Many times you will have heard of linux kernel and you don’t really know what this computer tool is for or what is the difference between the kernel and said operating system. If you want to start on the paths of this open source OS, you will have to know precisely what the kernel is..
In this article we will show you What is this element for and what is the information it contains within the operating system. You will also know the most important characteristics of the Linux kernel in terms of its architecture, information language, among other qualities. In addition, you will be able to know what are all the versions that exist of the Linux kernel.
Without wasting any more time, let’s start developing this topic. We are sure that you will enjoy all the information we offer you throughout this post.
What is my Linux kernel and what is this item for?
The Linux kernel is the kernel of the operating system without which no task or function could be performed.. This is because it is in charge of coordinating and running the software and hardware of the PC. In other words, thanks to the kernel or heart of the Linux OS, the different components of a computer interact correctly.
It is used to coordinate processes and programs that are executed. It is also used so that the processor has a reasonable time in the execution of the software processes and to coordinate the software and use of the peripherals.
What kind of information is in this operating system kernel?
The Linux kernel is monolithic.where you can find functions in kernel quality, i.e. not as a user. These will serve to have access to all the data structures that are necessary, both for the software and for the hardware of the device, and thus be able to interact between different programs, or between the software and the components and peripherals. Therefore, the information to be found in the kernel is related to these functionalities.
What are the most important features of the Linux kernel?
At this point in the postyou may have already realized that Linux is not only an operating system that can run on a desktop computer, but it is also considered one of the best OS that exists for servers and more complex computer equipment. Also, it is ideal for use in software programming.
This is due, in principle, to the characteristics that the kernel presents, which we will mention below:
Architecture
Linux kernel architecture It is designed so that the kernel brings together all the functions that the OS performs., such as control of memories or peripherals within itself. If you want to change some of these functions, you must compile the kernel to produce the modification, since, if there is a bug, it will propagate throughout the OS.
Its operation is characterized by leaving auxiliary programs in memory to load and debug according to some criteria. This way in the folder “/boot” you will find files used as RAMothers intended to be used as memory before the entire OS loads completelyand those that indicate which modules and load options have to be run at boot.
Thus, you can upload and download files or modules at the same runtime, modifying kernel features on the fly. Therefore, the kernel load modules are important to maintain the proper functioning of the OS with the computer hardware, thus avoiding consuming all the memory. Therefore, another kernel feature is generated, a virtualization. It is achieved that the kernel can be replaced without having to restart the computer, but we will see this below.
virtual machine architecture
The virtual architecture simulates that the Linux kernel can execute modules as if it were a physical or real computer.. In this way, the processes that are related to the resources and abstractions that are generated are restricted by this virtual structure. So the capacity of RAM memory, hard disk, processor and other components obtain a saving of resources when they work in this way.
binary formats
The executable file format is used ELF (Executable and Linkable Format), with which you can simplify shared libraries. But Linux also allows the use of other binary formats that can be entered by the user.
Programming languages
The programming language used by Linux is the compiler variant of the project “GNU”general purpose, called “C”. Which contains modifications to the standard language. This does not mean that it is the only language used in Linux, since you can find others that are used in basic instructions or in the connection that is made in the construction of the kernel, such as Perl or Python.
Portability
Portability is the characteristic that allows operating systems to adapt to different applications of diverse destinations.. According to this, Linux offers, as one of its main advantages, being a portable operating system, since it can be adapted to an almost infinite variety of computers or computer projects.
Kernel Panic
This feature is primarily intended for kernel developers, since the OS displays a message when it detects an error that the system has and cannot be saved from. That is, the “Kernel Panic” displays information to be able to debug these errors or codes. It is also oriented to failures that can occur in the resources or computer hardware when running the kernel.
Security
“Linux Security Module” It is a philosophy of Linux and a free and open source system. Thanks to the security modules supported by the kernel, favoritism towards the implementation of any special security system and that it becomes unique. That is, the kernel supports a variety of models in computer security.
What are all the available versions of the Linux kernel and what are they for?
There are different versions of the kernel in which changes are produced to improve the OS, which are identified with a nomenclature of four numbers separated by 2 points. The first group shows what the kernel version isthe second is representing the revision that the Linux kernel has, the third group of numbers refers to the kernel revisions according to the drivers that are incorporated. And, finally, there is the fourth group of numbers which is earmarked for bug fixes.
Within the main categories of active releases that the kernel has, we can find the “Prepatch” either “RC”. Which is a pre-release of the Linux kernel that is aimed at kernel developers with an advanced level of knowledge, as it contains new features that need to be tested with use.
This is launched solely by the engineer linus torvalds. Then there are the “Main Lines”in which it is maintained directly by Torvalds. New features that were tested in the Prepatch are directly introduced. These categories are launched every two or three months, according to the needs.
Once they are tested, a new kernel category appears, called “Steady”. This is dedicated to making the corrections to the errors that a main line may have so that it can be available and stable. His launches are according to the needs, but can be one every 7 days.
Finally, there is the category of the Linux kernel to “Long term”. This is mainly focused on performing maintenance or working on fixes that are carried out on the older mainline kernels. Their job is to introduce specific bug fixes that are considered important. His releases are not very frequent. This should not be confused with the maintenance that is carried out in the different distributions that Linux has, since the kernel developers cannot provide support for these kernels.
Current versions of the Linux kernel include:
- 4: Whose release date was November 24, 2019.
- 19: Released on October 22, 2018.
- Version 4.14: From November 12, 2017.
- kernel v. 4.9: Release date December 11, 2016.
- 4: From January 10, 2016.
- 16: The oldest of all versions, as of August 3, 2014.
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