coreutils(1) on Solnix vs Linux and the BSDs
coreutils is the GNU multi-call binary. It runs a built-in program chosen with --coreutils-prog=PROGRAM_NAME. It is not in the base Solnix system: install pkgs.solnix.coreutils. The Solnix and Linux pages are the same program, and the bundle has no BSD counterpart.
The manual pages
- Solnix: coreutils(1) from
pkgs.solnix.coreutils - Linux: coreutils(1) coreutils-full-9.11
What Solnix runs
Not installed by default: add pkgs.solnix.coreutils. The package publishes GNU coreutils 9.7 (page dated April 2025). No other illumos variants are shipped. The command names in the built-in list, such as ls and cat, are not the ones on a default Solnix PATH. Per the header, the illumos tools stay in the base system and the bundle does not describe them.
Differences
| Compared with | Topic | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| Linux | same program | The Solnix and Linux coreutils(1) pages have the same NAME, SYNOPSIS and options (--coreutils-prog, --help, --version). Both are GNU coreutils. Behaviour of the multi-call binary is the same on both, as far as the pages show.Source: Solnix coreutils(1) SYNOPSIS, DESCRIPTION; Linux coreutils(1) SYNOPSIS, DESCRIPTION |
| Linux | version | The Solnix page is from GNU coreutils 9.7. The Linux page in the bundle is from coreutils-full-9.11. The two built-in program lists are the same, so the bundle shows no difference in the tool set between the releases. Source: Solnix coreutils(1) footer (GNU coreutils 9.7, April 2025) and Built-in programs; Linux coreutils(1) header (coreutils-full-9.11) and Built-in programs |
| FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD | no counterpart | The bundle has no coreutils(1) page for FreeBSD, OpenBSD or NetBSD. The manual text gives no basis to say whether they have a single multi-call binary. Their base tools (ls, cp and others) are separate programs documented on their own pages. Source: Bundle header: only a linux counterpart is listed |
| all four | not on PATH by default | On Solnix, the commands on PATH come from illumos, not from this package. To get the GNU versions you must install pkgs.solnix.coreutils. Then call a tool with coreutils --coreutils-prog=NAME. The page does not say whether per-tool links are installed.Source: Bundle header (command on PATH is none: install pkgs.solnix.coreutils); Solnix coreutils(1) SYNOPSIS |
| Linux | built-in program list | Both pages list the same programs, including ginstall, runcon and chcon. The Solnix list is wrapped differently, but no program is added or missing. Individual programs differ from the illumos tools of the same name; see the per-tool pages. Source: Solnix coreutils(1) Built-in programs; Linux coreutils(1) Built-in programs |
Standards
- POSIX: coreutils is not a POSIX.1-2024 utility.
Writing portable scripts
- Do not assume GNU options in scripts that must also run on a default Solnix system or the BSDs. Without pkgs.solnix.coreutils, ls, cp and the other names on PATH are not GNU coreutils.
Every difference here is taken from the manual pages linked above: Solnix's published page, Linux (man-pages and the GNU and util-linux manuals), FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD. Each row names its source. Where a manual is silent, this page is too. Compiled 2026-10-26. Found a mistake? Mail hackers@lists.solnix.io.