CRUX
Encyclopedia
CRUX is a lightweight, i686-optimized GNU/Linux distribution
targeted at experienced GNU/Linux
users and delivered by a tar.gz-based package system with BSD-style initscripts. It also utilizes a ports system to install and upgrade applications. The current release is 2.7.1.
Although crux is the Latin word for "cross," the choice of the name "CRUX" itself has no meaning. Per Lidén created it for "sounding cool", using an ending "-X" to evoke Linux and Unix
.
installation program. Instead, the user boots the kernel
stored on either a CD
or diskette
; partitions
the hard disk drive(s) to which the operating system
will be installed (using a program such as fdisk
or cfdisk
); creates the appropriate file system
s on the various partitions; mounts
the CD or NFS
share along with the partitions made previously for use by the package installation script; compiles a new kernel; and installs a bootloader
, all via shell commands
.
required to adjust the program to work, md5sum
hashes used to verify the integrity of the downloaded files, a footprint file listing the files to be included in the packages, and the package source archived
in tar.gz format. These files are downloaded from a CRUX software repository
, compiled, and installed using the prt-get frontend to pkgutils.
Linux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
targeted at experienced GNU/Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
users and delivered by a tar.gz-based package system with BSD-style initscripts. It also utilizes a ports system to install and upgrade applications. The current release is 2.7.1.
Although crux is the Latin word for "cross," the choice of the name "CRUX" itself has no meaning. Per Lidén created it for "sounding cool", using an ending "-X" to evoke Linux and Unix
Unix
Unix is a multitasking, multi-user computer operating system originally developed in 1969 by a group of AT&T employees at Bell Labs, including Ken Thompson, Dennis Ritchie, Brian Kernighan, Douglas McIlroy, and Joe Ossanna...
.
Installation
CRUX, unlike many other GNU/Linux distributions, doesn't include a GUIGraphical user interface
In computing, a graphical user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with electronic devices with images rather than text commands. GUIs can be used in computers, hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players or gaming devices, household appliances and...
installation program. Instead, the user boots the kernel
Linux kernel
The Linux kernel is an operating system kernel used by the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems. It is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software....
stored on either a CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
or diskette
Floppy disk
A floppy disk is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic storage medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles...
; partitions
Disk partitioning
Disk partitioning is the act of dividing a hard disk drive into multiple logical storage units referred to as partitions, to treat one physical disk drive as if it were multiple disks. Partitions are also termed "slices" for operating systems based on BSD, Solaris or GNU Hurd...
the hard disk drive(s) to which the operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
will be installed (using a program such as fdisk
Fdisk
On personal computer operating systems, fdisk is a commonly used name for a command-line utility that provides disk partitioning functions...
or cfdisk
Cfdisk
cfdisk is a Linux partition editor, similar to fdisk, but with a different user interface . It is part of the util-linux package of Linux utility programs.Originally written in 1992, the current version is 2.12r....
); creates the appropriate file system
File system
A file system is a means to organize data expected to be retained after a program terminates by providing procedures to store, retrieve and update data, as well as manage the available space on the device which contain it. A file system organizes data in an efficient manner and is tuned to the...
s on the various partitions; mounts
Mount (Unix)
The Unix command line utility mount instructs the operating system that a file system is ready to use, and associates it with a particular point in the system's file system hierarchy . The counterpart umount instructs the operating system that the file system should be disassociated from its mount...
the CD or NFS
Distributed file system
Network file system may refer to:* A distributed file system, which is accessed over a computer network* Network File System , a specific brand of distributed file system...
share along with the partitions made previously for use by the package installation script; compiles a new kernel; and installs a bootloader
Booting
In computing, booting is a process that begins when a user turns on a computer system and prepares the computer to perform its normal operations. On modern computers, this typically involves loading and starting an operating system. The boot sequence is the initial set of operations that the...
, all via shell commands
Command-line interface
A command-line interface is a mechanism for interacting with a computer operating system or software by typing commands to perform specific tasks...
.
Package Management
CRUX implements an infrastructure similar to that of BSD-based operating systems for package management. Packages consist of a makefile, any patchesPatch (computing)
A patch is a piece of software designed to fix problems with, or update a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, and improving the usability or performance...
required to adjust the program to work, md5sum
Md5sum
md5sum is a computer program that calculates and verifies 128-bit MD5 hashes, as described in RFC 1321. The MD5 hash functions as a compact digital fingerprint of a file. As with all such hashing algorithms, there is theoretically an unlimited number of files that will have any given MD5 hash...
hashes used to verify the integrity of the downloaded files, a footprint file listing the files to be included in the packages, and the package source archived
Archive file
An archive file is a file that is composed of one or more files along with metadata that can include source volume and medium information, file directory structure, error detection and recovery information, file comments, and usually employs some form of lossless compression. Archive files may be...
in tar.gz format. These files are downloaded from a CRUX software repository
Software repository
A software repository is a storage location from which software packages may be retrieved and installed on a computer.- Discussion :Many software publishers and other organizations maintain servers on the Internet for this purpose, either free of charge or for a subscription fee...
, compiled, and installed using the prt-get frontend to pkgutils.
Releases
| version | date |
|---|---|
| 1.0 | 2002 December |
| 1.1 | 2003 March |
| 1.2 | 2003 August |
| 1.3 | 2003 December |
| 1.3.1 | 2004 February |
| 2.0 | 2004 March |
| 2.1 | 2005 April |
| 2.2 | 2006 April |
| 2.3 | 2007 March |
| 2.4 | 2007 December |
| 2.5 | 2008 December |
| 2.6 | 2009 September |
| 2.7 | 2010 October |
| 2.7.1 | 2011 November |