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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Why does Linux run so well on ARM (ls.buckodr.ink)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I've seen people talking about it and experienced it myself with a server, but why does Linux run so well on ARM (especially compared to Windows)?

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

DeviceTree is a massive improvement compared to no discoverablity AND no DeviceTree. Each device was a custom kernel build, duplicate drivers and other code. It was madness. Linus lost his shit with the ARM kernel devs saying it has to be sorted. DeviceTree was the solution.

In the end, ARM will have discoverablity. Buses like I2C and SPI will have some standard to discover what the hell is on them. But today it's chaos and DeviceTree is the only source or order.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You still need a way to know which memory addresses your I²C or SPI interface has. While DeviceTree is better than nothing, it's way worse than the "It just works" of ACPI

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Completely agree that discoverablity is better. But that needs hardware. It's crazy this isn't solved. It means ARM devices are basically made to be e-waste. Make phones and other ARM devices like PCs. Google could mandate that hardware must be discoverable and be able to run a generic stock, to carry the Android brand.