FreeBSD 16 has officially removed the last remaining component of GNU GPL licensed code from its base system, specifically retiring the 'dialog' utility. This change completes a long-term effort to eliminate GNU dependencies, leaving the core operating system free of GPL-licensed software. The update is part of the ongoing development toward the expected December 2027 release of FreeBSD 16.0.
Background
FreeBSD has historically maintained a complex relationship with GNU software, gradually replacing GPL-licensed components with BSD-licensed alternatives like bsddialog to ensure license compatibility. This move aligns with the project's goal of maintaining a purely permissively licensed base system.
- Source
- Lobsters
- Published
- Jul 15, 2026 at 08:33 PM
- Score
- 6.0 / 10