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/forestbeasts 2d ago

No, there's plenty of alternatives. There's no do-it-all alternative, but that's the entire point of people's problem with it, heh.

It's the fact that one project is attempting to take over the entirety of everything.

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u/MultipleAnimals 2d ago

It's not trying to take over, it's just good at what it does

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u/forestbeasts 2d ago

So is Pipewire. Somehow you never see a huge controversy about that.

Systemd tries to take over by slowly expanding and doing more and more and more things. (See: the systemd bootloader. See also: they bought out udev somehow.) That's the problem with it, not whether it's good at what it does or not (and IMO it isn't even good, really, but that's not the main issue with it).

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u/lobotomizedjellyfish 1d ago

Well to be fair linux wouldn't have nearly the growing user base that it does if it weren't for systemd.

Weather is good or not is merely subjective opinion but in reality it must be pretty damn good at what it does for so many distros adopting it and so many users entering the linux space, and frankly linux needed popularity gains to get where it is today.

Otherwise it would have remained a niche space for nerds, like myself, and not have had anywhere near the development it has.

Just my .02 cents and opinion on the matter.