GRUB – multiboot boot loader

Last Updated on May 9, 2022

GRUB is a Multiboot boot loader. It was derived from GRUB, the GRand Unified Bootloader.

A boot loader is the first software program that runs when a computer starts. It is responsible for loading and transferring control to the operating system kernel software (such as the Hurd or Linux). The kernel, in turn, initializes the rest of the operating system.

The software lets a user choose to boot one of multiple operating systems installed on a computer or select a specific kernel configuration available on a particular operating system’s partitions.

GRUB is free and open source software.

Features include:

• Can reside in ESP, MBR, VBR, and Floppy.
• Can boot from hard disk, second hard disk, logical partitions, CD/DVD, Floppy, USB, Zip, and LAN.
• Supports Intel/AMD PCs, OpenFirmware-based PowerPC machines (PowerMac and Pegasos), EFI-based PC (IntelMac) and coreboot (formerly, LinuxBIOS), and is being ported to UltraSparc.

Website: www.gnu.org/software/grub
Support: Documentation
Developer: Daniel Kiper, Alex Burmashev, Vladimir Serbinenko
License: GNU General Public License v3.0

GRUB is written in Assembly and C. Learn Assembly with our recommended free books and free tutorials. Learn C with our recommended free books and free tutorials.

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