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An open API service indexing awesome lists of open source software.

Awesome-UNIX

All the UNIX and UNIX-Like: Linux, BSD, macOS, Illumos, 9front, and more.
https://github.com/sirredbeard/Awesome-UNIX

Last synced: 14 days ago
JSON representation

Additional Resources

Community

  • /r/linux - General GNU/Linux discussion. ~330k users.
  • /r/unixporn - Dedicated to NIX customization, screenshots, and configurations. ~123k users.
  • /r/ubuntu - Specific news, information, and discussion about Ubuntu. ~95k users.
  • /r/arch - Arch Linux discussion and support. ~65k users.
  • /r/debian - News and other stuff about Debian. ~23k users.
  • /r/fedora - News, information, and support surrounding Fedora. ~16k users.
  • /r/BSD - A place for all things BSD. ~10k users.
  • /r/freebsd - News and more about FreeBSD. ~9k users.
  • /r/slackware - Slackware Linux discussion and support. ~2k users.
  • /r/plan9 - Discussion surrounding Plan 9 from Bell Labs. ~1k users.
  • /r/haikuOS - Discussion, support, progress reports, and news about Haiku OS. ~1k users.
  • /r/hurd - GNU HURD discussion and support. ~1k users.
  • /r/solaris - Oracle Solaris news and discussion. ~1k users.
  • /r/minix - Discussion surrounding the MINIX 3 OS by Andrew S. Tanenbaum. ~600 users.
  • Snoonet
  • nixCraft - NixCraft is an online community of new and seasoned Linux / Unix users.
  • Awesome Sysadmin
  • LWN - LWN is a reader-supported news site dedicated to producing the best coverage from within the Linux and free software development communities.
  • Reddit - A social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion website.
  • OFTC

Free Software and Open Source Movements

More UNIX®

Notable Historic UNIX® and Unix®-like Operating Systems

  • Microsoft Xenix® - Xenix is a discontinued version of the Unix operating system for various microcomputer platforms, licensed by Microsoft® from AT&T in the late 1970s. After the discontinuation of Xenix, Microsoft offered Windows Services for UNIX for Windows NT 4 through Windows 8. Windows 10, the successor to Windows 8, features the Windows Linux Subsystem.
  • BSD386 - BSD/OS (originally called BSD/386 and sometimes known as BSDi) is a discontinued proprietary version of the BSD operating system developed by Berkeley Software Design, Inc. (BSDi).
  • NeXTSTEP - NeXTSTEP is a discontinued object-oriented, multitasking operating system based on UNIX. It was developed by NeXT Computer in the late 1980s and early 1990s and was initially used for its range of proprietary workstation computers such as the NeXTcube.
  • Project Athena - Project Athena was a joint project of MIT, Digital Equipment Corporation, and IBM to produce a campus-wide distributed computing environment for educational use. The project spawned many technologies that are widely used today, such as the X Window System and Kerberos. Athena was originally based on BSD, followed by IRIX, and then Linux. The Athena tools live in an MIT student project, Debathena.
  • IRIX® - IRIX is a discontinued operating system developed by Silicon Graphics (SGI) to run natively on their MIPS workstations and servers. It is based on UNIX System V with BSD extensions. SGI's Indigo Magic™ Desktop for IRIX® is still under active development for IRIX and Linux.
  • BeOS® - BeOS is an operating system for personal computers first developed by Be Inc. in 1991 built for digital media work with partial POSIX® compatibility.
  • NEWS-OS - NEWS-OS was an operating system from Sony based on BSD then System V that powered a line of series of Unix workstations sold during the late 1980s and 1990s. The first NEWS machine workstations appeared in Japan in January 1987 and was conceived as a desktop replacement for the VAX series. NEWS-OS was notable for having advanced TCP/IP networking features and being the first development tool for the new Sony Playstation.
  • Interview - With Alex Rosenberg, former Manager of Platform Architecture at Sony.
  • Darwin - Darwin is an open-source Unix operating system released by Apple, Inc. It is composed of code developed by Apple, as well as code derived from NeXTSTEP, BSD, Mach, and other free software projects.
  • MkLinux - MkLinux is an open source computer operating system started by the Open Group and Apple in 1996 to port Linux to Macintosh computers. Its last release was in 2002.
  • CoLinux - Cooperative Linux, abbreviated coLinux, was software which allowed Microsoft Windows and the Linux kernel to run simultaneously in parallel on the same machine.
  • ULTRIX® - ULTRIX is the brand name of Digital Equipment Corporation's discontinued native UNIX operating systems for the PDP-11, VAX, and DECstations.
  • Tru64 UNIX® - Tru64 UNIX® is a discontinued 64-bit UNIX® operating system for the Alpha® platform, currently owned by HP®. Previously, Tru64 UNIX® was a product of Compaq® and before that DEC™, where it was known as Digital UNIX™. It was unusual among commercial UNIX implementations as it is built on top of the Mach kernel like macOS.®
  • Sony History Page
  • Interview - With project lead, Toshihide Doi.

