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About this quote

What does it mean?
Torvalds states that raw devices are not included in Linux because he considers the concept flawed.
In plain terms
Raw devices are excluded from Linux due to poor design rationale.
What can you take from it?
Feature decisions stem from technical philosophy.

Where it applies

  • kernel development
  • storage management

Putting it to work

  • review design choices
  • understand linux storage

Questions to consider

  • When are raw devices necessary?
  • Is abstraction always better?

Another view

Some use cases still require raw device access.

More from Linus Torvalds

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