• Kernel prepatch 7.4-rc1

    From LWN.net@86:200/23 to All on Mon Nov 2 06:40:10 2026
    The 7.4-rc1 kernel prepatch is out, and
    the merge window is closed for this development cycle.

    This is a *BIG* merge window. I think the reason is the by now
    obvious one, but I'm actually taking it as a good sign: I'm *much*
    happier with the flood of AI triggered work going into the merge
    window than it showing up mainly as extra fixes during the -rc
    period. So I'm hoping that this merge window being larger than
    usual is a sign that the AI fixes are becoming more part of the
    "normal development" than a flood of fixes that go into the whole
    stabilization phase. I think that's a much healthier model.

    There were 18,591 non-merge changesets brought in during this merge window
    - this is not just a record, but it nearly matches the patch volume during
    the entire (record-setting) 7.3 development cycle. So far, 2,678
    developers have contributed to 7.4; 625 of them are first-time kernel contributors. Subscribers can find more details in the KSDB 7.4 page.

    https://lwn.net/Articles/1104654/
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    * Origin: Palantir * palantirbbs.ddns.net * Pensacola, FL * (86:200/23)