**Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) Summary**
The **Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)** is a compatibility layer developed by
Microsoft that allows users to run a Linux environment directly on Windows without
the need for a virtual machine or dual boot setup. It provides a full Linux user-
space experience and supports running command-line tools, utilities, and
applications natively alongside Windows applications.
### Key Features:
1. **Linux Distribution Support**: Popular distributions like Ubuntu, Debian,
Fedora, and Kali Linux can be installed via the Microsoft Store.
2. **Seamless Integration**: Files and tools from Linux and Windows can interact,
with shared file systems and networking.
3. **Performance**: WSL is lightweight and efficient, avoiding the overhead of
virtualization.
4. **WSL 2**: An upgraded version that uses a real Linux kernel through lightweight
virtualization, offering faster performance and broader compatibility.
### Benefits:
- Ideal for developers needing Linux tools while working in a Windows environment.
- Facilitates workflows involving Linux-based programming, scripting, or system
management.
- Supports modern development tools like Docker, as WSL 2 allows containers to run
natively.
WSL is especially popular in development, education, and IT environments for
bridging the gap between Windows and Linux ecosystems.
