Sorcerer (Linux distribution)
Encyclopedia
Sorcerer is a source based Linux distribution
.
Sorcerer's source management tool is called sorcery. Sorcery downloads and compiles source code in order to install and update installed software. Instead of using cryptic hard to remember acronyms, such as rpm and dpkg, Sorcerer's tool terminology is based upon magic words. For example, a recipe for downloading, compiling, and installing software is called a "spell." Software to install is "cast" onto the box. Installed software can be removed by "dispelling." Consequently, the command line tools for casting and dispelling software are called cast and dispel, respectively.
Earliest versions of Sorcerer were named Sorcerer GNU/Linux, with key components licensed under the GNU General Public License
(GPL). However, from around 2002 and forward current versions of Sorcerer release some key components under the Sorcerer Public License and not the GPL, and the distribution has dropped the term GNU/Linux. Sorcerer has two ancient forks: Lunar Linux
and Source Mage which are not based on nor compatible with the current sorcery code nor compatible with current grimoire. Their terminology also deviates from Sorcerer terminology.
. While many other operating systems generally make use of a package that contains pre-compiled (executable) programs, Sorcerer compiles source code on the machine prior to installation.
A new grimoire, which is a catalog of software supported for immediate installation, is available daily. When new sources are available, the spells in the grimoire are updated. Box are updated by first installing a current grimoire. If necessary, the installed sorcery is updated. Finally, any or all installed software can be updated according to the SA's decision.
Sorcery automatically recompiles installed software as necessary to ensure continued compatibility and usability when installed libraries are updated to newer or older versions. Unlike a pre-compiled binary based distro that must always download new packages sorcery most often recompiles installed software from previously downloaded sources. When a new source is required and an older source was previously downloaded then often Sorcerer boxes download a tiny patch that transforms the old source tarball into a current source tarball. The practice of keeping old source tarballs and downloading patches for updates allows Sorcerer boxes to be updated using less bandwidth than distributions that provide pre-compiled packages.
Users can add new spells to the grimoire on their local box and can submit the new spell for inclusion in the general distribution.
The minimum system requirement is 1 GB of RAM
and 20 GB of hard disk space. This is suggested because compiling some sources will consume large amounts of resources. However, software compilation, that happens at nice level 15, shows almost no impact upon performance on modern multi-core SMP boxes with 1 GB or more RAM installed. Therefore, Sorcerer boxes are normally updated while still in multi-user mode while causing no interruption to services nor downtime. Changing to single user run level mode for updating is not recommended.
Linux distribution
A Linux distribution is a member of the family of Unix-like operating systems built on top of the Linux kernel. Such distributions are operating systems including a large collection of software applications such as word processors, spreadsheets, media players, and database applications...
.
Sorcerer's source management tool is called sorcery. Sorcery downloads and compiles source code in order to install and update installed software. Instead of using cryptic hard to remember acronyms, such as rpm and dpkg, Sorcerer's tool terminology is based upon magic words. For example, a recipe for downloading, compiling, and installing software is called a "spell." Software to install is "cast" onto the box. Installed software can be removed by "dispelling." Consequently, the command line tools for casting and dispelling software are called cast and dispel, respectively.
Earliest versions of Sorcerer were named Sorcerer GNU/Linux, with key components licensed under the GNU General Public License
GNU General Public License
The GNU General Public License is the most widely used free software license, originally written by Richard Stallman for the GNU Project....
(GPL). However, from around 2002 and forward current versions of Sorcerer release some key components under the Sorcerer Public License and not the GPL, and the distribution has dropped the term GNU/Linux. Sorcerer has two ancient forks: Lunar Linux
Lunar Linux
Lunar Linux is an operating system maintained around a source-based package management system also called Lunar. The project is a descendant of the Sorcerer Linux distribution.The installation disk installs a complete bootstrap development system first...
and Source Mage which are not based on nor compatible with the current sorcery code nor compatible with current grimoire. Their terminology also deviates from Sorcerer terminology.
Technical distinctions
A somewhat distinctive feature of Sorcerer is the fact that it is based almost exclusively on source codeSource code
In computer science, source code is text written using the format and syntax of the programming language that it is being written in. Such a language is specially designed to facilitate the work of computer programmers, who specify the actions to be performed by a computer mostly by writing source...
. While many other operating systems generally make use of a package that contains pre-compiled (executable) programs, Sorcerer compiles source code on the machine prior to installation.
A new grimoire, which is a catalog of software supported for immediate installation, is available daily. When new sources are available, the spells in the grimoire are updated. Box are updated by first installing a current grimoire. If necessary, the installed sorcery is updated. Finally, any or all installed software can be updated according to the SA's decision.
Sorcery automatically recompiles installed software as necessary to ensure continued compatibility and usability when installed libraries are updated to newer or older versions. Unlike a pre-compiled binary based distro that must always download new packages sorcery most often recompiles installed software from previously downloaded sources. When a new source is required and an older source was previously downloaded then often Sorcerer boxes download a tiny patch that transforms the old source tarball into a current source tarball. The practice of keeping old source tarballs and downloading patches for updates allows Sorcerer boxes to be updated using less bandwidth than distributions that provide pre-compiled packages.
Users can add new spells to the grimoire on their local box and can submit the new spell for inclusion in the general distribution.
The minimum system requirement is 1 GB of RAM
Random-access memory
Random access memory is a form of computer data storage. Today, it takes the form of integrated circuits that allow stored data to be accessed in any order with a worst case performance of constant time. Strictly speaking, modern types of DRAM are therefore not random access, as data is read in...
and 20 GB of hard disk space. This is suggested because compiling some sources will consume large amounts of resources. However, software compilation, that happens at nice level 15, shows almost no impact upon performance on modern multi-core SMP boxes with 1 GB or more RAM installed. Therefore, Sorcerer boxes are normally updated while still in multi-user mode while causing no interruption to services nor downtime. Changing to single user run level mode for updating is not recommended.
See also
Other source-base Linux distributions- CRUXCRUXCRUX is a lightweight, i686-optimized GNU/Linux distribution targeted at experienced GNU/Linux users and delivered by a tar.gz-based package system with BSD-style initscripts. It also utilizes a ports system to install and upgrade applications. The current release is 2.7.1.Although crux is the...
- Gentoo LinuxGentoo LinuxGentoo Linux is a computer operating system built on top of the Linux kernel and based on the Portage package management system. It is distributed as free and open source software. Unlike a conventional software distribution, the user compiles the source code locally according to their chosen...
- GoboLinuxGoboLinuxGoboLinux is a free and open source operating system whose most prominent feature is a reorganization of the traditional Linux file system. Rather than following the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard like most Unix-like systems, each program in a GoboLinux system has its own subdirectory tree, where...
- Lunar LinuxLunar LinuxLunar Linux is an operating system maintained around a source-based package management system also called Lunar. The project is a descendant of the Sorcerer Linux distribution.The installation disk installs a complete bootstrap development system first...
- Source Mage