# SeaBIOS

> open-source implementation of x86 BIOS

**Wikidata**: [Q7439802](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7439802)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SeaBIOS)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/seabios

## Summary
SeaBIOS is an open-source implementation of an x86 BIOS, providing the firmware used to initialize hardware during the boot process of a computer. It is free software licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 3.0 and serves as a standard BIOS solution for various platforms.

## Key Facts
- **Entity Type:** Open-source implementation of x86 BIOS; Free Software.
- **License:** GNU Lesser General Public License, version 3.0.
- **Latest Stable Version:** 1.16.3 (released November 13, 2023).
- **Source Code Repository:** hosted at `github.com/coreboot/seabios`.
- **Official Website:** `seabios.org`.
- **Platform:** x86 architecture.
- **Software Packages:** Available in major repositories including Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian, Arch Linux, Gentoo, and FreeBSD.
- **Historical Versions:** Version 1.11.0 (released Nov 10, 2017); Version 1.8.2 (released June 17, 2015).

## FAQs
### Q: What is SeaBIOS used for?
A: SeaBIOS is used as a firmware implementation to initialize x86 hardware when a computer boots. It functions as a standard BIOS, handling the early stages of the boot process before handing control to the operating system.

### Q: What license is SeaBIOS released under?
A: SeaBIOS is released under the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 3.0 (LGPLv3), making it free and open-source software.

### Q: Where can the source code for SeaBIOS be found?
A: The source code is maintained in a repository located at `github.com/coreboot/seabios`.

## Why It Matters
SeaBIOS plays a critical role in the open-source hardware and firmware ecosystem. By providing a free, open-source implementation of the standard x86 BIOS, it offers an alternative to proprietary firmware binaries often used in PCs and virtualization environments. Its existence allows for greater transparency, customization, and auditability in the boot process.

The project is particularly significant in the context of virtualization and the coreboot project (suggested by its repository hosting), where a lightweight, legacy-free, or customizable BIOS is required to boot guest operating systems or specialized hardware configurations. Its wide availability across major Linux distributions (Debian, Fedora, Arch, etc.) underscores its status as a standard component in modern open-source infrastructure stacks.

## Notable For
- **Open-Source BIOS:** Being a premier open-source implementation of the x86 BIOS standard.
- **Cross-Platform Availability:** Inclusion in the official repositories of nearly all major Linux distributions and FreeBSD.
- **Coreboot Integration:** Close association with the coreboot project via its source code hosting and development ecosystem.
- **Licensing:** Utilization of the LGPL v3, which allows linking with non-free modules, making it versatile for commercial and open-source use cases.

## Body

### Overview and Function
SeaBIOS is an implementation of the standard BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) for the x86 architecture. As a "class" of firmware, its primary function is to initialize hardware components when a computer boots. It provides the interrupt handlers and interfaces expected by operating systems and bootloaders that rely on legacy BIOS services.

### Development and Version History
The project is actively maintained with a detailed release history.
- The **preferred stable version** as of late 2023 is **1.16.3**, released on November 13, 2023.
- Previous significant releases include **version 1.11.1** (March 19, 2018) and **version 1.11.0** (November 10, 2017).
- Earlier milestones include **version 1.8.2**, dating back to June 17, 2015.

### Distribution and Availability
SeaBIOS is widely distributed through standard package managers, highlighting its role as a fundamental system component.
- **Linux Distributions:** It is available as `seabios` in Fedora, Ubuntu, Debian (stable), and Arch Linux. In Gentoo, it is categorized under `sys-firmware/seabios`.
- **BSD Systems:** A port is available for FreeBSD under `misc/seabios`.

### Technical Details
- **Source Code:** The code is publicly available and version-controlled at `https://github.com/coreboot/seabios`.
- **Language:** The project is primarily developed in the C programming language (Wikidata Q15777).
- **Documentation:** The project maintains an official wiki and website in English, and has associated screenshot imagery (e.g., boot device selection screens) available via Wikimedia Commons.

## References

1. [The seabios Open Source Project on Open Hub: Languages Page. Open Hub](https://www.openhub.net/p/seabios/analyses/latest/languages_summary)
2. [Source](http://www.seabios.org/Releases#SeaBIOS_1.8.2)
3. [Releases - SeaBIOS](https://www.seabios.org/Releases#SeaBIOS_1.11.0)
4. [Source](https://review.coreboot.org/cgit/seabios.git/commit/?h=rel-1.11.1&id=0551a4be2ce599fb60e478b4c15e06ab6587822c)
5. [Tag rel-1.16.3](https://review.coreboot.org/plugins/gitiles/seabios/+/refs/tags/rel-1.16.3)
6. [The seabios Open Source Project on Open Hub: Code Locations Page](https://www.openhub.net/p/seabios/enlistments)