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Is it really possible to implement the full functionality of the Linux kernel in such a way that it would be significantly smaller? Obviously, there's bloat fro

by scythe 17y ago

Is it really possible to implement the full functionality of the Linux kernel in such a way that it would be significantly smaller? Obviously, there's bloat from bad code, but would a redesign of the kernel be seriously useful, or just a waste of time? As a (possible) comparison, is NetBSD's kernel any smaller? It'd be nice to know if Linus had anything to say to that effect - it might lead to a more productive discussion than waxing lyrical about the wonders of microkernels.

davidw 17y ago
> Torvalds answered. "Acceptable and avoidable are two different things. It's unacceptable but it's also probably unavoidable." I think that's more or less where things are right now. You can't have tons of features without paying a price. They do a pretty good job of balancing things, but maybe someone will come along and improve things in the future.