[Solved] Linux Kernel Challenge : 001

Fancy your Linux Kernel Programming skills ? Take this challenge and answer these simple 5 questions related to Linux Kernel Programming.

Update : Added Solutions

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1. What is the latest mainline version of Linux Kernel [ as of 11-Aug-2014 ] ?
• • 3.16 : Ref : https://www.kernel.org/finger_banner


2. What is the file extension of a Linux Kernel module ?
• • .ko


3. Which Linux Kernel function corresponds to the insmod user function ?
• • module_init()


4. Which kernel functions would use in your kernel module to allocate and free memory ?
• • kmalloc() : to allocate memory in kernel address space
  • kfree() : to free memory in kernel address space


5. What does COW stand for w.r.t Linux Kernel ?
• • Copy On Write :
  • Its an efficient method of copying, where a resource of a page is shared without making a copy of it, until an attempt to write is made. Only then is a duplicate copy made, and all subsequent writes happen on the copy.

Linux Weekly NewsBytes : 1434

Here is a list of the latest, most happening events and news items from the Linux World. Keep reading to find out what's making the most noise around Linux this week.

2014 Linux Training Scholarship Program

• [ http://training.linuxfoundation.org/free-linux-training/linux-training-scholarship-program ]
• This Scholarship Program provided by The Linux Foundation helps to provide funds to upcoming Linux Whiz-kids, Women in Linux, Linux SysAdmins, Linux Developers and Linux Kernel Gurus. Don't lose this opportunity. Start applying now. Last date for submissions is 2-Sep-2014

KNOPPIX 7.4.0 released

• [ http://knopper.net/knoppix/knoppix740-en.html ]
• The good old Linux on CD program that I first heard of, viz., KNOPPIX has released its latest version 7.4.0 that uses Linux Kernel 3.15.6 and comes built-in with tons of softwares that can run on LXDE, KDE or GNOME desktop environments.

Exciting features merged so far in Linux Kernel 3.17

• [ http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=news_item&px=MTc1OTM ]
• Linux Kernel 3.17 release is still a few months away, but there are already a bunch of very exciting features already included in it. Some noteworthy features included are new features for Samsung Flash-Friendly File System, support for plenty of new ARM hardware, Intel Braswell audio support, and others

Oracle delivers Solaris 11.2

• [ http://ostatic.com/blog/oracle-delivers-solaris-11-2-with-openstack-integrated-sdn-features#buzz ]
• Included this news here, only because it reminded me of my earlier days of using Sun Solaris. This latest version being launched from the Oracle stable boasts of Integrated SDN features and comes built-in with OpenStack. Oracle is positioning this version as a modern Cloud platform that uses SDN technology.

Docker comes to OpenSuSE

• [ http://www.zdnet.com/docker-comes-to-opensuse-7000032355/#ftag=RSSf468ffe ]
• Containers are the next big thing. And Docker seems to be the best solution to leverage Containers on Linux. After RedHat, its OpenSUSE now that has embraced Docker. To read more about what Docker is, visit this article : http://www.zdnet.com/what-is-docker-and-why-is-it-so-darn-popular-7000032269/

Better Security with Proper Management of Open Source

• [ http://www.linux.com/news/software/applications/782953-how-to-achieve-better-security-by-proper-management-of-open-source ]
• We often find new products being released that are integrated with a lot of Open Source code. This article gives a high level overview of the various Security issues that you might face when you integrate your code with Open Source software. It also gives some guidelines on how to prevent any future problems that might arise due to this integration.

[Solved] Linux Programming Challenge : 001

Fancy your Linux Programming skills ? Take this challenge and answer these simple 5 questions related to Linux System and Linux Programming.

Update : Solutions added

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1. If getppid() returns the parent process id, what does getepid() return ?
• • Effective user id


2. Which daemon is used to update log files on a Linux system ?
• • syslogd


3. Which is the only directory [ filesystem ] on a Linux machine that does not exist on the hard disk ?
• • The proc filesystem that resides at /proc


4. Will a hardlink have an inode number different from the inode of the file it links to ? Or is this the case with a soft link ?
• • Hardlink and the file it links to use the same inode number
  • Softlink and the file it links to use different inode numbers


5. What is the default file permission of all newly created files when the umask is 0755 ?
• • 022 [ only group users and others can write to this file !!! ]

Linux Weekly NewsBytes : 1433

Here is a list of the latest, most happening events and news items from the Linux World. Keep reading to find out what's making the most noise around Linux this week.

Fedora Security Team

• [ https://lists.fedoraproject.org/pipermail/announce/2014-July/003228.html ]
• Riding on the lines of Linux Foundation [ http://www.linuxfoundation.org/news-media/announcements/2014/05/core-infrastructure-initiative-announces-new-backers ], Fedora project has formed a team of 20 developers to close security vulnerabilities. The best part is that it is an open community and you can join in as well. If nothing, you can definitely at least learn a lot about Security by being part of this team.

Valencia Linux School distro saves € 36 million

•  [ https://joinup.ec.europa.eu/community/osor/news/valencia-linux-school-distro-saves-36-million-euro ]
• This distribution called LliureX [ https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fca.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FLliureX&edit-text= ] is based on Edubuntu and is developed and provided by the Ministry of Culture, Education and Sport. Its high time that we see some initiatives like this in India. Or probably start them ourselves, instead of waiting for someone else to start ?
• Here's another article that talks about "Opening Up the world to Deserving Kids, One Linux Computer at a time" [ http://www.linuxjournal.com/content/reglue-opening-world-deserving-kids-one-linux-computer-time ]

Zorin OS 9 : Linux for Windows Users

• [ http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2014/07/zorin-os-9-linux-for-windows-users.html ]
• A very detailed and descriptive review of Zorin OS9. Makes me try it. Sounds definitely like a perfect OS for users migrating from Windows world. It has various look and feel defined as "Windows XP Look", "Windows 7 Look" and "Gnome 2" look. And all of this comes with the added security that frees you from the shackles of Antivirus updations. What more can a user ask for ?

KDE Plasma 5 released

• [ http://kde.org/announcements/plasma5.0/ ]
• Review at : [ http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/07/28/kde_plasma_5_review/ ]. It talks about how Breeze UI is greatly simplified. Also about how the lock screen how displays a clock and many other things.

LibreOffice 4.3 released

• [ http://blog.documentfoundation.org/2014/07/30/libreoffice-4-3-today-you-cant-own-a-better-office-suite/ ]
• This latest version of LibreOffice boasts of an improved spreadsheet application [ Calc ]. It calls it more intuitive now. It also boasts of 3D models !!!

LXLE 14.04 Released

• [ http://lxle.net/articles/?post=lxle-releases-1404-64bit-12044-32bit-revisited ]
• A very stale news. But, going by what this article [ http://www.linux.com/news/software/applications/780781-6-excellent-lightweight-linux-distros-for-x86-and-arm ] says about LXLE, I bet you would want to give it a shot. Many reviews suggest that the choice of default applications for this OS is perfect. They call it excellently crafted. Check it out and see if it satisfies your needs

Do you Cheat on Linux ?

• [ http://www.tecmint.com/cheat-command-line-cheat-sheet-for-linux-users/ ]
• Cheat is a wonderful application for beginners of Linux. It provides easy command line options with examples for any given Linux command !!! It not only helps you save your time, but it also comes in handy as a great learning tool.