Linux kernel oops
Encyclopedia
An oops is a deviation from correct behavior of the Linux kernel
which produces a certain error log. The better-known kernel panic
condition results from many kinds of oops, but others may allow continued operation with compromised reliability
. The term does not stand for anything, other than that it is a simple mistake.
When the kernel detects a problem, it prints an oops message and kill
s any offending process
. The message is used by Linux kernel engineers to debug
the condition
which created the oops and fix
the programming error which caused it.
The official Linux Kernel documentation regarding oops messages is in the file Documentation/oops-tracing.txt of the kernel sources. Some logger configurations may affect the ability to collect oops messages.
Once a system has experienced an oops, some internal resources may no longer be in service. Even if the system appears to work correctly, undesirable side effects may have resulted from the active task being killed
. A kernel oops often leads on to a kernel panic
once the system attempts to use resources which have been lost.
Kerneloops also refers to a software to collect and submit kernel oopses to the kerneloops website. Kerneloops.org provides statistics of oopses.
Linux kernel
The Linux kernel is an operating system kernel used by the Linux family of Unix-like operating systems. It is one of the most prominent examples of free and open source software....
which produces a certain error log. The better-known kernel panic
Kernel panic
A kernel panic is an action taken by an operating system upon detecting an internal fatal error from which it cannot safely recover. The term is largely specific to Unix and Unix-like systems; for Microsoft Windows operating systems the equivalent term is "Bug check" .The kernel routines that...
condition results from many kinds of oops, but others may allow continued operation with compromised reliability
Reliability engineering
Reliability engineering is an engineering field, that deals with the study, evaluation, and life-cycle management of reliability: the ability of a system or component to perform its required functions under stated conditions for a specified period of time. It is often measured as a probability of...
. The term does not stand for anything, other than that it is a simple mistake.
When the kernel detects a problem, it prints an oops message and kill
Kill (Unix)
In computing, kill is a command that is used in several popular operating systems to send signals to running processes, for example to request the termination of this process.-Unix and Unix-like:...
s any offending process
Process (computing)
In computing, a process is an instance of a computer program that is being executed. It contains the program code and its current activity. Depending on the operating system , a process may be made up of multiple threads of execution that execute instructions concurrently.A computer program is a...
. The message is used by Linux kernel engineers to debug
Debugging
Debugging is a methodical process of finding and reducing the number of bugs, or defects, in a computer program or a piece of electronic hardware, thus making it behave as expected. Debugging tends to be harder when various subsystems are tightly coupled, as changes in one may cause bugs to emerge...
the condition
Fault (technology)
In document ISO/CD 10303-226, a fault is defined as an abnormal condition or defect at the component, equipment, or sub-system level which may lead to a failure....
which created the oops and fix
Patch (computing)
A patch is a piece of software designed to fix problems with, or update a computer program or its supporting data. This includes fixing security vulnerabilities and other bugs, and improving the usability or performance...
the programming error which caused it.
The official Linux Kernel documentation regarding oops messages is in the file Documentation/oops-tracing.txt of the kernel sources. Some logger configurations may affect the ability to collect oops messages.
Once a system has experienced an oops, some internal resources may no longer be in service. Even if the system appears to work correctly, undesirable side effects may have resulted from the active task being killed
Kill (Unix)
In computing, kill is a command that is used in several popular operating systems to send signals to running processes, for example to request the termination of this process.-Unix and Unix-like:...
. A kernel oops often leads on to a kernel panic
Kernel panic
A kernel panic is an action taken by an operating system upon detecting an internal fatal error from which it cannot safely recover. The term is largely specific to Unix and Unix-like systems; for Microsoft Windows operating systems the equivalent term is "Bug check" .The kernel routines that...
once the system attempts to use resources which have been lost.
Kerneloops also refers to a software to collect and submit kernel oopses to the kerneloops website. Kerneloops.org provides statistics of oopses.
Further reading
- Linux Device Drivers, 3rd edition, Chapter 4.
- Kernel Oops Howto (the madwifi project) Useful information on configuration files and tools to help display oops messages. Also lots of other links.