# Darwin

> computer operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q14581](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q14581)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin_(operating_system))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/darwin

## Summary  
Darwin is a Unix‑like, open‑source operating system created by Apple Inc. that serves as the core foundation for macOS, iOS, tvOS and iPadOS. First released on 15 November 2000, it combines code from NeXTSTEP and FreeBSD and is distributed under the Apple Public Source License.

## Key Facts  
- **Developer:** Apple Inc. (Apple Public Source License)【source_code_repository_url】  
- **Initial release:** 15 November 2000 (publication_date)【publication_date】  
- **Core role:** Forms the underlying kernel (XNU) of macOS, iOS, tvOS and iPadOS (part_of)【part_of】  
- **Heritage:** Built on code from NeXTSTEP and FreeBSD (based_on)【based_on】  
- **License:** Apple Public Source License, making the source publicly available (license)【license】  
- **Kernel family:** Part of the XNU kernel series (part_of_series)【part_of_series】  
- **Stable version (as of 12 Nov 2020):** 20.1.0, marked as the stable release (version with qualifier P548)【version】  
- **Named after:** Naturalist Charles Darwin (named_after)【named_after】  
- **Supported architectures:** PowerPC, ARM, Apple M1, AArch64, among others (platform)【platform】  
- **Source repository:** https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu (source_code_repository_url)【source_code_repository_url】

## FAQs  
### Q: What exactly is Darwin?  
A: Darwin is the open‑source, Unix‑like operating system that provides the XNU kernel and core system services for all of Apple’s modern platforms, including macOS, iOS, tvOS and iPadOS.  

### Q: Is Darwin open source?  
A: Yes. Apple releases Darwin’s source code under the Apple Public Source License, and the code is hosted publicly on GitHub.  

### Q: Which Apple devices run Darwin?  
A: Every Apple device that runs macOS, iOS, tvOS or iPadOS—such as Macs, iPhones, iPads, Apple TVs and Apple Silicon Macs—uses Darwin as its underlying OS layer.  

### Q: How does Darwin differ from macOS?  
A: Darwin provides the low‑level kernel (XNU) and core Unix utilities, while macOS adds Apple’s proprietary graphical interface, applications, and additional frameworks on top of Darwin.  

### Q: Can developers build software directly on Darwin?  
A: Developers can compile and run software against Darwin’s open‑source components, but most consumer‑facing applications target the full macOS or iOS environments that include additional Apple‑specific layers.  

## Why It Matters  
Darwin is the technical heart of Apple’s ecosystem, delivering a robust, Unix‑based kernel that powers everything from desktop Macs to mobile iPhones. By blending NeXTSTEP’s object‑oriented design with the stability of the FreeBSD codebase, Darwin offers a modern, hybrid kernel (XNU) that supports a wide range of hardware architectures, including legacy PowerPC and the latest Apple Silicon. Its open‑source nature invites external scrutiny, fostering security transparency and enabling academic and hobbyist contributions. Because every macOS and iOS release builds on Darwin, improvements to the kernel—such as performance optimizations, security patches, and hardware support—cascade across all Apple platforms, affecting billions of devices worldwide. Understanding Darwin therefore provides insight into the foundational technology that underpins Apple’s software experience and its influence on contemporary operating‑system design.  

## Notable For  
- **Hybrid kernel design:** XNU combines a Mach microkernel with BSD components, a first for Apple’s platforms.  
- **Open‑source foundation:** Released under the Apple Public Source License, making the core OS publicly auditable.  
- **Cross‑platform core:** Powers all major Apple operating systems (macOS, iOS, tvOS, iPadOS) from a single code base.  
- **Broad architecture support:** Runs on PowerPC, ARM, Apple M1, and AArch64, enabling smooth transitions across hardware generations.  
- **Historical lineage:** Directly follows NeXTSTEP, preserving its object‑oriented heritage while integrating BSD stability.  

## Body  

### Overview  
- Darwin is classified as a **Unix‑like operating system** (instance_of).  
- It is the **core component** of Apple’s modern OS families, providing the XNU kernel and essential system services.  

### History  
- **Predecessor:** NeXTSTEP (released 18 Sept 1989) served as the immediate ancestor.  
- **First public release:** 15 Nov 2000, marking Apple’s move to an open‑source kernel.  

