On my older, late 2009 iMac (running OS X 10.10 Yosemite), I can run non-Apple software that will not run on my late 2017 iMac running OS X 10.14. Some of that software has no commercial equivalent for purchase or necessitates purchase of later software versions (e.g. MPEGstream or Adobe Photoshop Elements 8) that I, as a pensioner, would struggle to manage.

Can I install Linux onto my new iMac, please? If I can...

Will the installed Linux be recognised as an operating system by OS X 10.14, enabling me to change 'Startup Disk' preferences (in OS X10.14) to the newly installed Linux OS partition and restart?

If so, will the restarted iMac, running Linux, be capable of attempting to open non Apple software, as required?

I have no experience in the world of Linux so my questions may appear inane or, at least, difficult to follow. If that is the case, I apologise for my intrusion and ask your forbearance.

Sincerely, ranger123.