Sorcerer (Linux distribution)

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Sorcerer
Website	sorcerer.silverice.org
Company/ developer	Kyle Sallee
OS family	Linux
Source model	Open source
Kernel type	Monolithic kernel
License	Various
Working state	Current

Sorcerer is a Linux distribution. It downloads and compiles source code to install a program. It uses terminology based on magic, e.g., a package (program or library) is termed a "spell"; to install a package you "cast" that spell, and to remove a package you "dispel" that spell. Originally, Sorcerer was named Sorcerer GNU/Linux, with key components licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPL). However, current versions of Sorcerer release some key components under the Sorcerer Public License and not the GPL, and the distribution has dropped the term GNU/Linux. Sorcerer has two forks: Lunar Linux and Source Mage GNU/Linux.

[edit] Technical distinctions

A somewhat distinctive feature of Sorcerer is the fact that it's based exclusively on source code packages. While many other operating systems generally make use of a package that contains pre-compiled (executable) programs, Sorcerer Linux packages compile the source code on the machine at install time.

Other well known source based Linux distributions include Gentoo Linux, Lunar Linux, Source Mage GNU/Linux, CRUX, and ROCK Linux.

This method of package installation has many advantages, including increased speed due to compilation optimization for the host's architecture, and easier security scanning of the installed software. The package management system keeps track of updates to packages at the home page of each package, so that new versions can be downloaded and installed as they become available. It also tracks library dependencies, so if a library file is updated, all binaries that depend on that library can be recompiled.

One disadvantage is the high minimum system requirements, since a significant amount of compilation is required to install a system with extensive functionality. As of January 2002, these included 256MB RAM and 1GB of swap space. This is suggested because compiling the entire system from scratch consumes large amounts of system resources.

Users can add new packages to the packaging system on their local box by creating a "spell" or configuration file for it, and can submit the new spell for inclusion in the general distribution.

Sorcerer's packaging system is written in the bash shell scripting language.