UNIX® Code/Emulation

  • WinWorld Library - Collection of abandonware operating systems, including many old UNIX and Unix-like operating systems.
  • Unix History Repository - The source code of the original UNIX through its various versions implemented in git.
  • The UNIX Tree - Browse the source code and manuals of various old versions of Unix.

UNIX®/Linux®-Related Trade Groups

  • FreeBSD Foundation - The FreeBSD Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and building the FreeBSD Project and community worldwide.
  • USENIX℠ - The USENIX Association is the Advanced Computing Systems Association. It was founded in 1975 under the name "Unix Users Group," focusing primarily on the study and development of Unix and similar systems.
  • The Linux Foundation® - The Linux Foundation (LF) is dedicated to building sustainable ecosystems around open source projects to accelerate technology development and commercial adoption. The largest open source non-profit organization, it works to promote, protect, and advance Linux and collaborative development.

UNIX®/POSIX® Technical Standards

AT&T UNIX®-Derived Operating Systems

Disambiguation: AT&T UNIX®, UNIX® Certification, UNIX®-Like, and Linux®

  • TrueNAS CORE® - TrueNAS CORE (formerly known as FreeNAS®) is a free and open-source network-attached storage (NAS) software based on FreeBSD and the OpenZFS file system.
  • Open Server 10® - Xinuos® OpenServer 10® commercial operating system based on FreeBSD 10 and designed to support business applications. 💰
  • helloSystem - helloSystem is a FreeBSD-based desktop system for creators with a focus on simplicity, elegance, and usability. Its design follows the “Less, but better” philosophy. It is intended as a system for “mere mortals”, welcoming to switchers from the Mac.
  • DragonflyBSD - DragonFly BSD is a free and open source Unix-like operating system created as a fork of FreeBSD 4.8.
  • MirBSD - Fork of OpenBSD that tracks OpenBSD base with a number of enhancements and modifications.
  • OpenBSD - OpenBSD is a free and open-source Unix-like computer operating system descended from Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD), a Research Unix derivative developed at the University of California, Berkeley known for its security and development discipline.
  • NetBSD® - NetBSD is a free and open source Unix-like operating system that descends from Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD), a Research Unix derivative developed at the University of California, Berkeley known for its wideranging platform support.
  • FreeBSD® - FreeBSD is a free and open-source Unix®-like operating system descended from Research Unix via the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) known for its software package availability and speed.
  • MidnightBSD - MidnightBSD is a free Unix®-like, desktop-oriented operating system based on FreeBSD 6.1 that borrows heavily from the NeXTSTEP graphical user interface.
  • HardendedBSD - HardenedBSD is a security-enhanced fork of FreeBSD. The HardenedBSD Project implements a number of exploit mitigation and security technologies on top of FreeBSD.
  • pfSense® - pfSense is an open source firewall/router computer software distribution based on FreeBSD.
  • OPNsense® - OPNsense originally forked from pfSense in 2014 over technical differences between developers of pfSense.

Certified UNIX Operating Systems

Disambiguation: AT&T UNIX®, UNIX® Certification, UNIX®-Like, and Linux®

  • HP-UX® - HP-UX is Hewlett Packard Enterprise's proprietary implementation of the Unix operating system, based on UNIX System V.
  • OpenServer® - OpenServer is a Unix operating system made by Xinuos from the assets of SCO Group.
  • z/OS® - IBM z/OS is an operating system for IBM zSystems mainframes. The POSIX-compliant environment is known as Unix System Services (USS), and is one of several ways to access resources on the operating system.
  • UnixWare® - UnixWare is a Unix operating system made by Xinuos from the assets of SCO Group.

