Finding Unused Software in Linux Operating Systems

Objective. The aim of this study is to develop Python software for the automated search for unused executable files in Linux operating systems. The relevance is due to the need to optimize memory, reduce the attack surface and improve control over the system by removing unused software. Modern Linux distributions contain numerous utility programs and third-party programs that may never be used, leading to inefficient resource usage.

Method. The study is based on file metadata analysis (last access time atime), scanning directories from the PATH environment variable, and taking into account the specific features of Linux file systems (relatime mode).

Result. The developed software includes two subsystems: user interaction and data collection/analysis. To ensure portability, a deployment method in a Docker containerized environment is proposed. A software solution has been created that generates reports on unused executable files based on a user-specified date, provides removal recommendations, including dependencies and uninstallation methods via package managers, and supports dynamic deployment via Docker, adapting to different PATH configurations.

Conclusion. The tool complements utilities (such as deborphan), focusing on software usage time. Its simplicity and minimalist design allow for integration into administrative processes. Future development prospects include porting to Golang with a graphical interface and integration into automated OS deployment systems.

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