Arch Linux

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**Arch Linux**

Arch Linux running the Xfce desktop environment
Website:	archlinux.org
Company/ developer:	Judd Vinet et al
OS family:	Linux
Source model:	Open source
Latest stable release:	0.8 / April 1, 2007
Supported platforms:	i686 (x86-32, x86-64)
Kernel type:	Monolithic kernel
License:	Various
Working state:	Current

Arch Linux is a Linux distribution created by Judd Vinet that emphasizes simplicity. Judd was inspired by CRUX. Arch is currently at version 0.8, which some think implies immaturity, but Arch uses an abnormal release structure: the version numbers indicate changes in the installer and packages included on the install CD only, not the maturity of the distribution.

Binary packages for Arch Linux are optimized for i686 microprocessors for better performance on modern hardware.

1 Pronunciation
2 Package management
3 Philosophy
4 Releases
- 4.1 Release History
5 External links

[edit] Pronunciation

Though there is much debate on the pronunciation, the founder Judd Vinet pronounces Arch in the same manner as archer or parchment. Due to other pronunciations, it is occasionally confused with Ark Linux.

[edit] Package management

Arch is primarily based on binary packages. These packages are managed with the Pacman package manager, which handles package installations, upgrades, removal and database queries. Packages can also be built from source using the Ports-like Arch Build System. This ensures a simplified build process and a better integration into the system.

The packages for Arch Linux are obtained from the Arch Linux package tree. Currently there exist five different repositories.

Current - Contains all the packages needed to set up a base Linux system.
Extra - Contains packages that are not required for a base system, mostly alternatives for packages in Current.
Unstable - Contains packages for programs in development, and not officially released.
Testing - Contains packages that may cause trouble during an upgrade and are still pending bug reports.
Community - Contains packages put together by Arch users and contributors.

In addition to the official repositories user contributed repositories exist, mainly containing customised, additional or newer versions of the software packages.

There are other tools used to build packages that can be used. Srcpac is a wrapper for pacman which remembers what packages you like to build from source when updating. Versionpkg is a makepkg wrapper that handles building packages where the source is downloaded directly from version control. Yaourt, qpkg, Jacman, and others are just pacman wrappers that increase usability and features.

[edit] Philosophy

Arch Linux was designed to be the perfect base operating system for advanced users. Its no frills, no config tools philosophy is similar to CRUX in that it requires a certain level of knowledge to set up. The philosophy of Arch Linux consists mainly of three principles:

Keep it simple, keep it lightweight. Follow the KISS principle.
Relying on GUIs to build/use your system is ultimately a disadvantage to the user. At a certain point in time the extension of the user's knowledge will make these tools redundant.
Contributions are permitted and desired if conformance to the ideals of the design or philosophy exists.

[edit] Releases

Arch Linux is a "rolling-release" (constantly updating) distribution, and new packages are provided daily. Using package management, users can keep their systems very up-to-date, very easily. Unlike some distributions which encourage users to install new releases as of their release, Arch Linux releases are simply snapshots of this current system, and sometimes includes revised installation software.

Below is a list of Arch Linux releases, along with their codenames and dates.