Production vs development version numbers
I understand that even numbered versions are considered "stable" releases and odd numbers represent development versions, but there are some details I don't yet understand.
If an even version is "stable", what types of differences are there between different patch levels of an even version, for example 2.4.x and 2.4.y. Are these bug fixes, performance boosters, or functionality additions?
Also, when fixes are made to a stable version kernel, such as those added to 2.4.19 to give us 2.4.20, do those fixes get incorporated into the current development version as well?
Thanks,
Josh (a kernel newbie)
Joshua Stewart <[email protected]> said:
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If an even version is "stable", what types of differences are there between different patch levels of an even version, for example 2.4.x and 2.4.y. Are these bug fixes, performance boosters, or functionality additions?
Usually; but not always. Sometimes support for new hardware is added, and there have been cases on larger scale changes.
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Also, when fixes are made to a stable version kernel, such as those added to 2.4.19 to give us 2.4.20, do those fixes get incorporated into the current development version as well?
The two veersions usually diverge rather fast. Changes in the development version are sometimes backported to the stable version(s), sometimes fixes form the stable series find their way into the development series.
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