The Linux kernel mailing list (LKML) is the main

electronic mailing list A mailing list is a collection of names and addresses used by an individual or an organization to send material to multiple recipients. Mailing lists are often rented or sold. If rented, the renter agrees to use the mailing list only at contra ...

for

Linux kernel The Linux kernel is a Free and open-source software, free and open source Unix-like kernel (operating system), kernel that is used in many computer systems worldwide. The kernel was created by Linus Torvalds in 1991 and was soon adopted as the k ...

development, where the majority of the announcements, discussions, debates, and flame wars over the kernel take place. Many other mailing lists exist to discuss the different subsystems and ports of the Linux kernel, but LKML is the principal communication channel among Linux kernel developers. It is a very high-volume list, usually receiving about 1,000 messages each day, most of which are kernel code patches. Linux utilizes a workflow governed by LKML, which is the "

bazaar A bazaar or souk is a marketplace consisting of multiple small Market stall, stalls or shops, especially in the Middle East, the Balkans, Central Asia, North Africa and South Asia. They are traditionally located in vaulted or covered streets th ...

" where kernel development takes place. In his book ''Linux Kernel Development'', Robert Love notes: The LKML functions as the central place where Linux developers around the world share patches, argue about implementation details, and discuss other issues. The official releases of the Linux kernel are indicated by an email to LKML. New features are discussed and most code is posted to the list before any action is taken. It is also the official place for reporting bugs in the Linux kernel, in case one cannot find the maintainer to whom the bug should be reported. Author Michelle Delio suggests that it was on LKML that Tux, the official Linux mascot, was suggested and refined, although the accuracy of her reporting in other stories has been disputed. Many companies associated with Linux kernel make announcements and proposals on LKML; for example,

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Intel Intel Corporation is an American multinational corporation and technology company headquartered in Santa Clara, California, and Delaware General Corporation Law, incorporated in Delaware. Intel designs, manufactures, and sells computer compo ...

, VMware, and

IBM International Business Machines Corporation (using the trademark IBM), nicknamed Big Blue, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational technology company headquartered in Armonk, New York, and present in over 175 countries. It is ...

. The list subscribers include all the Linux kernel maintainers as well as other known figures in Linux circles, such as Jeff V. Merkey and Eric S. Raymond. A 2000 study found that 14,535 people, from at least 30 countries, sent at least one email to LKML between 1995 and 2000 to participate in the discussion of Linux development. Authors of books such as ''The Linux Kernel Development As A Model of Open Source Knowledge Creation'' and ''Motivation of Software Developers in Open Source Projects'', and ''Recovering Device Drivers'' have made use of LKML for their research studies and surveys.

Media coverage

The LWN.net website frequently covers discussion on the LKML, and the newsletter ''Kernel Traffic'' covered the activities of the LKML until November 2005. Many internet websites include archives of the mailing list, such a
lore.kernel.org/lkmllkml.orgmail-archive.com
and marc.info.

Linus Torvalds on LKML

Linus Torvalds Linus Benedict Torvalds ( , ; born 28 December 1969) is a Finnish software engineer who is the creator and lead developer of the Linux kernel. He also created the distributed version control system Git. He was honored, along with Shinya Yam ...

is known for angrily disagreeing with other developers on the LKML. Calling himself a "really unpleasant person", he later explained "I'd like to be a nice person and curse less and encourage people to grow rather than telling them they are idiots. I'm sorryI tried, it's just not in me." His attitude, which Torvalds considers necessary for making his point clear, has drawn opposition from

programmer Sage Sharp and systemd developer Lennart Poettering, among others. In 2018 Torvalds took a break from kernel development to work on improving his behavior and instituted a

code of conduct A code of conduct is a set of rules outlining the social norm, norms, rules, and responsibilities or proper practices of an individual party or an organization. Companies' codes of conduct A company code of conduct is a set of rules which is comm ...

References

External links

Subscribe to the Linux Kernel Mailing List

LKML archive
at lore.kernel.org

at Indiana University
LKML archive
at MARC (archive)
A semi-daily LKML Summary Podcast

Official FAQ of the Linux Kernel Mailing List
(outdated)
The Linux Kernel Hub

Kernel Traffic website
{{Linux kernel Linux kernel Electronic mailing lists

Media coverage

Linus Torvalds on LKML

See also

References

External links