Zack's Kernel News
Zack's Kernel News
Chronicler Zack Brown reports on the little links that bring us closer within the Linux kernel community.
Minimum Version Numbers for Build Tools
Long ago, when this ancient planet was not yet quite so ancient, the Linux kernel refused to support newer versions of the GNU C compiler (GCC). Compiler development proceeded, and Linux would compile only on a specific older version because Linus Torvalds disagreed with some of the new behaviors going into GCC. In other words, it was war.
Today the situation is much different, and the Linux kernel now identifies the minimum version of the tools it requires, rather than the maximum. And today, as Masahiro Yamada pointed out recently, Linux supports GCC version 5.1 and later.
However, Masahiro noted that version 2.23 of GNU Binutils – the assembler, the linker, and other tools essential for building anything with GCC – was now 10 years old and showing its age. Masahiro wanted to raise Linux's minimum supported version to Binutils 2.25, which was released just around the time of GCC 5.1 (seven years ago). He posted a patch to make that change.
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
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
-
Linux Mint 22.3 Now Available with New Tools
Linux Mint 22.3 has been released with a pair of new tools for system admins and some pretty cool new features.
-
New Linux Malware Targets Cloud-Based Linux Installations
VoidLink, a new Linux malware, should be of real concern because of its stealth and customization.
-
Say Goodbye to Middle-Mouse Paste
Both Gnome and Firefox have proposed getting rid of a long-time favorite Linux feature.
-
Manjaro 26.0 Primary Desktop Environments Default to Wayland
If you want to stick with X.Org, you'll be limited to the desktop environments you can choose.
-
Mozilla Plans to AI-ify Firefox
With a new CEO in control, Mozilla is doubling down on a strategy of trust, all the while leaning into AI.
-
Gnome Says No to AI-Generated Extensions
If you're a developer wanting to create a new Gnome extension, you'd best set aside that AI code generator, because the extension team will have none of that.
-
Parrot OS Switches to KDE Plasma Desktop
Yet another distro is making the move to the KDE Plasma desktop.
-
TUXEDO Announces Gemini 17
TUXEDO Computers has released the fourth generation of its Gemini laptop with plenty of updates.
-
Two New Distros Adopt Enlightenment
MX Moksha and AV Linux 25 join ranks with Bodhi Linux and embrace the Enlightenment desktop.
-
Solus Linux 4.8 Removes Python 2
Solus Linux 4.8 has been released with the latest Linux kernel, updated desktops, and a key removal.