LFS is full of packages that fit your description of a black box. It shows you how to compile and configure packages, but I don't remember them diving into the code internals of a single one.

I understand not wanting to shift from something that is wholly explainable to something that isn't, but it's not the end of the world.

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josephg 44 minutes ago | parent [-]

No, its not the end of the world. And I agree, LFS isn't going to be the best resource for learning how a compiler works or cron or ntp. But the init process & systemd is so core to linux. I can certainly see the argument that they should be part of the "from scratch" parts.

	▲	ktm5j 17 minutes ago \| parent [-]
		You still build it from scratch (meaning you compile from source).. they don't dive into Linux code internals either. They still explain what an init system is for and how to use it.