The Pragmatic Engineer

How Linux is built with Greg Kroah-Hartman

228 snips
Mar 19, 2025
Join Greg Kroah-Hartman, a Linux kernel maintainer for 25 years and a Linux Kernel Foundation Fellow, as he dives into the fascinating world of Linux development. He shares insights on the kernel's nine-week release cycle and the complexities of integrating code changes. Greg emphasizes the unique trust model that drives its reliability and advocates for contributions to open source. Discover why Linux is so widespread and how it serves as an interface for diverse hardware. Plus, learn about the exciting integration of Rust into the Linux kernel!
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INSIGHT

Linux's Wide Reach

  • Linux powers 4 billion Android devices, dominating other platforms.
  • It's also in embedded systems, Chromebooks, and even 5G modems in iPhones.
INSIGHT

Kernel Size and Complexity

  • The Linux kernel's size varies based on device complexity, not criticality.
  • Phones have more complex hardware, requiring more lines of code than servers.
INSIGHT

Kernel's Role and Architecture

  • The Linux kernel manages hardware resources and provides a consistent interface for user-space programs.
  • It's monolithic, meaning drivers reside within the kernel, unlike microkernel architectures.
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