# DSLinux

> Linux distribution

**Wikidata**: [Q2745476](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2745476)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/dslinux

## Summary
DSLinux is a Linux distribution specifically designed to run on the Nintendo DS handheld gaming console, providing a Linux-based operating system for this platform.

## Key Facts
- DSLinux is a Linux distribution that runs on the Nintendo DS platform
- It is licensed under the GNU General Public License
- The distribution has a website at http://www.dslinux.org/
- It has a Freebase ID of /m/0913f_
- The project has a commons category labeled "DSLinux"
- It has a sitelink count of 9 across various platforms
- The project is copyrighted material
- The programming language used is specified as Q2407 (likely C or similar)

## FAQs
### Q: What is DSLinux?
A: DSLinux is a Linux distribution specifically designed to run on the Nintendo DS handheld gaming console.

### Q: What platform does it run on?
A: It is designed to run on the Nintendo DS handheld gaming device.

### Q: What license is it under?
A: DSLinux is licensed under the GNU General Public License.

## Why It Matters
DSLinux represents an innovative approach to bringing Linux-based operating systems to non-traditional computing platforms, specifically handheld gaming devices. By adapting Linux to the Nintendo DS architecture, it demonstrates the versatility of open-source software and provides users with a Linux environment on a device primarily designed for gaming. This distribution has significance as it expands the reach of Linux beyond traditional desktop and server systems, showing how open-source software can be adapted to specialized hardware platforms. The project illustrates the community-driven effort to make Linux accessible on devices that were not originally designed for it, contributing to the broader open-source ecosystem and demonstrating technical feasibility on constrained hardware.

## Notable For
- It is one of the few Linux distributions specifically designed for handheld gaming devices
- It provides a complete Linux environment on the Nintendo DS platform
- The project demonstrates successful adaptation of Linux to non-traditional hardware
- It offers users a full-featured Linux system on a device primarily used for gaming
- The distribution includes core GNU components along with the Linux kernel

## Body
### Technical Architecture
DSLinux is built on the Linux kernel and incorporates core GNU components, following the standard Linux distribution model. The distribution is optimized for the Nintendo DS's ARM9 and ARM7 processors, which are significantly less powerful than modern desktop CPUs.

### Licensing and Distribution
The project is licensed under the GNU General Public License, ensuring that users have the freedom to run, study, share, and modify the software. The distribution is copyrighted material, indicating it's a formal project with legal protection.

### Community and Resources
The DSLinux project maintains an official website at http://www.dslinux.org/, serving as the primary resource for users and developers. The project has a presence on Wikimedia Commons with the category "DSLinux," indicating its recognition in the open-source community.

### Development and Implementation
The distribution demonstrates the technical challenge of porting Linux to a handheld gaming platform. It requires modifications to the Linux kernel to support the Nintendo DS's unique hardware architecture, including its dual-screen display, touchscreen, and limited memory.

### Usage and Applications
While primarily a technical demonstration, DSLinux can be used for various purposes on the Nintendo DS, including running command-line applications, programming environments, and other Linux-based software. The project serves as both an educational tool and a demonstration of what's possible with open-source software on specialized hardware.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013