# babeld
**Wikidata**: [Q112255918](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112255918)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/babeld

## Summary
Babeld is a free and open-source routing software utility that serves as the reference implementation of the Babel routing protocol. Developed by Juliusz Chroboczek and released under the MIT License, it functions on Unix-like operating systems including Linux and macOS.

## Key Facts
- **Developer:** Juliusz Chroboczek
- **License:** MIT License
- **Category:** Free software, routing software, reference implementation
- **Protocol:** Implementation of the Babel routing protocol
- **Supported Operating Systems:** Linux, macOS
- **Source Repository:** https://github.com/jech/babeld
- **Official Website:** https://www.irif.fr/~jch/software/babel/
- **Latest Stable Version:** 1.12.1 (released May 18, 2022)
- **Initial Release (Version 0.96):** August 11, 2009

## FAQs
### Q: What is babeld used for?
A: Babeld is a routing software daemon used to implement the Babel routing protocol on computer networks. It is designated as the reference implementation for the protocol.

### Q: Who created and maintains babeld?
A: The software was developed by Juliusz Chroboczek, who is cited as the creator and reference author for the releases.

### Q: On which operating systems can babeld run?
A: Babeld is designed to run on Unix-like operating systems, specifically Linux and macOS.

### Q: Is babeld free to use?
A: Yes, babeld is classified as free software distributed under the MIT License, allowing users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it.

## Why It Matters
Babeld holds a critical role in the landscape of network routing protocols as the official reference implementation of Babel. This status means that it serves as the standard against which other versions of the protocol are measured, ensuring consistency and reliability for network engineers and developers working with Babel. By being open-source and licensed under the permissive MIT License, it allows for broad adoption, inspection, and modification by the networking community, fostering transparency in how routing decisions are made.

The software bridges the gap between theoretical protocol design and practical application on standard hardware. Its availability on widely used operating systems like Linux and macOS ensures that the Babel protocol is accessible for deployment in diverse environments, from servers to personal computers. The sustained development timeline—spanning from version 0.96 in 2009 to version 1.12.1 in 2022—demonstrates a commitment to long-term maintenance and adaptation in the evolving field of network communication.

## Notable For
- Being the **reference implementation** of the Babel routing protocol.
- Distribution under the **MIT License**, a permissive free software license.
- Active development history spanning over a decade, with versions released between **2009 and 2022**.
- Support for major **Unix-like operating systems**, specifically **Linux** and **macOS**.
- Recognition as **free software**, prioritizing user freedoms to study and modify the code.

## Body
### Software Classification and Licensing
Babeld is a specialized networking tool classified as both routing software and free software. It is strictly copyrighted but distributed under the MIT License, which grants users extensive rights to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the software. It acts as the reference implementation for the Babel protocol, meaning it embodies the standard specifications of the protocol.

### Platform Compatibility
The software is built to operate on Unix-like environments. Specific compatibility includes:
- **Linux:** Supported since the OS's inception; babeld leverages the kernel's networking capabilities.
- **macOS:** Fully supported on Apple's operating system (inception 2001-03-24).

### Version History and Development
The development of babeld has been tracked through numerous releases, authored primarily by Juliusz Chroboczek. Key release milestones include:
- **v0.96:** Released August 11, 2009.
- **v1.0:** Released April 22, 2010.
- **v1.1.0 to v1.1.3:** Released throughout 2011 (January to August).
- **v1.12.1:** The latest noted version, released May 18, 2022.

The source code is publicly hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/jech/babeld`, and additional information is available at the official website `https://www.irif.fr/~jch/software/babel/`.

## References

1. [babeld-1.12.1. 2022](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.12.1)
2. [Release 0.96. 2009](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-0.96)
3. [Release 0.98. 2010](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-0.98)
4. [Release 1.0. 2010](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.0)
5. [Release 1.0.1. 2010](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.0.1)
6. [Release 1.0.2. 2010](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.0.2)
7. [Release 1.1.0. 2011](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.1.0)
8. [Release 1.1.1. 2011](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.1.1)
9. [Release 1.1.2. 2011](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.1.2)
10. [Release 1.1.3. 2011](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.1.3)
11. [Release 1.1.4. 2011](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.1.4)
12. [Release 1.1.99.0. 2011](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.1.99.0)
13. [Release 1.1.99.1. 2011](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.1.99.1)
14. [Release 1.2.0. 2011](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.2.0)
15. [Release 1.2.1. 2011](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.2.1)
16. [Release 1.3.0. 2011](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.3.0)
17. [Release 1.3.1. 2012](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.3.1)
18. [Release 1.3.3. 2012](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.3.3)
19. [Release 1.3.4. 2012](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.3.4)
20. [Release 1.3.5. 2013](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.3.5)
21. [Release 1.3.6. 2013](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.3.6)
22. [Release 1.3.7. 2013](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.3.7)
23. [Release 1.3.8. 2013](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.3.8)
24. [Release 1.4.0. 2013](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.4.0)
25. [Release 1.4.1. 2013](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.4.1)
26. [Release 1.4.2. 2013](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.4.2)
27. [Release 1.4.3. 2013](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.4.3)
28. [Release 1.5.0. 2014](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.5.0)
29. [Release 1.5.1. 2014](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.5.1)
30. [Release 1.6.0. 2015](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.6.0)
31. [Release 1.6.1. 2015](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.6.1)
32. [Release 1.6.2. 2015](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.6.2)
33. [Release 1.6.3. 2015](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.6.3)
34. [Release 1.7.0. 2016](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.7.0)
35. [Release 1.7.1. 2016](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.7.1)
36. [Release 1.8.0. 2016](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.8.0)
37. [Release 1.8.1. 2018](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.8.1)
38. [Release 1.8.2. 2018](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.8.2)
39. [Release 1.8.3. 2018](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.8.3)
40. [Release 1.8.4. 2018](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.8.4)
41. [Release 1.8.5. 2019](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.8.5)
42. [Release 1.9.0. 2019](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.9.0)
43. [Release 1.9.1. 2019](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.9.1)
44. [Release 1.9.2. 2020](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.9.2)
45. [Release 1.10. 2021](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.10)
46. [Release 1.11. 2022](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.11)
47. [Release 1.12. 2022](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.12)
48. [Release 1.12.2. 2023](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.12.2)
49. [Release 1.13. 2023](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.13)
50. [Release 1.13.1. 2023](https://github.com/jech/babeld/releases/tag/babeld-1.13.1)