# Xous

> microkernel operating system

**Wikidata**: [Q112074918](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112074918)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/xous

## Summary
Xous is a microkernel operating system developed by Betrusted, designed for secure computing environments. It is primarily implemented in the Rust programming language and is available under the Apache Software License 2.0.

## Key Facts
- Xous is classified as a microkernel operating system.
- Its primary developers are Betrusted and programmers Sean Cross and Andrew Huang.
- Xous is licensed under the Apache Software License 2.0.
- The latest stable version as of August 2022 is 0.9.9.
- Version 0.9.6 was released on February 5, 2022.
- The source code is hosted on GitHub at `https://github.com/betrusted-io/xous-core`.
- It is implemented in the Rust programming language.
- Xous is copyrighted software.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Xous?
A: Xous is a microkernel operating system developed by Betrusted. It emphasizes security and is primarily written in the Rust programming language.

### Q: Who developed Xous?
A: Xous was developed by the company Betrusted. Key programmers involved include Sean Cross and Andrew Huang.

### Q: What license governs Xous?
A: Xous is released under the Apache Software License 2.0.

### Q: Where can I find the source code for Xous?
A: The source code is publicly available on GitHub at `https://github.com/betrusted-io/xous-core`.

## Why It Matters
Xous matters primarily due to its focus on security through microkernel architecture and its implementation in the memory-safe Rust language. As a microkernel, it aims for a minimal core with services running in separate user-space processes, enhancing isolation and reducing the impact of vulnerabilities. This design, coupled with Rust's safety guarantees, makes it particularly relevant for security-critical applications like hardware security modules (HSMs) and trusted computing environments. Betrusted's development of Xous signifies an industry push towards more robust, verifiable operating systems, especially in the domain of embedded security where trust and reliability are paramount.

## Notable For
- Its core architecture as a microkernel operating system prioritizing security through isolation.
- Being predominantly implemented in the Rust programming language, leveraging its memory safety features.
- Development by Betrusted, a company focused on secure computing hardware.
- Releasing under the permissive Apache Software License 2.0.
- Hosting its source code publicly on the GitHub platform under the organization `betrusted-io`.

## Body

### Origin & Development
*   Xous is developed by the company Betrusted.
*   Key programmers involved are Sean Cross and Andrew Huang.
*   The project's source code repository is hosted on GitHub: `https://github.com/betrusted-io/xous-core`.
*   Documentation is available at `https://betrusted.io/xous-book/` in English.
*   Betrusted holds the copyright for Xous.

### Technical Architecture & Implementation
*   Xous is fundamentally a microkernel operating system.
*   It is implemented primarily in the Rust programming language (Q575650).

### Key Versions
*   Version 0.9.6 was published on February 5, 2022.
*   Version 0.9.9 (preferred as of the provided data) was published on August 10, 2022.
*   Release notes for version 0.9.6 are available at: `https://github.com/betrusted-io/xous-core/releases/tag/v0.9.6`.
*   Release notes for version 0.9.9 are available at: `https://github.com/betrusted-io/xous-core/releases/tag/v0.9.9`.

### Licensing
*   Xous is released under the Apache Software License 2.0.
*   The full license text is available at: `https://github.com/betrusted-io/xous-core/blob/main/LICENSES/Apache-2.0.txt`.

## References

1. [Source](https://github.com/betrusted-io/xous-core)
2. [GitHub](https://github.com/betrusted-io/xous-core/blob/main/LICENSES/Apache-2.0.txt)
3. [Release 0.9.6. 2022](https://github.com/betrusted-io/xous-core/releases/tag/v0.9.6)
4. [Release 0.9.9. 2022](https://github.com/betrusted-io/xous-core/releases/tag/v0.9.9)
5. [Source](https://xobs.io/announcing-xous-the-betrusted-operating-system/)