What was the last time you wrote something that was 10MB after compiled to native code when optimizing for space?
Linux + BusyBox is less than 2MB (I've fitted it in floppies not too long ago) if you don't include the drivers for everything. I've created a 10MB binary set that implements an entire email server, with everything statically linked, and in Haskell (that leads to inherently big binaries).
Yes, I still remember the days when we could have core Linux experience on one 1.44MB floppy disk. This keeps reminding me how bloated most modern software are.
Linux + BusyBox is less than 2MB (I've fitted it in floppies not too long ago) if you don't include the drivers for everything. I've created a 10MB binary set that implements an entire email server, with everything statically linked, and in Haskell (that leads to inherently big binaries).