Linux Kernel version history

Now many of us are familiar with the version number system of the Linux kernel, but Andries Brouwer reminds us how it is actually irregular.

The first public version of Linux is October 1991 in 0.02. Two months later, in December 1991, Linus released version 0.11, the first independent kernel that can be used without relying on Minix.

One month after the release of version 0.12, the version number jumped to version March on April 9, 0.95, reflecting that the system is becoming mature. Not only that, but two years later, that is, March 1994, the milestone 1.0.0 was completed.

Start to use the two "path" numbering method to mark the development of the kernel. The kernel with an even number (such as 1.0, 2.2, 2.4, and 2.6) is stable and the "product" model. At the same time, kernel versions (1.1 and 2.3) with odd numbers are cutting-edge or "developing" kernels. Recently, a stable kernel was released and the development of the new kernel began in a few months. However, 2.5 of development work is after 2.4TenIt starts after a month.

So when can we expect 2.7? This is not easy to say, but there is a thread to be discussed in KernelTrap.

Before that, you can read the Ragib Hasan article to learn more about Linux history.