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COPR (Fedora)

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Adapted from the English Wikipedia article COPR (Fedora), available under CC BY-SA 4.0Updated 9 August 202517 sources
Fedora Project
Company typeCommunity project
IndustrySoftware development
PredecessorRed Hat Linux
Founded2003
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Linus Torvalds (noted user)
ProductsFedora Linux (multiple editions: Workstation, Server, IoT, CoreOS, Labs)
OwnerRed Hat (main sponsor)
Websitehttps://getfedora.org/

Fedora Linux is a Linux distribution created and maintained by the Fedora Project. Introduced in 2003 as a successor to the Red Hat Linux initiative, it includes software licensed under various free and open-source agreements and emphasizes cutting-edge open-source innovations. Fedora acts as the upstream foundation for both CentOS Stream and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.

Starting with Fedora 21 in December 2014, the distribution has offered three distinct editions tailored to the personal computer, server, and cloud computing sectors. This lineup expanded to five editions with Fedora 37’s release in November 2022, incorporating options for containerization and the Internet of Things (IoT) domain. Fedora publishes new versions twice yearly.

By February 2016, Fedora's user base was estimated at approximately 1.2 million, and it is recognized as the preferred distribution of Linus Torvalds, the creator of the Linux kernel.

Features

Fedora stands out for its commitment to innovation, promptly adopting new technologies and maintaining strong collaboration with upstream Linux communities. Contributions made upstream ensure enhancements benefit the broader ecosystem of Linux distributions beyond just Fedora.

The lifecycle of Fedora releases is relatively brief: each version receives support for a minimum of 13 months, with new versions appearing roughly every six months. Support for a given release concludes one month after the subsequent second version is issued. Users can seamlessly upgrade between releases without needing to perform a fresh installation.

The standard desktop environment provided is GNOME, which utilizes the GNOME Shell interface. Other desktop options available include KDE Plasma, COSMIC, Xfce, LXQt, LXDE, MATE, Cinnamon, and Budgie. Additionally, window managers such as i3 and Sway are supported.

Users have the option to create a live media device through tools like Fedora Media Writer or by using the command-line utility dd, allowing them to test Fedora Linux without altering their hard drives.

Package management

The majority of Fedora editions utilize the RPM system combined with the DNF tool for software installation and management. DNF relies on libsolv, an external dependency resolver. Additionally, Flatpak support is included by default.

Fedora’s CoreOS and Silverblue variants emphasize operating system-level virtualization, employing rpm-ostree, a hybrid transactional image/package solution. Within containers, traditional RPM or alternative package managers remain usable.

Security

By default, Fedora Linux incorporates Security-Enhanced Linux, enforcing multiple security policies such as mandatory access controls. It applies compiler-based hardening techniques across all packages, including features like position-independent executable (PIE). The distribution also uses firewalld as its standard firewall solution.

Software

Fedora Workstation comes pre-installed with key applications like LibreOffice and Firefox. Additional software can be obtained through official repositories using either the DNF package manager or the graphical interface provided by GNOME Software.

Users may add third-party repositories to access applications not found in Fedora’s official channels. Repositories such as RPM Fusion offer free and proprietary packages excluded from Fedora due to its strict free software policies or U.S. legal constraints. For custom repository creation, Fedora provides a build system called Copr.

Since Fedora 25, the default display server has been set to the modern Wayland, replacing the older X Window System. Starting with Fedora 41, GNOME and KDE editions no longer ship with default support for sessions based on the X.Org Server.

System installation tool

Fedora Linux employs Anaconda as its primary system installer.

