N
NorthWest
Guest
I guess speed, efficiency and amount of source code depend in part on the size and power of the kernel one wants and of the applications. If a kernel is stripped down to only what it needs to run on particular hardware, and is configured, for example, to be free of an initramfs, it often boots quicker. But booting is so fast these days that it may not make a difference to most users who I think just use stock kernels and initramfss. It has been said that modern speedy hardware has influenced the creation of sloppy rather than efficient code because it loads so fast anyway that the coder doesn't have to be so particular. I've seen that phenomenon, but optimisation facilities in the compilers can counter a bit of that to a degree. I think it's a complex matter. The current coders of the kernel have processes and peer reviews that appear quite strict when you read about them, but there's a historical load of code that may or may not be quite as disciplined as that produced under present supervisory procedures. One needs to read it to know.the platform can be a lot faster and more efficient - if its source code was lighter.