What's a kernel?
Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 11:57 pmOk I already have a cfw.. but i always see someone saying some stuff about kernel.. what is it anyway? what are its functions? do i need it?
Seriously though... search my friend.
dictionary.com wrote:kernel
(Note: NOT "kernal").
1. The essential part of Unix or other operating systems, responsible for resource allocation, low-level hardware interfaces, security etc. See also microkernel.
2. An essential subset of a programming language, in terms of which other constructs are (or could be) defined. Also known as a core language.
Wikipedia wrote:In computer science, the kernel is the central component of most computer operating systems (OS). Its responsibilities include managing the system's resources (the communication between hardware and software components).[1] As a basic component of an operating system, a kernel provides the lowest-level abstraction layer for the resources (especially memory, processors and I/O devices) that application software must control to perform its function. It typically makes these facilities available to application processes through inter-process communication mechanisms and system calls.
In short from wikipedia...
Wikipedia wrote:A kernel connects the application software to the hardware of a computer.
As you can probably guess as time goes on Sony updates the kernel. 1.50 kernel is the basis of homebrew pretty much. Almost everything is written to be run using it.