Darwin Operating System
Darwin is the core Unix-like operating system that serves as the foundation for several of Apple Inc.'s platforms, including macOS, iOS, watchOS, tvOS, iPadOS, audioOS, visionOS, and bridgeOS. It was initially released as an independent open-source operating system by Apple in 2000.
Origins and Development
The lineage of Darwin draws from various sources, primarily the NeXTSTEP operating system, developed by NeXT Inc. and later renamed to OPENSTEP. NeXTSTEP was first released in 1989 and played a pivotal role in shaping Darwin. After Apple acquired NeXT in 1996, it announced that its next operating system would be based on OPENSTEP. This strategic acquisition marked a turning point in Apple's software development, eventually leading to the creation of macOS.
The naming of Darwin was alluded to by Steve Jobs, the then-interim CEO of Apple, as a nod to Charles Darwin, because it was about "evolution."
Technical Composition
Darwin is composed of code from several sources, including FreeBSD and other BSD operating systems, the Mach microkernel, and contributions from other free software projects, as well as proprietary code developed by Apple. At its core, Darwin uses the XNU kernel, which stands for "X is Not Unix," reflecting its Unix roots and integration of various technologies.
Open Source
In 2000, Apple released the core components of macOS as open-source software under the Apple Public Source License (APSL), branding it as Darwin. This move allowed developers and enthusiasts to access and modify the operating system's core while maintaining several higher-level components, like the Cocoa and Carbon frameworks, as closed source.
Significance in Apple Ecosystem
Darwin's role in Apple’s ecosystem is pivotal as it forms the underlying technology for their comprehensive suite of operating systems. The development of Darwin ensures that Apple's operating systems share a common foundation of stability, security, and performance. This commonality allows for a seamless experience across Apple devices.