In the Linux world, some discussions have generated a lot of controversy such as the battle between the traditional system V in it System, often known as SysVinit, and later systemd.
In this article, I will briefly discuss what systemd is, what advantages and disadvantages it has over traditional init systems and why it is so controversial.
What is a system?
systemd is a system and service manager, first introduced in 2010 to replace the traditional System V init. It is designed to improve boot speeds and manage system services more efficiently. today, systemd is the default init System for many popular Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, Fedora, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Is systemd hidden?
despite the name, systemd Not subtle. Instead, it is a software suite that provides a number of system components for Linux. Its goal: to standardize service configuration and behavior across Linux distributions.
The main component of systemd It is the “System and Services Administrator”, which acts as a init A system for booting user space and managing user operations. It also provides alternatives to various utilities and utilities, from device management and login to network connection management and event logging.
Main features of systemd
systemd It has many features, such as the ability to forcefully parallelize processes, facilitate the launch of daemons on demand, monitor processes using Linux control groups, manage mount points and auto-mount, and implement service control logic based on transaction dependencies.
in addition to, systemd Supports SysV and LSB init scripts, and serves as an alternative to SysVinit. It also provides a registry daemon and utilities for managing basic system configurations.
systemd vs. SysVinit: controversy
The core of the init vs systemd debate revolves around how best to manage Linux-based systems. Concerns range from complexity and compatibility to the optimal way to manage system services, and touch on fundamental questions facing system administrators and Linux enthusiasts.
Critics argue that systemd Very complex and monolithic, which makes it difficult to troubleshoot. They worry about a single point of failure, where all services are managed by a single daemon, and they raise concerns about close integration with the Linux kernel, which could limit portability to other systems.
This is why some people are created Systemd-free distributions.
Supporters, however, praise systemd To provide a more efficient and modern approach to system administration, while balancing service startup and daemon startup on demand to reduce boot times and improve system responsiveness. They also praise the advanced recording capabilities.
Although controversial, systemd became the default init system of many Linux distributions, and system administrators and developers have come to appreciate its advanced features and capabilities.
Pros and cons of systemd vs SysVinit
Positives
| SysVinit Pros | Advantages of the system d |
|---|---|
| Simplicity and familiarity | Improve boot speed |
| Respect the Unix philosophy | Unified Registration System |
| More direct control over system services | Consistent approach to service management |
| Mature and stable system | Compatibility with modern Linux systems and applications |
| Compatibility with legacy systems and applications | Active development and support from a large community of developers and contributors |
Negatives
| Cons of SysVinit | systemd cons |
|---|---|
Limited functionality compared to the latest init systems |
Steep learning curve and complexity |
| No built-in support for parallel startup of services | Invasive nature and potential for breaking compatibility with traditional Unix tools and tools |
May be less efficient than newer ones init systems, especially on large systems |
Possible instability and crashes in some systems |
| Limited support for modern Linux systems and applications | Limited compatibility with older systems and applications that have not been updated to work with them systemd |
Conclusion: a personal perspective
As a Linux user hailing from the old days of UNIX, my preference leans towards the traditional init System. However, I have come to accept systemd, and seeing some of its benefits despite my initial resistance. Each system has its own place in the Linux world, and it is important to understand both.
the systemd The debate continues. What do you think about that?