Raspberry Pi OS

Raspberry Pi OS
Name	Raspberry Pi OS
Developer	Raspberry Pi Ltd
Family	Unix-like
Source model	Open source
Released	28 June 2012
Marketing target	Raspberry Pi
Kernel type	Monolithic (Linux kernel)
Ui	PIXEL (LXDE)
License	Mixed free software licenses
Working state	Current
Predecessor	Raspbian

Raspberry Pi OS. It is the official operating system for the Raspberry Pi series of single-board computers, developed and maintained by Raspberry Pi Ltd. Based on the Debian Linux distribution, it is optimized for performance and usability on the low-power ARM architecture hardware of the Raspberry Pi. The system provides a complete desktop environment and a curated suite of software, making it accessible for education, programming, and general computing projects.

History

The operating system originated as a port of Debian to the ARMv6 architecture used by the original Raspberry Pi Model B, initially created by independent developers Mike Thompson and Peter Green under the name "Raspbian." Recognizing its value, Raspberry Pi Ltd later adopted it as the officially supported OS, rebranding it in 2020. Its development has been closely tied to the hardware releases from the Raspberry Pi Foundation, evolving through versions like "Wheezy," "Jessie," and "Buster" to align with Debian stable releases. Key milestones include the introduction of the PIXEL desktop environment and the shift to a 64-bit kernel to support newer models like the Raspberry Pi 3 and Raspberry Pi 4.

Features

A primary feature is the lightweight PIXEL desktop environment, built upon LXDE and Openbox, designed for responsiveness on limited hardware. It includes optimized versions of essential applications like the Chromium web browser and the LibreOffice productivity suite. The OS emphasizes accessibility with tools for programming education, such as Thonny for Python and Greenfoot for Java. System-level optimizations include memory partitioning, a customized Linux kernel with patches for the Broadcom VideoCore GPU, and the Raspberry Pi Configuration Tool for easy hardware setup.

Software

The distribution comes with a wide array of pre-installed software tailored for its user base. Programming tools are prominent, featuring Python 3, Scratch 3, Node-RED, and Mathematica through a partnership with Wolfram Research. For general use, it includes VLC media player, the GIMP image editor, and Claws Mail. Software management is handled via the APT package management system, granting access to the vast majority of the Debian software repositories. Specialized applications for hardware interaction, like Sense HAT emulator and Sonic Pi, are also included.

Hardware support

The OS provides out-of-the-box support for the entire Raspberry Pi product line, from the early Raspberry Pi 1 Model A+ to the latest Raspberry Pi 5. It includes proprietary, licensed firmware for the Broadcom VideoCore graphics processor to enable hardware-accelerated video playback and 3D graphics via OpenGL ES. Drivers and kernel modules support a wide range of GPIO-connected peripherals, HATs (Hardware Attached on Top), cameras via the CSI interface, and displays via DSI or HDMI. Support for USB devices, including audio interfaces and storage, is comprehensive.

Variants

Three main variants are offered to suit different hardware capabilities and use cases. The standard version with the PIXEL desktop and recommended software is the most common. A "Lite" version provides a minimal, command-line-only installation for headless servers or custom deployments. A "Full" version includes the complete desktop environment along with an extensive bundle of educational and productivity software, occupying more storage space. All variants share the same core system and repository access.

Development

Development is led by Raspberry Pi Ltd's engineering team, with significant contributions from the open-source community. The codebase is closely synchronized with Debian's testing and unstable branches, with specific patches for the Raspberry Pi hardware integrated into the Linux kernel. The build system utilizes Jenkins for continuous integration and automated testing across different ARM architectures. Future development focuses on improving performance for the Raspberry Pi 5, enhancing the Wayland display server protocol support, and refining the containerization and virtualization capabilities.

Category:Linux distributions Category:Raspberry Pi Category:Debian (operating system)