Embedded/IoT-Focused Linux® Distributions

Most Unix®-Like Engineered Linux [Distributions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution)

  • OpenWrt - OpenWrt is an open source project for an embedded operating system based on Linux, primarily used on embedded devices to route network traffic.
  • Ångström - A Linux distribution for a variety of embedded devices. The distribution is the result of work by developers from the OpenZaurus, OpenEmbedded, and OpenSIMpad projects.
  • Poky - Poky is a reference distribution for the Yocto Project™, an open source project that provides templates, tools, and methods to create custom Linux-based systems for embedded devices.
  • Tiny Core Linux - Tiny Core Linux (TCL) is a minimal Linux operating system focusing on providing a base system using BusyBox and FLTK, developed by Robert Shingledecker.
  • Raspberry Pi OS - Raspberry Pi OS is a Debian-based computer operating system for Raspberry Pi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Disambiguation: AT&T UNIX®, UNIX® Certification, UNIX®-Like, and Linux®

What is UNIX

Why is UNIX relevant today

GNU Hurd

Most Unix®-Like Engineered Linux [Distributions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution)

  • GNU/Hurd - GNU Hurd is a multiserver microkernel developed by the GNU Project. It has been under development since 1990 and is designed as a replacement for the Unix kernel. It is released as free software under the GNU General Public License .
  • Debian GNU/Hurd - Debian GNU/Hurd is an implementation of the GNU Hurd on the Debian userspace with the apt package manager.
  • Arch GNU/Hurd - Arch GNU/Hurd is an implementation of the GNU Hurd on the Arch userspace with the pacman package manager.

iOS

Most Unix®-Like Engineered Linux [Distributions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution)

  • tvOS™ - tvOS is an operating system developed by Apple Inc. for the fourth-generation and later Apple TV digital media player. It is based on the iOS operating system.

Linux

Most Unix®-Like Engineered Linux [Distributions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution)

  • heads - Heads is a live CD to connect securely over Tor, unlike Tails it does not rely on systemd or non-free software. awesome is default desktop environment.
  • Funtoo - Funtoo Linux is a Linux-based operating system that is a variant of Gentoo Linux.
  • Dragora - The Dragora project produces a libre, reliable, Unix-like GNU/Linux distribution made from scratch.
  • Slackware - Slackware is a Linux distribution created by Patrick Volkerding in 1993. Slackware aims for design stability and simplicity and to be the most "Unix-like" Linux distribution.
  • GuixSD - GuixSD is an advanced distribution of the GNU operating system developed by the GNU Project, home of gcc and the GPL, which respects the freedom of computer users.
  • Linux From Scratch - Linux From Scratch is a way to install a working Linux system by building and installing all components manually, including the bootloader, kernel, and user programs.
  • Salix - Salix is a Linux distribution based on Slackware that is simple, fast, and easy to use. Salix adds automated dependency resolution, a larger repository of applications, and a suite of native administration and configuration tools for both the GUI and the command line.
  • Gentoo® - Gentoo is a Linux distribution built using the Portage package management system. Unlike a binary software distribution, the source code is compiled locally at the time of installation. Gentoo is known for its speed.
  • Redcore - Redcore Linux is a distribution based on Gentoo Linux that aims to be a very quick way to install a pure Gentoo Linux system without spending hours or days compiling from source code.
  • Alpine - Alpine Linux is an independent, non-commercial, general purpose Linux distribution designed for power users who appreciate security, simplicity and resource efficiency.
  • Void - Void is a general purpose operating system, based on the monolithic Linux kernel, features XBPS packaging system.

Mobile Linux® Distributions

Most Unix®-Like Engineered Linux [Distributions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution)

