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Would you consider android a linux distro?

alkonaut 6y ago
Well at least I thought so (for the same reason as ChromeOS). People seem divided on the topic. Obviously if distro means “Linux kernel based OS” then it’s a distro just like chromeOS. The Linux foundation for example, thinks Android is a Linux distribution. It’s those who don’t must argue something more than just the kernel is needed, such as more GNU stuff. Exactly what that is, is what I’m curious about and why I asked.
- nix23 6y ago
  >Well at least I thought so Android and ChromeOS are Marketplace-(App) Runtime NOT a Linux Distro >The Linux foundation for example, thinks Android is a Linux distribution Well they compare it with embedded Linux: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/blog/2013/03/intro-to-embedded-linux-part-1-defining-android-vs-embedded-linux/ https://www.linuxfoundation.org/blog/2013/03/intro-to-embedd... > Wikipedia and others list it as a distribution. No they don't: >>Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open source software Debian: >>Debian (/ˈdɛbiən/),[5][6] also known as Debian GNU/Linux, is a Linux distribution composed of free and open-source software, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution#Linux_kernel_based_operating_systems https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution#Linux_kerne... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution
  - alkonaut 6y ago
    What are the criteria required for an OS using the Linux kernel to be called a “distribution” then? Including GNU or free software in the definition seems arbitrary... Is there a class of applications (that aren’t apps from a store) that must be runnable? Or do you mean that distro is short for “GNU/Linux distribution”? I’m not arguing for/against (since it’s obviously a long-standing debate), what I’m interested in is the criteria for what makes something a distro.
    - pjmlp 6y ago
      Yes, a distro implies GNU/Linux. Neither ChromeOS nor Android expose the Linux kernel directly to userspace apps, so for them is irrelevant what kernel is being used.
      - nix23 6y ago
        >Yes, a distro implies GNU/Linux Or BSD ;)
        pjmlp 6y ago
        Not sure if the same applies, given that BSDs don't even share the same kernel code or overall architecture, and they are created as old style UNIX, meaning each BSD caters for everything across all stack.
        nix23 6y ago
        >given that BSDs don't even share the same kernel code or overall architecture Why is that not a Distribution, it's not a Gnu/Linux Distribution true, but it's one for sure. You know what BSD means? Berkeley Software Distribution >meaning each BSD caters for everything across all stack Like every "real" Linux Distribution
        pjmlp 6y ago
        Fair enough if you put it like that.
      - alkonaut 6y ago
        "a distro implies GNU/Linux" So you mean your definition is "distro" is slang for "GNU/Linux distribution", whereas an os using the linux kernel is not necessarily a "Linux distribution"? Or can it be a "Linux distribution" without being a "distro"?
        pjmlp 6y ago
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]

Well at least I thought so (for the same reason as ChromeOS). People seem divided on the topic. Obviously if distro means “Linux kernel based OS” then it’s a distro just like chromeOS. The Linux foundation for example, thinks Android is a Linux distribution. It’s those who don’t must argue something more than just the kernel is needed, such as more GNU stuff. Exactly what that is, is what I’m curious about and why I asked.

nix23 6y ago
>Well at least I thought so Android and ChromeOS are Marketplace-(App) Runtime NOT a Linux Distro >The Linux foundation for example, thinks Android is a Linux distribution Well they compare it with embedded Linux: https://www.linuxfoundation.org/blog/2013/03/intro-to-embedded-linux-part-1-defining-android-vs-embedded-linux/ https://www.linuxfoundation.org/blog/2013/03/intro-to-embedd... > Wikipedia and others list it as a distribution. No they don't: >>Android is a mobile operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel and other open source software Debian: >>Debian (/ˈdɛbiən/),[5][6] also known as Debian GNU/Linux, is a Linux distribution composed of free and open-source software, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution#Linux_kernel_based_operating_systems https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution#Linux_kerne... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_distribution
- alkonaut 6y ago
  What are the criteria required for an OS using the Linux kernel to be called a “distribution” then? Including GNU or free software in the definition seems arbitrary... Is there a class of applications (that aren’t apps from a store) that must be runnable? Or do you mean that distro is short for “GNU/Linux distribution”? I’m not arguing for/against (since it’s obviously a long-standing debate), what I’m interested in is the criteria for what makes something a distro.
  - pjmlp 6y ago
    Yes, a distro implies GNU/Linux. Neither ChromeOS nor Android expose the Linux kernel directly to userspace apps, so for them is irrelevant what kernel is being used.
    - nix23 6y ago
      >Yes, a distro implies GNU/Linux Or BSD ;)
      - pjmlp 6y ago
        Not sure if the same applies, given that BSDs don't even share the same kernel code or overall architecture, and they are created as old style UNIX, meaning each BSD caters for everything across all stack.
        nix23 6y ago
        >given that BSDs don't even share the same kernel code or overall architecture Why is that not a Distribution, it's not a Gnu/Linux Distribution true, but it's one for sure. You know what BSD means? Berkeley Software Distribution >meaning each BSD caters for everything across all stack Like every "real" Linux Distribution
        pjmlp 6y ago
        Fair enough if you put it like that.
    - alkonaut 6y ago
      "a distro implies GNU/Linux" So you mean your definition is "distro" is slang for "GNU/Linux distribution", whereas an os using the linux kernel is not necessarily a "Linux distribution"? Or can it be a "Linux distribution" without being a "distro"?
      - pjmlp 6y ago

deleted 6y ago

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