Arch Linux
Arch Linux using the KDE Plasma 6 desktop environment | |
| Developer | Levente Polyak (lead developer) |
|---|---|
| OS family | Linux (Unix-like) |
| Working state | Current |
| Source model | Open-source |
| Initial release | 11 March 2002 |
| Repository | gitlab |
| Marketing target | General purpose |
| Update method | pacman |
| Package manager | pacman, libalpm (back-end) |
| Platforms | |
| Kernel type | Monolithic (Linux kernel) |
| Userland | GNU |
| Influenced | SteamOS, Artix Linux, EndeavourOS, Manjaro, Garuda Linux and others |
| 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 |
Arch Linux (/ɑːrtʃ/) is an open source, rolling release Linux distribution. Arch Linux is kept up-to-date by regularly updating the individual pieces of software that it comprises. Arch Linux is intentionally minimal, and is meant to be configured by the user during installation so they may add only what they require.
Arch Linux provides monthly "snapshots" which are used as installation media.
Pacman, a package manager written specifically for Arch Linux, is used to install, remove and update software packages. Additionally, the Arch User Repository (AUR), which is the community-driven repository for Arch Linux provides packages not included in the official repositories and alternative versions of packages; AUR packages can be downloaded and built manually, or installed through an AUR 'helper'.
Arch Linux has comprehensive documentation in the form of a community-run wiki known as the ArchWiki.