Linus Torvalds: No Kernel 3.0
Linux inventor Linus Torvalds says there's no need for Kernel 3.0.
You don't have to increase the version number to show how good you are, says Linus Torvalds. He does not anticipate work on version 3.0 of the Linux kernel starting in the near future. "We've been very good at introducing even pretty big new features without impacting the code-base in a disruptive manner, and without breaking any old functionality." says Torvalds, promising that there will not be a "get the new and improved version 3" campaign.
The current course of development with short release cycles is very close to the developer kernel, and this helps to avoid issues. A multiple year cycle for kernel development would not work. Although this model was necessary for awhile, as the kernel programmers had to make a few radical changes, version 2.6 of the kernel codebase is in good shape. The improved development process makes it unnecessary to revert to the "change everything" model.
Although Torvalds is very happy with kernel development he is unhappy with support from some hardware manufacturers. When asked what he would say to manufacturers who refuse to provide specifications and data sheets for kernel development, Torvalds is quoted as responding "Is "I hope you all die a painful death" too strong?", before going on to say that it was good news that the numbers of hardware vendors who cooperate with the Open Source community is growing, and praising Intel in particular.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Digital Autonomy
• The Answer Was Already on the Shelf
• Changing the Chip Industry: How Public Investment Has Grown Open Silicon
• United Nations Open Source Portal Goes Live
• EU Open Source Strategy Plays Key Role in Tech Sovereignty Package
• France Says “Au Revoir” to Microsoft
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
AI Fixes Linux Bottlenecks Using “Hideous” Code
A Linux developer used AI to fix bottlenecks that caused problems when building the kernel. The resulting AI-generated code needed a lot of work.
-
Advanced Video Coding Still Under Patent
Brazilian patent BRPI0109962B1 has expired, which means that DivX and Xvid are no longer problematic for Linux, but it doesn’t mean that video is all of a sudden fully unleashed.
-
2,000 Vulnerabilities per Linux Release
Thanks to AI bug hunters, the Linux kernel is seeing record numbers of vulnerabilities, and it's overwhelming developers.
-
Linux Exempt from California’s Age Verification Law
So long as Linux is distributed under the GPL, MIT, BSD, and Apache licenses, the OS is exempt from being required to verify the age of its users in California.
-
Roll Out the Cake: Linux Turns 35
35 years ago, a Finnish student began a humble project that would forever change the course of technology.
-
China Switching from Windows to Linux
China has ordered several government agencies to drop a Chinese-developed version of Windows 10 in favor of either KylinOS or UOS.
-
Pine64 Halts Production of Linux Devices
With continued DRAM and eMMC shortages, Pine64 has decided to discontinue production of Linux devices.
-
The Bullet-Proof KDE Software Initiative Is Coming
KDE, Techpaladin, and Kubuntu Focus have announced a new initiative that will provide at least three years of support for KDE Plasma 6.6 LTS and related software.
-
Linux Mint Shares a Possible Kernel Cleanup Solution
For those on Linux Mint who like to keep multiple kernels around but don't want them to take up too much space, you might be getting a new automated tool.
-
CachyOS Gets an Update
CachyOS August 2026 release is now available with the latest version of KDE, some new features, and plenty of improvements.