Linux distribution: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 12:53, 12 November 2024

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Typically, most of the included software is [[free and open-source software]] {{endash}} made available both as [[Executable|binary]] for convenience and as [[source code]] to allow for modifying it. A distro may also include [[proprietary software]] that is not available in source code form, such as a [[device driver]] [[binary blob|binary]].<ref name="x3fEd">{{cite web | url = https://www.gnu.org/distros/common-distros.html | title = Explaining Why We Don't Endorse Other Systems | date = June 30, 2014 | access-date = January 5, 2015 | website = gnu.org | archive-date = April 24, 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110424061731/http://www.gnu.org/distros/common-distros.html | url-status = live}}</ref>

A Linux distributiondistro may also be described as a particular assortment of application and utility software (various GNU tools and libraries, for example), packaged with the Linux kernel in such a way that its capabilities meet many users' needs.<ref name="Rn9ZU">{{cite web | url = http://swift.siphos.be/linux_sea/whatislinux.html#idm3571768989216 | title = Linux Operating Systems: Distributions | date = November 27, 2014 | access-date = January 8, 2015 | website = swift.siphos.be | archive-date = October 3, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181003201630/http://swift.siphos.be/linux_sea/whatislinux.html#idm3571768989216 | url-status = dead}}</ref> The software is usually adapted to the distribution and then combined into [[Package (package management system)|software packages]] by the distribution's maintainers. The software packages are available online in [[Software repository|repositories]], which are storage locations usually distributed around the world.<ref name="IpPUW">{{cite web | url = http://www.howtogeek.com/117579/htg-explains-how-software-installation-package-managers-work-on-linux/ | title = HTG Explains: How Software Installation & Package Managers Work On Linux | date = June 27, 2012 | access-date = January 15, 2015 | author = Chris Hoffman | website = howtogeek.com | archive-date = February 10, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150210001733/http://www.howtogeek.com/117579/htg-explains-how-software-installation-package-managers-work-on-linux/ | url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="Eg74B">{{cite web | url = http://mirror-status.centos.org/ | title = The status of CentOS mirrors | date = January 15, 2015 | access-date = January 15, 2015 | website = centos.org | archive-date = December 31, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141231161218/http://mirror-status.centos.org/ | url-status = live}}</ref> Beside "glue" components, such as the distribution installers (for example, [[Debian-Installer]] and [[Anaconda (installer)|Anaconda]]) and the package management systems, very few packages are actually written by a distribution's maintainers.

Distributions have been designed for a wide range of computing environments, including [[Desktop computer|desktops]], [[Server (computing)|servers]], [[laptop]]s, [[netbook]]s, [[mobile device]]s (phones and tablets),<ref name="mOuND">{{cite web|url=http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/linux/how-install-ubuntu-touch-image-3531970/|title=How to install Ubuntu Touch on your Android phone or tablet|author=Jim Martin|work=PC Advisor|access-date=October 29, 2015|archive-date=October 27, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027012940/http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/linux/how-install-ubuntu-touch-image-3531970/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="3PAkr">{{cite web|url=http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/install-linux-on-your-x86-tablet-five-distros-to-choose-from-1162825|title=Install Linux on your x86 tablet: five distros to choose from|author=David Hayward|work=TechRadar|access-date=October 29, 2015|archive-date=April 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413074905/https://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/install-linux-on-your-x86-tablet-five-distros-to-choose-from-1162825|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[embedded systems]].<ref name="huumN">{{cite web |url = http://www.linux.com/learn/docs/ldp/282996-choosing-the-best-linux-distributions-for-you |title = The Top 7 Best Linux Distributions for You |date = February 3, 2010 |access-date = January 11, 2015 |author = Brian Proffitt |website = linux.com |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150105063710/http://www.linux.com/learn/docs/ldp/282996-choosing-the-best-linux-distributions-for-you |archive-date = January 5, 2015 |df = mdy-all}}</ref><ref name="wrjjJ">{{cite web | url = http://www.linux.com/news/embedded-mobile/mobile-linux/794261-mobile-linux-distros-keep-on-morphing | title = Mobile Linux Distros Keep on Morphing | date = November 4, 2014 | access-date = January 11, 2015 | author = Eric Brown | website = linux.com | archive-date = February 13, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150213124237/http://www.linux.com/news/embedded-mobile/mobile-linux/794261-mobile-linux-distros-keep-on-morphing | url-status = dead}}</ref> There are commercially backed distributions, such as [[Fedora Linux]] ([[Red Hat]]), [[openSUSE]] ([[SUSE S.A.|SUSE]]) and [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]] ([[Canonical Ltd.]]), and entirely community-driven distributions, such as [[Debian]], [[Slackware]], [[Gentoo Linux|Gentoo]] and [[Arch Linux]]. Most distributions come ready-to-use and prebuilt for a specific [[instruction set]], while some (such as [[Gentoo Linux|Gentoo]]) are distributed mostly in [[source code]] form and must be [[software build|built]] before installation.<ref name="HSFsG">{{cite web | url = https://wiki.debian.org/DebianAndOtherDistros | title = Debian and Other Distros | date = December 7, 2013 | access-date = January 5, 2015 | website = debian.org | archive-date = January 14, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150114082247/https://wiki.debian.org/DebianAndOtherDistros | url-status = live}}</ref>