### Architecture  
- **Kernel:** XNU, a hybrid of Mach microkernel and BSD (FreeBSD) components.  
- **Based on:** NeXTSTEP and FreeBSD (based_on).  
- **Part of series:** XNU, FreeBSD (part_of_series).  

### Licensing and Open Source  
- Distributed under the **Apple Public Source License** (license).  
- Source code is hosted at **GitHub**: https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu (source_code_repository_url).  

### Versions  
- Multiple releases tracked by date, e.g., 17.3.0 (09 Nov 2017), 18.0.0 (24 Sep 2018), up to **20.1.0** (12 Nov 2020, stable) (version).  

### Relationship to Apple Operating Systems  
- **Part of:** macOS, iOS, tvOS, iPadOS (part_of).  
- **Replaces:** NeXTSTEP as the underlying kernel for these platforms.  
- **Derived work:** Q840322 (derivative_work).  

### Platforms and Compatibility  
- Supports **PowerPC**, **ARM**, **Apple M1**, **AArch64**, and other architectures (platform).  
- Runs on a wide range of Apple hardware, from legacy Macs to current Apple Silicon devices.  

### Development and Community  
- Developed by **Apple Inc.** (developer).  
- Named after **Charles Darwin** (named_after).  
- Mascot identifier: Q680294.  
- Official website: https://opensource.apple.com (website).  

### External References  
- Image of GNOME 2 running on openDarwin (2004): https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/GNOME_2_running_on_openDarwin_(2004).png (image).  

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Darwin (operating system)",
  "description": "Darwin is a Unix-like, open-source operating system developed by Apple Inc. that forms the core of macOS, iOS, tvOS and iPadOS.",
  "url": "https://opensource.apple.com",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin_(operating_system)"
  ],
  "additionalType": "Unix-like operating system"
}

## References

1. [Release 123.5. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-123.5)
2. [Release 124.7. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-124.7)
3. [Release 124.13. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-124.13)
4. [Release 201. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-201)
5. [Release 201.5. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-201.5)
6. [Release 201.14. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-201.14)
7. [Release 201.19. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-201.19)
8. [Release 201.19.3. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-201.19.3)
9. [Release 201.42.3. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-201.42.3)
10. [Release 344. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-344)
11. [Release 344.2. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-344.2)
12. [Release 344.12.2. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-344.12.2)
13. [Release 344.21.73. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-344.21.73)
14. [Release 344.21.74. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-344.21.74)
15. [Release 344.23. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-344.23)
16. [Release 344.26. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-344.26)
17. [Release 344.32. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-344.32)
18. [Release 344.34. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-344.34)
19. [Release 344.49. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-344.49)
20. [Release 517. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-517)
21. [Release 517.3.7. 2004](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-517.3.7)
22. [Release 517.3.15. 2004](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-517.3.15)
23. [Release 517.7.7. 2004](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-517.7.7)
24. [Release 517.7.21. 2004](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-517.7.21)
25. [Release 517.9.4. 2004](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-517.9.4)
26. [Release 517.9.5. 2004](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-517.9.5)
27. [Release 517.11.1. 2005](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-517.11.1)
28. [Release 517.12.7. 2005](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-517.12.7)
29. [Release 792. 2005](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792)
30. [Release 792.1.5. 2005](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.1.5)
31. [Release 792.2.4. 2005](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.2.4)
32. [Release 792.6.22. 2005](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.6.22)
33. [Release 792.6.56. 2006](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.6.56)
34. [Release 792.6.61. 2006](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.6.61)
35. [Release 792.6.70. 2006](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.6.70)
36. [Release 792.6.76. 2006](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.6.76)
37. [Release 792.10.96. 2006](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.10.96)
38. [Release 792.12.6. 2006](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.12.6)
39. [Release 792.13.8. 2006](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.13.8)
40. [Release 792.17.14. 2007](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.17.14)
41. [Release 792.18.15. 2007](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.18.15)
42. [Release 792.21.3. 2007](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.21.3)
43. [Release 792.22.5. 2007](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.22.5)
44. [Release 792.24.17. 2009](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.24.17)
45. [Release 792.25.20. 2008](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-792.25.20)
46. [Release 1228. 2007](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-1228)
47. [Release 124.1. 2003](https://github.com/apple-oss-distributions/xnu/releases/tag/xnu-124.1)
48. [Apple DB: Firmware Chart](https://appledb.dev/firmware.html)
49. [Source](https://theapplewiki.com/wiki/Kernel)