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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Are there any things in Linux that need to be started over from scratch? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 8 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I'm curious how software can be created and evolve over time. I'm afraid that at some point, we'll realize there are issues with the software we're using that can only be remedied by massive changes or a complete rewrite.

Are there any instances of this happening? Where something is designed with a flaw that doesn't get realized until much later, necessitating scrapping the whole thing and starting from scratch?

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[–] [email protected] 16 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

There are many instances like that. Systemd vs system V init, x vs Wayland, ed vs vim, Tex vs latex vs lyx vs context, OpenOffice vs libreoffice.

Usually someone identifies a problem or a new way of doing things… then a lot of people adapt and some people don’t. Sometimes the new improvement is worse, sometimes it inspires a revival of the old system for the better…

It’s almost never catastrophic for anyone involved.

[–] [email protected] 15 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Some of those are not rewrites but extensions/forks

[–] [email protected] 0 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)

I’d say only open/libreoffice fits that.

Edit: maybe Tex/latex/lyx too, but context is not.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago (1 children)

LaTeX and ConTeXt are both macros for TeX. LyX is a graphical editor which outputs LaTeX.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Yes… I’d classify context as a reboot of latex.