Editing GNU Project (section)

== Origins ==

Richard Stallman announced his intent to start coding the GNU Project in a [[Usenet]] message in September 1983.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/net.unix-wizards/8twfRPM79u0/1xlglzrWrU0J | title = new Unix implementation | author = Richard Stallman | access-date = 2013-09-27 | archive-date = 2011-01-22 | archive-url = http://arquivo.pt/wayback/20110122130054/https://groups.google.com/forum/#!msg/net.unix-wizards/8twfRPM79u0/1xlglzrWrU0J | url-status = live }}</ref> Despite never having used Unix prior, Stallman felt that it was the most appropriate system design to use as a basis for the GNU Project, as it was portable and "fairly clean".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://stallman.org/cgi-bin/showpage.cgi?path=/stallman-computing.html&term=unix&type=norm&case=0 |title=How I do my computing |author=Stallman, Richard |date=2022 |access-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-date=January 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131153156/https://stallman.org/cgi-bin/showpage.cgi?path=/stallman-computing.html&term=unix&type=norm&case=0 |url-status=live }}</ref>

When the GNU Project first started they{{Who|date=May 2025}} had an [[Emacs]] [[text editor]] with [[Lisp (programming language)|Lisp]] for writing editor commands, a source level [[debugger]], a [[yacc]]-compatible [[parsing|parser]] generator, and a [[Linker (computing)|linker]].<ref>Wardrip-Fruin, Noah; and Nick Montfort. "The GNU Manifesto". ''The NewMediaReader''. Cambridge, Massachusetts: MIT, 2003. pp.545–550.</ref> The GNU system required its own [[C (programming language)|C]] [[compiler]] and tools to be free software, so these also had to be developed. By June 1987, the project had accumulated and developed free software for an [[Assembly language|assembler]], an almost finished portable optimizing C compiler ([[GNU Compiler Collection|GCC]]), an editor ([[GNU Emacs]]), and various Unix utilities (such as <code>[[ls]]</code>, <code>[[grep]]</code>, <code>[[awk]]</code>, <code>[[make (software)|make]]</code> and <code>[[GNU linker|ld]]</code>).<ref>{{cite web
 | url = https://www.gnu.org/bulletins/bull3.html#SEC11
 | title = GNU's Bulletin, vol. 1 no. 3
 | date = June 1987
 | work = gnu.org
 | access-date = 2014-04-18
 | archive-date = 2015-11-25
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151125053210/https://www.gnu.org/bulletins/bull3.html#SEC11
 | url-status = live
 }}</ref> They{{Who|date=May 2025}} had an initial kernel that needed more updates.

Once the [[Kernel (operating system)|kernel]] and the compiler were finished, GNU was able to be used for [[Software development process|program development]]. The main goal was to create many other applications to be like the Unix system. GNU was able to run Unix programs, but was not identical to it. GNU incorporated longer file names, file version numbers, and a crash-proof file system. The GNU Manifesto was written to gain support and participation from others for the project. Programmers were encouraged to take part in any aspect of the project that interested them. People could donate funds, computer parts, or even their own time to write code and programs for the project.<ref name="manifesto"/>

The origins and development of most aspects of the GNU Project (and free software in general) are shared in a detailed narrative in the Emacs help system. (C-h g runs the Emacs editor command <kbd>describe-gnu-project</kbd>.) It is the same detailed history as at their web site.