When it comes to development styles, it has been said time and again that BSD uses the Cathedral model of development, and Linux uses the Bazaar. But that's incorrect. Linux, by proper definition is just the kernel. A Linux distro, which we more readily associate with the name "Linux" is a complete system platform consisting of the Linux kernel, the core applications, and the GNU and other 3rd party applications on top. But if we're to compare development methods on an apples to apples level, we need to compare similar items.

But first, we need to understand these two commonly referred to development models in order to better understand how they apply, or don't apply, to Linux, Linux distros, and BSD.

The Bazaar model of development defines a development system where groups of different, and unrelated vendors and merchants all come together and *provide* the components necessary for you to do what you need. But they don't actually build anything. They simply supply the raw goods to anyone needing them to complete their task. Think of it like going to the grocery store to get the food you need for dinner.

The Cathedral model on the other hand defines a development system where everything is created and developed in house, meaning that it doesn't require any of the raw materials available on the outside to achieve or create what it needs.

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