Gentoo

Gentoo (/ˈdʒɛntu/) is a Distribution Linux known as source. It was conceived to be modular, portable and was optimized for the material of the user. Thus, all the programs will have to be compiled starting from the source code. However, of many software available in the form of packages precompiled for various architectures, can also be used. This is managed thanks to the system Portage of Gentoo.

Its characteristic is the compilation complete (or partly) of a system GNU/Linux starting from the sources, with the manner of Linux From Scratch but automated.

Its management tools of packages take as a starting point the ports of BSD. This process allows an optimization and a complete personalization of the system but takes a certain time to compile all the software requirements.

This type of installation makes it possible as well as possible to benefit from the architecture of the machine. Indeed, the Source code will be compiled by taking account of possible optimizations of the instruction set of the Processeur. The major part of the distributions are compiled with the instruction set i386 and not more recent processor, this in order to preserve an operation on the maximum of machines. The more recent processors function then minimally without using optimizations of the founder.

Moreover, this type of installation makes it possible to easily manage the dependences, and this even at the time of a major update of all the distribution. Indeed, at the time of the installation of each program the libraries of development which accompany it are automatically installed, and the other programs which use these libraries will be automatically recompilés with the new version of these libraries at the time of the update. The result is a powerful, coherent and stable system.

Another interest of Gentoo is to let the user choose his applications progressively installation, making the system, at the end of the period of installation, much lighter than with other distributions which often install by defect of the applications which the user does not need necessarily.

Portability

Conceived initially to function on architecture x86, Gentoo is today one of the distributions most carried: currently supported architectures are the following ones: X86, PowerPC, PowerPC 970, SPARC, SPARC64, AMD64, IA-64, MIPS, DEC Alpha, HP/PA, ARM, and zSeries/s390. Gentoo was the first distribution to offer a system Linux 64 bits (space user and core) for architecture PowerPC 970. It is also portable on Xbox and PS3 like many Linux distributions.

There exists also an embarked profile which uses uclibc, a library which offers the same functions as the Glibc, but more compact. That makes it possible to use Gentoo on embarked systems, to adapt Gentoo to programmable automats or to carry out a work station dedicated to tasks which require a high performance system.

See Ebuild.

Origin of the name “Gentoo-Linux”

Finnish Linus Torvalds, creator initial of the core Linux, chose like logo a drawing representing a penguin. Gentoo (Manchot papou, Pygoscelis papua ) is quite simply a particular kind of “penguin”, which is appropriate perfectly for the Linux distribution described here. Indeed, Gentoos are the fastest swimmers among these animals (35 km/h).

Overlay

A overlay for '' surcouche '' gathers a whole of programs generally corresponding to a specific task as well as the tools necessary to their incorporation in bearing. It is thus possible to install these programs easily and to increase the possibilities of a system gentoo.

The overlays are also used to properly install a program recent but still absent from the principal tree which one will be able to then replace by his " equivalent; officiel" without concern. Nothing prevents compiling (and from installing) a software but in this case, the user is likely to have a program not respecting the order or the structure of the distribution and will have to pay attention at the time of the arrival of the software in the principal tree (files of configurations badly placed etc).

Some overlay use the program layman to gather them and facilitate their installation and their management.

Presentation of some overlays

  • the overlay science proposes many scientific and mathematical programs. It is a very dynamic overlay which very regularly proposes updates and new programs before they are officially built-in bearing.

  • the overlay audio professional proposes many audio programs and same the kernel real-time (or multi-media) that distributions like DeMuDi. As much the module realtime-lsm that WFP-Rlimits are proposed, which leaves a total freedom to the user in the multi-media management of the priorities of the tasks in the system. The updates are numerous and the programs offered are generally last version and all their functionalities are available. Moreover, much of versions CVS and SVN are also proposed. Many programs of this overlay are compatible with lash, the successor of ladcca, which makes it possible to safeguard the state of the sessions of audio work and to restore them automatically.

  • Station-wagon My Gentoo , literally Breakage my Gentoo , is a highly experimental overlay for the unstable programs, generally because they are still in phase of development, and which are not likely any to arrive in the tree bearing before the release of a stable version. Its use is advised only with the users wishing to try out the last functionalities available and which are not afraid to make their system unusable following a planting.

  • Gentoo Overlays is a space of social work of which the goal is to allow the various projects, developers and users of Gentoo to collaborate to prepare Gentoo of tomorrow.

Documentation

The developers of Gentoo are conscious that the installation of a system where all is configurable, including the options of compilation, can pose serious problems with the user not informed. This is why they grant a care particular to documentation and this one is perhaps the best of all the Linux distributions.

The handbook of installation guides step by step the user during the configuration and the installation of the system. The councils of this handbook are to be followed imperatively to obtain a stable and powerful system.

This handbook of installation is supplemented by many others like by a forum, lists of discussion and channels IRC where it is possible to obtain quickly from the assistance.

Internal bonds

Distributions based on Gentoo

External bonds

  • Official site
  • Navigation in the packets of Bearing
  • official Forums of Gentoo
  • official Lists of discussion of Gentoo
  • French-speaking Gentoo
  • Forums Gentoo French-speaking people
  • Wiki on Gentoo
  • Last alarms Safety Gentoo
  • fast Guide of installation of Gentoo by LoLie
  • List of overlays of bearing

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