The Linux Kernel's Fuzzy Future (InformationWeek) [LWN.net]

The Linux Kernel's Fuzzy Future (InformationWeek)

Posted Dec 6, 2004 20:21 UTC (Mon) by Max.Hyre (subscriber, #1054)
Parent article: The Linux Kernel's Fuzzy Future (InformationWeek)

[Copy of reply I posted on their site.]

Dear Mr. Foley:

I'm a bit puzzled by your article. When Microsoft supplies a ``roadmap'', it sounds like you're getting a chart of an area with all the possible paths laid out for you to choose. In actuality, so far as I can see, such a roadmap is more a travelogue describing the only way you can go. Yes, it's nice to plan for what MS will offer next, but there's not a lot of choice involved, especially if what you need is missing.

Linux, on the other hand, has no roadmap because its advances are unplanned---they occur as people improve on extant capabilities, and others add what they need. Who could have planned IBM's addition of JFS, or NUMA, or RCU three years before each was released? That early, it was unclear whether IBM even planned to play nicely.

Under Linux, on the other hand, useful additions are rapid. If the current kernel meets your specifications, why care about a roadmap? If it doesn't, check whether anyone's working on the required function. If so, send resources. If not, hire a kernel hacker or two and add it now, not when a roadmap shows it's planned for. If the mod is accepted into the mainline kernel, you're in clover. Even if it isn't, you've still got the kernel you need, and if it's writeable as a module, it won't be too hard to keep it current with newer kernel releases.

So, what would a roadmap (assuming anyone could define and enforce one) do for you? It's another unnecessary evil that has been eliminated from Linux.

Best wishes,
Max Hyre

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