Arch Linux

Overview

Arch Linux is a free, open-source Linux distribution, independently developed for the x86_64 architecture (i686 support has been discontinued, while ARM and RISC-V are community-supported). It utilizes a rolling release model, centered around simplicity, flexibility, and user control. Adhering to the KISS principle (Keep It Simple, Stupid), Arch Linux provides a minimal base system that can be configured manually based on user needs, making it suitable for advanced users, developers, and Linux enthusiasts. Arch Linux uses the pacman package manager and the Arch User Repository (AUR) to provide extensive software support. It does not have a graphical user interface by default, but comes pre-installed with Zsh (on a Live CD) or Bash (after installation). The latest version is 2025.08.01 (August 2025), featuring Linux kernel 6.10.3 and the archinstall graphical installer.

Versions:

• Arch Linux Base: A minimal system for user customization. - Arch Linux ARM: A community-supported ARM distribution compatible with the Raspberry Pi.
• Arch Linux 32: A community-maintained i686 distribution.

History and Development

• Origin:
  • March 11, 2002: Founded by Canadian programmer Judd Vinet, inspired by CRUX, with the goal of providing a simple, lightweight, and user-controlled distribution, featuring the pacman package manager.
  • The name "Arch" means "primary" or "arch," symbolizing its centrality.
• Development History:
  • April 2006: First x86_64 ISO released.
  • October 2007: Judd Vinet stepped down due to time constraints, handing the project over to Aaron Griffin.
  • August 2012: Migration to the systemd init system began, replacing SysVinit. - January 2017: i686 support discontinued, and the community released Arch Linux 32.
  • February 2020: Aaron Griffin handed over leadership to Levente Polyak, introducing a two-year term.
  • April 2021: The archinstall graphical installer was introduced to simplify installation.
  • September 2022: Valve sponsored Arch Linux, optimizing its build service and security signing.
  • August 2025: The latest ISO (2025.08.01) is based on Linux kernel 6.10.3 and supports Wayland and ZFS.
• Community and Support:
  • Maintained by the Arch Linux team, Arch Linux is hosted on archlinux.org, GitLab, ArchWiki, and forums (bbs.archlinux.org).
  • ArchWiki is a comprehensive technical resource, supporting multiple languages (including Chinese).
  • A Reddit user called ArchWiki "the bible for Linux users."
• Open Source License:
  • GPL v2 (core), MIT (some tools).

Key Features

Arch Linux is built around simplicity, flexibility, and rolling updates, making it suitable for advanced users and developers. Here are its key features:

1. Minimal Base System
   • A command-line environment is provided by default (no pre-installed desktop), and users can choose to install KDE Plasma, GNOME, XFCE, and other flavors.
2. Pacman Package Management and the Arch User Repository
   • Pacman is the core package manager for Arch Linux, supporting binary packages (.pkg.tar.zst) and automatically resolving dependencies.
   • The Arch User Repository (AUR) provides community-driven packages and supports manual compilation or AUR helpers (such as yay and paru).
3. Rolling Update Model
   • Continuous updates ensure the latest software without requiring version upgrades.
4. Highly Customizable
   • Supports the Arch Build System (ABS), allowing users to compile custom packages.
5. Security and Performance
   • Supports firewalld, ufw, and AppArmor (requires installation), with package signing enabled by default.
   • Minimum requirements: 512 MB RAM, 2 GB disk (2 GB RAM, 20 GB disk recommended).
6. Development Support
   • Supports Python, Node.js, and Go, and can be installed via Pacman or the AUR.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Highly flexible:
  • Fully customizable, superior to Mageia's pre-installed software.
  • X post claims, "Arch gives you complete control over the system."
• Rolling updates:
  • Latest software versions, superior to Rocky Linux's long-term support.
• AUR ecosystem:
  • Provides over 49,000 packages.
• ArchWiki:
  • Comprehensive documentation.
• Community support:
  • Active forums and IRC, suitable for technical users.

Limitations

• Learning curve:
  • Complex manual configuration, not suitable for beginners.
• x86_64 only:
  • No native support for i686 (requires Arch Linux 32) or ARM (requires Arch Linux ARM).
• Risks of rolling updates:
  • Frequent updates may cause instability, requiring regular backups.
• Community size:
  • Smaller than Ubuntu, with limited documentation in Chinese.

Summary

Arch Linux is a free, open-source Linux distribution. Its latest release, 2025.08.01, features Linux kernel 6.10.3, is based on x86_64, uses a rolling release model, and offers pacman and the Arch UR, allowing for high customization. Arch Linux offers flexibility and documentation through a minimal base system and the ArchWiki. While Arch Linux's flexibility and AUR ecosystem are prominent, it comes with a steep learning curve and is limited to x86_64.