Skip to content
quotesby

About this quote

What does it mean?
Torvalds jokes about the Linux kernel being perfect if it fails due to user misconfiguration.
In plain terms
If the kernel misbehaves, the fault likely lies with the user's setup.
What can you take from it?
System failures often trace back to configuration errors.

Where it applies

  • server maintenance
  • debugging

Putting it to work

  • check configurations
  • verify setups

Questions to consider

  • How do you verify system stability?
  • Where does responsibility lie?

Another view

Software bugs can still exist independent of config.

More from Linus Torvalds

  1. Given enough eyeballs, all bugs are shallow.

    Permalink to quote #55
  2. So the whole 'We have a list and we're not telling you' should tell you something. Don't you think that if Microsoft actually had some really foolproof patent,…

    Permalink to quote #57
  3. I'm basically a very lazy person who likes to get credit for things other people actually do.

    Permalink to quote #54

Related quotes

  1. The main reason there are no raw devices [in Linux] is that I personally think that raw devices are a stupid idea.

    Linus TorvaldsLinus Torvalds quote #11
  2. 2.6.<odd>: still a stable kernel, but accept bigger changes leading up to it (timeframe: a month or two). 2.<odd>.x: aim for big changes that may destabilize t…

    Linus TorvaldsLinus Torvalds quote #35
  3. The bullet is a fool, the bayonet is a fine chap.

    Alexander SuvorovAlexander Suvorov quote #2