  • Chrome OS™ - Chrome OS is an operating system designed by Google that is based on the Linux kernel and uses the Google Chrome™ web browser as its principal user interface.
  • WebOS - WebOS is a Linux kernel-based multitasking operating system for smart devices that has been was first used as a mobile operating system on Palm devices and introduced a number of UX/design metaphors later duplicated in iOS and Android. Initially developed by Palm, then acquired by HP, and now owned by Qualcomm, it is now commonly found on LG-brand smart TVs.
  • Tizen™ - Tizen is an open source, standards-based software platform for multiple device categories, including smartphones, tablets, TVs, netbooks and automotive infotainment platforms.
  • LuneOS - LuneOS is a mobile operating system based on the Linux kernel and currently developed by WebOS Ports community. LuneOS is the open source successor for Palm/HP webOS where the user interface is rebuilt from scratch by using the latest technologies available and installs on any devices compatible with CyanogenMod.
  • Android™ - Android is a mobile operating system developed by Google®, based on the Linux kernel and designed primarily for touchscreen mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.
  • Halium Project - Halium is the collaborative project to unify the Hardware Abstraction Layer for projects which run GNU/Linux on mobile devices with pre-installed Android.
  • LineageOS - LineageOS is a free and open-source operating system for smartphones and tablet computers, based on the Android mobile platform, forked from CyanogenMod.
  • Sailfish OS - Sailfish OS is a general purpose Linux used commonly as mobile operating system combining the Linux kernel, the open-source Mer core stack of middleware, a proprietary UI, and other third-party components.

More BSD

Notable Historic UNIX® and Unix®-like Operating Systems

More illumos®

Notable Historic UNIX® and Unix®-like Operating Systems

More Linux®

Notable Historic UNIX® and Unix®-like Operating Systems

More macOS®

Notable Historic UNIX® and Unix®-like Operating Systems

More Unix-Like Operating Systems

Most Unix®-Like Engineered Linux [Distributions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution)

  • Minoca OS - Minoca OS is a general purpose operating system written from scratch. It aims to be lean, maintainable, modular, and compatible with existing software.
  • Akaros - Akaros is an open source, GPL-licensed operating system for manycore architectures. The goal is to provide support for parallel and high-performance applications and to scale to a large number of cores .
  • ToaruOS - ToaruOS is a hobbyist, educational, Unix-like operating system built entirely from scratch. It includes a kernel, bootloader, dynamic linker, C standard library, composited windowing system, and several utilities and applications .
  • Minix® - Minix® is a POSIX®-compliant Unix-like computer operating system based on a microkernel architecture. In 2017 it was learned that Intel™ used a version of MINIX on many of its x86-series processors, perhaps making it the most popular Unix-like operating system .
  • Haiku - Haiku is a free and open-source operating system compatible with the now-discontinued BeOS.® Its development began in 2001, and the operating system became self-hosting in 2008 .
  • Redox - Redox is a Unix-like microkernel operating system written in the programming language Rust, a language with focus on safety and high performance. Redox aims to be secure, usable, and free .
  • Sortix - Sortix is a small self-hosting operating-system aiming to be a clean and modern POSIX implementation, a hobbyist operating system written from scratch with its own base system, including kernel and standard library, as well as ports of third party software.
  • FiwixOS - FiwixOS is a UNIX-like operating system that includes the Fiwix kernel, GNU Toolchain, libraries and additional software. It uses Newlib as its C library and all the included software is free and open-source software. The Fiwix kernel is written from scratch and aims for Linux 2.0 system call compatiblility.

Plan 9 Derivatives

Most Unix®-Like Engineered Linux [Distributions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution)

  • distributed computing - released under the GPL and projects exist to build on Plan 9. Many Bell Labs employees still volunteer on these projects.
  • Harvey OS - Harvey is an effort to provide a modern, distributed, 64 bit operating system. A different environment for researching and finding new lines of work. It can be built with gcc and clang and has an ANSI/POSIX compliant subsystem.
  • Inferno® - Inferno was an effort to commercialize Plan 9 as networking software. However, like Plan 9, it remained obscure while its ideas permeated into current operating systems.
  • Jehanne - Jehanne is a new distributed operating system designed for programmers. The core values that lead the development are simplicity and security. Jehanne is a fork of Harvey.
  • 9front - 9front is a fork of Plan 9 from Bell Labs by the People's Front of Cat-V. It is a next generation mushroom cloud computing platform for the 20th century .
  • 9legacy - 9legacy is an experimental patch queue for Plan 9 from Bell Labs .

