The oldest code in a typical Linux distribution

Question

Just out of curiosity: what is the oldest code / package in a typical Linux distribution? Emacs Gcc?

Answer 1

Sun RPC is quite old and it is in the C library:
http://blogs.oracle.com/webmink/entry/old_code_and_old_licenses

Answer 2

In user space, there is a lot of code in coreutils that was written by RMS, which has not changed since then. The GNU project began with a large number of people who recorded free replacements in basic UNIX utilities (e.g. ls, cp, rm, etc.) before even planning to use the window manager.

If you take the source in a package, you will find a lot of it.

Answer 3

CC .

.

Answer 4

I would say that Paul Vixie Cron and the SYS V (init) utilities are some of the oldest standalone packages. They are eventually replaced by upstart and other dependency-based schemes.

Answer 5

I assume it will be gcc, as it was one of the first GNU products and existed long before Linux appeared.

Answer 6

My guess would also be gcc (GNU C compiler).

Still in everyday use. Just like Emacs (no need for flame VI, thanks).