In addition to Linux 6.10 expected to drop support for very old DEC Alpha processors (EV5 and earlier), it looks like the PowerPC 40x (early PowerPC 400 series) processor and platform support will be retired too.
Back in 2020 was a proposal for dropping PowerPC 40x support from the Linux kernel given that the code was orphaned for a long time with no apparent users. The PowerPC 40x processors were found in thin clients, set-top boxes, and other devices during the 90’s. Finally now it looks like that the PowerPC 40x removal is set to happen.
↫ Michael Larabel
Spring cleaning in the hardware support department. I wonder what has more users – Windows on ARM, or Linux on PowerPC 40x.
Will we live long enough to see the day x86 is dropped from the Linux Kernel??
martini,
I assume you mean 16/32bit? Many distros have done so already. Obviously there was news about intel dropping legacy modes from hardware…
https://www.theregister.com/2023/05/25/intel_proposes_dropping_16_bit_mode/
Current hardware is going to be around for a long time, but say 50 years from now will there be still be interest in actively maintaining it? I’m sure a lot of people will still want it to work for sentimental reasons, but practically I’d be surprised if there’s much value.
As for x86-64, something major would have to happen for it to be significantly displaced. It may just morph into something else with new AI extensions but not disappearing altogether.
The 386 was dropped a few years back..
Minimum is now 486, but it’s likely to stick around quite some time for embedded use.
Why?