# Redox

> operating system written in Rust

**Wikidata**: [Q23665359](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23665359)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RedoxOS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/redox

## Summary

Redox was influenced by MINIX, Plan 9, Berkeley Software Distribution, and Linux kernel.[1]

## Summary
Redox is a free, Unix-like operating system written entirely in Rust, designed as a modern alternative to traditional systems. It features a microkernel architecture and emphasizes security, reliability, and performance.

## Key Facts
- **Created by**: Jeremy Soller, an American software engineer, on April 20, 2015.
- **License**: MIT License, making it free to use, modify, and redistribute.
- **Programming Language**: Written in Rust, known for its memory safety and performance.
- **Architecture**: Microkernel-based, influenced by MINIX, Plan 9, and Berkeley Software Distribution.
- **Latest Stable Version**: 0.2.0, released on April 23, 2017.
- **Platforms**: Supports x86 and A64 architectures.
- **GUI Toolkit**: Uses OrbTk, a cross-platform GUI toolkit written in Rust.
- **File System**: Features TFS, a file system inspired by ZFS.
- **Terminal Control**: Utilizes Termion, a library for controlling terminals written in Rust.
- **Social Media**: Active on Twitter (@redox_os) and Mastodon (@redox@fosstodon.org).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Redox?
A: Redox is a Unix-like operating system written in Rust, designed to be secure, reliable, and performant. It uses a microkernel architecture and is free to use, modify, and redistribute under the MIT License.

### Q: Who created Redox?
A: Redox was created by Jeremy Soller, an American software engineer, on April 20, 2015.

### Q: What programming language is Redox written in?
A: Redox is written entirely in Rust, a programming language known for its memory safety and performance.

### Q: What are the key features of Redox?
A: Redox features a microkernel architecture, uses the OrbTk GUI toolkit, and includes the TFS file system inspired by ZFS. It also utilizes Termion for terminal control.

### Q: Is Redox free to use?
A: Yes, Redox is licensed under the MIT License, which allows users to freely use, modify, and redistribute the operating system.

## Why It Matters
Redox represents a significant advancement in operating system design by leveraging Rust's memory safety and performance benefits. Traditional operating systems, often written in C, are prone to memory-related vulnerabilities. Redox's use of Rust mitigates these issues, offering a more secure and reliable alternative. Additionally, its microkernel architecture enhances modularity and maintainability, making it easier to develop and debug. Redox's influence by systems like MINIX, Plan 9, and Berkeley Software Distribution ensures it inherits proven design principles while innovating with modern technologies. As a free and open-source project, Redox fosters community collaboration and transparency, making it a valuable contribution to the field of operating systems.

## Notable For
- **First Rust-based OS**: One of the first operating systems written entirely in Rust, showcasing the language's capabilities in systems programming.
- **Microkernel Architecture**: Utilizes a microkernel design for enhanced modularity and security.
- **Influential Design**: Inspired by MINIX, Plan 9, and Berkeley Software Distribution, combining proven principles with modern innovations.
- **Free and Open-Source**: Licensed under the MIT License, promoting community collaboration and transparency.
- **Cross-Platform GUI**: Uses OrbTk, a cross-platform GUI toolkit written in Rust, ensuring a consistent user experience across different platforms.

## Body
### Overview
Redox is a Unix-like operating system written in Rust, designed to be secure, reliable, and performant. It was created by Jeremy Soller on April 20, 2015, and is licensed under the MIT License.

### Architecture
Redox features a microkernel architecture, which enhances modularity and security. The microkernel design separates core system functions from user services, reducing the risk of system-wide failures.

### Key Components
- **OrbTk**: A cross-platform GUI toolkit written in Rust, used for the graphical user interface.
- **TFS**: A file system inspired by ZFS, providing advanced features like snapshots and data integrity.
- **Termion**: A library for controlling terminals written in Rust, used for terminal emulation and control.

### Development and Community
Redox is developed openly on GitHub and GitLab, with continuous integration for quality assurance. The project has an active community, with presence on Twitter, Mastodon, and a dedicated subreddit.

