4 ms·

I wonder how much of linux and *BSD is in the windows kernel.

by sylware 6mo ago

galangalalgol 6mo ago
Is there really likely to be any? The design is very different isn't it? Ghidra with llm plugins is likely at a place a determined person could find out.
- sylware 6mo ago
  Do you really think with that massive amount of open code, some would not be injected in windows kernel (or even .net with mono, or even windows userland with wine)? It is easier to hide it: it is closed source, and they are probably using the same hiding tricks than those used to hide coding AI generated code (usually some level of refactoring to adapt to windows data structures).
  - streetfighter64 6mo ago
    Seems like way more effort reading the linux code, copying and adapting it to windows, and actively "hiding" it, than just writing code that fits your situation from the get go. In my experience, reading and understanding code takes a lot more time than writing from scratch, so I don't really see what windows developers (assuming they are somewhat competent coders, this assumption may not hold after around 2010 or so) would have to gain by coping from linux.
    - 21asdffdsa12 6mo ago
      If you write from scratch, you reintroduce "solve" problems. Which it is why its https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/04/06/things-you-should-never-do-part-i/ https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/04/06/things-you-should-...
      - sylware 6mo ago
        Yep, that's why in many cases it is better to refactor already tested and debugged code. Additionnally, the size of the code base increases the difficulty to spot 'obviously' refactored code from open source projects. There is a code complexity thresold. Coding AIs could help? The only protection would be the honnesty of microsoft coders... wait, did I say "honnesty" and "microsoft coders" in the same sentence?
sidewndr46 6mo ago
judging from the attribution notices, windows contains a non trivial amount of BSD
- sylware 6mo ago
  That's why decades ago, devs did prefer GNU [L]GPL protected code, and why their was a "corporate" pressure for MIT and BSD license code. Don't be a fool.

I wonder how much of linux and *BSD is in the windows kernel.

by sylware 6mo ago

I wonder how much of linux and *BSD is in the windows kernel.

Is there really likely to be any? The design is very different isn't it? Ghidra with llm plugins is likely at a place a determined person could find out.

sylware 6mo ago
Do you really think with that massive amount of open code, some would not be injected in windows kernel (or even .net with mono, or even windows userland with wine)? It is easier to hide it: it is closed source, and they are probably using the same hiding tricks than those used to hide coding AI generated code (usually some level of refactoring to adapt to windows data structures).
- streetfighter64 6mo ago
  Seems like way more effort reading the linux code, copying and adapting it to windows, and actively "hiding" it, than just writing code that fits your situation from the get go. In my experience, reading and understanding code takes a lot more time than writing from scratch, so I don't really see what windows developers (assuming they are somewhat competent coders, this assumption may not hold after around 2010 or so) would have to gain by coping from linux.
  - 21asdffdsa12 6mo ago
    If you write from scratch, you reintroduce "solve" problems. Which it is why its https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/04/06/things-you-should-never-do-part-i/ https://www.joelonsoftware.com/2000/04/06/things-you-should-...
    - sylware 6mo ago
      Yep, that's why in many cases it is better to refactor already tested and debugged code. Additionnally, the size of the code base increases the difficulty to spot 'obviously' refactored code from open source projects. There is a code complexity thresold. Coding AIs could help? The only protection would be the honnesty of microsoft coders... wait, did I say "honnesty" and "microsoft coders" in the same sentence?

sidewndr46 6mo ago

judging from the attribution notices, windows contains a non trivial amount of BSD

sylware 6mo ago
That's why decades ago, devs did prefer GNU [L]GPL protected code, and why their was a "corporate" pressure for MIT and BSD license code. Don't be a fool.