this post was submitted on 11 Apr 2024
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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I'm curious how software can be created and evolve over time. I'm afraid that at some point, we'll realize there are issues with the software we're using that can only be remedied by massive changes or a complete rewrite.

Are there any instances of this happening? Where something is designed with a flaw that doesn't get realized until much later, necessitating scrapping the whole thing and starting from scratch?

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[–] [email protected] 4 points 8 months ago (4 children)

Are there any things in Linux that need to be started over from scratch?

Yes, Linux itself! (ie the kernel). It would've been awesome if Linux were a microkernel, there's so many advantages to it like security, modularity and resilience.

[–] [email protected] 23 points 8 months ago

Found Dr. Tanenbaum's account!

[–] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 6 points 8 months ago* (last edited 8 months ago) (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 7 points 8 months ago (1 children)

Last edited 2014-01-12 12:30:18 UTC

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 months ago

Cool. So Hurd-NG is moving a bit faster than the original!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 8 months ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

It still might. Redox is a microkernel based around L4 architecture, but not formally verified.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 8 months ago

Got that in performant?