Arch Linux is a lightweight and flexible general-purpose Linux distribution that tries to Keep It Simple.
Arch is famous for the Arch User Repository (AUR), a community-driven repository. It contains package descriptions (PKGBUILDs) that allow users to compile a package from source with makepkg and then install it via the in-house pacman, a lightweight, simple and fast package manager that allows for continuously upgrading the entire system with one command
Arch only provides a command-line environment after the installation. The default installation is a minimal base system, configured by the user to only add what is purposely required. The project provides an installation guide, and there’s a comprehensive wiki available to consult, both of which are essential as there’s no automated installation like the vast majority of Linux distros.
Arch has spawned a whole host of distributions which offer an easier install process.
| Working state: | Active |
| Desktop: | Command-line interface |
| Init Software: | systemd |
| Package Management: | pacman |
| Release Model: | Rolling |
| Platforms: | x64-64 |
| Home Page: | archlinux.org |
| Developer: | Arch Developers |
| This article is part of our Big List of Active Linux Distros which is currently under development. |
What's a Linux distribution ("distro")? |
| A distro provides the user with a desktop environment, preloaded applications, and ways to update and maintain the system. Each distro makes different choices, deciding which open source projects to install and provides custom written programs. They can have different philosophies. Some distros are intended for desktop computers, some for servers without a graphical interface, and others for special uses. Because Linux is an open source operating system, combinations of software vary between Linux distros. |