DistributionWatch Review: Debian GNU/Linux 2.1 - page 4

Introducing Debian GNU/Linux

The distribution currently contains over 2,200 packages. These are divided into sections:

• Administration�Programs that aid in system administration tasks.
• Base�Basic software such as command shells and kernel images required by every installation.
• Communication�Serial and modem communications packages.
• Development�Compilers, interpreters, C/C++ headers, etc.
• Documentation�HOWTOs, FAQs and other documentation and software packages needed to read them.
• Editors�Programmer's text editors, word processors and other types of file editors.
• Electronics�Circuit simulators, microcontroller simulators and other programs for electonic design work.
• Games�Games and other amusements.
• Graphics�Programs for creating, editing and viewing graphics.
• Ham Radio�Support for amateur packet radio, including AX.25 drivers and Morse code trainers.
• Interpreters�Language interpreters including Perl, Python and Tcl/Tk.
• Libraries�Run-time support and development versions of subroutine libraries.
• Mail�Programs to route, read, compose and process e-mail.
• Mathematics�Mathematical and scientific research tools.
• Miscellaneous�Packages that don't seem to fit in other categories.
• Network�Network clients, servers and related programs.
• Newsgroups�Usenet news clients, servers and related utilities.
• Old Libraries�Older versions of support libraries. Most are dependent on libc5.
• Other Operating Systems and File Systems�Programs and utilities that provide access to programs and data created by and for other operating platforms.
• Shells�Command interpreters and user interfaces.
• Sound�Programs dealing with sound, including mixers, players, recorders and CD players.
• TeX�Donald Knuth's famous typesetting system and related packages.
• Text Processing�Utilities to format, print and otherwise process plain ASCII text.
• Utilities�Miscellaneous utilities.
• Web�Web clients, servers and related programs.
• X Window�X display servers, window managers and other software related to the X Window System.