How Linux Works

Getting the Source Code

Linux kernel versions have three components. Suppose you have kernel release 2.6.3. Here's what the numbers mean:

• 2 is the major release number.

• 6 is the minor release number.

• 3 is the patchlevel. Kernels with the same major and minor numbers but with different patchlevels belong to a release series.

There are two different kinds of kernel releases:

• Production releases have minor version numbers that are even (for example, 1.2.x, 2.0.x, 2.2.x, 2.4.x, 2.6.x, and so on). These versions are meant to be as stable as possible. Within a single production release series, there are no radical feature or interface changes.

• Development releases have minor version numbers that are odd (such as 2.5.). Don't use a developer release if you ...