Why does Linux run so well on ARM - eviltoast

I’ve seen people talking about it and experienced it myself with a server, but why does Linux run so well on ARM (especially compared to Windows)?

  • jabjoe@feddit.ukEnglish
    4·
    1 year ago

    DeviceTree is a massive improvement compared to no discoverablity AND no DeviceTree. Each device was a custom kernel build, duplicate drivers and other code. It was madness. Linus lost his shit with the ARM kernel devs saying it has to be sorted. DeviceTree was the solution.

    In the end, ARM will have discoverablity. Buses like I2C and SPI will have some standard to discover what the hell is on them. But today it’s chaos and DeviceTree is the only source or order.

    • Bene7rddso@feddit.de
      1·
      1 year ago

      You still need a way to know which memory addresses your I²C or SPI interface has. While DeviceTree is better than nothing, it’s way worse than the “It just works” of ACPI

      • jabjoe@feddit.ukEnglish
        4·
        1 year ago

        Completely agree that discoverablity is better. But that needs hardware. It’s crazy this isn’t solved. It means ARM devices are basically made to be e-waste. Make phones and other ARM devices like PCs. Google could mandate that hardware must be discoverable and be able to run a generic stock, to carry the Android brand.