Re: Why not make Linux source modular?

Nicolai P Guba (nicolai@bigbro.demon.co.uk)
Wed, 28 Feb 1996 23:19:30 GMT


>>>>> "Doug" == Doug Paul <dbp@pluto.dragonsys.com> writes:

>> : OK, this is sort of a continuation of the Linus overworked thread. It's
>> also : probably been discussed before, so feel free to flame me if I'm
>> being a : complete idiot. :-) : : My point is this: Why is Linux kernel
>> source distributed as one big lump?
>>
>> Generally, there are lots of dependencies between the driver versions and
>> the kernel itself. If you were to break them out, you would have lots of
>> problems with people trying to not grab the latest stuff, just upgrading
>> the drivers, etc. The kerenel needs to be distributed as a definite
>> version. There are enough problems with userland programs breaking when
>> the kernel changes something. I don't think you want to make that worse by
>> making it possible for drivers to have the same problems.

Doug> I would also vote for one big lump. There is far less opportunity for
Doug> problems due to mixed versions or missing pieces.

I'll second that

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