Zack's Kernel News
Zack's Kernel News

Zack Brown reports on communicating with Linux during bootup, pruning SuperH, and bug hunting for Stea.
Communicating with Linux During Bootup
The open source development model is geared to maximize everyone's contribution with the two assumptions: If you need something, it's probably a good idea to implement it, and if you implement it, there are probably other developers interested in helping you get your patch into an acceptable state. So the amount of wasted work is probably very low, though I'm not sure how to measure that precisely.
It's definitely the case that sometimes you can put in a lot of work, only to discover that other developers are simply opposed to whatever it is that you need.
Masami Hiramatsu recently tried to extend DeviceTree to pass debugging configuration information into the kernel. This could also be done on the kernel command line, but as Masami himself pointed out, "the kernel command line is a command line." It's not the ideal format for passing structured data.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
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
-
System76 Releases COSMIC Alpha 7
With scores of bug fixes and a really cool workspaces feature, COSMIC is looking to soon migrate from alpha to beta.
-
OpenMandriva Lx 6.0 Available for Installation
The latest release of OpenMandriva has arrived with a new kernel, an updated Plasma desktop, and a server edition.
-
TrueNAS 25.04 Arrives with Thousands of Changes
One of the most popular Linux-based NAS solutions has rolled out the latest edition, based on Ubuntu 25.04.
-
Fedora 42 Available with Two New Spins
The latest release from the Fedora Project includes the usual updates, a new kernel, an official KDE Plasma spin, and a new System76 spin.
-
So Long, ArcoLinux
The ArcoLinux distribution is the latest Linux distribution to shut down.
-
What Open Source Pros Look for in a Job Role
Learn what professionals in technical and non-technical roles say is most important when seeking a new position.
-
Asahi Linux Runs into Issues with M4 Support
Due to Apple Silicon changes, the Asahi Linux project is at odds with adding support for the M4 chips.
-
Plasma 6.3.4 Now Available
Although not a major release, Plasma 6.3.4 does fix some bugs and offer a subtle change for the Plasma sidebar.
-
Linux Kernel 6.15 First Release Candidate Now Available
Linux Torvalds has announced that the release candidate for the final release of the Linux 6.15 series is now available.
-
Akamai Will Host kernel.org
The organization dedicated to cloud-based solutions has agreed to host kernel.org to deliver long-term stability for the development team.