Overview of Linux Kernel
The Linux Kernel is the foundation of the Linux Operating System, serving as the core interface between the computer's hardware and its processes. It manages the system's hardware resources, facilitates communication between hardware and software, and provides the necessary services for running applications.
History
- 1991: Linus Torvalds announced the development of a free operating system kernel, which was initially named "Freax".
- 1991: The first official release, Linux kernel version 0.01, was released on September 17, 1991.
- 1994: Version 1.0 was released, marking a significant milestone in its development.
- 2004: The release of version 2.6 brought numerous improvements and a more modular design.
- 2011: The transition to version 3.0 was largely symbolic but signified a new era of development.
- 2015: Version 4.0 was released, continuing the trend of major updates.
- 2020: With the release of version 5.4, the kernel saw extensive support for hardware and new features.
Key Features
- Modularity: The kernel supports loadable kernel modules, allowing for dynamic addition or removal of functionality.
- Portability: Linux kernel has been ported to a wide variety of architectures, from embedded systems to mainframes.
- Security: It includes security features like SELinux (Security-Enhanced Linux), AppArmor, and kernel-level address space layout randomization (ASLR).
- Performance: Optimized for performance with features like preemptive kernel, real-time support, and advanced scheduling algorithms.
- File Systems: Supports numerous file systems including ext4, Btrfs, XFS, and others.
Development and Community
The Linux kernel is developed by a global community of developers, coordinated through the Linux Foundation. The development process involves:
- Git: The kernel source code is managed using Git, with the main repository maintained by Linus Torvalds.
- Release Cycle: Major releases occur approximately every few months, with maintenance updates for each version.
- Contributors: Thousands of developers worldwide contribute, with companies like Intel, IBM, and Google being significant contributors.
Source and Further Reading
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