Who Writes Linux - Insight Into Individual Linux Kernel Contributors

Posted by Vivek Gite [Last updated: April 2, 2008]

A report from the Linux Foundation details individual kernel contributions and suggests enterprise use is expanding. However there is elite group inside community. During the past three years, the top 10 individual developers have contributed nearly 15 per cent of the changes to the kernel, while the top 30 developers have submitted 30 per cent, the report states.

Al Viro, David S. Miller and Adrian Bunk authored most of the patches; Andrew Morton came in fifth. Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, is found far down on the list. Viro has contributed 1,571 changes to the kernel, which sits at the core of the Linux operating system, over the past three years.

According to Jim Zemlin, executive director at The Linux Foundation:

Never before in the history of computing have there been so many companies, users and developers united behind one project, specifically one that has seen so much commercial success.

Some interesting facts about Linux kernel

Who is Writing Linux?

Every Linux kernel is being developed by nearly 1,000 developers working for more than 100 different corporations.

Who is Sponsoring Linux?

More than 70 percent of total contributions to the kernel come from developers working at a range of companies including IBM, Intel, The Linux Foundation, MIPS Technology, MontaVista, Movial, NetApp, Novell and Red Hat.