LFs

LFS stands for Linux From Scratch, a project and accompanying book that teaches users how to build a Linux system entirely from source code. The aim is to provide a transparent, minimal system and a deeper understanding of how the components of Linux fit together. The process is described in a detailed, step-by-step guide that begins with a host Linux environment and proceeds to compile and install the Linux kernel, the GNU C Library, core utilities, and additional software in a specific order. The end product is a working Linux system tailored to the user’s hardware and preferences, assembled without relying on prebuilt binary distributions.

Linux From Scratch is not a distribution; it does not supply binaries or a package manager by default. Instead, it is a learning resource and a blueprint for reproducible builds. The project maintains a versioned book that corresponds to a snapshot of instructions and a tested set of component versions. In addition to the main book, related efforts include Beyond Linux From Scratch (BLFS), which documents optional packages and applications to extend the system, and Cross-LFS, which covers cross-compiling for different target architectures. The project was initiated in the late 1990s by Gerard Beekmans and has since influenced many users who seek to understand system internals or to create highly customized, minimal environments.

LFS remains popular as an educational tool and as a starting point for building trusted, bespoke Linux systems, including some embedded-style deployments.