List of GNU packages facts for kids

The Free Software Foundation (FSF) and its GNU Project have created and supported many important software programs. These programs are special because they are free software, meaning users have the freedom to run, study, share, and change them.

What Makes a Program a GNU Package?

In 2013, Richard Stallman, who started the GNU Project, explained what usually makes a program a "GNU package." There can be exceptions, but these are the main ideas:

• The program should clearly state that it is a GNU package.
• It should be available for everyone to download from special GNU websites.
• The program's main webpage should be on the GNU website.
• Developers must make sure their software works well with other GNU programs.
• Instructions and guides (documentation) should be in a special format called Texinfo, or a format that can easily be changed into Texinfo.
• If the program needs an extension language (a way to add new features), it should use GNU Guile.
• The program should never suggest or link to any software or documents that are not free.
• It should use GNU's own terms, like calling systems "GNU/Linux" and software "free software," instead of "Linux" or "open source."
• The person in charge of the program (the maintainer) should be easy to contact to help with problems or make sure things work together.

Core GNU Programs: The Building Blocks

The GNU operating system doesn't have one official "base system." It was designed to replace older Unix systems and follows certain rules called POSIX standards. The list below shows some key GNU programs that are like the "core" parts of the system. These are essential tools that many other programs rely on.

• Bash: This is GNU's command-line shell. It lets you type commands to control your computer.
• Coreutils: These are basic commands you use every day, like `cp` (to copy files), `ls` (to list files), `mkdir` (to make folders), and `rm` (to delete files).
• cpio: A program used for archiving, which means bundling many files into one for easy storage or transfer.
• diffutils: These tools help you compare files to see what's different between them.
• findutils: Programs like `find` and `locate` that help you search for files on your computer.
• grep: A powerful tool to search for specific words or patterns inside files.
• groff: A system for processing documents, often used to create manuals and other text files.
• GRUB: This is the "GRand Unified Bootloader." It's the program that starts your computer and loads the operating system.
• gzip: A popular program used to compress files, making them smaller so they take up less space.
• Hurd: This is a set of servers that act like the "brain" of the GNU operating system, similar to a kernel in other systems.
• inetutils: Useful tools for networking, like `ftp` (for transferring files) and `telnet` (for connecting to other computers).
• linux-libre: A special version of the Linux kernel that has been cleaned up to remove any software that isn't completely free.
• readline: A helpful library that makes it easier to type and edit commands in command-line programs.
• screen: This program lets you use multiple command-line sessions within one window, which is very handy for managing different tasks.
• tar: Another archiving program that can create and manage file archives in various formats.
• texinfo: The documentation system used by GNU to create online and printed manuals.
• time: A simple program that tells you how long it takes for another command to run.

Software Development Tools

These programs are very helpful for people who create software, also known as computer programmers.

GNU Toolchain: Building Software

The GNU toolchain is a collection of programming tools used to build software. Think of it as a workshop full of specialized tools for making computer programs.

• GNU Binutils: This includes tools like the GNU assembler (`as`) and the GNU linker (`ld`), which help turn your code into a working program.
• GNU Bison: A program that helps create parsers, which are parts of software that understand and process commands or data.
• GNU build system (autotools): A set of tools that help developers easily set up and build their software on different computer systems.
• GNU Compiler Collection (GCC): This is a very important tool! It's a powerful compiler that translates code written in many programming languages (like C, C++, and Java) into instructions your computer can understand.
• GNU Debugger (gdb): When a program has bugs (errors), this tool helps programmers find and fix them.
• GNU m4: A program that processes text and can replace patterns, useful for generating code.
• GNU make: A program that helps manage how software is built, making sure all parts are put together correctly.

Other Libraries and Frameworks

These are collections of pre-written code (libraries) and structures (frameworks) that programmers use to build new software without starting from scratch.

• GNU C Library (glibc): A very important library that provides basic functions for programs written in C.
• GNU gettext: This library helps make software available in many different languages.
• GNU libmicrohttpd: A small, embeddable HTTP server that can be built into other applications.
• GNU lightning: A tool for "just-in-time compilation," which means it can create machine code very quickly while a program is running.

More Compilers and Interpreters

Besides GCC, GNU offers other tools to work with different programming languages.

• CLISP: A compiler and interpreter for the Common Lisp programming language.
• Gawk: GNU's version of the `awk` programming language, often used for text processing.
• GnuCOBOL: A compiler for the COBOL programming language, often used in business.
• GNU Guile: An interpreter for the Scheme programming language that can be embedded into other programs.
• GNU Pascal: A compiler for the Pascal programming language.
• GNU Smalltalk: An interpreter and library for the Smalltalk programming language, known for its object-oriented features.

