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Questions tagged [kernel]

In computing, the kernel is a computer program that manages input/output requests from software, and translates them into data processing instructions for the central processing unit and other electronic components of a computer. The kernel is a fundamental part of a modern computer's operating system. This tag is for general questions regarding code that runs in the context of an operating system kernel.

This tag is for general questions regarding code that runs in the context of an operating system kernel (kernelspace, as opposed to userspace), including writing custom kernels. Questions about specific kernels should use a relevant tag (eg. , , ).

This tag is not about other uses of the word "kernel" - for example, questions about CUDA kernels should use the tag.

SOURCE

Wikipedia

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Interpreting segfault messages

What is the correct interpretation of the following segfault messages? segfault at 10 ip 00007f9bebcca90d sp 00007fffb62705f0 error 4 in libQtWebKit.so.4.5.2[7f9beb83a000+f6f000] segfault at 10 ip 00007fa44d78890d sp 00007fff43f6b720 error 4 in…
knorv
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Context switch internals

I want to learn and fill gaps in my knowledge with the help of this question. So, a user is running a thread (kernel-level) and it now calls yield (a system call I presume). The scheduler must now save the context of the current thread in the TCB…
Bruce
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Is there a way to figure out what is using a Linux kernel module?

If I load a kernel module and list the loaded modules with lsmod, I can get the "use count" of the module (number of other modules with a reference to the module). Is there a way to figure out what is using a module, though? The issue is that a…
mipadi
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What are the implications of the linux __user macro?

I was hoping someone could explain the nuances of the __user macro used in the linux kernel source. First of all, the macro: # define __user __attribute__((noderef, address_space(1))) Now, after some googling I read that this macro allows…
Mr. Shickadance
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How closely are Mac OS X and BSD related?

I read that Mac OS X and bsd are related. How closely are they related. Can Mac OS X software be tweaked and installed on BSD?
Boolean
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What does a dot before the variable name in struct mean?

looking at the linux kernel source, I found this: static struct tty_operations serial_ops = { .open = tiny_open, .close = tiny_close, .write = tiny_write, .write_room = tiny_write_room, .set_termios = tiny_set_termios, }; I've never seen…
c0de
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What is preemption / What is a preemtible kernel? What is it good for?

Explained in your own words, what is preemption and what does it mean to a (linux) kernel? What are advantages and disadvantages in having a preemptible kernel?
Markus
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Linux kernel "historical" git repository with full history

I think many developers like to investigate sources with the help of git gui blame. As explained in the commit for Linux-2.6.12-rc2 (also mirrored at Github), it needs to have special historical Linux repository for this…
ashrugger
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Is Pthread library actually a user thread solution?

The title might not be clear enough because I don't know how to define my questions actually. I understand Pthread is a thread library meeting POSIX standard (about POSIX, see wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posix). It is available in…
Mengfei Murphy
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Android Kernel Debugging

I have been experimenting with getting kgdb to work the Nexus One. I have pulled the kernel from https://android.googlesource.com and enabled everything to do with kgdb including kgdbts testing using menuconfig. Successfully built the kernel and…
metta world peace
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How is Linux kernel live debugging done and what tools are used?

What are the most common and why are uncommon methods and tools used not to do live debugging on the Linux kernel? I know that Linus, for example, is against this kind of debugging for the Linux Kernel or it least was and thus nothing much has been…
Shinnok
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Cannot boot Windows guest in VirtualBox without kernel module error

I'm running Vagrant (1.8.1) + VirtualBox (5.0.12) on Windows 7 and trying to boot up a Windows 7 image (modernIE/w7-ie8). However, I get this error: --------------------------- VirtualBox - Error In…
Anthony Mastrean
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BTF: .tmp_vmlinux.btf: pahole (pahole) is not available

Getting this error while compiling the kernel version :5.7-rc4 BTF: .tmp_vmlinux.btf: pahole (pahole) is not available Failed to generate BTF for vmlinux Try to disable CONFIG_DEBUG_INFO_BTF make: *** [Makefile:1106: vmlinux] Error 1
Sarkar_T
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Learning Kernel Programming

I want to learn lLinux Kernel programming. What would be the starting points for that? What could be some of the simpler problems to target?
Geek
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what is the use of SPL (secondary program loader)

I am confused in clearing my concepts regarding these three questions why do we need a secondary program loader ? in which memory it gets loaded and relocated ? what is the difference between system internal memory and RAM ? as far as I…
theadnangondal
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