What are modules - (cont'd) ?

[Mikkel L. Ellertson]

William Case wrote:
> Yes it does clear things up. Let me restate the situation.  Modules are
> separate programs that add functionality to the kernel usually on an "as
> needed" basis.  One of the kinds of functionality that they add is
> device drivers.  
> 
> Put another way, the kernel is a more-or-less fixed piece of software.
> Drivers and other functions are also more-or-less fixed pieces of
> software.  Modules permit flexibility between these two sets of fixed
> pieces of software.
> 
> I could go on but I think I've got it.  The problem in understanding is
> that sometimes writers get sloppy in distinguishing between the go
> between, the module, and some of the end pieces (the driver). 
> 
Part of the reason for writers getting sloppy is that a driver may
be a module, or built into the kernel. It is the same driver in both
cases. It is just how it is built. Most things that are modules can
also be built into the kernel instead. (Closed-source modules can
not be built in.)

Mikkel
-- 

  Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons,
for thou art crunchy and taste good with Ketchup!

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: signature.asc
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 189 bytes
Desc: OpenPGP digital signature
URL: <http://listman.redhat.com/archives/fedora-list/attachments/20070930/efa3b902/attachment-0001.sig>