Linux Kernel Development

Discussions revolve around the challenges, processes, contributors, maintainers, and unique aspects of developing and contributing to the Linux kernel, including its complexity and Linus Torvalds' involvement.

📉 Falling 0.5x Open Source
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Keywords

e.g FF CPU IMHO SPARC ARM OSS BS CI TIL kernel linux kernel linux developers code linus development red hat drivers hat

Sample Comments

ResearchCode Apr 4, 2023 View on HN

Do Linux kernel developers do that?

j-kidd Jun 12, 2013 View on HN

That sounds a lot like Linux kernel development.

vlang1dot0 Jul 6, 2021 View on HN

Given that those people are Linux kernel devs, that's great!

convolvatron Nov 22, 2025 View on HN

there are a lot more kernel programmers than kernel work

tialaramex Sep 22, 2022 View on HN

Surely it's implied in context that this is better for developing the Linux kernel, by Linus and Linux kernel developers ?

ionforce Dec 9, 2016 View on HN

What about the people who have to maintain the Linux kernel?

mkopinsky Sep 22, 2011 View on HN

Because of the depth of its impact, the Linux kernel is also probably different from other OSS projects. As a user and developer, I am orders of magnitude more likely to submit a patch to FF than Linux. Maybe that's just because I'm more familiar with higher level coding, but I think working something as involved as a kernel necessarily requires a significant amount of technical context.

utxaa Jan 17, 2020 View on HN

google how linux kernel developers work.

nradov Oct 24, 2023 View on HN

Is the Linux kernel bad? It was made by many people. How do we tell how many is too many?

webaholic Jul 15, 2015 View on HN

This does not make any sense. Any modern kernel(including the ones you mentioned) is going to be complex. The only way to get started is to dig in. Even if you do not make changes right away, trying to understand the code is a reward in itself.I also don't get your point about conflict of interest. There is no one corporate sponsor of Linux. And just because you are a newbie, your patch is not looked down upon. There is a great community willing to help if you put in the effort.