Mandriva Linux, formerly known as Mandrake Linux, is a Linux variant distributed by French software company Mandriva. The name “Mandriva” is a combination of Mandrake and Conectiva, two variations of Linux upon which it is based.

Mandriva uses RPM for package management, and its design focuses on ease of installation and use. The first version of Mandrake was released in 1998, and was heavily based on Red Hat Linux. As the OS matured, it developed its own identity. At one time, it was hailed as being the most user-friendly Linux distribution available.

Mandrake/Mandriva maintained free and commercial versions of its Linux distribution until 2012. Now it is available only commercially, although free derivatives still exist.

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