Sun 6 Aug 2006
Linux Kernel Development
Posted at 19:52 +1000
I had neglected to read Greg Kroah-Hartman's OLS keynote until just now. I've heard Greg speak quite a few times, so I can imagine him saying all this as I read it. Excellent stuff.
Talks about Linux kernel development have two benefits. They're usually just plain interesting, which is always nice. However, they also provide lessons for non-kernel projects. The Linux kernel development has been going on in public for a lot of years (almost 15, if some recollections from Linus are accurate, which they no doubt are). It's had peaks and troughs and the linux kernel mailing list (lkml) is a tough place to work. But it works! There is no more evidence required that they are doing something right. I suspect quite a reasonable theory of software engineering course could be built around the history of Linux kernel development. It would be interesting, too.
Topics: software/linux