Arch Linux

happi0

Member

Registered: 2021-08-29

Posts: 14

Difference between linux and linux-headers

Hi all, I am a newbie.
        I am confused when using pacman to install the kernel,
         what is the difference between the two packages

linux

and

linux-headers

.

         Thank you.

cloverskull

Member

Registered: 2018-09-30

Posts: 277

Re: Difference between linux and linux-headers

In simplest of terms, linux itself is the kernel whereas the linux-headers package contains what is needed to build additional modules against that kernel.

walkingstickfan

Member

From: USA

Registered: 2021-05-10

Posts: 116

Re: Difference between linux and linux-headers

To add clarity to what cloverskull posted, you'll need the kernel headers if you plan to run VirtualBox or if you have proprietary hardware for which you'll be using proprietary drivers; e.g. nVidia GPU, Broadcom WiFi chip, etc.

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