KDrive
Encyclopedia
KDrive is a small X Window System
server implementation created by Keith Packard
. Unlike the X.Org Server
, KDrive was not based on XFree86
code. It was used by X.Org developers as a testing ground for new ideas, such as EXA
.
It practically superseded SmallX
(also known as TinyX) and is commonly used in embedded system
s with the need for a very thin X server.
A specific feature of KDrive was that it was configured at compile-time, not at run-time. It was often compiled to use the native Linux framebuffer
device as output.
As of X.Org Server version 7.1, the KDrive framework was integrated into the reference implementation and is now part of the generic source code release of the server.
X Window System
The X window system is a computer software system and network protocol that provides a basis for graphical user interfaces and rich input device capability for networked computers...
server implementation created by Keith Packard
Keith Packard
Keith Packard is a software developer, best known for his work on the X Window System.Packard is responsible for many X extensions and technical papers on X...
. Unlike the X.Org Server
X.Org Server
X.Org Server refers to the X server release packages stewarded by the X.Org Foundation,which is hosted by freedesktop.org, and grants...
, KDrive was not based on XFree86
XFree86
XFree86 is an implementation of the X Window System. It was originally written for Unix-like operating systems on IBM PC compatibles and is now available for many other operating systems and platforms. It is free and open source software under the XFree86 License version 1.1. It is developed by the...
code. It was used by X.Org developers as a testing ground for new ideas, such as EXA
EXA
In computing, EXA is a graphics acceleration architecture of the X.Org Server designed to replace XAA and to make the XRender extension more usable, with only minor changes needed to adapt XFree86 video drivers written to use XAA; it was designed by Zack Rusin and announced at LinuxTag 2005 and...
.
It practically superseded SmallX
SmallX
smallX – formerly tinyX – was a stripped-down X Window System server implementation based on XFree86.It was created as part of the Small Linux project and is currently used also by MontaVistas Linux graphics package for embedded systems...
(also known as TinyX) and is commonly used in embedded system
Embedded system
An embedded system is a computer system designed for specific control functions within a larger system. often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. By contrast, a general-purpose computer, such as a personal...
s with the need for a very thin X server.
A specific feature of KDrive was that it was configured at compile-time, not at run-time. It was often compiled to use the native Linux framebuffer
Linux framebuffer
The Linux framebuffer is a graphic hardware-independent abstraction layer to show graphics on a computer monitor, typically on the console...
device as output.
As of X.Org Server version 7.1, the KDrive framework was integrated into the reference implementation and is now part of the generic source code release of the server.