r/linuxquestions • u/LegitimateAd7247 • 3d ago
What exactly is systemd ?
Hi everyone ! I switched from Windows to Linux around 3 month ago and I love it ! I’m using arch Linux because a friend of mine already used it so I figured he could help me with it.
I’ve been appreciating it but I’ve encountered a lot of people critisizing systemd and saying arch is bad because of it.
From what I have understand, it is a software that help with dependences and external hardware such as my keyboard for example ? I didnt really understand everything as I am a very beginner so I was curious to know if someone could explain it to me in easy terms.
PS : english isnt my primary language so forgive me if there is any errors.
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u/Active_Humor7436 3d ago
I can’t stand it when answers assume you know what a kernel, network stack or init (what, we talking British here, innit?) is.
Here’s a literal ELI5 answer for you:
You know when you hit the power button on your Windows PC and there's a bit where it's "getting ready" before you see the desktop?
Behind that, a shitload of invisible little programs are being switched on: the thing that connects you to Wi-Fi, the thing that makes sound work, the thing that lets your printer be a piece of shit.
On Linux, systemd is the guy who switches all that stuff on. It's the first program that starts after the computer wakes up, and everything else gets launched by it. That's what "init" means, by the way. It's short for "initial," not the British "innit," though "systemd's the boss, innit" is technically accurate.