A
Unix-like (sometimes referred to as
UN*X or
*nix)
operating system is one that behaves in a manner similar to a
Unix system, while not necessarily conforming to or being certified to any version of the
Single UNIX Specification. A Unix-like
application is one that behaves like the corresponding
Unix command or
shell. There is no
standard for defining the term, and some difference of opinion is possible as to the degree to which a given operating system or application is "Unix-like".