A Time Series Analysis of Assertions in the Linux Kernel

TL;DR

This paper empirically examines the evolution of assertion usage in the Linux kernel over multiple releases, revealing trends in the types of assertions used and their impact on kernel stability.

Contribution

It provides the first longitudinal analysis of assertion use in the Linux kernel, highlighting shifts from panic-causing assertions to warning-based assertions.

Findings

Use of panic-causing assertions has slightly decreased.

Use of warning-based assertions has increased.

Assertions continue to be a significant aspect of kernel development.

Abstract

Assertions are a classical and typical software development technique. These are extensively used also in operating systems and their kernels, including the Linux kernel. The paper fills a gap in existing knowledge by empirically examining the longitudinal evolution of assertion use in the Linux kernel. According to the results, the use of assertions that cause a kernel panic has slightly but not substantially decreased from the kernel's third to the sixth release series. At the same time, the use of softer assertion variants has increased; these do not cause a panic by default but instead produce warnings. With these time series results, the paper contributes to the existing but limited empirical knowledge base about operating system kernels and their long-term evolution.