Integrating Rust into the Linux Kernel

This chapter explores the role of programming languages in Linux development, particularly focusing on the integration of Rust alongside C. It discusses the benefits and challenges of Rust's memory safety features and highlights ongoing projects that utilize Rust. Additionally, the chapter emphasizes the importance of community contributions and the evolving landscape of kernel development within the open-source ecosystem.

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Linux is the most widespread operating system, globally – but how is it built? Few people are better to answer this than Greg Kroah-Hartman: a Linux kernel maintainer for 25 years, and one of the 3 Linux Kernel Foundation Fellows (the other two are Linus Torvalds and Shuah Khan). Greg manages the Linux kernel’s stable releases, and is a maintainer of multiple kernel subsystems.

We cover the inner workings of Linux kernel development, exploring everything from how changes get implemented to why its community-driven approach produces such reliable software. Greg shares insights about the kernel's unique trust model and makes a case for why engineers should contribute to open-source projects. We go into:

• How widespread is Linux?

• What is the Linux kernel responsible for – and why is it a monolith?

• How does a kernel change get merged? A walkthrough

• The 9-week development cycle for the Linux kernel

• Testing the Linux kernel

• Why is Linux so widespread?

• The career benefits of open-source contribution

• And much more!

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Timestamps

(00:00) Intro

(02:23) How widespread is Linux?