A technical reflection on why the Linux kernel should continue using C instead of Rust, especially for legacy hardware support and long-term maintainability.
  • soc@programming.devEnglish
    154·
    3 days ago

    Absolutely delusional.

    code that is readable, auditable, and easy to port

    Yeah C is the language that comes to everybody’s mind reading that. /s

    C’s simplicity …

    Is that simplicity currently in the room with us?

    … and widespread adoption make it the best choice for this philosophy.

    Ah, the asbestos argument.

    If people want to run the latest kernels on hardware that isn’t maintained anymore, they need to toughen up and send patches …

    … or they stick to an old kernel for their unmaintained hardware.

    Both is fine to me, but that entitled Boomer attitude of “nobody should have nice things, because that would challenge status quo” needs to die.

    • lad@programming.devEnglish
      4·
      2 days ago

      I almost agree, but I think that supporting old hardware practically forever would be a nice thing to have.

      Luckily, it doesn’t evolve anymore and given time Rust will likely have that support if it would be necessary for its role in the kernel.