Other Developer Tools

• GNU Bazaar: A system that helps teams of programmers manage changes to their code as they work together.
• GNU Fontutils: Tools for managing and working with fonts.
• GNU indent: A program that automatically formats C and C++ source code to make it neat and easy to read.

Programs for Everyday Users

These programs are generally useful for anyone using a computer, not just software developers.

Graphical Desktop Tools

These programs help create the visual parts of your computer screen, like windows and icons.

• GNUstep: This provides tools and libraries for creating graphical applications, similar to how apps look on a Mac.
• Window Maker: A program that manages how windows appear and behave on your screen, often used with GNUstep.

General System Management

These tools help you manage your computer system.

• GNU Emacs: A very powerful and customizable text editor, popular among programmers and advanced users.
• GNU Guix: A tool that helps manage software packages on your computer, making it easy to install, update, and remove programs.
• GNU Midnight Commander: A file manager that lets you browse and organize your files using a text-based interface.
• GNU nano: A simple and easy-to-use text editor.
• GNU Parted: A program that helps you manage the partitions (sections) on your hard drive.
• GNU Privacy Guard (GnuPG): A powerful tool for encrypting and signing data, helping you keep your information private and secure.
• GNU Privacy Assistant: A graphical program that makes it easier to use GNU Privacy Guard.
• GNU parallel: A tool that lets you run many commands at the same time, speeding up tasks.

Database Tools

• GNU dbm (GDBM): A library that helps programs store and retrieve data efficiently.
• GNU Ferret: A tool for designing SQL databases.

Scientific Software

These programs are used for science, math, and engineering.

• GNU Astronomy Utilities (Gnuastro): Programs and libraries for working with astronomical data.
• GNU Circuit Analysis Package (Gnucap): Software for analyzing electronic circuits.
• GNU Multi-Precision Library (GMP): A library for doing very precise math calculations with large numbers.
• GNU Octave: A program for doing numerical computations, similar to MATLAB, used for math and engineering.
• GNU Scientific Library (GSL): A large collection of functions for scientific and numerical computing.
• GNU Units: A program that helps you convert between different units of measurement (like meters to feet).
• R: A programming language and software environment widely used for statistics and creating graphs.
• PSPP: A statistical program similar to SPSS, used for analyzing data.

Internet Tools

A user page at a GNU MediaGoblin 0.2.0–based website

• Jami: A free program for making video and voice calls, like a free version of Skype.
• GNU FM: A platform for creating online music communities.
• GNU Mailman: A program for managing electronic mailing lists.
• GNU MediaGoblin: A system for sharing media (like photos and videos) in a decentralized way, meaning it's not controlled by one big company.
• GNU Social: A social network that is spread out across many servers, giving users more control over their data.
• GNU wget: A powerful tool for downloading files from the internet.
• GNUnet: A decentralized network designed to be resistant to censorship, allowing people to communicate freely.
• Gnuzilla: A version of the Mozilla web browser that only includes free software components, like GNU IceCat.
• GNU Taler: A planned electronic payment system that aims to be anonymous for users but still allows for taxes.
• GNU LibreJS: A browser add-on that detects and blocks non-free JavaScript code on websites.

Office Programs

• GNU Aspell: A spell-checker that helps you correct mistakes in your writing.
• GNU Typist: A program that helps you learn to type faster and more accurately.
• Gnumeric: A spreadsheet program that can open and edit files from Microsoft Excel.
• Ocrad: A program that can read text from images (optical character recognition).

Multimedia Tools

• Dia: A vector graphics program used for creating diagrams and flowcharts.
• GIMP: The GNU Image Manipulation Program. It's a powerful image editor, similar to Photoshop, used for editing photos and creating graphics.
• Gnash: A player for Adobe Flash files.
• GNU LilyPond: A program for creating beautiful musical scores.
• Gnu Maverik: A microkernel for virtual reality applications.

Games

• GNU Backgammon: A computer version of the classic board game Backgammon.
• GNU Chess: A powerful chess engine that you can play against.
• GNU Go: A computer program that plays the ancient board game Go.
• GNU Jump: A fun jumping game.
• GNU Kart: A racing game.
• Liquid War: A unique war game where you control a liquid army.

Business Applications

• GNU Health: A free software system for managing health and hospital information.
• GnuCash: A financial accounting program that helps you manage your money.
• GNU remotecontrol: A web application for managing devices in smart buildings.
• GNU Foliot: A time-keeping application for small organizations.
• GNUe (GNU Enterprise): Software for managing business operations.

Fonts

• GNU FreeFont: A collection of scalable fonts that are free to use.
• GNU Unifont: A font that includes characters from many different languages.