FreeBSD provides binary compatibility with Linux®, allowing users to install and run Linux® binaries on a FreeBSD system. Many companies and developers develop only for Linux®, and binary compatibility allows FreeBSD users to run about 90% of all Linux® applications without modification. This includes productivity applications, games, and more. It has even been reported that, in some situations, Linux® binaries perform better on FreeBSD than they do on Linux®.
However, some Linux®-specific operating system features are not supported under FreeBSD. For example, Linux® binaries will not work on FreeBSD if they overly use i386™ specific calls, such as enabling virtual 8086 mode.
After reading this chapter, you will know:
How to enable Linux® binary compatibility on a FreeBSD system.
How to install additional Linux® shared libraries.
How to install Linux® applications on a FreeBSD system.
The implementation details of Linux® compatibility in FreeBSD.
Before reading this chapter, you should:
Know how to install additional third-party software.
All FreeBSD documents are available for download at http://ftp.FreeBSD.org/pub/FreeBSD/doc/
Questions that are not answered by the
documentation may be
sent to <freebsd-questions@FreeBSD.org>.
Send questions about this document to <freebsd-doc@FreeBSD.org>.