CentOS is a free and open-source operating system based on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) distribution. It is designed for stability and security, making it a popular choice for servers and enterprise environments. Users benefit from a robust community that provides support and updates, ensuring a reliable platform for various applications. The name CentOS stands for "Community ENTerprise Operating System." It aims to provide a similar experience to RHEL without the associated costs. This makes it an attractive option for businesses and developers looking for a dependable Linux environment without licensing fees.