backend/Linux-Subsystem-Maintainers
The Linux-Subsystem-Maintainers are a group of developers and engineers responsible for the maintenance, development, and oversight of various subsystems within the Linux kernel. These maintainers play a critical role in:
- Ensuring code quality through reviews.
- Integrating new features or updates into the kernel.
- Addressing bugs and security vulnerabilities.
- Providing guidance on best practices for kernel development.
History and Evolution
The role of subsystem maintainers has evolved with the growth of Linux:
- Early Days: When Linux was first developed by Linus Torvalds, he managed the entire codebase himself. As the project grew, he started to delegate responsibilities to trusted contributors.
- Subsystem Emergence: With increasing complexity, different areas of the kernel were split into subsystems. Each subsystem was then maintained by a dedicated maintainer or a team of maintainers.
- Maintainers' Lists: Over time, the Linux Foundation and the kernel community formalized the role through mailing lists like the maintainers@kernel.org, where maintainers are listed.
Role and Responsibilities
Maintainers for the Linux subsystems have several key responsibilities:
- Code Review: They review patches submitted by developers to ensure they meet the kernel's standards.
- Merging: Integrating accepted patches into the mainline kernel or their subsystem's branch.
- Documentation: Updating and maintaining documentation for their respective subsystems.
- Release Management: Coordinating releases, managing version control, and ensuring compatibility with other parts of the kernel.
- Community Engagement: Engaging with the community through forums, mailing lists, and conferences to foster development and solve issues.
Current Context
Today, the Linux kernel has numerous subsystems, each with its own maintainer or team:
These maintainers work in coordination with Linus Torvalds, who has the final say on what gets merged into the kernel.
External Links
Related Topics