Linus Torvalds recently shared some thoughts on his future as he announced the first release candidate for Linux kernel version 7.0. He humorously confessed, “We have a new major number purely because I’m easily confused and not good with big numbers.”
Torvalds clarified that the version numbers don’t indicate major new features anymore. He explained that the upgrade is simply a sign of steady progress. “It does not mean that we’re abandoning old interfaces,” he noted.
Looking ahead, he mentioned his plan to cap kernel series at a number ending in x.19. This method allows the next version to roll into y.0, which takes roughly 3.5 years. He chuckled, “By the time we hit a number I find uncomfortable, I expect someone more competent will be in charge.”
If he sticks to this timeline, we might not see the kernel reach 19.x for another 40 years. That brings us to the year 2063, a long time from now! It raises the curious thought of where Torvalds might be then—perhaps enjoying a quiet retirement while dabbling in hobbies.
After these personal reflections, he switched back to kernel business, reporting that this release went “fairly smooth.” He appreciated that early catches of boot issues made his job easier this time.
For those interested, the upcoming kernel version includes exciting improvements, such as cementing Rust support, speeding up cache clearing, and enabling seamless kernel updates. It’s also adapted to modern features in AMD and Intel chips.
In the spirit of community, Torvalds encouraged everyone to test the new version. The open-source community thrives on participation, and feedback is vital. It’s worth noting that previous kernel updates often gather buzz on social media as developers and users share their experiences and excitement over new features.
Overall, this release not only highlights the enduring legacy of Torvalds but also the vibrant and evolving Linux community, which remains crucial in tech. For more details, you can check out this report on Phoronix.
