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Remember when I said that odd kernel version numbers seem to represent the beta kernels...well seem I was right:

For the beginner, probably the most important thing about the kernel that you need to remember is that odd-numbered kernel versions (in other words, 2.3, 2.5, 2.7) are the experimental, development kernel. Stable, release kernels carry even numbers (in other words, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8).

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Remember when I said that odd kernel version numbers seem to represent the beta kernels...well seem I was right:

Well now isn't this late breaking </sarcasm>

First off they're not "beta kernels" They are development kernels. This doesn't make them beta.

At any given time, there are several "stable" versions of Linux, and one "development" version. Unlike most proprietary software, older stable versions continue to be supported for as long as there is interest, which is why multiple versions exist.

Linux version numbers follow a longstanding tradition. Each version has three numbers, i.e., X.Y.Z. The "X" is only incremented when a really significant change happens, one that makes software written for one version no longer operate correctly on the other. This happens very rarely -- in Linux's history it has happened exactly once.

The "Y" tells you which development "series" you are in. A stable kernel will always have an even number in this position, while a development kernel will always have an odd number.

The "Z" specifies which exact version of the kernel you have, and it is incremented on every release.

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Well now isn't this late breaking </sarcasm>

First off they're not "beta kernels" They are development kernels. This doesn't make them beta.

At any given time, there are several "stable" versions of Linux, and one "development" version. Unlike most proprietary software, older stable versions continue to be supported for as long as there is interest, which is why multiple versions exist.

Linux version numbers follow a longstanding tradition. Each version has three numbers, i.e., X.Y.Z. The "X" is only incremented when a really significant change happens, one that makes software written for one version no longer operate correctly on the other. This happens very rarely -- in Linux's history it has happened exactly once.

The "Y" tells you which development "series" you are in. A stable kernel will always have an even number in this position, while a development kernel will always have an odd number.

The "Z" specifies which exact version of the kernel you have, and it is incremented on every release.

Did you copy and paste some of that, because I'm pretty sure I've seen it elsewhere.

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Probably due to the fact that the information has been around for quite some time and posted on numerous sites such as:

torvalds homepage at www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/torvalds

cs.helsinki.fi/linux/linux-kernel

kernel.org

and many more

yes it was easier to paste it though

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