China Releases Open-source OpenKylin OS By CIOTechOutlook Team

China Releases Open-source OpenKylin OS

CIOTechOutlook Team | Thursday, 06 July 2023, 06:18 IST

OpenKylin 1.0, China's first open-source desktop operating system, represents a significant advancement in the development of autonomous system software. A community of 3,867 developers, 74 special interest groups (SIG), and 271 businesses created the Linux-based operating system.

Like other open-source software, an open-source operating system (OS) provides users the freedom to view the "source code"—the method by which the OS was created—and even to alter it as they see fit. Users cannot examine what's inside popular PC operating systems like Microsoft's Windows and Apple's macOS since they are not open-source.

Downloading OpenKylin, CGTN Digital tried out the operating system. Early testing revealed that the operating system is quite similar to Ubuntu, created by the UK software company Canonical. However, OpenKylin was created from the ground up, combining several pieces of open-source software to create an entire operating system. Therefore, neither Canonical nor any other corporation will have any influence over it.

The desktop environment, UKUI, created by the community, distinguishes the OS graphically from other Linux variants. Daily software including the WPS office suite, the Firefox web browser, and movie players are preinstalled on the OS. It also has a software shop where you can download apps. The shop offers both native Linux programs and emulator-running Windows and Android apps. The majority of people's x86-based computers can run OpenKylin. Additionally, it provides equivalent versions for people using different hardware, such as Arm and RISC-V machines.

"What's happening to Russian open-source developers gave a warning sign to Chinese developers," one user commented on knowledge-sharing website Zhihu.com. "Software without borders are just a dream that will never come true, and China needs to build its own open-source community."