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Tiny Core Linux

Lightweight Linux distribution From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tiny Core Linux
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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]

Quick Facts OS family, Working state ...
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Types

  • Tiny Core (23 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 (17 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]
  • Core64 is a port to the x86_64 architecture with a 32-bit user land, i.e. it uses a 64-bit kernel and 64-bit modules, but it can use the same extensions as Core.[6]
  • CorePure64 is a port of "Core" to the x86_64 architecture. 64-bit kernel and 64-bit extensions.[6]
  • dCore (12 MB) is a core made from Debian or Ubuntu compatible files that uses import and the SCE package format,[7] a self-contained package format for the Tiny Core distribution since 5.x series.
  • 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".
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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.[8]

Recommended configuration: A Pentium II CPU and 128 MB of RAM are recommended for Tiny Core.[8]

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."[9] 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.[10]

Release history

More information Version, Stability ...
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See also

References

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