# GNU Core Utilities

> package of GNU software containing reimplementations for many of the basic tools, such as cat, ls, and rm, used on Unix-like operating

**Wikidata**: [Q1348204](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1348204)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNU_Core_Utilities)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gnu-core-utilities

## Summary
GNU Core Utilities is a package of GNU software containing reimplementations for many of the basic tools, such as cat, ls, and rm, used on Unix-like operating systems. This collection of essential command-line utilities forms a fundamental part of the GNU Project's free software initiative, providing core functionality for Unix-like systems.

## Key Facts
- Developed by the GNU Project, which was founded on September 27, 1983
- Is a package of software utilities designed to replace and reimplement standard Unix tools
- Runs on macOS, BSD systems, and various Unix-like operating systems
- Uses license Q27016754 as its official software license
- Has undergone multiple version releases including 8.22 (2013), 8.23 (2014), 8.24 (2015), 8.25 (2016), 8.26 (2016), and 8.29 (2017)
- Contains essential utilities such as uname, base32, basename, cat, chgrp, chmod, chown, chroot, and cksum
- Official website is https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/

## FAQs
### Q: What are GNU Core Utilities?
A: GNU Core Utilities is a package of GNU software containing reimplementations for many of the basic tools, such as cat, ls, and rm, used on Unix-like operating systems. These utilities form the foundation of command-line operations in many Unix-like environments.

### Q: What operating systems support GNU Core Utilities?
A: GNU Core Utilities runs on macOS, BSD systems, and other Unix-like operating systems. Its compatibility with these platforms makes it a versatile component in various Unix-like environments.

### Q: Why was GNU Core Utilities created?
A: GNU Core Utilities was created as part of the GNU Project to provide free software reimplementations of basic Unix tools. This allows Unix-like operating systems to function using entirely free software components.

## Why It Matters
GNU Core Utilities plays a critical role in the free software ecosystem by providing essential command-line tools that form the foundation of many Unix-like operating systems. By reimplementing basic utilities like cat, ls, and rm, the GNU Project ensures that users have access to these fundamental tools under free software licenses. This software is not only fundamental to the functionality of Unix-like systems but also represents a key component of the GNU Project's goal to create a complete, free Unix-like operating system. Without these core utilities, the command-line experience on Unix-like systems would be significantly different, and the free software movement would lack a standard set of essential tools.

## Notable For
- Being a fundamental component of the GNU Project's free software suite that provides essential Unix tool reimplementations
- Its extensive version history dating back to at least 2002, with regular updates and improvements
- Cross-platform compatibility across multiple Unix-like systems including macOS and BSD
- Comprehensive collection of basic utilities that includes over 20 essential command-line tools
- Its role in enabling Unix-like systems to operate using entirely free software components

## Body
### Overview
GNU Core Utilities is a package of GNU software containing reimplementations for many of the basic tools used on Unix-like operating systems. It serves as the foundation for command-line operations in many Unix-like environments.

### Development
- Developed by the GNU Project, which was established on September 27, 1983
- Is classified as a GNU package, software utility, and free software
- Source code is primarily managed through GNU Savannah at https://cgit.git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/coreutils.git

### Components
- Contains numerous essential utilities including:
  - uname (system information)
  - base32 (base32 encoding)
  - basename (strip directory names from file paths)
  - cat (concatenate and display files)
  - chgrp (change group ownership)
  - chmod (change file permissions)
  - chown (change file ownership)
  - chroot (change root directory)
  - cksum (sum and count of bytes)

### Platform Support
- Runs on macOS (inception: 2001-03-24)
- Compatible with BSD systems
- Functions on various Unix-like operating systems

### Version History
- Recent stable versions include:
  - 8.22 (released December 13, 2013)
  - 8.23 (released July 18, 2014)
  - 8.24 (released July 3, 2015)
  - 8.25 (released January 20, 2016)
  - 8.26 (released November 30, 2016)
  - 8.29 (released December 27, 2017)
- Earlier versions include 4.5.1 (September 1, 2002), 4.5.2 (October 5, 2002), 4.5.3 (October 13, 2002), and 4.5.4 (December 13, 2002)

