I booted Linux 293k times in 21 hours (rwmj.wordpress.com)

Article summary

The author booted Linux 292,612 times in 21 hours to identify a bug that causes the system to hang on boot. The bug is rare, occurring about 1 in 1000 boots, and is related to the printk time feature. The author used a test harness to detect the hang and bisected the code to find the culprit. The issue has been identified and reported, but not yet fixed.

Main themes

• Linux kernel development
• bug identification and debugging
• kernel reliability and security
• programming languages and safety
• professional responsibility and security
• kernel testing and validation

What commenters say

• Rewriting the Linux kernel in a safer language like Rust would improve its reliability and security.
• Rewriting the kernel is not a feasible or practical solution due to its complexity and the amount of work required.
• The use of other languages like Ada or Zig could also provide benefits in terms of reliability and security.
• The current bug is an example of why rewriting the kernel is necessary, as it would prevent such rare but problematic issues.
• Bisecting the code to identify the bug was a time-consuming but necessary process to resolve the issue.
• The discussion around kernel development and debugging highlights the importance of testing and validation in ensuring the stability and security of the Linux kernel.
• Some commenters disagree on the best approach to kernel development, with some advocating for a more gradual and incremental approach to improvement.
• The handling of private keys and credentials is a critical aspect of professional responsibility and security, and should be treated with care and caution.