Description:

GRUB is a GPLed bootloader intended to unify bootloading across x86
operating systems. In addition to loading the Linux and *BSD kernels,
it implements the Multiboot standard, which allows for flexible
loading of multiple boot images (needed for modular kernels such as
the GNU Hurd).

GRUB 2 is derived from PUPA which was a research project to
investigate the next generation of GRUB. GRUB 2 has been rewritten
from scratch to clean up everything for modularity and portability.

GRUB 2 targets at the following goals:
- Scripting support, such as conditionals, loops, variables and
functions.
- Graphical interface.
- Dynamic loading of modules in order to extend itself at the run time
rather than at the build time.
- Portability for various architectures.
- Internationalization. This includes support for non-ASCII character
code, message catalogs like gettext, fonts, graphics console, and so
on.
- Real memory management, to make GNU GRUB more extensible.
- Modular, hierarchical, object-oriented framework for file systems,
files, devices, drives, terminals, commands, partition tables and OS
loaders.
- Cross-platform installation which allows for installing GRUB from a
different architecture.
- Rescue mode saves unbootable cases. Stage 1.5 was eliminated.
- Fix design mistakes in GRUB Legacy, which could not be solved for
backward-compatibility, such as the way of numbering partitions.