Questions about Kernel
 

Hi experts, good day. :)

Obviously I'm new to Linux because I post my question to this section.

My questions are all about Kernel. Here are my questions:
1. What is a Kernel?
2. Where can I find the Kernel?
3. What is the main function of the Kernel?
4. Do other Operating Systems have also a Kernel?
5. It is said that Linux is came from the Kernel, that's why Linus Torvalds called his OS name "Linux"?.
6. Does it mean that the name of Kernel program is "Linux"? So other Operating Systems as well are using Linux?

I'll wait for your answers guys.

Take care and God bless. :)

Wikipedia is a good place to find answers to your questions. For instance see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kernel_(computer_science)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux_(kernel)

Ok now I got it.

Questions:
1. Where can I find the Kernel in Linux?
2. Where can I browse? So that I will know where's the Kernel located.

In Linux, the kernel is just a file loaded in memory at boot time.

This file is usually located in the /boot directory.

To find which is actually used (you can have several kernels available, but use only one at a time), open a terminal and type:then find in the /boot directory the file whose name fits better with uname command's output. Kernel names often begin with linux or vmlinuz but there is no rule about that. A kernel usually "weighs" between 2 and 5 megabytes.

Thanks Sir Didier Spaier. I have questions again.

1. Do I need to update the Kernel Sir?
2. Is it really important to update the Kernel and Why?

it depends upon your need. If you find any bugs while working because of kernel related issues, then you need to update. otherwise, you can continue working on it.

Linux itself is a kernel. Have a look at the following link:

have a look at

1. /boot
2. /usr/src

(this is in fedora distribution. If you are using a different distro check for similar names.)

To clarify,
The running kernel is located in /boot
The kernel source is located in /usr/src

The kernel source is the program that builds the kernel.
You can download the latest kernel at kernel.org.
But, you will have to compile the kernel before installing which is a whole other story.

Read Linux Kernel in a Nutshell

Thanks for enlighten me Sir chakka.lokesh and okos. How about my question number 2: Is it really important to update the Kernel and Why?

Probably not important.

As stated before, if there is a bug with the current kernel. Some newer software will not compile with older kernels. But then on the other hand, some software will not compile with the cutting edge kernel either.

So unless you have an issue, don't worry about it.

Thanks Sir okos. I have question again. What will happen if Linux don't have a Kernel?

The same it will happen to your car if it doesn't have an engine. ;)

And, bear in mind that Linux strictly speaking *is* the kernel.

More generally, there is *nothing* you can do with *any* operating system if it misses a kernel.

I see, thanks Sir Didier Spaier.