[E. Pluribus Unum]

Is systemd something like .NET?

[Dalberg-Acton]

Systemd handles starting all the processes that are required to start the Linux operating system, and .NET is just an application that runs on Windows (and more recently Linux and Mac).

[so_real]

When systemd was birthed, it was supposed to be an evolved update to the "init" system ... the "initialization" system ... that brings the various processes of the operating system online in an ordered fashion. (Each services has to start in turn. For example, you have to have a network interface up and running before you can attach an email server to it. Etc.)

But like a cancer it has exploded well beyond its initial goals. Now it comes with its own application services, terminals, network stack, and most recently a "switch user" command. Essentialy, systemd is positioning itself such that every input and output on the system must pass through it before reaching the Linux kernel or the end user.

Truly cringeworthy with regard to security, stability, and reliability.