It’s not really a big deal, but I am currently writing this using a linux kernel I compiled from source, which certainly feels like an accomplishment. The Arch Wiki has made the process fairly easy to follow. I just took the stock Arch Linux configuration without changes for now.
The most important part of this is of course that I have the option to do that, to take the source code of this incredible project and build my own kernel binary.
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I often did this for years, using -march=corei7 and -mtune=skylake or whatever was the best option for my cpu, patching with brainfuck scheduler, etc.
Now I don’t care really 😑
It’s always cool to tinker with kernel and config, congrats 🎉
As a student I wasted so much time mucking around with flags and settings in Gentoo. It definitely wasn’t pointless since I learned so much, but I didn’t need to sit there and watch it compile as much as I did.
It was pleasing to watch though, just like defrag in Windows.
How long did it take to compile?
I didn’t really keep track, but I would estimate around 10-15 minutes on a Ryzen 5800X.
I compiled my first Linux kernel back in the mid 90s, mostly on 386 and Dec Alpha hardware, interesting enough both were not that much slower than what you mentioned, I think the alpha (a measly 21066) took about 40 minutes. If you had asked me back then, I’d probably have imagined a minute or two, 30 years later. Guess it says something about how much larger the Linux kernel has become.
you win one on these
https://www.jeffgeerling.com/sites/default/files/images/800.jpgIt’s not the compiling that kernel is hard - ironically, it’s one of the easiest things in the whole ecosystem to compile, got great tooling. It’s breaking down the mental barrier of something that you thought would be hard, but turns out to be completely within your grasp. Great work, keep it up, and never be afraid to keep pushing onwards.
Yes, that was my experience as well. And of course there is the added tension that if you mess up somehow your system might become unbootable.
I didn’t dare try to recompile it myself until I saw someone do it in a Youtube video. Changing the config is literally an interactive menu with labelled options and buttons. And your distro almost certainly includes a copy of the settings it uses, so you can just change a few values and keep everything else the same.
This is the best part of free/libre/open-source software. Even if you would never want or need to compile software yourself, the fact that you have the option to do so, and the opportunity to learn how the software works, is what makes FLOSS superior to proprietary software IMO.
I just compiled Handbrake from source a few minutes ago, and I know how you feel. Best of luck in your future code-compiling endeavors.
Congratulations on being awesome. Keep that shit up.
Congrats!
Nice! I also compiled the kernel multiple times when I used Gentoo back in mid 00’s. It may not be a big deal as such, but I feel kind of good being able to say I’ve done it.
Next challenge: write your own kernel.
Nice! After the first time you get the hang of it but keep in mind, If you do make your own config you will have to recompile your kernel for any hardware that isn’t automatically enabled in the config like graphics, touchpad, tablets, and other peripherals you will plug into your computer. Reading up on what hardware you have helps a lot but I still manage to forget something when I have to create my own config. Thankfully you can just transfer your config to the next kernel instead of creating it all over again.
Nice job! Now you begin the journey of refining and perfecting your kernel config over time, to suit you. A new world awaits.
I feel like compiling your own kernel officially makes you not a normie. So… Welcome to the club!
Hey, I did compile my kernel so I’m part of the club!
But now that I think about it, the last time was 20 years ago and it’s because it was the only way to get my sound card and network card working…
Now this is what gives a man the feeling of power.
Can I ask what are your pc specs , and how long did it take? + do you have a degree in computer science or prior knowledge of compiling code?
It took roughly 10-15 minutes on a Ryzen 5800X with 32GB RAM. I have compiled other programs before, but none nearly as large and notable as the kernel. I am in fact very close to getting a computer science degree, but that is in no way required to be able to do this. If you are able to follow the wiki-page I linked, you can do it too.
I used to do this with Gentoo, and it was always a blast! Glad that you’re having fun “rolling your own!”
Maybe it’s not a big deal… But I still remember the first time I compiled the Linux kernel. It feels good. Well done!!
