Top Related Projects
The source for the Linux kernel used in Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2)
Quick Overview
Rust-for-Linux/linux is a project that aims to integrate Rust programming language support into the Linux kernel. It allows developers to write kernel modules and drivers in Rust, leveraging the language's safety features while maintaining performance. This project represents a significant step towards improving the security and reliability of the Linux kernel.
Pros
- Improved memory safety and reduced risk of common programming errors
- Potential for better concurrency handling in kernel code
- Attracts new developers to kernel development with a modern language
- Maintains compatibility with existing C code in the kernel
Cons
- Increased complexity in the kernel build system
- Potential performance overhead in some cases compared to C
- Learning curve for kernel developers not familiar with Rust
- Limited coverage of kernel subsystems in the initial implementation
Code Examples
Since this is not a code library but rather a modification to the Linux kernel itself, specific code examples are not applicable in the same way as they would be for a standalone library. However, here are a few conceptual examples of how Rust might be used in kernel development:
// Example of a simple kernel module in Rust
use kernel::prelude::*;
module! {
type: RustModule,
name: "rust_module",
author: "Rust Developer",
description: "A simple Rust kernel module",
license: "GPL",
}
struct RustModule;
impl kernel::Module for RustModule {
fn init(_module: &'static ThisModule) -> Result<Self> {
pr_info!("Rust module loaded\n");
Ok(RustModule)
}
}
impl Drop for RustModule {
fn drop(&mut self) {
pr_info!("Rust module unloaded\n");
}
}
This example demonstrates a basic kernel module written in Rust, showing the module declaration, initialization, and cleanup.
Getting Started
To get started with Rust in the Linux kernel:
-
Clone the Rust-for-Linux/linux repository:
git clone https://github.com/Rust-for-Linux/linux.git cd linux -
Install the required tools, including Rust and LLVM:
make rustavailable -
Configure the kernel with Rust support:
make LLVM=1 rustavailable make LLVM=1 menuconfig # Enable "Rust support" under "General setup" -
Build the kernel:
make LLVM=1 -j$(nproc) -
Install and boot into the new kernel following standard Linux kernel installation procedures.
Note that Rust support in the Linux kernel is still experimental, and the process may change as the project evolves.
Competitor Comparisons
The source for the Linux kernel used in Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2)
Pros of WSL2-Linux-Kernel
- Optimized for Windows Subsystem for Linux, providing better integration with Windows
- Smaller codebase, focused specifically on WSL2 functionality
- Faster boot times and improved performance for WSL2 users
Cons of WSL2-Linux-Kernel
- Limited scope compared to the full Linux kernel, lacking support for certain hardware and features
- Less community involvement and contributions due to its specialized nature
- May not benefit from all upstream Linux kernel improvements as quickly
Code Comparison
WSL2-Linux-Kernel:
static int wsl_init(void)
{
pr_info("Initializing WSL2 Linux Kernel\n");
return 0;
}
module_init(wsl_init);
Rust-for-Linux/linux:
use kernel::prelude::*;
module! {
type: RustModule,
name: "rust_module",
author: "Rust for Linux Contributors",
description: "Rust module example",
license: "GPL",
}
struct RustModule;
impl kernel::Module for RustModule {
fn init(_module: &'static ThisModule) -> Result<Self> {
pr_info!("Rust module initialized\n");
Ok(RustModule)
}
}
The code comparison showcases the different approaches: WSL2-Linux-Kernel uses traditional C for kernel modules, while Rust-for-Linux/linux demonstrates the integration of Rust in kernel development.
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Linux kernel
The Linux kernel is the core of any Linux operating system. It manages hardware, system resources, and provides the fundamental services for all other software.
Quick Start
- Report a bug: See Documentation/admin-guide/reporting-issues.rst
- Get the latest kernel: https://kernel.org
- Build the kernel: See Documentation/admin-guide/quickly-build-trimmed-linux.rst
- Join the community: https://lore.kernel.org/
Essential Documentation
All users should be familiar with:
- Building requirements: Documentation/process/changes.rst
- Code of Conduct: Documentation/process/code-of-conduct.rst
- License: See COPYING
Documentation can be built with make htmldocs or viewed online at: https://www.kernel.org/doc/html/latest/
Who Are You?
