this post was submitted on 06 Aug 2024
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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I don't think there has been huge issues with incompatible ISAs on ARM. If you'd use NEON extensions, for example, you might have a C-implementation that does the same if the extensions are not available. Most people don't handwrite such code, but those that do usually go the extra mile. ARM SoCs usually have closed source drivers that cause headaches. As well as no standardized way of booting.
I haven't delved super-deep into RISC-V just yet, but as I understand these systems will do UEFI, solving the bootloader headache. And yes, there are optional extensions and you can even make your own. But the architecture takes height for implementing an those extensions in software. If you don't have the gates for your fancy vector instruction, you can provide instructions to replicate the same. It'll be slower on your hardware, but it'll be compatible if done right.