### Versions and Releases
- **0.2.0**: Released on April 23, 2017.
- **0.1.5**: Released on April 9, 2017.
- **0.1.4**: Released on March 24, 2017.
- **0.1.3**: Released on March 21, 2017.
- **0.1.2**: Released on March 17, 2017.
- **0.1.1**: Released on February 28, 2017.
- **0.1.0**: Released on February 24, 2017.
- **0.0.9**: Released on February 14, 2017.
- **0.0.8**: Released on February 8, 2017.
- **0.0.6**: Released on January 4, 2017.

### Influences
Redox is influenced by several notable operating systems, including MINIX, Plan 9, and Berkeley Software Distribution. These influences contribute to its design principles and functionality.

### Social Media and Community
- **Twitter**: @redox_os, with 4,036 followers as of January 5, 2021.
- **Mastodon**: @redox@fosstodon.org, with 1,185 followers as of June 17, 2024.
- **Subreddit**: r/Redox, created on November 15, 2015.
- **Official Forum**: https://discourse.redox-os.org.

### Documentation and Support
- **User Manual**: Available at https://doc.redox-os.org/book/.
- **Issue Tracker**: https://gitlab.redox-os.org/redox-os/redox/issues.
- **Stack Exchange Tag**: https://stackoverflow.com/tags/redox-os.

## Schema Markup
```json
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Redox",
  "description": "A Unix-like operating system written in Rust, designed to be secure, reliable, and performant.",
  "url": "https://www.redox-os.org",
  "sameAs": [
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}

## References

1. [Release 0.1.4. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.1.4)
2. [Release 0.1.3. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.1.3)
3. [Release 0.1.2. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.1.2)
4. [Release 0.1.1. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.1.1)
5. [Release 0.1.0. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.1.0)
6. [Release 0.0.9. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.0.9)
7. [Release 0.0.8. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.0.8)
8. [Release 0.0.6. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.0.6)
9. [Release 0.1.5. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.1.5)
10. [Release 0.2.0. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.2.0)
11. [Release 0.3.0. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.3.0)
12. [Release 0.3.1. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.3.1)
13. [Release 0.3.2. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.3.2)
14. [Release 0.3.3. 2017](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.3.3)
15. [0.3.4 - Filesystem UUID](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.3.4)
16. [Release 0.3.5. 2018](https://gitlab.redox-os.org/redox-os/redox/tags/0.3.5)
17. [Release 0.3.5. 2018](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.3.5)
18. [Source](https://gitlab.redox-os.org/redox-os/redox/tags/0.4.1)
19. [Release 0.5.0. 2019](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/releases/tag/0.5.0)
20. [Redox OS 0.6.0. 2020](https://www.redox-os.org/news/release-0.6.0/)
21. [Redox OS 0.6 Released With Many Fixes, Rewritten Kernel Memory Manager. 2020](https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=Redox-OS-0.6-Released)
22. [Source](https://www.redox-os.org/news/release-0.7.0/)
23. [Redox OS 0.8.0. 2022](https://www.redox-os.org/news/release-0.8.0/)
24. [Rust-Written Redox OS 0.8 Released With i686 Support, Audio & Multi-Display Working. 2022](https://www.phoronix.com/news/Redox-OS-0.8-Released)
25. [Redox OS 0.9.0](https://www.redox-os.org/news/release-0.9.0/)
26. [Redox OS 0.9 Brings COSMIC Apps, Better Performance & Improved Linux App Compatibility. 2024](https://www.phoronix.com/news/Redox-OS-0.9-Released)
27. [Source](https://github.com/redox-os/redox/commit/0edea108a1d8112b3aa4e8ae7b3d8d41c5d0ed85)
28. [Source](https://redox-os.org/)
29. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/redox-os/redox)
30. [Source](https://github.com/redox-os/cookbook/blob/09acaa7f5a2f7cc3f9be3e650e78625e5497e057/README.md)
31. [Source](https://gitlab.redox-os.org/redox-os/redox/-/blob/master/docker/Dockerfile)
32. [Source](https://redox-os.org/donate/)
33. [Source](https://redox-os.org/community/#lemmy)