Arch Linux
Arch Linux (/ɑːrtʃ/) is an independently developed, x86-64 general-purpose Linux distribution that strives to provide the latest stable versions of most software by following a rolling-release model. The default installation is a minimal base system, configured by the user to only add what is purposely required.
| Developer | Levente Polyak (lead developer) |
|---|---|
| OS family | Linux (Unix-like) |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Open-source |
| Initial release | 11 March 2002 |
| Latest release | 2024.02.01 / 12 days ago |
| Repository | gitlab |
| Marketing target | General purpose |
| Update method | Rolling release |
| Package manager | pacman, libalpm (back-end), Arch build system |
| Platforms | |
| Kernel type | Monolithic (Linux kernel) |
| Userland | GNU |
| Influenced | EndeavourOS, Manjaro, Garuda Linux, Artix Linux, Antergos |
| Influenced by | CRUX, BSD |
| Default user interface | Command-line interface (Zsh as the default shell in Live CD or Live USB and Bash as the default shell after installation) |
| License | Free software (GNU GPL and other licenses) |
| Official website | archlinux |
Pacman, a package manager written specifically for Arch Linux, is used to install, remove and update software packages.
Arch Linux uses a rolling release model, meaning there are no "major releases" of completely new versions of the system; a regular system update is all that is needed to obtain the latest Arch software; the installation images released every month by the Arch team are simply up-to-date snapshots of the main system components.
Arch Linux has comprehensive documentation, consisting of a community-run wiki known as the ArchWiki.