LinuxQuestions.org
Share your knowledge at the LQ Wiki.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Software > Linux - Kernel
User Name
Password
Linux - Kernel This forum is for all discussion relating to the Linux kernel.

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 10-28-2006, 10:22 PM   #1
xri
Member
 
Registered: Aug 2002
Distribution: Archlinux, Garuda Linux
Posts: 283
Blog Entries: 11

Rep: Reputation: 41
Why two independent developments, 2.4 and 2.6?


Why does kernel 2.4 have an independent development (with new versions) and people keep compiling it instead of using kernel 2.6 versions?
Could somebody explain why these two parallel lines of development? What are the advantages of using a 2.4 kernel. Is it faster? Or more stable?
 
Old 10-28-2006, 11:14 PM   #2
Penguin of Wonder
Senior Member
 
Registered: Sep 2005
Location: West Virginia
Distribution: Gentoo
Posts: 1,249

Rep: Reputation: 45
The differences for your average user are nil in most cases. The 2.6 kernel will include drivers for modern equipment. That's the largest difference I'm aware of.

As to why they develop two kernels at the same time is beyond me. Seems like a waste of good man power personally. I'd rather see all the focus go on the new one. Let the ones on 2.6 now keep doing what they're doing, and make everyone on 2.4 now move to correcting bugs, mistakes, and inefficient code in 2.6.

I'm sure someone with more know on this subject can give you a better answer though.
 
Old 10-28-2006, 11:54 PM   #3
syg00
LQ Veteran
 
Registered: Aug 2003
Location: Australia
Distribution: Lots ...
Posts: 21,099

Rep: Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117Reputation: 4117
Quote:
Originally Posted by xri
... Or more stable? <<<<----- ... This is the major reason
Especially for companies that bet their survival on a (Linux) computer system.
Even there, the major distros are going 2.6.

For the rest of us 2.6 is probably the go.
 
Old 10-29-2006, 04:14 PM   #4
xri
Member
 
Registered: Aug 2002
Distribution: Archlinux, Garuda Linux
Posts: 283

Original Poster
Blog Entries: 11

Rep: Reputation: 41
Thanks for the replies. Even here, there are plenty of choices, one for every taste.
 
Old 10-30-2006, 04:00 AM   #5
reddazz
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Nov 2003
Location: N. E. England
Distribution: Fedora, CentOS, Debian
Posts: 16,298

Rep: Reputation: 77
The 2.4 kernel is not really being actively developed. Its in maintenance mode and may at times get backports from the 2.6 kernel. Most of the kernel developers are working on the 2.6 kernel.
 
Old 10-30-2006, 04:36 AM   #6
theYinYeti
Senior Member
 
Registered: Jul 2004
Location: France
Distribution: Arch Linux
Posts: 1,897

Rep: Reputation: 66
You have to remember that Linux does not only run on modern PC, or only on PC for that matter.

For example, one of Linux/Unix' strength is the ease with which you can setup "thin clients", or if you prefer: "dumb terminals". I use one such at home: see "nomade" in the signature. This laptop wouldn't cope with a modern GUI and several modern applications at once. My main PC, however, does (see "sedentaire" in signature). Hence I use "nomade" at 99% connected to "sedentaire" as a X terminal: I login on my sedentaire GUI account from the laptop, which is thus very valueable.
And guess what? This laptop is unable to run any 2.6-based distro!

Yves.
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
LXer: .org VILLAGE SET TO SHOWCASE THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN FREE OPEN ... LXer Syndicated Linux News 0 10-07-2006 07:21 PM
LXer: The Gemcutter's Workshop: Many Developments in the Ruby Community LXer Syndicated Linux News 0 04-05-2006 08:03 AM
bootmanager independent from os? xomic Linux - General 3 06-11-2005 08:07 AM
Any Sony netMD developments? bruno buys Linux - Hardware 5 04-11-2005 07:50 PM
future developments sg104 Linux - Newbie 9 03-16-2002 12:47 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Software > Linux - Kernel

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:41 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration