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Arch Linux

Arch Linux is a Linux distribution founded by Judd Vinet that emphasizes simplicity. Judd was inspired by another Linux distribution called CRUX. Arch is currently at version 0.7, which some think implies immaturity, but Arch uses a different release structure than normal, the version numbers indicate changes in the installer and packages included on the install CD only, not the maturity of the distribution.

Though there is much debate on the pronunciation the founder Judd Vinet [http://www.archlinux.org/pipermail/arch/2005-August/005610.html pronounces Arch] in the same manner as archer or parchment .

=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 Slackware in that it requires a certain level of knowledge to set up, but is easy to maintain. The rest of Arch Linux s philosophy is based on 3 points:

Keep it simple, keep it lightweight. Follow the KISS principle.

Relying on GUIs to build/use your system is just going to hurt a user in the end. At some point in time a user will need to know all that some GUIs hide.

Arch allows the user to make all the contributions they want to as long it does not go against the ideals of the design or philosophy.

=Package Management=

Arch is primarily based on binary packages. These packages are managed with the Pacman (Arch Linux) tool, which handles package installations, upgrades, removal and Database queries. Binary packages for Arch Linux are built optimized for i686 microprocessors, which makes it fast on modern hardware. Packages can also be built from source using the Port (Package Management)-like ABS (Arch Linux) (Arch Linux Build System). This system makes it very easy to build custom packages that integrate into the system.

The packages for Arch Linux come from the Arch Linux package tree and its mirrors. Currently there are 5 different branches.

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 contributers.

Unofficial repositories exist with packages that are integrated into the official tree.

=Releases=

Arch Linux is a constantly updating distribution, and new packages are provided every day. 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 they come out, Arch Linux releases are simply snapshots of this rolling system, and sometimes include a revised installation utility.

2005-01-24 - Arch Linux 0.7 - Wombat

2004-03-01 - Arch Linux 0.6 - Widget

2003-06-21 - Arch Linux 0.5 - Nova

2002-12-18 - Arch Linux 0.4 - Dragon

2002-08-07 - Arch Linux 0.3 - Firefly

2002-04-17 - Arch Linux 0.2 - Vega

2002-03-11 - Arch Linux 0.1 - Homer

=See also=

*List of Linux distributions *Comparison of Linux distributions

= External links =

[http://www.archlinux.org/ Arch Linux Website]

[http://wiki.archlinux.org/ Arch Linux Wiki]

[http://distrowatch.com/dwres.phpresource=interview-arch Interview with Judd Vinet]

[http://osnews.com/story.phpnews_id=10142 Interview with the Arch Linux functionaries]