# GNU which > GNU version of the Unix which command **Wikidata**: [Q132132354](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q132132354) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/gnu-which ## Summary GNU which is the GNU version of the Unix which command, a utility software package that locates executables in the user's path. It is free software distributed under terms allowing users to run, study, change, and distribute it and modified versions. As a GNU package, it runs on macOS, BSD, and other Unix-like operating systems. ## Key Facts - GNU which is instance of utility software, GNU package, and free software. - Aliases include which and gwhich. - Current preferred stable version is 2.23, released on 2025-02-01, available at https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/which/which-2.23.tar.gz. - Previous stable versions: 2.22 (2025-01-24, https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/which/which-2.22.tar.gz), 2.21 (2015-03-20, https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/which/which-2.21.tar.gz), 2.20 (2008-08-06, https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/which/which-2.20.tar.gz), 2.19 (2008-01-18, https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/which/which-2.19.tar.gz). - All version data referenced from https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/which/ as of 2025-02-04. - Runs on macOS (inception 2001-03-24), BSD, and Unix-like operating systems. - Operating systems explicitly listed: , BSD, macOS, Unix-like operating system. - Maintained by Carlo Wood. - Website: https://www.gnu.org/software/which/ (English, preferred), https://carlowood.github.io/which/ (English). - Man page: which.1. - Nixpkgs ID: which. - FreeBSD port: misc/gwhich. - Gentoo package: sys-apps/which. - Guix variable name: which. - Debian source package: which (from 2003-02-18 to 2004-05-30). - Homebrew formula name: gnu-which. - Repology project name: which. - GNU Savannah project ID: which. - Source code repository: https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/which.git (cgit on Savannah, ). - Free software directory entry: Which. - Different from: which. - Copyright status: copyrighted. - Wikidata description: GNU version of the Unix which command. ## FAQs **What platforms does GNU which support?** It operates on macOS, BSD, and Unix-like operating systems, including the specific identifier . These environments align with its design as a Unix command utility. **Who maintains GNU which and where is its code hosted?** Carlo Wood maintains it. The source code resides at https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/which.git on GNU Savannah under project ID which, using cgit. **What are the stable release versions of GNU which?** Versions include 2.23 (preferred, 2025-02-01), 2.22 (2025-01-24), 2.21 (2015-03-20), 2.20 (2008-08-06), and 2.19 (2008-01-18), each with tarball downloads from ftpmirror.gnu.org. **How is GNU which packaged in different systems?** It appears as nixpkgs_id which, FreeBSD port misc/gwhich, Gentoo sys-apps/which, Guix variable which, Debian source which (2003-02-18 to 2004-05-30), and Homebrew gnu-which. Repology lists it as project which. **What distinguishes GNU which from the standard which command?** GNU which is explicitly different_from which, serving as the GNU project's implementation with aliases which and gwhich, man page which.1, and free software status. ## Why It Matters GNU which fills a critical gap in Unix-like environments by providing a reliable, free software implementation of the which command, enabling users to precisely locate executable files in their PATH without proprietary dependencies. As part of the GNU ecosystem, it empowers developers and system administrators on macOS, BSD, and broader Unix-like systems to maintain portable workflows, fostering interoperability across diverse operating systems. Its longevity—spanning versions from 2.19 in 2008 to 2.23 in 2025—demonstrates sustained relevance in package management, where tools like nixpkgs, FreeBSD ports, Gentoo, Guix, Debian, and Homebrew integrate it seamlessly. By being maintained by Carlo Wood and hosted on GNU Savannah, it upholds free software principles, allowing modification and redistribution, which accelerates open-source tooling and reduces vendor lock-in in command-line operations. ## Notable For - Being the official GNU package reimplementation of the Unix which command, distinct from other which utilities. - Extensive version history with five documented stable releases, latest 2.23 on 2025-02-01. - Broad packaging support across nixpkgs (which), FreeBSD (misc/gwhich), Gentoo (sys-apps/which), Guix (which), Debian (which until 2004), and Homebrew (gnu-which). - Dual websites including the primary GNU page and maintainer-hosted https://carlowood.github.io/which/. - Free software directory listing as "Which" with sitelinks to related free software (120 counts). - Savannah-hosted Git repository using cgit, under project ID which. - Aliases gwhich and which, with dedicated man page which.1. ## Body ### Overview and Classification GNU which functions as the GNU version of the Unix which command. It qualifies as utility software, a GNU package, and free software. Free software here means distribution under terms that allow users to freely run, study, change, and distribute it and modified versions, with 120 sitelinks. Its Wikidata description confirms this role. Copyright status is copyrighted, yet it adheres to free software licensing. ### Platforms and Compatibility It runs on macOS, an operating system for Apple computers with inception 2001-03-24 and 106 sitelinks. BSD support covers Unix-like systems based on or descended from the Berkeley Software Distribution series, with 5 sitelinks. It also targets Unix-like operating systems, which behave similarly to Unix and have 47 sitelinks. Operating system properties list (preferred), BSD (preferred), macOS (preferred), and Unix-like operating system. ### Versions and Releases Stable versions include: - 2.23 (preferred, stable version, 2025-02-01, https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/which/which-2.23.tar.gz). - 2.22 (stable version, 2025-01-24, https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/which/which-2.22.tar.gz). - 2.21 (stable version, 2015-03-20, https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/which/which-2.21.tar.gz). - 2.20 (stable version, 2008-08-06, https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/which/which-2.20.tar.gz). - 2.19 (stable version, 2008-01-18, https://ftpmirror.gnu.org/which/which-2.19.tar.gz). All reference https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/which/ as of 2025-02-04. ### Naming and Identification Aliases are which and gwhich. Man page is which.1. It differs from the standard which. Repology project name is which. Free software directory entry is Which. GNU Savannah project ID is which. ### Packaging and Distribution - Nixpkgs ID: which. - FreeBSD port: misc/gwhich. - Gentoo package: sys-apps/which. - Guix variable name: which. - Debian source package: which, active from 2003-02-18 to 2004-05-30. - Homebrew formula name: gnu-which. ### Development and Maintenance Carlo Wood maintains GNU which. Source code repository is https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/which.git, qualified with : (Savannah) and : cgit. ### Online Presence Websites include https://www.gnu.org/software/which/ (preferred, English) and https://carlowood.github.io/which/ (English). ## References 1. [Source](https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/which/)