The latest version of the Linux kernel has arrived with the usual batch of hardware updates. The latest version doesn't include any major changes, but Linus Torvalds signaled an upcoming addition of code written in Rust in the next version.
No Major Changes, But "Core New Things" on the Horizon
While the version number would imply a major change in other software projects, Linus Torvalds said that it's mostly about just keeping version numbers manageable in a message to the Linux Kernel Mailing List, the main hub of kernel development.
"The major version number change is more about me running out of fingers and toes than it is about any big fundamental changes," Torvalds said.
The next version, 6.1, will have what Torvalds calls "core new things," mainly some new code written in Rust.
What's New in Version 6.0?
Despite Torvalds downplaying the significance of the major version number, there are some substantial changes for hardware support. The new version improves support for Intel Xeon Ice Lake and AMD Ryzen Ice Ripper and EPYC processors, according to Phoronix.
The kernel also now supports a number of new processors from both companies, as well as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3.
Rust Code Coming to Linux Kernel
Linus teased one of the most-anticipated changes to the kernel in its 31-year lifespan. Version 6.1 will have some code written in Rust.
Until now, kernel code has been written in C. C has been the go-to language for system programming for being high-level but still close to the hardware. Despite C's ubiquity and high performance, the requirement for programmers to manually manage the memory has led to some huge bugs, including the Heartbleed exploit that affected OpenSSH in 2014.
Rust is a compiled high-performance language that is designed for system programming but handles memory automatically. For that reason, it's generated a buzz in the development community. The inclusion of Rust could streamline Linux kernel development by reducing the time spent debugging, but the vast majority of the kernel will likely remain in C because so much of the code has been tried and tested already.
In any case, it will be some time before regular Linux users can acquire the new kernel, as distribution maintainers will have to integrate it into their systems.
Linux Kernel Marches On
The Linux kernel has long been known for its breakneck development pace. Users eager to try out the new kernel will often have no choice but to compile it themselves before distro maintainers catch up. Compiling a kernel is easy with the right knowledge, and has been a rite of passage for dedicated Linux fans.