uname26

View documentation for the original command

$ tldr setarch

uname26 [OPTION]...

This command typically mimics the standard uname command's syntax, designed to report system information, particularly in contexts related to Linux kernel 2.6.

-a, --all
    Print all available system information.

-s, --kernel-name
    Display the kernel name (e.g., Linux).

-n, --nodename
    Show the network node hostname.

-r, --kernel-release
    Output the kernel release (e.g., 2.6.32-...). This was particularly relevant for 2.6 kernels with uname26.

-v, --kernel-version
    Print the kernel version (e.g., #1 SMP ...).

-m, --machine
    Display the machine hardware name (e.g., i686, x86_64).

-p, --processor
    Show the processor type.

-i, --hardware-platform
    Print the hardware platform.

-o, --operating-system
    Display the operating system.

--help
    Show a help message and exit.

--version
    Output version information and exit.

uname26 is not a standard, universally available Linux command. Instead, it typically refers to a specific variant, script, or symbolic link of the uname command tailored for environments running or interacting with the Linux kernel version 2.6. Its primary purpose was often to ensure consistent uname output for build systems or applications that relied on specific kernel version strings from the 2.6 series.

While uname (without the "26" suffix) is the standard utility to print system information, uname26 might have been used in scenarios where older toolchains or specific distribution requirements needed a distinct uname binary or wrapper to correctly report kernel details, especially when migrating systems or building software across different kernel versions. In essence, it usually mirrors the functionality of the standard uname command, providing details like the kernel name, release, version, machine hardware, and operating system. Its usage is highly context-dependent and less common in modern Linux distributions.

uname26 is not a standard utility found on most Linux systems. It's typically a distribution-specific or project-specific wrapper or symbolic link to the standard uname command, often designed for compatibility with older build systems or to ensure specific kernel 2.6 version string formats. Its behavior is generally identical to uname, but its existence implies a historical or niche requirement. Modern Linux systems use uname directly.

In some complex build environments, especially those cross-compiling or targeting specific older kernel versions, uname26 might have been used to ensure that build scripts correctly identified the target kernel as a 2.6 series. This was crucial for linking libraries or including headers that were sensitive to kernel API changes.

The presence of uname26 was highly dependent on the Linux distribution or custom environment. It was never a part of the core GNU coreutils package, unlike the standard uname. Therefore, its exact implementation and behavior could vary, although it consistently aimed to mimic uname's output for kernel 2.6.

The uname26 designation emerged during the widespread adoption and long lifecycle of the Linux kernel 2.6 series. As this kernel branch evolved, certain build systems, particularly those in embedded development or distributions like Gentoo, sometimes required precise or consistent kernel identification. uname26 was likely introduced as a measure to provide that consistency, either by being a direct compile of uname specifically linked against 2.6 kernel headers, or more commonly, as a script or symbolic link that ensured the correct uname output for 2.6-based systems. Its usage declined as kernel versions advanced beyond 2.6, and uname itself became more robust and consistent across releases, rendering such specific wrappers largely obsolete.

uname(1), lsb_release(1), hostname(1), arch(1)