The Legacy of the X Window System: Celebrating 40 Years of Innovation
Tech & AI | June 21, 2024, 3:13 p.m.
The X Window System, introduced by Robert W Scheifler 40 years ago, continues to persist within the computing world, despite many distributions seeking alternatives. Originally released in 1984, X11 has seen numerous versions and enhancements over the years, with the latest being X11R7.7. Although it may not see a 7.8 release, patches and improvements have been made to ensure its functionality and security.
X operates on a client-server model, allowing users to run applications on the same or different machines. While various graphical user interfaces have emerged, X remains a stable foundation. However, its successor, Wayland, has gained popularity in the Linux community and is now the display system on the Raspberry Pi.
The future of X is uncertain, but its longevity and reliability may continue to find supporters even as new technologies evolve.