GNU Core Utilities
| GNU Core Utilities | |
|---|---|
| Developer(s) | GNU Project |
| Stable release | 9.7
/ 9 April 2025 |
| Repository | |
| Written in | C, shell script |
| Operating system | Unix-like |
| Type | Miscellaneous utilities |
| License | 2007, GPL 3.0 or later since version 6.10 2002, GPL 2.0 or later until version 6.9 |
| Website | www |
The GNU Core Utilities or coreutils is a collection of GNU software that implements many standard, Unix-based shell commands. The utilities generally provide POSIX compliant interface when the POSIXLY_CORRECT environment variable is set, but otherwise offers a superset to the standard interface. For example, the utilities support long options and options after parameters. This environment variable enables a different functionality in BSD.
Similar collections are available in the FOSS ecosystem, with a slightly different scope and focus (less functionality), or license. For example, BusyBox which is licensed under GPL-2.0-only, and Toybox which is licensed under 0BSD.