What is Fiwix?

Fiwix is an operating system kernel written from scratch, based on the UNIX architecture and fully focused on being POSIX compatible. It is designed and developed mainly as a hobby OS and, since it serves also for educational purposes, the kernel code is kept as simple as possible for the benefit of students and OS enthusiasts. It is small in size (less than 50K lines of code), runs on the i386 hardware platform and is compatible with a good base of existing GNU applications.

It is based on the monolithic kernel design and it is written entirely in ANSI C language, leaving only for Assembly the small needed parts. It follows the System V Application Binary Interface (ABI) and it also aims for Linux 2.0 system call compatibility, while keeping the essence of UNIX as much as possible.

What is FiwixOS?

FiwixOS is a Fiwix distribution, an operating system made from a software collection that is based upon the Fiwix kernel. It basically comprises the Fiwix kernel, GNU Toolchain, libraries and additional software. All the included software is free and open-source software made available both as compiled binaries and in source code form.

FiwixOS 3.4 uses Newlib as its standard C library and Ext2 as its primary file system.

Go to the Downloads page to know how to install this operating system and start tinkering with the kernel source code.