Greg Kroah-Hartman, one of the most influential figures in the Linux community, breaks down how the Linux kernel is built and maintained in this fascinating deep dive. As one of the three Linux Kernel Foundation Fellows, alongside Linus Torvalds and Shuah Khan, Greg has been managing stable kernel releases for over 25 years. In this conversation, he explains the collaborative, open-source process that drives Linux development, the role of maintainers, and how the massive global project stays organized. He also sheds light on how updates are reviewed, security patches are handled, and why companies like Google, Facebook, and Microsoft contribute to Linux. If you've ever wondered how the most widely-used operating system in the world is kept running smoothly, this is the episode for you!

Key Points:

• What is the Linux Kernel? – The Linux kernel is the core of the operating system, facilitating communication between hardware and software.
• The Role of Kernel Maintainers – Developers submit patches, which are reviewed and merged by maintainers. Greg oversees the stable releases, ensuring updates are secure and reliable.
• The Process of Kernel Development – New kernel versions are released every 8-10 weeks, with bug fixes and improvements integrated continuously.
• Linux's Open-Source Nature – Thousands of contributors worldwide, including individuals and major tech companies, help make Linux better.
• Corporate Contributions – Companies like Google, Facebook, and even Microsoft contribute to the kernel to support their own infrastructure.
• Handling Security Patches – Identifying issues and patching vulnerabilities is a priority, with a strict review and testing process in place.
• Future of Linux – With increasing enterprise adoption and continued open-source collaboration, Linux remains at the heart of modern computing.

As Greg puts it, “If you run a phone, a server, or even a car, you’re using Linux somewhere.” Whether you're a developer or just a curious listener, this episode gives you a rare look inside the mechanics of one of the most important software projects in the world.
Link to Article