Editions

Starting with Fedora 21, the number of editions expanded from three to six by the release of version 42.[1][2]

Workstation

The Fedora Workstation edition is designed for individuals who want a robust, intuitive, and high-performance operating system tailored for laptops or desktop computers, integrating the latest technology advancements.[3] Its default desktop environment is GNOME, while other environments such as KDE Plasma have been elevated to full edition status starting with Fedora 42.[4][5]

Spins and remixes

The Fedora project provides official "Fedora Spins," which are alternative versions featuring various desktop environments. As of Fedora 42, official spins include Xfce,[6] LXQt,[7] MATE (paired with Compiz),[8] Cinnamon,[9] LXDE,[10] SoaS,[11] i3,[12] Phosh (intended for PinePhone),[13] Budgie,[14] Sway,[15] and COSMIC.[16]

In addition to these official Spins, the Fedora project allows unofficial variants to adopt the "Fedora Remix" label accompanied by an alternative logo.[17]

Atomic desktops

Fedora provides immutable variants known as "Atomic Desktops," which are specialized forms of Fedora Workstation. Distinct editions exist for Budgie, COSMIC, GNOME (Silverblue), KDE Plasma (Kinoite), and Sway. Each installation of an atomic desktop remains consistent across its version and does not change during operation. This immutable framework improves system reliability, minimizes bugs, facilitates testing and development, and supports containerized applications alongside container-oriented software development. Applications operate independently from the underlying host system. Updates to the operating system are rapid, bypass any installation phase, and users have the option to revert to earlier OS versions if necessary.

The long-term vision is to transition Fedora Workstation into an image-based platform featuring atomic updates and isolated applications. Collaboration among Fedora developers, Red Hat engineers, and community contributors focuses on foundational technologies such as OSTree, Wayland, Flatpak, and the integration of rpm-ostree with GNOME Software. Project Atomic introduced enhancements like package layering for rpm-ostree and incorporated rpm-ostree support into the Anaconda installer.

Server

Designed specifically for server environments, this edition integrates cutting-edge data center innovations. It does not include a pre-installed desktop environment, though users may add one if desired. Starting with Fedora 28, the Server Edition features Fedora Modularity, allowing multiple update streams for essential software such as Node.js and Go.

IoT

Fedora Linux delivers customized images tailored for Internet of Things devices, compatible with processors including x86_64, aarch64, and those in the armhfp category.

CoreOS

Following Fedora Atomic Host and Container Linux, Fedora CoreOS—introduced after Fedora 29—offers a streamlined Fedora Linux image containing only essential components optimized for cloud environments. It simplifies container deployment by providing minimal base images. CoreOS originated from merging Container Linux with Project Atomic after Red Hat's acquisition of CoreOS for $250 million in January 2018.

Labs

In a manner akin to Debian blends, the Fedora Project supplies customized Fedora Linux editions called Fedora Labs. These are curated collections of software packages aimed at specific fields such as gaming, security, graphic design, robotics, and scientific computing—including tools like SciPy, Octave, Kile, Xfig, and Inkscape.

The Fedora AOS (Appliance Operating System) was a specialized spin featuring a minimized memory footprint intended for use in software appliances—pre-installed and pre-configured system images. This variant was designed to streamline the creation and deployment of virtual appliances targeting developers, independent software vendors (ISVs), and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

Supported Architectures

Fedora primarily targets the x86-64 and ARM AArch64 architectures. Starting with version 38, additional secondary architectures are supported, including IBM Power64le, IBM Z (referred to as "s390x"), as well as MIPS-64el, MIPS-el, and RISC-V platforms.

Support for the ppc64 architecture was discontinued after Fedora 28, with users encouraged to migrate to the little-endian ppc64le variant. Fedora 36 was the last release to provide support for the ARM-hfp architecture.

Alternative Editions

The Fedora Project also supplies several specialized variants such as network installation images and minimal install options. These editions cater to advanced users seeking highly customized setups or those who prefer configuring Fedora from the ground up.

Licensing for Fedora Linux—including copyright, trademark, and patent agreements—must extend beyond Red Hat or Fedora itself to all downstream recipients. Licenses exclusive to Fedora or Red Hat that impose restrictive terms are considered non-free and thus unacceptable.