Popular Commercial Linux® Distributions

Most Unix®-Like Engineered Linux [Distributions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution)

  • Oracle® - Oracle Linux® is compiled from Red Hat Enterprise Linux source code, replacing Red Hat branding with Oracle's, optimized to run Oracle software. 💰
  • Ubuntu® - Ubuntu is a Debian-based Linux distribution published by Canonical® who offer commercial support for enterprise-class Ubuntu Server variant.
  • elementaryOS - Distro elementaryOS is a consumer-oriented Linux distribution based on Ubuntu. It is the flagship distribution to showcase the Pantheon desktop environment. 💰
  • Clear Linux - Clear Linux is a distribution developed and maintained by Intel, the makers of Intel computer processors. The distribution is heavily optimized for Intel processors at the kernel and library levels. As a result is it one of the highest performing Linux distros on x86_64 hardware.
  • Pop!_OS - POP!_OS is a developer and maker-focused minimalist Linux distro from Linux hardware manufacturer System 76®. It runs on any x86-compatible hardware.
  • SUSE Linux Enterprise® - SUSE Linux Enterprise workstation/server is a Linux-based operating system developed by SUSE®. It is designed for servers, mainframes, and workstations. 💰

Popular Non-Commercial Linux® Distributions

Most Unix®-Like Engineered Linux [Distributions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution)

  • Arch - Arch Linux is a Linux distribution for computers based on x86-64 architectures.
  • Manjaro - Manjaro Linux is an open source operating system for computers. It is a distribution of Linux based on the Arch Linux distribution.
  • OpenSUSE - openSUSE formerly SUSE Linux and SuSE Linux Professional, is a Linux-based project and distribution sponsored by SUSE Linux and other companies.
  • Mageia - Mageia is a Linux based operating system, distributed as free and open source software. It is forked from the Mandriva Linux distribution.
  • Debian® - Debian is a Unix-like computer operating system that is composed entirely of free software, most of which is under the GNU General Public License and packaged by a group of individuals participating in the Debian Project.
  • Fedora® - Fedora is an Unix-like operating system based on the Linux kernel and GNU programs (a Linux distribution), developed by the community-supported Fedora Project and sponsored by the Red Hat company.
  • CentOS Stream - CentOS Stream is a Linux distribution that attempts to provide a free, enterprise-class, community-supported computing platform.
  • Parabola - Parabola is derived from Arch and provides packages from it that meet the Free Software Foundation guidelines and replacements for the packages that don't.
  • Solus - Solus is an independent desktop operating system based on the Linux kernel. It is offered as a curated rolling release model. It is the flagship distro for the Budgie desktop environment and closely tracks optimizations found in Clear Linux, making it one of the fastest desktop Linux distros available.
  • Mint - Linux Mint is a community-driven Linux distribution based on Debian and Ubuntu that strives to be a "modern, elegant and comfortable operating system which is both powerful and easy to use.

Solaris and illumos

Most Unix®-Like Engineered Linux [Distributions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution)

  • v9os - Server-only, IPS-based minimal SPARC-only distribution of illumos.
  • DilOS - DilOS is an illumos-based platform featuring the Debian package manager (dpkg+apt).
  • OpenIndiana - OpenIndiana is a free and open-source, Unix operating system derived from OpenSolaris and based on illumos. Developers forked OpenSolaris after Oracle Corporation discontinued it.
  • Tribblix - Tribblix is an operating system created by Peter Tribble. Derived from OpenSolaris, OpenIndiana, and illumos, it blends a retro style with modern components.

Unique Linux® Distributions/Related Projects

Most Unix®-Like Engineered Linux [Distributions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution)

  • Bedrock - Bedrock Linux is a Linux distribution that currently installs from an existing Linux installation, allowing the user to select a preferred init at boot time and install Linux packages from multiple distributions at the same time .
  • Red Star OS - Red Star OS is a North Korean Linux operating system developed for use in North Korea that computer researches have noted watermarks every document and media file on a computer or on any USB stick connected to it.
  • Kali Linux - Kali Linux is a Debian-derived Linux distribution designed for digital forensics and penetration testing. It is maintained and funded by Offensive Security Ltd .
  • NixOS Linux - NixOS is a Linux distribution that built on the unique completely declarative Nix package manager .
  • GNUSTEP - GNUSTEP is a Linux live CD distribution based on Debian that prominently features the GNUstep application frameworks, a free software re-implementation of the OPENSTEP and Cocoa frameworks originally developed by NeXT with Sun Microsystems.
  • Tails - Tails is a security-focused Debian-based Linux distribution aimed at preserving privacy and anonymity .
  • QubesOS - QubesOS is a security-focused desktop operating system that aims to provide security through isolation. Virtualization is performed by Xen®, and user environments can be based on Fedora, Debian, Whonix, and Microsoft Windows, among other operating systems .