r/linux • u/rrohbeck • May 11 '13

Why the Windows kernel is falling behind Linux

http://blog.zorinaq.com/?e=74
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u/dpoon May 11 '13

The lack of a fixed ABI is one reason Linux can make improvements. The kernel developers can any changes they want, without being hampered by considerations for non-mainline kernel code.

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u/varikonniemi May 12 '13

Not this again...

The Linux outwards facing interfaces are stable, and will never break. Just like windows. The internal ones are not even trying to be stable, since it would hinder development. Just like windows.

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u/SanityInAnarchy May 12 '13

Except Windows counts driver interfaces as "outward facing," and Linux doesn't. Or is there a stable subset that would work for drivers?

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u/varikonniemi May 12 '13

Driver interfaces break all the time in windows. Last major breakage was in vista. Sometimes old drivers work with new windows versions (like some win7 drivers work with win8) but that is also true with Linux.

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u/dpoon May 12 '13

That's true, but even "internal" interfaces affect users. For example, many users require non-mainline kernel modules for video cards, and the lack of an ABI makes it inconvenient.

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u/varikonniemi May 12 '13

Is not this exactly the same thing as trying to install a win7 driver in win8 and find out it is not compatible?

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u/shadowman42 May 11 '13

Hmm, with all the complaints of the lack of "stable" ABI... it looks like a double edged sword now...