Arch Linux vs. BlackArch Linux vs. CentOS vs. JavaScript Comparison Chart

Arch Linux is an independently developed, x86-64 general-purpose GNU/Linux distribution that strives to provide the latest stable versions of most software by following a rolling-release model. The default installation is a minimal base system, configured by the user to only add what is purposely required. Arch Linux defines simplicity as without unnecessary additions or modifications. It ships software as released by the original developers (upstream) with minimal distribution-specific (downstream) changes, patches not accepted by upstream are avoided, and Arch's downstream patches consist almost entirely of backported bug fixes that are obsoleted by the project's next release. Arch ships the configuration files provided by upstream with changes limited to distribution-specific issues like adjusting the system file paths. It does not add automation features such as enabling a service simply because the package was installed.

CentOS Linux is a community-supported distribution derived from sources freely provided to the public on Red Hat or CentOS git for Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL). As such, CentOS Linux aims to be functionally compatible with RHEL. The CentOS Project mainly changes packages to remove upstream vendor branding and artwork. CentOS Linux is no-cost and free to redistribute. Each CentOS version is maintained until the equivalent RHEL version goes out of general support. A new CentOS version is made available once a new RHEL version is rebuilt - approximately every 6-12 months for minor point releases and several years for major version bumps. The length of time the rebuild takes varies from weeks for point releases to months for major version bumps. This results in a secure, low-maintenance, reliable, predictable and reproducible Linux environment.