Linus Renames 2.6.40 Kernel To Linux 3.0, Announces Release Candidate 378
An anonymous reader writes "Linus just released the first -rc of the next kernel series, but rather than continuing development as the Linux 2.6.40 kernel, he has renamed it to be the Linux 3.0 kernel." And he's tacked on a second dot and another zero (3.0.0), at least for now, because many scripts expect and rely on a three-part kernel version.
Version numbers? We can increment them! (Score:5, Informative)
I like his 3.0 commit message [kernel.org]
"Version numbers? We can increment them!"
Thankfully, Linus hasn't rewritten the kernel in VB [lkml.org].
Also this version has codename "Sneaky Weasel"
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
-VERSION = 2
-PATCHLEVEL = 6
-SUBLEVEL = 39
-EXTRAVERSION =
-NAME = Flesh-Eating Bats with Fangs
+VERSION = 3
+PATCHLEVEL = 0
+SUBLEVEL = 0
+EXTRAVERSION = -rc1
+NAME = Sneaky Weasel
When new numbers meant new features (Score:2, Informative)
When Linux 2.0 release june, 9 1996 was the first stable complete workable versatile version.
As of January, 25 1999 Linux 2.2, many new distro was available to average user.
January, 4 2001 Linux 2.4 introduced many device changes. There are still so much embeded devices running the 2.4 kernel.
Decembre, 17 2003 Linux 2.6 stabilized and enhanced changes from 2.4, introduced the fully able IPv6 stack.
Now the 3.0 Linux branch is just plain about shiny numbering.
Re:Really? That's important ? (Score:5, Informative)
He is Finnish, but his first language is Swedish.
(PS. This is why you should not choose the language for your web site based on a geographical lookup of the IP address.)
I for one welcome the bump in ver # (Score:4, Informative)
IMHO it should have been done back with 2.6.19 or no later than 2.6.25. Better late than never though.
Re:When new numbers meant new features (Score:5, Informative)
Oh really...
What about removal of the big kernel lock?
What about plug-in resource schedulers?
What about fast ip locking?
What about kernel video mode switching?
What about systemtap?
What about cgroups?
And much more...
When taken in combination, the growth of the Linux kernel since 2003 definitely warrants a major jump.
The issue is whether it should be 2.8 or 3.0. I would side with 3.0.
Because Linux is now ready for serious MP, both on a local and a cluster level. And these features are not "backwards portable".