The Windows Subsystem for Linux is now open source
blogs.windows.com
Today we’re very excited to announce the open-source release of the Windows Subsystem for Linux. This is the result of a multiyear effort to prepare for this, and a great closure to the first ever issue raised on the Microsoft/WSL repo:

Today we’re very excited to announce the open-source release of the Windows Subsystem for Linux. This is the result of a multiyear effort to prepare for this, and a great closure to the first ever issue raised on the Microsoft/WSL repo:

https://github.com/microsoft/WSL

  • Lost_My_Mind@lemmy.worldEnglish
    76·
    6 hours ago

    I don’t understand this.

    Does this mean Windows programs and exe files will now run natively on linux?

    Edit: unclear why someone asking a question gets a 50/50 downvote to upvote response…

    “OOOOHHHH!!! THIS GUY DOESN’T KNOW ALL THE THINGS I KNOW!!! BOOOOO!!!”

    • Jrockwar@feddit.ukEnglish
      8·
      8 hours ago

      In my view it’s a Linux subsystem for Windows.

      Why the name is the other way around, I’ll never understand.

      • 3abas@lemm.eeEnglish
        5·
        8 hours ago

        The original WSL doesn’t use the Linux kernel at all, it’s a Windows Subsystem for compatibility with Linux. WSL2 actually visualizes a complete Linux kernel, but the name stuck.

        • Aux@feddit.ukEnglish
          1·
          7 hours ago

          The original WSL DOES use the Linux kernel. Which runs as a native NT process (there’s a huge difference between NT and Win32 processes). But porting a Linux kernel into the NT binary is a maintenance nightmare, it’s much easier to run the original in a slim VM.

      • Stovetop@lemmy.worldEnglish
        2·
        8 hours ago

        I guess the logic is that it’s a subsystem of Windows for the purpose of running Linux apps.

        Agree though that it’s a confusing name. I remember thinking the same thing about Windows Subsystem for Android (the compatibility layer to run Android apps in Windows)

    • unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.deEnglish
      3·
      8 hours ago

      Yeah the naming is absurdly stupid. Its a linux subsystem that is part of windows nowadays. Its so people on windows can get access to a proper terminal interface.