Tiny Core Linux
OS family | Linux (Unix-like) |
---|---|
Working state | Current |
Source model | Open source |
Initial release | January 5, 2009 |
Latest release | 13.1 / May 8, 2022[1] |
Available in | English |
Package manager | appbrowser (GUI) / tce (CLI) |
Platforms | x86 x86-64 armv7 Raspberry Pi |
Kernel type | Monolithic |
Userland | BusyBox |
Default user interface | FLWM |
License | GNU GPLv2 |
Official website | tinycorelinux |
Tiny Core Linux (TCL) is a minimal Linux kernel based operating system focusing on providing a base system using BusyBox and FLTK. It was developed by Robert Shingledecker, who was previously the lead developer of Damn Small Linux.[2][3] The distribution is notable for its small size (11 to 16 MB) and minimalism; additional functions are provided by extensions. Tiny Core Linux is free and open-source software licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2.[4]
Types
- Tiny Core (16 MB) is the recommended option for new users who have a wired network connection. It includes the base Core system and a dynamic FLTK/FLWM graphical user interface.[5]
- Core (11 MB) (also known as "Micro Core Linux") is a smaller variant of Tiny Core without a graphical desktop, though additional extensions can be added to create a system with a graphical desktop environment.[5]
- dCore (12 MB) is a core made from Debian or Ubuntu compatible files that uses import and the SCE package format,[6] a self-contained package format for the Tiny Core distribution since 5.x series.
- CorePure64 is a notable port of "Core" to the x86_64 architecture.
- Core Plus (106 MB) is "an installation image and not the distribution".[5] It is composed of Tiny Core with additional functionality, most notably wireless support and non-US keyboard support.[5]
- piCore is the Raspberry Pi port of "Core".
System requirements
Minimal configuration: Tiny Core needs at least 46 MB of RAM in order to run, and (micro) Core requires at least 28 MB of RAM. The minimum CPU is an i486DX.[7]
Recommended configuration: A Pentium II CPU and 128 MB of RAM are recommended for Tiny Core.[7]
Design philosophy
The developers describe TCL as "a nomadic ultra small graphical desktop operating system capable of booting from cdrom, pendrive, or frugally from a hard drive."[8] As of version 2.8.1, the core is designed to run primarily in RAM but with three distinct modes of operation:
- "Cloud" or Internet mode — A "testdrive" mode using a built-in appbrowser GUI to explore extensions from an online application extension repository loaded into RAM only for the current session.
- TCE/Install — A mode for Tiny Core Extensions downloaded and run from a storage partition but kept as symbolic links in RAM.
- TCE/CopyFS — A mode which installs applications onto a Linux partition like a more typical Linux installation.[9]
Release history
Version | Stability | Release date |
---|---|---|
1.0[10][2] | Stable version | January 5, 2009 |
2.0[10][11] | June 7, 2009 | |
3.0[10] | July 19, 2010 | |
4.0[10][12] | September 25, 2011 | |
4.7.7[10] | May 10, 2013 | |
5.0[10][13] | September 14, 2013 | |
5.0.1[10] | October 1, 2013 | |
5.0.2[10] | October 18, 2013 | |
5.1[10] | November 28, 2013 | |
5.2[10] | January 14, 2014 | |
5.3[10] | April 19, 2014 | |
5.4[10] | September 10, 2014 | |
6.0[10] | January 5, 2015 | |
6.1[10] | March 7, 2015 | |
6.2[10] | May 3, 2015 | |
6.3[10] | May 30, 2015 | |
6.4[10] | September 8, 2015 | |
6.4.1[10] | November 4, 2015 | |
7.0[10][14] | February 23, 2016 | |
7.1[10] | May 22, 2016 | |
7.2[10] | July 4, 2016 | |
8.0[10] | April 10, 2017 | |
8.1[10] | September 3, 2017 | |
8.2[10] | September 22, 2017 | |
9.0[10] | February 26, 2018 | |
10.0[10] | January 20, 2019 | |
10.1[10] | June 11, 2019 | |
11.0[10] | February 9, 2020 | |
11.1[10] | April 1, 2020 | |
12.0[10][15] | February 17, 2021 | |
13.0[10][1] | January 31, 2022 | |
13.1 | Latest version | May 8, 2022 |
See also
- Comparison of Linux live distributions
- Lightweight Linux distribution
- List of Linux distributions that run from RAM
- Telikin
References
- ^ a b "Tiny Core v13.0". 31 January 2022. Retrieved 2022-01-31.
- ^ a b "Interview with Robert Shingledecker, creator of Tiny Core Linux". DistroWatch Weekly. March 23, 2009. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ Shingledecker, Christopher (July 4, 2020). "Prof. Dr. Christopher N. Shingledecker, Assistant Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Benedictine College". shingledecker.org. Benedictine College. Retrieved April 3, 2021.
- ^ Shingledecker, Christopher. "Frequently Asked Questions". Tiny Core Linux.
- ^ a b c d Robert Shingledecker (2012). "Downloads - Tiny Core Linux". Retrieved September 13, 2012.
- ^ Juanito. "dCore-5.0.alpha1 released". Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ^ a b Robert Shingledecker. "Frequently Asked Questions: What are the minimum requirements?". Retrieved September 13, 2012.
- ^ Robert Shingledecker (December 1, 2008). "Welcome to The Core Project - Tiny Core Linux". Retrieved June 6, 2012.
- ^ Robert Shingledecker. "Tiny Core: Core Concepts". Retrieved June 6, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae Final Releases – Release Announcements and Change log from Tiny Core Linux Forum
- ^ Smart, Christopher (2009-08-06). "Tiny Core: The Little Distro That Could | Linux Magazine". Linux Magazine. Archived from the original on 2019-02-02. Retrieved 2020-09-11.
- ^ DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 440, 23 January 2012
- ^ DistroWatch Weekly, Issue 527, 30 September 2013
- ^ Tiny Core Linux 7.0 [LWN.nett]
- ^ "Tiny Core v12.0". 17 February 2021. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
External links
- Official website
- Tiny Core Linux at DistroWatch
- "Interview with Robert Shingledecker, creator of Tiny Core Linux". DistroWatch Weekly (295). March 23, 2009. Retrieved September 13, 2012..
- Ferrill, Paul (March 19, 2009). "Tiny Core Linux -- A Minimal Distro with Big Possibilities". LinuxPlanet. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
- "Tiny Core Linux Wiki". Retrieved September 13, 2012. Since March 2020 defunct, but the last version is available at archive.org (see also: post in the TinyCore forum).
- Bernard, Joey (Sep 1, 2011). "Tiny Core Linux". Linux Journal. Retrieved September 13, 2012.
- "Tiny Core 4.5.....Almost In Love With A Core.!!". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-20. Retrieved September 13, 2012.