为什么Debian安装程序是exe文件

Question

I recently downloaded the debian installer iso to use with virtualbox. For security reasons, I mounted it to ensure it was legit. I noticed a file labeled setup.exe. Why would a linux installer be a windows file, and how would the computer be able to run it?

I then decided to look throught the microsoft windows installer. It too used an exe file. How could it run the exe to install windows without windows instlled?

Answer 1

1. The Debian project has an installer for Microsoft Windows that provides a UI for installing GNU/Linux beginning on a MS Windows platform.

2. The Windows kernel can be loaded from disk and once it is loaded, like on install, it can start running a .exe file. For similar reasons Linux is an elf format binary. This is how a "Live" disk works, it loads the kernel and then loads up the entire OS including window manager from disk.

Answer 2

To your first question : I bet you are running VirtualBox on a Windows client right? So there is nothing wrong with using a windows file :)