Historical Background

The Fedora name traces back to a volunteer-led "Fedora Linux" initiative that offered supplementary software packages for Red Hat Linux, inspired by the fedora hat depicted in Red Hat's "Shadowman" emblem. The project was initiated in 2002 by Warren Togami during his undergraduate studies at the University of Hawaii, aiming to consolidate well-tested third-party software into a unified repository to facilitate development and usage. Unlike Red Hat Linux, this repository was built collaboratively with a worldwide volunteer community, an approach later integrated into the Fedora Project, which is mainly sponsored by Red Hat along with other corporate contributors.

Originally named "Fedora Core," Fedora Linux debuted in 2003 following Red Hat's decision to discontinue Red Hat Linux in favor of concentrating on its commercial server product, Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). While RHEL became Red Hat’s sole officially supported distribution, Fedora assumed the role of a community-driven platform. Subsequent RHEL releases are based on Fedora versions.

Prior to Fedora 7, the distribution maintained two separate repositories: Fedora Core (comprising base packages maintained by Red Hat developers) and Fedora Extras (community-maintained packages). This separation was eliminated starting with Fedora 7.

With the introduction of Fedora 21, modularization was implemented to increase flexibility. The project now offers three distinct editions: Workstation tailored for desktop users, Server aimed at server environments, and Atomic designed for cloud computing infrastructures.

Fedora is a registered trademark of Red Hat, Inc. A naming conflict involving Cornell University and the University of Virginia Library over the use of "Fedora" was amicably resolved through an agreement permitting both parties to utilize the name within their respective open source contexts.

In April 2020, a collaboration led to Fedora Workstation being pre-installed on select Lenovo ThinkPad laptops. Furthermore, Framework officially supports Fedora Workstation on their laptop hardware.

Development and Community Structure

The Fedora Project directs the development of Fedora and its related software through a collaborative community comprising volunteers, developers, and Red Hat personnel. Governance is overseen by a council acting as the highest authority. Key organizational groups include the Fedora Engineering Steering Committee responsible for technical decisions and the Fedora Mindshare Committee, which manages outreach efforts and non-technical initiatives such as the Ambassadors Program, CommOps team, Marketing activities, Design group, and Websites Team.

Releases

Fedora operates on a relatively brief support cycle: each release is maintained until one month after the launch of the version that is two iterations ahead, with approximately six months separating each new version. Consequently, every Fedora release generally benefits from a minimum of 13 months of active support. Users have the option to upgrade between versions seamlessly without needing to perform a fresh installation.

The latest version, Fedora 42, was made available on 15 April 2025.

Rawhide

Rawhide represents Fedora’s ongoing development branch where the latest software is incorporated and evaluated prior to inclusion in stable releases. This branch frequently includes more cutting-edge features than the official stable versions and relies on source code snapshots managed through systems such as CVS, Subversion, or Git. Aimed at experienced users and testers, Rawhide follows a rolling release approach with continual updates and functions as the main operating system for numerous contributors.

See also

External links

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named official website
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Fedora Docs
  3. ↑ "The leading Linux desktop". fedoraproject.org. Retrieved 2025-01-30.
  4. ↑ "Issue #504: Request to upgrade Fedora KDE Desktop Spin to Edition status under the Personal Systems WG - tickets - Pagure.io". Retrieved 2024-12-30.
  5. ↑ "Fedora 42's big upgrade delivers new spins for COSMIC and KDE Plasma - and much more". ZDNET. Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  6. ↑ "Fedora XFCE". Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  7. ↑ "Fedora LXQt Spin". Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  8. ↑ "Fedora MATE+Compiz Spin". Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  9. ↑ "Fedora Cinnamon Spin". Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  10. ↑ "Fedora LXDE Spin". Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  11. ↑ "Fedora Sugar on a Stick Spin". Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  12. ↑ "Fedora i3 Spin". Retrieved 2024-02-12.
  13. ↑ "Fedora Phosh". Archived from the original on 12 April 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  14. ↑ "Fedora Budgie Spin". Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  15. ↑ "Fedora Sway Spin". Retrieved 2023-06-19.
  16. ↑ "Fedora COSMIC Spin". Retrieved 2025-04-18.
  17. ↑ "Remix - Fedora Project Wiki". fedoraproject.org. Retrieved 28 September 2019.

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