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Mainline Linux

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Mainline Linux refers to the Git tree of Linus Torvalds that contains the Linux kernel. Every stable Linux kernel release originates from the mainline tree.[1] Mainline Linux has only solid support for a small subset of the many devices the run Linux. Support can be found through independent projects such as Yocto or Linaro, but in many cases the kernel from the device vendor is needed.[2]

The maintainer of the stable branch Greg Kroah-Hartman has applied the term "Linux-like" to downstream kernel forks by vendors that add millions of lines of code to the mainline kernel.[3] In 2019, Google stated that they wanted to use the mainline Linux kernel in Android so the number of kernel forks would be reduced.[4]

Mainlining refers to the effort of adding support for a device to the mainline kernel,[5] while there was formerly only support in a fork or no support at all. This usually includes adding drivers or device tree files. When this is finished, the feature or security fix is considered mainlined.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ Billimoria, Kaiwan N. (2021). Linux Kernel Programming A Comprehensive Guide to Kernel Internals, Writing Kernel Modules, and Kernel Synchronization. Birmingham: Packt Publishing, Limited. p. 55. ISBN 978-1-78995-592-7. OCLC 1240585605.
  2. ^ Vaduva, Alexandru (2016). Linux : embedded development : leverage the power of Linux to develop captivating and powerful embedded Linux projects : a course in three modules. Alex Gonzalez, Chris Simmonds. Birmingham, UK. p. 663. ISBN 978-1-78712-445-5. OCLC 960471438.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ "What to do about CVE numbers [LWN.net]". lwn.net. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  4. ^ Amadeo, Ron (2019-11-20). "Google outlines plans for mainline Linux kernel support in Android". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2021-03-31.
  5. ^ Yaghmour, Karim (2011). Embedded Android. Sebastopol, CA: O'Reilly Media. p. 44. ISBN 978-1-4493-2798-9. OCLC 812180000.
  6. ^ "SoC (System on a Chip)". OpenWrt Wiki. 2014-11-06. Retrieved 2021-03-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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