Linux Kernel is the result of one of the largest cooperative
software projects ever attempted. Over 5000 individual developers from nearly 500 different companies have contributed to the kernel. The Linux kernel is the lowest level of software running on a Linux system. It is charged with
managing the hardware, running user programs, and maintaining the overall security and integrity of the whole system. It is this kernel which, after its initial release by Linus Torvalds in 1991, jumpstarted the development of Linux as a whole. The kernel is a relatively small part of the software on a full Linux system (many other large components come from the GNU project, the GNOME and KDE desktop projects, the X.org project, and many other sources), but it is the core which
determines how well the system will work and is the piece which is truly unique to Linux. Linux kernel development proceeds under a loose, time-based release model, with a new major kernel release occuring every 2–3 months.The Linux kernel is an interesting project to study for a number of reasons. It is one of the largest individual components on almost any Linux system. It also features one of the fastest-moving development processes and involves more developers than any other open source project. For more info..click here
