# Csound

> software and an audio programming language

**Wikidata**: [Q259347](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q259347)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Csound)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/csound

## Summary
Csound is a software synthesizer and audio programming language designed for sound production, algorithmic composition, and sound synthesis. Originally developed in 1986, it is free software available under the GNU Lesser General Public License (version 2.1 or later) that runs on Unix-like operating systems.

## Key Facts
- **Classification:** Csound is an audio programming language and software synthesizer used for sound production, algorithmic composition, and sound synthesis.
- **Inception:** The software was originally created in 1986.
- **License:** It is distributed as free software under the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1 or later.
- **Platform:** Csound runs on Unix-like operating systems and is available via package managers for Arch Linux, Debian, Fedora, Ubuntu, Gentoo, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and macOS (Homebrew/MacPorts).
- **Source Code:** The official source code repository is hosted on GitHub.
- **File Formats:** The software reads and writes Csound Orchestra, Csound Score, and Csound unified file formats.
- **Version History:** The software has frequent releases; version 6.12.0 was released on October 24, 2018.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Csound used for?
A: Csound is used for sound production, algorithmic composition, and sound synthesis. It functions as both a software synthesizer and a programming language for audio processing.

### Q: Is Csound free to use?
A: Yes, Csound is free software licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL), version 2.1 or later.

### Q: What operating systems does Csound support?
A: Csound is designed for Unix-like operating systems. It is widely available across various Linux distributions (including Ubuntu, Debian, and Fedora) and BSD variants, as well as through macOS package managers like Homebrew and MacPorts.

### Q: Where can the source code for Csound be found?
A: The source code for Csound is maintained in a public repository on GitHub.

## Why It Matters
Csound holds a significant place in the history and development of computer music and audio programming. With an inception date of 1986, it is one of the longest-standing software synthesizers still in active development, evidenced by its continuous release cycle (with versions like 6.12.0 released in 2018). Its longevity and status as free software have made it a fundamental tool for researchers, composers, and sound designers interested in algorithmic composition and complex sound synthesis.

Unlike proprietary digital audio workstations, Csound provides a programming language interface, allowing for precise, code-based control over audio generation. This capability makes it distinct from standard music software, offering users the ability to define synthesis algorithms and compositional logic directly. Its extensive availability across nearly all major Unix-like platforms and package managers ensures that it remains an accessible and standard tool in the open-source audio ecosystem, bridging the gap between low-level signal processing and high-level musical composition.

## Notable For
- **Longevity:** A software history dating back to 1986, maintained actively through the 2010s.
- **Dual Nature:** Classified distinctly as both a software synthesizer and an audio programming language.
- **Extensive Portability:** Availability across a wide array of Unix-like ecosystems, including specific ports for Arch, Debian, Fedora, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and macOS.
- **Open Source Commitment:** Licensing under the GNU Lesser General Public License (LGPL 2.1+) protecting its status as free software.

## Body

### Nature and Purpose
Csound is an audio programming language and software synthesizer. It is designed specifically for sound production, algorithmic composition, and sound synthesis. As a programming language, it allows users to write code to generate and manipulate audio signals rather than relying solely on a graphical user interface.

### Licensing and Development
The project is free software, released under the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1 or later. Development has been active for decades, with the software's inception recorded as 1986. The source code is publicly accessible and maintained on GitHub at `https://github.com/csound/csound`.

### Version History
Csound has a detailed release history, with frequent updates in recent years. Key stable releases include:
- **Version 6.06.0:** Released December 28, 2015.
- **Version 6.07.0:** Released May 19, 2016.
- **Version 6.08.0:** Released November 24, 2016.
- **Version 6.09.1:** Released July 12, 2017.
- **Version 6.10.0:** Released December 22, 2017.
- **Version 6.11.0:** Released May 10, 2018.
- **Version 6.12.0:** Released October 24, 2018.

### Platform Availability
Csound runs primarily on Unix-like operating systems. It is widely supported across various Linux and Unix distributions through native package management systems:
- **Linux:** Arch (`csound`), Debian (`csound`), Fedora (`csound`), Ubuntu (`csound`), Gentoo (`media-sound/csound`).
- **BSD:** FreeBSD (`audio/csound`), NetBSD (`audio/csound6`).
- **macOS:** Available via Homebrew (`csound`) and MacPorts (`csound`).

### File Formats
The software utilizes specific file formats for its operations. It is capable of reading and writing:
- Csound Orchestra files
- Csound Score files
- Csound unified file format

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
2. [Release 6.08.1. 2017](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.08.1)
3. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/csound/csound/releases)
4. [Release 6.07.0. 2016](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.07.0)
5. [Release 6.06.0. 2015](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.06.0)
6. [Release 6.09.0. 2017](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.09.0)
7. [Release 6.09.1. 2017](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.09.1)
8. [Release 6.10.0. 2017](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.10.0)
9. [Release 6.08.0. 2016](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.08.0)
10. [Release 6.11.0. 2018](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.11.0)
11. [Release 6.12.0. 2018](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.12.0)
12. [Release 6.13.0. 2019](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.13.0)
13. [Release 6.14.0. 2020](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.14.0)
14. [Csound 6.14.0](https://csound.com/site/news/2020/01/27/Csound6.14.0)
15. [Release 6.15.0. 2020](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.15.0)
16. [Release 6.16.0. 2021](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.16.0)
17. [Release 6.16.1. 2021](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.16.1)
18. [Release 6.16.2. 2021](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.16.2)
19. [Release 6.17.0. 2022](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.17.0)
20. [Release 6.18.0. 2022](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.18.0)
21. [Release 6.18.1. 2022](https://github.com/csound/csound/releases/tag/6.18.1)
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File