The Arch Way - philosophy behind Arch Linux

7/27/2019 The Arch Way - philosophy behind Arch Linux

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The Arch Way From ArchWiki

The following ve core principles comprise what is commonly referred to as the Arch

Way, or the Arch Philosophy, perhaps best summarized by the acronym KISS for Keep ItSimple, Stupid.

Contents

1 Simplicity2 Code-correctness over convenience3 User-centric4 Openness

5 Freedom

Simplicity

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. — Leonardo da Vinci

Simplicity is absolutely the principal objective behind Arch development. ManyGNU/Linux distributions dene themselves as "simple." However, simplicity itself hasmany denitions.

Arch Linux denes simplicity as without unnecessary additions, modications,or complications , and provides a lightweight UNIX -like base structure that allowsan individual user to shape the system according to their own needs. In short:an elegant, minimalist approach.

A lightweight base structure built with high programming standards will tend to havelower system resource demands. The base system is devoid of all clutter that mayobscure important parts of the system, or make access to them difficult or convoluted.It has a streamlined set of succinctly commented, clean conguration les that arearranged for quick access and editing, with no cumbersome graphical congurationtools to hide possibilities from the user. An Arch Linux system is therefore readilycongurable to the very last detail.

Complexity without complication.

Arch Linux retains the inherent complexities of a GNU/Linux system, while keepingthem well organized and transparent. Arch Linux developers and users believe thattrying to hide the complexities of a system actually results in an even more complexsystem, and is therefore to be avoided.

Arch Way - ArchWiki https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/The_Arch_Way

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Code-correctness over convenience

Correctness is clearly the prime quality. If a system does not do what it is supposed todo, then everything else about it matters little. — Bertrand Meyer

The Arch Linux system places precedence upon elegance of design as well as clean,correct, simple code, rather than unnecessary patching, automation, eye candy or

"newbie-friendliness." Software patches are therefore kept to an absolute minimum;ideally, never. Simple design and implementation shall always trump simple userinterface.

Simplicity of implementation , code-elegance, and minimalism shall alwaysremain the reigning priorities of Arch development.

Concepts, designs and features are generated and implemented by using the Arch Wayprinciples as a guide, rather than bowing to external inuences. The development teamare resolute in their commitment and dedication to the Arch Way philosophy. If youshare their vision, you are welcomed and encouraged to use Arch.

User-centric

Whereas many GNU/Linux distributions attempt to be more user-friendly , Arch Linuxhas always been, and shall always remain user-centric .

Arch Linux targets and accommodates competent GNU/Linux users by givingthem complete control and responsibility over the system.

Arch Linux users fully manage the system on their own. The system itself will offer little

assistance, except for a simple set of maintenance tools that are designed to perfectlyrelay the user's commands to the system. Arch developers do not expend energyre-inventing GUI system tools; Arch is founded upon sensible design and excellentdocumentation.

This user-centric design necessarily implies a certain "do-it-yourself" approach to usingthe Arch distribution. Rather than pursuing assistance or requesting a new feature tobe implemented by developers, Arch Linux users have a tendency to solve problemsthemselves and generously share the results with the community and developmentteam – a "do rst, then ask" philosophy. This is especially true for user-contributedpackages found in the Arch User Repository – the official Arch Linux repository for

community-maintained packages.

Openness

Openness goes hand in hand with simplicity, and is also one of the guiding principles of Arch Linux development.

Arch Linux uses simple tools, that are selected or built with openness of thesources and their output in mind.


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Openness removes all boundaries and abstraction between the user and the system,providing more control, while simultaneously simplifying system maintenance.

The open nature of Arch Linux also implies a fairly steep learning curve, butexperienced Arch Linux users tend to nd other more closed systems much moreinconvenient to control.

The openness principle extends to its community members as well, as Arch Linux usersare very open with assistance and contribution.

Freedom

Another guiding principle of Arch Linux development is freedom. Users are not onlypermitted to make all decisions concerning system conguration, but also choose whattheir system will be .

By keeping the system simple, Arch Linux provides the freedom to make any choice about the system.

A freshly installed Arch Linux system contains only basic core components with noautomatic conguration performed. Users are able to congure the system as theywish, from the shell. From the start of the installation procedure, every component of the system is 100% transparent and accessible for instant access, removal, orreplacement by alternative components.

The large number of packages and build scripts in the various Arch Linux repositoriesalso support freedom of choice, offering free and open source software for those whoprefer it, as well as proprietary software packages, for those who embrace functionality over ideology . It is the user who chooses.

As Judd Vinet, the founder of the Arch Linux project said: "[Arch Linux] is what youmake it."

Retrieved from "https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php?title=The_Arch_Way&oldid=268537"Category: About Arch

This page was last modied on 28 July 2013, at 07:21.Content is available under GNU Free Documentation License 1.3 or later.


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