Init Freedom
Init Freedom is a campaign in the Unix-like operating systems space to reject the dominance of SystemD used as the init system on operating systems distributions based on the use of the Linux kernel.[1][2] Started by Devuan's forking of Debian in protest of Debian's choice adopt SystemD as its default init system.[3]
The issue
[edit]Contrary to the basic function of an init system on an Unix-like operating system, SystemD consists of more than just the functionality of an init system and features functionality that is traditionally reserved for separate userpsace processes following a modular design in accordance to Unix-philosophy which SystemD is thus said to violate.[4] Opponents of SystemD argue that this together with the prevalence of SystemD's adoption among many system distributions risks causing a "monoculture", in contrast to portable software design. Init Freedom is likened to Richard Stallman's four essential freedoms of free software in its naming to indicate its importance to the freedom of users of software.[5] Between 2012 and 2015 concern over use of SystemD gained traction as its adoption was increasing among important projects,[6] a notion was felt that SystemD was foisted on the users of the systems as a unilateral decision from top down.[7]
Supporters
[edit]Along with Devuan where init freedom had its start, other operating system distributions have joined in on its support including Hyperbola in dropping SystemD support in 2017.[8] Parabola takes a different approach; instead of rejecting SystemD outright the project offers SystemD as an option among the other init systems, stating that Init Freedom should also include the freedom to choose any init system also including SystemD.[5]
Unix-like operating systems without SystemD endorsed by Devuan
[edit]| name of OS distribution | init system options |
|---|---|
| antiX | sysvinit, runit |
| Artix | openrc, runit, s6, dinit |
| Devuan | sysvinit, openrc, runit, sinit |
| Gentoo | openrc |
| Guix | shepherd |
| Hyperbola | openrc, runit |
| KNOPPIX | knoppix-autoconfig |
| MX Linux | sysvinit, SystemD |
| Obarun | s6 supervision suite |
| Parabola | openrc, sysvinit, s6, SystemD |
| PCLinuxOS | sysvinit |
| Slackware | sysvinit |
| Stali | runit |
| Void Linux | runit |
BSD
[edit]Others
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ "en:start [HyperWiki]". wiki.hyperbola.info. Archived from the original on 2018-06-24. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- 1 2 "Init Freedom | Devuan GNU+Linux Free Operating System". Devuan GNU+Linux. Archived from the original on 2026-07-09. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ "Init Freedom Campaign | Devuan GNU+Linux Free Operating System". Devuan GNU+Linux. Archived from the original on 2018-10-11. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ Byfield, Bruce. "The fight for Init Freedom Devuan" (PDF). LINUX-MAGAZINE.COM. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 Dec 2022. Retrieved 4 Dec 2022.
- 1 2 "Init-Freedom - ParabolaWiki". wiki.parabola.nu. Archived from the original on 2026-02-25. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ Byfield, Bruce. "A Survey of Init Systems » Linux Magazine". Linux Magazine. Archived from the original on 2026-04-10. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
- ↑ Byfield, Bruce (2020-02-24). "Where I Stand on Systemd - FOSS Force". FOSS Force. Archived from the original on 2026-04-18. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
Here, however, the title seems to refer to the conviction that systemd was foisted upon unsuspecting users by a distro elite, especially in Debian.
- ↑ "Hyperbola GNU/Linux-libre - News: End of systemd support". www.hyperbola.info. Archived from the original on 2017-08-06. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
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