Arch Linux

Arch Linux

Archlinux logo‎
File:Arch-kde-lookandfeel.png Arch Linux running KDE
Developer	Aaron Griffin
OS family	Linux
Working state	Current
Source model	Open source
Latest release	2007.08-2 (Don't Panic) / October 7, 2007
Repository	git.archlinux.org
Platforms	i686
Kernel type	Monolithic kernel
License	Various
Official website	archlinux.org

Arch Linux is a Linux distribution inspired by CRUX and intended to be lightweight and simple. The default install provides a solid base that enables users to customize the system.

It uses a BSD-style init framework and is largely based around binary packages. Packages are targeted for i686 and x86-64 microprocessors to assist performance on modern hardware. Arch Linux was founded by Judd Vinet, who led the project until 2007-10-01, when he stepped down due to lack of time. The project is currently led by Aaron Griffin.[1]

Arch Linux uses a "rolling release" system, with new packages provided daily. Its package management permits users to keep systems up-to-date easily. Rather than encouraging users to move between discrete releases, Arch Linux releases are simply snapshots of the current set of packages, sometimes with revised installation software. The first release, 0.1 (codenamed Homer), appeared on March 11, 2002, and the latest is 2007.08-2 (Don't Panic), released on October 7, 2007

The Arch in Arch Linux is usually pronounced [ɑːrtʃ] or [aːtʃ] (as in archer or parchment).[2]

Package management

Arch Linux is primarily based on binary packages. These packages are managed using the Pacman package manager, which handles package installations, upgrades, removal and database queries. The packages for Arch Linux are obtained from the Arch Linux package tree.

Currently there are five official repositories:

• core, which contains all the packages needed to set up a base Linux system
• extra, which holds packages not required for the base system, including desktop environments and programs
• unstable, which has packages for programs in development
• testing, a special repository, with packages that are candidates for the 'core', 'extra' or 'unstable' repositories.
• community, which contains packages built by the community that have enough votes and were adopted by a so called Trusted User.

In addition to these official repositories, a number of user-contributed repositories exist, often with customised or newer versions of the standard software packages.

Packages are created using the Arch Build System (ABS). This ports-like package management system consists of repositories of shell scripts and other files which enable packages to be customised and built from source, including rebuilding the entire system using modified compiler flags.

Versions

date	version	codename
2007-10-07	2007.08-2	Don't Panic
2007-08-05	2007.08	Don't Panic
2007-05-17	2007.05	Duke
2007-03-31	0.8	Voodoo
2006-05-23	0.7.2	Gimmick
2006-01-05	0.7.1	Noodle
2005-01-24	0.7	Wombat
2004-03-01	0.6	Widget
2003-06-21	0.5	Nova
2002-12-18	0.4	Dragon
2002-08-07	0.3	Firefly
2002-04-17	0.2	Vega
2002-03-11	0.1	Homer

External links

• Arch Linux official site
• Arch Linux at DistroWatch
• Blog with many articles about Arch Linux
• A collection of Arch Linux books for free download
• Interview with Judd Vinet about Arch Linux
• The Big Arch Linux Interview, an interview with most of the Arch Linux developer team
• Distributions based on Arch Linux: Archie, FaunOS, March Linux