Development
While there are several well-developed APIs as well as exceptional POSIX compatibility, writing and releasing applications for SkyOS can be difficult due to minor binary incompatibilities between betas. Developers that wish to offer an application for SkyOS must keep up with the changes being made to the APIs, and are usually required to modify and recompile their applications upon the release of each new beta. There are no plans to finalize any of the APIs before SkyOS is publicly released, as Szeleney wishes to reserve the ability to further improve them as development progresses.
SkyOS executables are compiled into the ELF format using the GNU Compiler Collection. Commonly, developers cross compile their applications for use on SkyOS. However, as GCC has been ported and is actively being maintained, it is also possible to develop applications inside of a running SkyOS installation. Most notably, Scribis, a multi-protocol instant messenger, was developed by a volunteer exclusively under a running SkyOS environment.
Developers who wish to distribute their applications via an official channel may set up a Software Store repository online. The SkyOS Software Store is a GUI-based software distribution system that implements a custom package format and simple repository protocol.
The evolution of SkyOS itself happens rather sporadically, with little documented long-term planning. This has often caused concern in the community, but has allowed for a development pace much faster than democratically-steered projects.
Read more about this topic: SkyOS
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