Linux Kernel

An operating system is a complex system, made up of a large number of components, or software layers. Ideally, these components are independant from each other, so that the large complex system becomes a set of smaller and more simple components.

The kernel of an operating system is its core component ; or its bottom layer, the interface with hardware.

The Linux kernel:

• Manages hardware drivers.
• Manages the system's fundamental services: memory, filesystem, network, processes, permissions.

Version numbers:

• Stable releases: Even minor version number (2.6.x)
• Development releases: Odd minor version number (2.7.x)