Plan 9 facts for kids

Plan 9 is a name that has been used for two very different things. It can refer to a famous old science fiction movie or a special computer operating system.

What is Plan 9?

The name "Plan 9" might make you think of a secret project or a futuristic idea. In reality, it's used for a classic movie and a unique computer program. Both are interesting in their own ways, but they have nothing to do with each other!

Plan 9 from Outer Space (The Movie)

Plan 9 from Outer Space is a science fiction movie that came out in 1959. It was directed by a filmmaker named Ed Wood. This movie is famous, but not always for the reasons you might expect!

Many people call Plan 9 from Outer Space one of the "worst movies ever made." It's known for its funny mistakes, like visible strings holding up flying saucers, and actors who sometimes forget their lines. Even with its flaws, the movie has become a cult classic. This means many people love it because it's so unusual and entertaining. It's a great example of how a film can become popular even if it wasn't a big hit when it first came out.

Plan 9 from Bell Labs (The Computer System)

Plan 9 from Bell Labs is a special kind of computer program called an operating system. You might know other operating systems like Windows, macOS, or Linux. An operating system is the main software that makes your computer work. It manages all the hardware and other programs.

Plan 9 was created by Bell Labs, a famous research company, in the late 1980s and early 1990s. It was designed to be very different from other operating systems. One of its main ideas was to treat everything on the computer, like files, devices, and even network connections, as if they were simple files. This made it easier for programmers to build new tools and connect different parts of the system. While it's not as widely used as Windows or macOS, Plan 9 has influenced how some modern computer systems are designed.