Re:Microsoft's Linux Kernel
by vbezhenar on Saturday June 29, 2019 @02:10AM
(#20311041)
Installing Linux in VirtualBox is not hard. If anything, it's extremely easy. Microsoft does not bring anything substantial, you could use Linux in VirtualBox since forever and they just bundle it in their OS. Windows just getting worse and worse. I was amazed when they decided to develop Linux syscall layer, but now it's just extremely lazy approach. Hey, guys, we don't have enough money to build proper Linux layer, let's just ship VirtualBox with Windows. LoL. I just don't understand all that hype. There's nothing innovative with their approach.
[ Parent
| on HN ]
Re:Microsoft's Linux Kernel
by ComodoHacker on Saturday June 29, 2019 @02:48AM
(#20311157)
>Microsoft does not bring anything substantial
Microsoft brings integration not possible in VM. You can actually make Linux tools part of your complex heterogeneous workflow.
Can you tell me more or provide a link where I can read about it? I know that WSL1 indeed provided that level of integration, when you can launch Linux binary from Windows program or vice versa, because they are actually executing on the same Windows kernel, when files are actually on the same NTFS file system. That is truly amazing integration.
How is their WSL2 integration is different from something like shared folders?
From what I've heard the change from the layer approach to the virtual linux was mostly related to file system performance. Does it have to be innovative if it offers better integration than VirtualBox? Or is it reasonable that they use well-known and working tech?
Also, while I think it is useful. I imagine much of the hype here is also from the weirdness of it all. Would you agree that it is noteworthy that Microsoft is publishing a Linux-kernel for Windows? It think it is.
If there's not enough file system performance, they should improve their file system layer. It'll benefit all Windows applications as a side-effect. Believe it or not, but people actually use Git with Windows :) If Linux is able to pull much better file system performance, I don't believe that it's just impossible for Windows to achieve similar levels.
I think that Microsoft sent many patches to Linux kernel before. It might look weird, but it's nothing really new. Their Azure business uses Linux.
Re:Microsoft's Linux Kernel
by emptyparadise on Saturday June 29, 2019 @02:31AM
(#20311098)
Somebody link that one Dropbox comment.