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# About

<!--About the conda organization and conda ecosystem-->

**This was copied from a draft of the [FAQ page.](https://hackmd.io/6UkorjPXS5uEWxUCX_WwFw)**

**`conda` is an open-source, cross-platform environment and binary package manager. Conda is also an *ecosystem* for package and runtime environment management.  Finally, conda is a community of people that support and use the conda ecosystem.**

### The `conda` Package and Environment Manager

The conda Ecosystem all started with the `conda` package and environment manager program.  The `conda` program is open-source, and supports binary packages across Windows, macOS, Linux and z/OS.  `conda` also helps users create completely separate development environments with vastly different package installations.

The `conda` program is just one of many tools in the conda ecosystem.

### Conda Ecosystem

The *conda ecosystem* includes tools, repositories, and other resources that are used to create, update, manage, and distribute *conda-compatible* packages.  The ecosystem includes the *conda community* and the *conda Organization*, which govens overall direction and helps manage shared resources like this website.

### How do we know which meaning of conda we are talking about?

When refering to the conda ecosystem, community, or organization we will try to always use just a plain text "conda" (or "Conda" if at the start of a sentence).  When refering to `conda` the computer program we will try to always show it in a `monospaced font`.
See also FAQ?


