The latest stable version is typically lower than that, with kernel releases happening frequently.
Here’s how you can check or stay updated about the Linux kernel versions:
- Check the Latest Stable Kernel: You can always visit the official kernel.org website to see the current stable, mainline, and long-term support (LTS) versions of the Linux kernel.
- Kernel Naming Scheme:
- The Linux kernel uses a version numbering scheme like
6.x.y, where:6is the major version.xis the minor version.yrefers to the revision or patch level.
- The Linux kernel uses a version numbering scheme like
- Development Cycle:
- New kernels are released approximately every 2-3 months.
- Even-numbered minor versions (e.g., 6.10, 6.12) generally represent more stable releases, while odd-numbered versions were historically development branches (though this distinction has become less strict).
If you’re looking for information related to a specific kernel feature or version:
- You can check the changelog for any particular release by visiting the Linux Kernel Mailing List (LKML) or the release announcement on kernel.org.
- Alternatively, you can download and install the kernel manually to experiment with newer versions.
How to Check Your Current Kernel Version
To find out which kernel version you’re currently running, open a terminal and type:
uname -r
This will output your current kernel version, such as 6.5.0-rc1.