Find your role below:
- New Kernel Developer - Getting started with kernel development
- Academic Researcher - Studying kernel internals and architecture
- Security Expert - Hardening and vulnerability analysis
- Backport/Maintenance Engineer - Maintaining stable kernels
- System Administrator - Configuring and troubleshooting
- Maintainer - Leading subsystems and reviewing patches
- Hardware Vendor - Writing drivers for new hardware
- Distribution Maintainer - Packaging kernels for distros
For Specific Users
New Kernel Developer
Welcome! Start your kernel development journey here:
- Getting Started: Documentation/process/development-process.rst
- Your First Patch: Documentation/process/submitting-patches.rst
- Coding Style: Documentation/process/coding-style.rst
- Build System: Documentation/kbuild/index.rst
- Development Tools: Documentation/dev-tools/index.rst
- Kernel Hacking Guide: Documentation/kernel-hacking/hacking.rst
- Core APIs: Documentation/core-api/index.rst
Academic Researcher
Explore the kernel's architecture and internals:
- Researcher Guidelines: Documentation/process/researcher-guidelines.rst
- Memory Management: Documentation/mm/index.rst
- Scheduler: Documentation/scheduler/index.rst
- Networking Stack: Documentation/networking/index.rst
- Filesystems: Documentation/filesystems/index.rst
- RCU (Read-Copy Update): Documentation/RCU/index.rst
- Locking Primitives: Documentation/locking/index.rst
- Power Management: Documentation/power/index.rst
Security Expert
Security documentation and hardening guides:
- Security Documentation: Documentation/security/index.rst
- LSM Development: Documentation/security/lsm-development.rst
- Self Protection: Documentation/security/self-protection.rst
- Reporting Vulnerabilities: Documentation/process/security-bugs.rst
- CVE Procedures: Documentation/process/cve.rst
- Embargoed Hardware Issues: Documentation/process/embargoed-hardware-issues.rst
- Security Features: Documentation/userspace-api/seccomp_filter.rst
Backport/Maintenance Engineer
Maintain and stabilize kernel versions:
- Stable Kernel Rules: Documentation/process/stable-kernel-rules.rst
- Backporting Guide: Documentation/process/backporting.rst
- Applying Patches: Documentation/process/applying-patches.rst
- Subsystem Profile: Documentation/maintainer/maintainer-entry-profile.rst
- Git for Maintainers: Documentation/maintainer/configure-git.rst
System Administrator
Configure, tune, and troubleshoot Linux systems:
- Admin Guide: Documentation/admin-guide/index.rst
- Kernel Parameters: Documentation/admin-guide/kernel-parameters.rst
- Sysctl Tuning: Documentation/admin-guide/sysctl/index.rst
- Tracing/Debugging: Documentation/trace/index.rst
- Performance Security: Documentation/admin-guide/perf-security.rst
- Hardware Monitoring: Documentation/hwmon/index.rst
Maintainer
Lead kernel subsystems and manage contributions:
- Maintainer Handbook: Documentation/maintainer/index.rst
- Pull Requests: Documentation/maintainer/pull-requests.rst
- Managing Patches: Documentation/maintainer/modifying-patches.rst
- Rebasing and Merging: Documentation/maintainer/rebasing-and-merging.rst
- Development Process: Documentation/process/maintainer-handbooks.rst
- Maintainer Entry Profile: Documentation/maintainer/maintainer-entry-profile.rst
- Git Configuration: Documentation/maintainer/configure-git.rst
Hardware Vendor
Write drivers and support new hardware:
- Driver API Guide: Documentation/driver-api/index.rst
- Driver Model: Documentation/driver-api/driver-model/driver.rst
- Device Drivers: Documentation/driver-api/infrastructure.rst
- Bus Types: Documentation/driver-api/driver-model/bus.rst
- Device Tree Bindings: Documentation/devicetree/bindings/
- Power Management: Documentation/driver-api/pm/index.rst
- DMA API: Documentation/core-api/dma-api.rst
Distribution Maintainer
Package and distribute the kernel:
- Stable Kernel Rules: Documentation/process/stable-kernel-rules.rst
- ABI Documentation: Documentation/ABI/README
- Kernel Configuration: Documentation/kbuild/kconfig.rst
- Module Signing: Documentation/admin-guide/module-signing.rst
- Kernel Parameters: Documentation/admin-guide/kernel-parameters.rst
- Tainted Kernels: Documentation/admin-guide/tainted-kernels.rst
Communication and Support
- Mailing Lists: https://lore.kernel.org/
- IRC: #kernelnewbies on irc.oftc.net
- Bugzilla: https://bugzilla.kernel.org/
- MAINTAINERS file: Lists subsystem maintainers and mailing lists
- Email Clients: Documentation/process/email-clients.rst
Top Related Projects
The source for the Linux kernel used in Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL2)
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