4 ms·

Can someone explain to me the WSL acornym? Isn't WSL really a Linux subsystem for Windows? tiny pet peeve

• stephen_g 6y ago
  Yeah, it's very confusing. I've heard it explained but I still think it doesn't really make sense. The core of the argument that I've heard is that Windows has multiple subsystems so they say it's a "Windows Subsystem", but the 'for' in "For Linux" still makes no sense. The arguments for not calling it something like "Linux Subsystem [for/on/in] Windows" don't seem to match up with the fact that there used to be a similar thing which was called "Microsoft POSIX Subsystem" also.
  • mattkrause 6y ago
    Windows Subsystem for (running) Linux (programs).
• adolfojp 6y ago
  It was a legal / trademark concern. Naming the thing Linux something something was deemed too risky so they went with Windows something something instead.
  • ilyas121 6y ago
    Ah makes sense
• int_19h 6y ago
  The spiritual predecessor to WSL was something called (at different times) Windows Services for Unix, and Windows Subsystem for Unix-based Applications.