 - GNU is a Unix-like operating system that comes with source code that can be copied, modified, and redistributed. The GNU project was started in 1983 by Richard Stallman and others, who formed the Free Software Foundation. Stallman believes that users should be free to do whatever they want with software they acquire, including making copies for friends and modifying the source code and repackaging it with a distribution charge. The FSF uses a stipulation that it calls copyleft. Copyleft stipulates that anyone redistributing free software must also pass along the freedom to further copy and change the program, thereby ensuring that no one can claim ownership of future versions and place restrictions on users.
The "free" means "freedom," but not necessarily "no charge." The Free Software Foundation does charge an initial distribution price for GNU. Redistributors can also charge for copies either for cost recovery or for profit. The essential idea of "free software" is to give users freedom in how they modify or repackage the software along with a restriction that they in turn do not restrict user freedom when they pass copies or modified versions along.
One of the results of the free software philosophy, Stallman believes, would be free programs put together from other free programs. GNU is an example of this idea. It became a complete operating system in August, 1996, when a kernel, consisting of GNU Hurd and Mach, was added. The FSF plans to continue developing their free software in the form of application programs. A free spreadsheet program is now available.
The Linux operating system consists of GNU components and the kernel developed by Linus Torvalds.
GNU stands for GNU's not Unix, which makes the term a recursive acronym (an acronym in which one of the letters stands for the acronym itself).
| LAST UPDATED: |
14 Aug 2008
|
 |
Read more about GNU:
|
|
Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com
|
|
