# skiftOS

> operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q105069425](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105069425)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/skiftos

## Summary
skiftOS (also known as skift OS) is a hobbyist operating system designed to manage computer hardware resources. It is free and open-source software released under the MIT License. The project is actively maintained on GitHub, with development logs indicating multiple releases in late 2020.

## Key Facts
- **Aliases:** skift OS
- **Classification:** Operating system, hobbyist operating system, free and open-source software
- **License:** MIT License
- **Source Code Repository:** [https://github.com/skiftOS/skift](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift)
- **Official Website:** [https://skiftos.org](https://skiftos.org)
- **Programming Language:** Q2407 (Wikidata ID)
- **Version History:** Released versions 20.38 through 20.48 between September and November 2020
- **Issue Tracker:** [https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/issues](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/issues)
- **Copyright Status:** Copyrighted

## FAQs
### Q: What type of operating system is skiftOS?
A: skiftOS is classified as a hobbyist operating system and free open-source software. It is developed to manage computer hardware resources.

### Q: Under what license is skiftOS distributed?
A: skiftOS is distributed under the MIT License, permitting free use and modification of the software.

### Q: Where can the source code for skiftOS be found?
A: The source code is publicly hosted on GitHub at github.com/skiftOS/skift.

### Q: What is the release cadence for skiftOS?
A: Based on 2020 records, the project utilized a frequent release schedule, publishing specific versions such as 20.38 through 20.48 on a weekly or bi-weekly basis from September to November.

## Why It Matters
skiftOS serves as a distinct example of a hobbyist operating system, a category of software developed primarily for the educational and personal satisfaction of the creators rather than for widespread commercial deployment. As an open-source project under the permissive MIT License, it provides a valuable resource for developers and students interested in systems programming. By hosting the code publicly on GitHub, skiftOS allows observers to track the development of an operating system from the ground up, offering transparency into the architecture and decision-making processes involved in managing computer hardware resources.

The project's structured versioning and release notes (such as the series of releases in late 2020) demonstrate a disciplined approach to software engineering within a hobbyist context. This accessibility demystifies operating system development, making it a relevant case study for those learning how low-level software interacts with hardware.

## Notable For
- **Hobbyist Classification:** Distinct from commercial OS projects, focused on development as a hobby.
- **Permissive Licensing:** Uses the MIT License, which is highly permissive compared to copyleft licenses often used in OS development.
- **Frequent Iteration:** Exhibited a rapid release cycle in 2020, with ten distinct versions (20.38–20.48) published over approximately three months.
- **Open Development:** Fully transparent development process hosted on GitHub with public issue tracking.

## Body

### Project Classification
skiftOS is identified as an **operating system** and falls specifically under the subclass of **hobbyist operating systems**. This classification indicates that the software is designed to manage computer hardware resources but is developed as a personal or community project rather than a commercial product. It is further categorized as **free and open-source software (FOSS)**.

### Licensing and Governance
The project is protected by copyright but distributed under the **MIT License**. This licensing model allows users to reuse, modify, and distribute the code with minimal restrictions, provided the license text is included.

### Release History
Development activity tracked in late 2020 shows a consistent release schedule. The specific versions recorded include:
- **20.38**: Released September 24, 2020
- **20.39**: Released October 4, 2020
- **20.40**: Released October 5, 2020
- **20.41**: Released October 12, 2020
- **20.42**: Released October 19, 2020
- **20.43**: Released October 26, 2020
- **20.45**: Released November 9, 2020
- **20.46**: Released November 16, 2020
- **20.47**: Released November 23, 2020
- **20.48**: Released November 30, 2020

### Technical Infrastructure
The project is accessible via its official website, **skiftos.org** (English language), and its source code is located in a GitHub repository. The primary programming language associated with the project is identified in structured data as **Q2407**. Development is managed through a public issue tracker hosted on GitHub.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/blob/main/license.md)
2. [Source](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift)
3. [Release 20.38. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/20.38)
4. [Release 20.39. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v20.39)
5. [Release 20.40. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v20.40)
6. [Release 20.41. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v20.41)
7. [Release 20.42. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v20.42)
8. [Release 20.43. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v20.43)
9. [Release 20.45. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v20.45)
10. [Release 20.46. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v20.46)
11. [Release 20.47. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v20.47)
12. [Release 20.48. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v20.48)
13. [Release 20.49. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v20.49)
14. [Release 20.51. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v20.51)
15. [Release 20.52. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v20.52)
16. [Release 21.01. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.01)
17. [Release 21.02. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.02)
18. [Release 21.03. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.03)
19. [Release 666.666. 2020](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/666.666)
20. [Release 21.04. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.04)
21. [Release 21.05. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.05)
22. [Release 21.06. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.06)
23. [Release 21.07. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.07)
24. [Release 21.08. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.08)
25. [Release 21.09. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.09)
26. [Release 21.10. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.10)
27. [Release 21.11. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.11)
28. [Release 21.12. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.12)
29. [Release 21.13. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.13)
30. [Release 21.14. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.14)
31. [Release 21.15. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.15)
32. [Release 21.16. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.16)
33. [Release 21.17. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.17)
34. [Release 21.22. 2021](https://github.com/skiftOS/skift/releases/tag/v21.22)