EMZETT.X11 and Wayland
In short: X11 (X Window System) and Wayland are the two foundations on which Linux interfaces draw images. X11 dates from 1987, Wayland is the modern successor and now the default on the big desktops.
In more detail: With X11 there is a central X server that connects programs and screen, plus a window manager. With Wayland the compositor itself is the display server, which simplifies the architecture and makes it more secure.
In detail
| Feature | X11 | Wayland |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 1987 | 2008 |
| Security | programs can spy on each other | programs are isolated |
| Tearing | possible | usually avoided |
| Several monitors with different scaling | difficult | good |
| Remote access | ssh -X, built in | via RDP/VNC/PipeWire |
| Screenshots and shortcuts | freely possible | via portals, with permission |
| NVIDIA | better for a long time | much better by now |
- XWayland: lets old X11 programs run under Wayland.
- Recognising:
echo $XDG_SESSION_TYPEshowsx11orwayland. - Development: GNOME and KDE switched to Wayland as default and plan to remove X11 sessions.
- PipeWire: audio and video framework that enables screen sharing under Wayland.
- Compositor examples: Mutter (GNOME), KWin (KDE), Sway, Hyprland, labwc.
See also: Display manager and login screen, Window managers and tiling window managers