# Collapse OS

> free operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q70242462](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q70242462)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/collapse-os

## Summary
Collapse OS is a free and open-source operating system designed for retrocomputing, licensed under the GNU General Public License version 3.0. Developed by Virgil Dupras, it emphasizes user freedoms to run, study, modify, and redistribute the software. The system is written in the Forth programming language and hosted on platforms like GitHub and SourceHut.

## Key Facts
- **License**: GNU General Public License version 3.0 (GPLv3).  
- **Primary Use**: Retrocomputing.  
- **Lead Developer**: Virgil Dupras.  
- **Programming Language**: Forth.  
- **Website**: https://collapseos.org/ (English).  
- **Source Code Repositories**: GitHub (https://github.com/hsoft/collapseos) and SourceHut (https://git.sr.ht/~vdupras/collapseos).  
- **Subreddit**: r/collapseos.  
- **GitHub Topic**: collapse-os.  
- **Named After**: "Collapse" and "operating system".  
- **Wikidata Description**: Free operating system.  
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/11fp03gph5.  
- **Wikipedia Availability**: Japanese and Russian language entries.  
- **Copyright Status**: Copyrighted.  
- **Instance Of**: Free operating system (subclass of operating system and free software).  

## FAQs
### Q: What is Collapse OS designed for?  
A: It is tailored for retrocomputing, focusing on preserving and running legacy software and hardware.  

### Q: Who developed Collapse OS?  
A: The lead developer is Virgil Dupras, with contributions from the open-source community.  

### Q: What programming language is Collapse OS written in?  
A: It is primarily developed using the Forth programming language.  

### Q: Where can I find the source code for Collapse OS?  
A: The source code is hosted on GitHub (https://github.com/hsoft/collapseos) and SourceHut (https://git.sr.ht/~vdupras/collapseos).  

### Q: Is Collapse OS free to use for commercial purposes?  
A: Yes, as a free operating system, it allows commercial use under the terms of the GPLv3 license.  

### Q: What license governs Collapse OS?  
A: It is released under the GNU General Public License version 3.0, ensuring user freedoms to modify and redistribute the software.  

## Why It Matters  
Collapse OS provides a free, open-source solution for retrocomputing, preserving legacy systems and promoting software freedom. It enables customization, study, and adaptation, contributing to digital preservation and education. Its use of Forth enables efficient low-level programming, and its community-driven development fosters collaboration and transparency. By avoiding proprietary restrictions, it empowers users to maintain control over their computing environments, supporting historical research, hobbyist projects, and educational initiatives in computer science.  

## Notable For  
- **Retrocomputing Focus**: Specifically designed to support and preserve legacy computing environments.  
- **Forth Programming Language**: Utilizes Forth for its development, emphasizing simplicity and efficiency.  
- **Community-Driven**: Maintained by an open community with contributions via GitHub and SourceHut.  
- **GPLv3 Licensing**: Ensures all modifications and redistributions remain free and open-source.  
- **Multilingual Documentation**: Available in Japanese and Russian on Wikipedia, promoting global accessibility.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Collapse OS is a free operating system licensed under GPLv3, developed by Virgil Dupras. It is designed for retrocomputing, enabling the operation and preservation of legacy software and hardware. The system is written in Forth, chosen for its simplicity and suitability for low-level programming tasks.  

### Licensing and Freedom  
Released under the GNU General Public License version 3.0, Collapse OS guarantees users the freedoms to run, study, modify, and redistribute the software. This copyleft license ensures that all derivative works remain free, preventing proprietary lock-in.  

### Development and Community  
The project is led by Virgil Dupras and maintained through community contributions. Source code is hosted on GitHub and SourceHut, facilitating open collaboration. The community engages via platforms like the r/collapseos subreddit and GitHub discussions.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Programming Language**: Forth  
- **Primary Use**: Retrocomputing  
- **Source Code Repositories**:  
  - GitHub: https://github.com/hsoft/collapseos  
  - SourceHut: https://git.sr.ht/~vdupras/collapseos  
- **Website**: https://collapseos.org/ (English)  

### Cultural and Educational Impact  
By preserving retrocomputing environments, Collapse OS supports educational initiatives in computer history and low-level programming. Its open nature allows students and developers to explore and experiment with operating system internals.  

### Recognition and Availability  
Collapse OS is recognized in Wikidata and has Wikipedia entries in Japanese and Russian. It holds a Google Knowledge Graph ID (/g/11fp03gph5) and is categorized under free software operating systems.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/hsoft/collapseos/blob/master/COPYING)
2. [Source](http://collapseos.org/)