### Distribution and Documentation
- Official website: https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/
- User manual available at: https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/manual/
- Mailing list archives available at: https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/coreutils/
- Issue tracking: http://debbugs.gnu.org/coreutils

### Licensing and Copyright
- Uses license Q27016754
- Copyright held by entity Q48413
- Copyright status: copyrighted

### Community and Ecosystem
- Has equivalents in various Linux distributions:
  - Debian/Ubuntu: coreutils
  - Fedora: coreutils
  - Arch Linux: coreutils
  - Gentoo: sys-apps/coreutils
  - OpenBSD/NetBSD: sysutils/coreutils
- Listed in the free software directory as "Coreutils"

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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "GNU Core Utilities",
  "description": "Package of GNU software containing reimplementations for many of the basic tools, such as cat, ls, and rm, used on Unix-like operating systems",
  "url": "https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/",
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## References

1. Free Software Directory
2. [Source](https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/coreutils.git/tree/README-hacking)
3. [The coreutils Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/coreutils/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
4. [Release 8.22. 2013](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v8.22)
5. [Release 8.23. 2014](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v8.23)
6. [coreutils-8.24.tar.xz.sig. 2015](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/info-gnu/2015-07/msg00001.html)
7. [Release 8.24. 2015](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v8.24)
8. [coreutils-8.25 released. 2016](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/coreutils-announce/2016-01/msg00000.html)
9. [Release 8.25. 2016](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v8.25)
10. [coreutils-8.26 released](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/coreutils-announce/2016-11/msg00000.html)
11. [Release 8.26. 2016](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v8.26)
12. [[coreutils-announce] coreutils-8.29 released [stable]](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/coreutils-announce/2017-12/msg00000.html)
13. [Release 8.29. 2017](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v8.29)
14. [Release 4.5.1. 2002](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v4.5.1)
15. [Release 4.5.2. 2002](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v4.5.2)
16. [Release 4.5.3. 2002](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v4.5.3)
17. [Release 4.5.4. 2002](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v4.5.4)
18. [Release 4.5.5. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v4.5.5)
19. [Release 4.5.6. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v4.5.6)
20. [Release 4.5.7. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v4.5.7)
21. [Release 4.5.8. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v4.5.8)
22. [Release 4.5.9. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v4.5.9)
23. [Release 4.5.10. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v4.5.10)
24. [Release 4.5.11. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v4.5.11)
25. [Release 4.5.12. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v4.5.12)
26. [Release 5.0. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.0)
27. [Release 5.0.1. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.0.1)
28. [Release 5.0.90. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.0.90)
29. [Release 5.0.91. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.0.91)
30. [Release 5.1.0. 2003](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.1.0)
31. [Release 5.1.1. 2004](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.1.1)
32. [Release 5.1.2. 2004](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.1.2)
33. [Release 5.1.3. 2004](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.1.3)
34. [Release 5.2.0. 2004](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.2.0)
35. [Release 5.2.1. 2004](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.2.1)
36. [Release 5.3.0. 2005](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.3.0)
37. [Release 5.90. 2005](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.90)
38. [Release 5.91. 2005](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.91)
39. [Release 5.92. 2005](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v5.92)
40. [Release 6.0. 2006](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v6.0)
41. [Release 6.1. 2006](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v6.1)
42. [Release 6.2. 2006](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v6.2)
43. [Release 6.3. 2006](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v6.3)
44. [Release 6.4. 2006](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v6.4)
45. [Release 6.5. 2006](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v6.5)
46. [Release 6.6. 2006](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v6.6)
47. [Release 6.7. 2006](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v6.7)
48. [Release 6.8. 2007](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v6.8)
49. [Release 6.9. 2007](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v6.9)
50. [Release 6.9.89. 2007](https://github.com/coreutils/coreutils/releases/tag/v6.9.89)