Slackware Linux

Overview

Slackware Linux is a Linux distribution created and maintained by Patrick Volkerding. First released on July 16, 1993, it is the oldest actively maintained Linux distribution in existence. Based on the Softlanding Linux System (SLS), it focuses on simplicity, stability, and a Unix-like philosophy. It adheres to the KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) principle, minimizing modifications to upstream packages. Slackware offers 32-bit (i586/i686) and 64-bit (x86_64) versions, supports ARM architectures (such as the Raspberry Pi), and is suitable for desktop workstations, servers, and embedded devices. It uses the KDE Plasma or Xfce desktop environments by default, including the X Window System, a C/C++ development environment, Perl, Python, Mozilla Firefox, and pre-installed web, FTP, and mail servers.

Versions:

• Stable version: Slackware 15.0 (February 3, 2022), based on Linux kernel 5.15, GNU C Library 2.33.
• Development version (-current): Rolling updates, including the latest software, but not recommended for production use.
• Live version: Available through liveslak, supports Xfce, KDE Plasma, and other distributions.

History and Development

• Origins:
  • 1992: Patrick Volkerding encountered SLS while working on the LISP project at the University of Minnesota, Moorhead. After discovering issues with it, he began patching it and creating a private patch collection.
  • July 16, 1993: Slackware 1.0 was released, based on SLS, distributed on 3.5-inch floppy disks, and available via anonymous FTP.
  • The name Slackware, derived from the "Slack" concept by the Church of the SubGenius, was originally a humorous name.
• Development History:
  • 1994: Slackware 2.0 was released, supporting Linux kernels 1.0.9 and 1.1.18, and introducing XFree86 2.1.1.
  • 1999: Version numbering jumped from 4.0 to 7.0, aligning with other distributions (such as Red Hat and SUSE) as part of a marketing strategy.
  • 2004: Switched from XFree86 to X.Org Server, improving graphical support.
  • 2005: GNOME was removed, and the community launched projects such as Dropline GNOME and SlackMATE.
  • 2009: Slackware64 was released, supporting x86_64 and ARM architectures. - February 2022: Slackware 15.0 will be released, based on Linux kernel 5.15 and adding KDE Plasma 5.23 and Xfce 4.16.
  • July 2025: The -current version will be updated to Linux kernel 6.9, with plans for Slackware 15.1.
• Community and Support:
  • Led by Patrick Volkerding, this project is community-driven and has no formal bug tracker or public code repository.
  • Support channels: Slackware official website (slackware.com), SlackDocs (docs.slackware.com), and forums (linuxquestions.org).
  • A Reddit user stated that "the Slackware community has lost some of its enthusiasm, but it's still suitable for users who prefer manual configuration."
• Open Source License:
  • GPL v2 (core components), MIT (some tools).

Main Features

Slackware is built with simplicity, stability, and Unix-like design in mind, suitable for advanced users and server deployments. The following are its key features:

1. Simple and Unix-like Design
   • Adhering to the KISS principle, it maintains the original design of upstream packages and minimizes modifications.
   • Using BSD-style initialization scripts (/etc/rc.d), enabling/disabling services by modifying executable permissions.
2. Manual Package Management
   • Using the tar.xz (previously tar.gz) package format, which includes an installation script and description files, without automatic dependency resolution.
   • Core Tools: installpkg (installation), removepkg (removal), upgradepkg (upgrade).
   • Third-Party Tools: slackpkg (official, simple updates), slapt-get (similar to apt-get, dependency resolution), swaret (unofficial, dependency resolution). 3. Flexible Desktop Environments
   • KDE Plasma 5 and Xfce are supported by default, and GNOME (Dropline GNOME) and MATE (SlackMATE) can be installed.
3. Hardware Support
   • Supports i586 (non-PAE), i686 (PAE), x86_64, and ARM architectures, and is compatible with the Raspberry Pi.
   • Minimum requirements: 256 MB RAM, 5 GB storage (2 GB RAM, 20 GB storage recommended).
   • Applications: Running lightweight servers or IoT projects on the Raspberry Pi 4.
4. Network Configuration
   • Use netconfig to configure the network, and edit /etc/rc.d/rc.inet1.conf to set a static IP address.
   • Supports DHCP and wireless networking (manual configuration required).
5. Security and Stability
   • Only mature versions are released to reduce security vulnerabilities.
   • Configure the iptables firewall.

Advantages and Limitations

Advantages

• Extremely stable:
  • Uses only mature software packages, suitable for servers (such as gold price tracking tools).
  • X post claims, "Slackware remains stable after 32 years, perfect for old-school Linux users."
• Unix-like philosophy:
  • Provides transparent and simple configuration, superior to the complex toolset of Parrot OS.
• Complete control:
  • No automatic dependency resolution, suitable for manual management.
• Hardware compatibility:
  • Supports x86, x86_64, and ARM, superior to Arch Linux (x86_64 only).
• Community resources:
  • Slackbuilds.org provides build scripts for additional software.

Limitations

• Learning curve:
  • No graphical installer or configuration tool, requiring command-line operation.
• No dependency resolution:
  • Dependency resolution requires manual effort, more complex than Debian (apt) or BigLinux (pacman).
  • Solution: Use slapt-get.
• Community Size:
  • The community is smaller, and updates are slower than Debian or Arch.
• GNOME Support:
  • GNOME is not included by default; third-party projects (such as Dropline GNOME) are required.

Summary

Slackware Linux is the oldest Linux distribution, founded in 1993. Based on Debian's SLS, it focuses on simplicity, stability, and a Unix-like design. The latest stable version, 15.0 (February 2022), features Linux kernel 5.15, KDE Plasma 5.23, and Xfce 4.16, supporting x86, x86_64, and ARM architectures. Slackware uses tar.xz package management, lacks automatic dependency resolution, and adheres to the KISS principle, making it suitable for advanced users and server deployments. Slackware is known for its stability and transparency, but it has a high learning curve and a small community.