Linux From Scratch describes the process of creating your own Linux system from scratch from an already installed Linux distribution, using nothing but the source code of software that you need.
From the author's introduction: "Having used a number of different Linux distributions, I was never fully satisfied with either of those. I didn't like the way the bootscripts were arranged, or I didn't like the way certain programs were configured by default and more of those things. I came to realize that when I want to be totally satisfied with a Linux system, I have to build my own Linux system from scratch. Ideally only using the source code. No pre-compiled packages of any kind. No help from some sort of cdrom or bootdisk that would install some basic utilities. You would use your current Linux system and use that one to build your own.
This, at one time, wild idea seemed very difficult and at times almost impossible. The reason for most problems were due to my lack of knowledge about certain programs and procedures. After I sorted out all kinds of dependency problems, compilation problems, etcetera, a manually Linux system was created and fully operational. I called this system and LFS system which stands for Linux From Scratch."
This book is intended for Linux users who want to learn more about the inner workings of Linux and how the various pieces of the Operating System fit together. This book will guide you step−by−step in creating your own custom build Linux system from scratch, using nothing but the sources of software that are needed.
This book is also intended for Linux users who want to get away from the existing commercial and free distributions that are often too bloated. Using existing distributions also forces you to use the file system structure, boot script structure, etc. that they choose to use. With this book you can create your own structures and methods in exactly the way you like them (which can be based on the ones this book provides)
Also, if you have security concerns, you don't want to rely on pre−compiled packages. So instead, you want to compile all programs from scratch and install them yourself. That could be another reason why you would want to build a custom made Linux system.
Those are just a few out of many reasons why people want to build their own Linux system. If you're one of those people, this book is meant for you.