The first modular release of the X Window system [LWN.net]

X11R7.1, the "First Modular Source Code Roll-up Release of the X Window System", has been announced by the X.Org Foundation. [X.Org]

The Modular concept of X11R7 is explained:

All X11R7.0 derivative ("modularized") releases divide the source code into logically distinct modules, separately developed, built, and maintained by the community of X.Org developers. This concentrates and accelerates development time, supporting continuous modification, testing, and publication of each module.The new modular format offers focused development, and rapid and independent updates and distribution of tested modular components as they are ready, freed from the biennial maintenance release timetable. These changes in source code management, giving openness and transparency to the source code base and employing current technology, invite a new generation of developers to contribute, building on the long tradition of the X Window System.

The X11R7.1 release notes detail the recent changes to the new release, they include:

Improvements to the new EXA acceleration architecture.
Integration of the kdrive DDX system for low memory footprint embedded X servers.
Accelerated indirect GLX clients with support for hardware acceleration.
A new GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap extension for improving OpenGL rendering.
Improvements to screensaver blocking functions.
Early support for redirecting video to off-screen surfaces.
Operating system support enhancements for Linux and other platforms.
Improvements to the keyboard mappings, support for the new xkeyboard-config project.
Support for the XVideo Extension (Xv), allowing improved YUV color support.
The addition of Anti-Aliased text support to some core X11 applications.
Numerous video driver enhancements.
Bug fixes and other improvements.

The Overview of X11R7.1 document gives a general view of the operation of X11R7. It also mentions the complete rewrite of the Xinerama extension, which is an improved system for managing multiple physical screens. Numerous changes to the text font system are covered as well.

Major releases of X11 are scheduled for six month intervals. X11R7.2 should come out "around November" of 2006. The detailed release schedule mentions the target dates for the upcoming X11R7.2 release candidates.

The changes for X11R7.2 document lists what is to come in the next release. Planned changes include support for new platforms, the addition of new run-time configurable variables, changes to the loader mechanism, expansion of the Xinerama extension, deprecation of unused features, general code cleanup and bug fixes.

Congratulations go to the X.Org team for keeping this complicated and critical piece of software up to date with the evolving hardware and software needs.

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