅ Compatibility

All with all DE

⚠️ Risk 1

Manual configuration

⚠️ Risk 2

Specific DE managers

💡 Advice 1

Provided manager

💡 Advice 2

LightDM fallback

✅ Compatibility

Linux universality

⚠️ Risk 1

Snap/Flatpak variable performance

⚠️ Risk 2

Third-party unofficial repositories

💡 Advice 1

Official distribution repositories

💡 Advice 2

Flatpak recent applications

❓ FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions (Part 1)

🤔 What exactly is a Linux desktop environment?

A desktop environment (DE) is layer 6 of the Linux architecture. It's the complete graphical interface that allows you to interact with your system: windows, menus, desktop, file manager, etc. It relies on lower layers (display server, graphical libraries) to function.

💡 Why does Linux have so many different desktop environments?

Thanks to Linux's modular architecture! Unlike proprietary systems, Linux separates the kernel (layer 2), display server (layer 4) and interface (layer 6). Each team can therefore create its own desktop environment while using the same foundations.

🔧 What are X11 and Wayland?

These are display servers (layer 4). X11 is the old system (since 1984), while Wayland is the new modern protocol. They serve as a bridge between graphical applications and your screen. In 2025, Wayland becomes the standard, but X11 is still used.

🏗️ What is the Linux kernel?

The Linux kernel is layer 2 of the system. It's the core that directly manages hardware (processor, memory, disks). Created by Linus Torvalds in 1991, it's the common base for all Linux distributions. The kernel doesn't change, regardless of the desktop environment chosen.

📦 What's the difference between a Linux distribution and a desktop environment?

A distribution (Ubuntu, Fedora, openSUSE) is a complete system: it chooses and assembles the 8 layers. The desktop environment (GNOME, KDE Plasma) is only layer 6. You can change desktop environment without changing distribution!

⚙️ What is Linux "modularity"?

Modularity means Linux is composed of 8 independent layers that can be replaced separately. You can change your desktop environment (layer 6) without touching the kernel (layer 2), or switch from X11 to Wayland (layer 4) without changing your applications (layer 8). It's like stackable LEGO blocks!

🎯 Part 1 Conclusion: Foundations Are Laid

🏗️ You Now Master the Architecture

You now understand that Linux is not a monolithic block but an architecture of 8 modular layers. This modularity is the key to its flexibility and power.

🔑 Keys for the Next Part

These foundations will allow you to understand desktop environment choices in part 2. You'll know why certain combinations work better than others and how to avoid incompatibilities.

➡️ Next Step

In part 2, we'll concretely explore desktop environments: GNOME, KDE Plasma, Cinnamon, and many more. You'll discover which one best fits your needs and how to install it without risk.

🔍 Sources and References

Source	Type	Link
Red Hat - What is Linux	Official documentation	Consult
KDE.org - KDE Plasma Documentation	Official documentation	Consult
GNOME.org - About GNOME	Official documentation	Consult
Wayland Protocol	Technical specification	Consult
X.Org Foundation	X11 documentation	Consult
Kernel.org - Linux Kernel	Official kernel source	Consult
openSUSE Documentation	Distribution documentation	Consult
Ubuntu Desktop Guide	Distribution documentation	Consult

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