Linux From Scratch (LFS): Project to create your own Linux Distros
Although for many passionate Linux users, of different levels of experience or knowledge, there are one or more GNU / Linux Distros that suit your needs very well, either in their default settings or with a few simple steps to add changes, packages, optimizations and various customizations, it is still true, that a good percentage of these dream of a Own distro designed, customized and optimized from scratch to your needs and expectations.
And for this last type of user described, who also have good computer knowledge about Linux, there is the well-known project called Linux From Scratch (LFS).
It is certainly not the first time in DesdeLinux we speak or refer to the Project Linux From Scratch (LFS), since, on previous occasions, around 6 or 7 years ago, in previous publications we have touched on the subject. The most important, that we recommend reviewing after reading this article they are:
And because a long time has passed, we will make a updated review of it, to see what it currently offers.
Linux From Scratch (LFS): Included Worksets
Main goal
Currently this project is described in its Official website on the table:
"A project that provides you step-by-step instructions to build your own custom Linux system, completely from source code.
While in other words more extensive and detailed, and citing a paragraph from our previous related publications, the same is:
"A way to install a GNU / Linux System by developing all the components manually. This is naturally a longer process than installing a precompiled Linux Distribution. According to the Linux From Scratch site, the advantages of this method are a compact, flexible and secure system, which provides a great knowledge of how a GNU / Linux Operating System works in its entirety.".
Subprojects
Currently, the Project Linux From Scratch (LFS) It comprises or includes 6 subprojects or methods, which provide different paths or options to reach the same objective. And these are:
- LFS: Linux From Scratch o Linux from scratch, is the original project that refers to the main book or original method, which in turn, is the base from which all other included subprojects are derived.
- blfs: Beyond Linux From Scratch o Beyond Linux from scratch it understands the information necessary for anyone to extend their finished LFS installation to a more custom and usable system.
- alfs: Automated Linux From Scratch o Linux from scratch automated provides the necessary information on tools to automate and manage LFS and BLFS constructs.
- CLFS: Cross Linux From Scratch o Linux from scratch crossover provides the necessary information on the means of cross-compiling an LFS system on many types of systems.
- Hints: The subproject Hints o tracks includes a collection of documents that explain how to improve your LFS system in a different or alternative way than specified in the LFS or BLFS books.
- Patches: The subproject Patches o Patches includes a central repository with all useful patches for an LFS user. Patches that are generally uploaded by other users more experienced in these tasks and who want to share their improvements with others.
So far, it only remains for each user to delve into each LFS subproject and begin to master said knowledge to try to build the Linux distro from scratch more appropriate to your needs and criteria. Although, surely in later posts we will delve a little more about each of these available sub-projects.
Conclusion
We hope this "useful little post" about «Linux From Scratch», current free and open project designed to make it easier for anyone to create your own GNU / Linux Distro from scratch, is of great interest and utility, for the entire «Comunidad de Software Libre y Código Abierto» and of great contribution to the diffusion of the wonderful, gigantic and growing ecosystem of applications of «GNU/Linux».
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I used LFS once, but in the end I deleted it and switched to Arch Linux. What is LFS, it was a problem to update it, and sometimes repairing an error would create another error. Be careful that with this I am not saying that LFS is bad, rather that my self-taught knowledge (Still in process) is still not enough to tame that kind of distros. Especially since I like to be up to date with updated software. If you are like me and want to try LFS, I would recommend Arch to save a lot of time, you will be able to use LFS when you know more about Linux (In fact I would like to return to LFS some day)
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PS: I don't usually recommend Arch even if I use it, but only because most of those who need recommendations are newbies. To those of you reading this, if you want to give LFS a try, I assume you know quite a bit about GNU / Linux. Well, installing LFS without knowing anything about this world, could make you leave and never come back. In fact, you shouldn't approach Distros like this until you're ready. Don't even cross your mind to do it! Believe me! I know why I am saying!
Thanks for the info, I already used LFS, but it wasn't for me. However I am going to read some of the shared info, and maybe in the future I will return to LFS.
Greetings, Marcelo. Thank you for your comment on your personal experience. Certainly many take as something difficult or for experts, doing an LFS, however, I understand that their guides are very detailed and documented, so that an average user should be able without major difficulties to follow them to the letter and achieve the objective. Later, we hope to delve into this interesting topic.
Or in the LinuxerOS Telegram group you can find info https://t.me/LinuxerOS_es