# 386BSD

> operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q228413](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q228413)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/386BSD)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/386bsd

## Summary
386BSD is a Unix-like operating system developed by William and Lynne Jolitz in 1992, based on the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD). It was the first open-source operating system to run on Intel 386 processors and served as the foundation for later BSD derivatives like FreeBSD and NetBSD.

## Key Facts
- Released on March 12, 1992, by William and Lynne Jolitz
- First open-source operating system for Intel 386 processors
- Latest stable version 2.0 released on August 5, 2016, after a 22-year hiatus
- Licensed under BSD licenses
- Based on Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD)
- Derivative works include FreeBSD and NetBSD
- Available in 10 Wikipedia languages including English, Spanish, Japanese, and Arabic
- Has 23 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects
- Source code available on GitHub at https://github.com/386bsd/386bsd

## FAQs
### Q: What is 386BSD?
A: 386BSD is a Unix-like operating system developed by William and Lynne Jolitz in 1992. It was the first open-source operating system designed specifically for Intel 386 processors and served as the foundation for later BSD operating systems.

### Q: Who created 386BSD?
A: 386BSD was created by William Jolitz and Lynne Jolitz, an American software programmer and computer scientist respectively. They developed it as an open-source operating system based on the Berkeley Software Distribution.

### Q: What operating systems were derived from 386BSD?
A: FreeBSD and NetBSD were both derived from 386BSD. These derivatives became more widely used than 386BSD itself and continue to be actively developed today.

## Why It Matters
386BSD represents a pivotal moment in the history of open-source software and Unix-like operating systems. As the first open-source operating system for Intel 386 processors, it democratized access to Unix-like systems for personal computer users and demonstrated that sophisticated operating system development could be accomplished through collaborative, open-source efforts. Its release in 1992 came at a crucial time when the open-source movement was gaining momentum, and it directly inspired the creation of FreeBSD and NetBSD, which have become cornerstone projects in the open-source ecosystem. The Jolitzes' work proved that complex operating system development could be done transparently and shared freely, establishing patterns and principles that would influence countless other open-source projects. Even though 386BSD itself was eventually superseded by its derivatives, its impact on the development of free and open-source software remains significant and enduring.

## Notable For
- First open-source operating system for Intel 386 processors
- Served as the foundation for FreeBSD and NetBSD development
- Maintained by original developers for over 20 years with version 2.0 released in 2016
- Pioneered open-source operating system development for x86 architecture
- Licensed under permissive BSD licenses, enabling widespread adoption and modification

## Body
### Development History
386BSD was developed by William and Lynne Jolitz and released on March 12, 1992. The operating system was created to run on Intel 386 processors, marking the first time a Unix-like system was specifically designed for this architecture. The Jolitzes published their work in Dr. Dobb's Journal, sharing their development process with the broader community.

### Technical Specifications
The operating system is based on the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) and runs on Intel 386-compatible platforms. It uses BSD licenses, which are permissive and allow for modification and redistribution. The system includes a complete Unix-like environment with command-line tools, system utilities, and support for running Unix applications.

### Versions and Releases
386BSD has had several version releases throughout its history. Version 0.0 was released on March 12, 1992, followed by version 0.1 on July 14, 1992. After a long development period, version 2.0 was released on August 5, 2016, representing over two decades of continued development and maintenance by the original creators.

### Derivatives and Legacy
FreeBSD and NetBSD were both derived from 386BSD code. These derivatives became more popular and actively developed than 386BSD itself, but they owe their origins to the Jolitzes' pioneering work. The source code for 386BSD is maintained on GitHub, allowing continued access and potential development by the community.

### Documentation and Resources
386BSD has documentation available in 10 different Wikipedia languages, including English, Spanish, Japanese, and Arabic. The project maintains a website at http://www.386bsd.org and has 23 sitelinks across Wikimedia projects, indicating its significance in the open-source software community.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.grokcode.com/259/interview-lynne-jolitz/)
2. [386BSD Release 0.0](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!original/comp.unix.bsd/TZ-gIRRHiXA/eAe6xqiqiU0J)
3. [Source](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!original/comp.unix.bsd/zA8Jl89HSRo/DqMzaUUZ7wYJ)
4. [After 22 Years, 386BSD Gets An Update. Slashdot. 2016](https://bsd.slashdot.org/story/16/10/09/0230203/after-22-years-386bsd-gets-an-update)
5. [386BSD 0.0 Release Notes](https://groups.google.com/forum/#!original/comp.unix.bsd/TZ-gIRRHiXA/eAe6xqiqiU0J)
6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
7. [Source](https://github.com/freebsd/freebsd/blob/master/share/misc/bsd-family-tree)
8. [Source](https://www.netbsd.org/about/history.html)