What programming languages are used to make/create Linux-based Operating Systems?
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2The kernel is written in C, as well as most system libraries used in most distros.– meskobalazsJul 25, 2013 at 6:30
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Is that all? I thought making/creating linux will will be using C,C++ and other applications?– Bacco DirangaJul 25, 2013 at 6:32
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1Depends on what. He is talking about kernel, the core part. Other stuff is written in all languages imaginable I think.– darxsysJul 25, 2013 at 6:54
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Most common are C, C++, Perl, Python, PHP and more recently Ruby. C is actually everywhere, as indeed the kernel is written in C. Perl and Python (2.6/2.7 mostly these days) are shipped with almost every distro. Some major components like installer scripts are written in Python or Perl, sometimes using both.– moon.musickJul 25, 2013 at 7:10
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And don't forget all the other stuff, most importantly Javascript, which is now the recommended language of the Gnome platform.– meskobalazsJul 25, 2013 at 7:29
2 Answers
Linux (the kernel) is essentially written in C with a little of assembly code.
The lower layer of userland, usually GNU (glibc and other libraries plus standard core commands) are almost exclusively written in C and shell scripting.
The remaining of the Gnu/Linux distributions userland is written in any language developers decide to use (still a lot of C and shell but also C++, python, perl, javascript, java, C#, golang, whatever ...)
I believe the following link has the answer you're looking for: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=705754
To paraphrase my favorite answers there:
Linux, the kernel, is mostly written in C and a little bit of Assembly.
Toolkits and frameworks used to develop the graphical interface (e.g. GTK+, Qt, GNOME, KDE, Unity) are written mostly in C and C++.
Utilities and applications (i.e. programs) that come bundled with the Operating System are usually written in Java, Python, C, C++ and even C#.