Summary
The article discusses the importance of not breaking userspace in the development of the Linux kernel and draws parallels to the challenges faced by Bitcoin in maintaining backwards compatibility. The author highlights the critical role of the Linux kernel in various applications and emphasizes the need for developers to ensure that changes to the kernel do not disrupt existing applications. Similarly, in the context of Bitcoin, the article argues that maintaining userspace is crucial for the success and functionality of the platform. However, the decentralized nature of Bitcoin presents challenges as users themselves can break userspace. The article concludes that instead of picking and choosing which applications’ userspace to prioritize, developers should continue adding improvements to the protocol to accommodate changes in user behavior. Violating the golden rule of not breaking userspace would undermine the distributed and neutral nature of the system.
Key Points
1. Linus Torvalds’ golden rule for development of the Linux kernel is “Don’t break userspace.” This means that developers should ensure that existing applications that interact with the kernel do not break due to changes in the kernel. This rule is crucial for maintaining backwards compatibility and allowing applications to continue functioning.
2. Linux is a widely used open source project that runs on various devices and systems. Many important applications and infrastructure rely on Linux, making it essential for developers to adhere to the golden rule and avoid breaking userspace. The world literally runs on Linux, and any breaking change in the kernel would require applications to either use older versions or modify their code to adapt to the change.
3. Bitcoin’s path to success is similar to Linux, as it aims to become a platform for financial applications and tools. Just like Linux, the golden rule of “Don’t break userspace” is applicable to Bitcoin. However, the distributed consensus nature of Bitcoin complicates the concept of breaking userspace, as both developers and users can potentially break it. Finding a solution that allows different user groups to coexist and adapt to changes without violating the golden rule is crucial for Bitcoin’s continued success and functionality.