How many Linux kernel developers does it take for the project to stall? (www.scannedinavian.com)
from vk6flab@lemmy.radio to linux@lemmy.ml on 12 Nov 10:50
https://lemmy.radio/post/5022804

This is a sobering post that revisits the notion that given a project, how many developers have to be hit by a bus before it stalls.

According to the methodology explained in the article, in 2015 it took 57 developers for the Linux kernel to fail, now it appears that it takes 8.

That’s not good.

#linux

threaded - newest

bismuthbob@sopuli.xyz on 12 Nov 15:02 next collapse

If the lessons that I’ve learned about lightbulb replacement are applicable, then the nationality of the developers on the bus will impact the answer to your question.

eldavi@lemmy.ml on 12 Nov 16:10 next collapse

the years as a system admin taught me that you can identify the influential contributors because they were the only people whose accounts were not immediately shut off when the management identified a bus factor.

and now i have a name for the phenomena; thank you.

ikidd@lemmy.world on 12 Nov 16:57 next collapse

I always thought the more developers you added the higher the likelihood of stalling.

davad@lemmy.world on 12 Nov 17:06 collapse

Two different concepts.

You’re talking about work slowing because of increased overhead from more people needing to communicate and make decisions.

The OP is talking about the"bus factor". How many people can leave the project unexpectedly and still have the project survive. E.g. if only one person has access to merge changes, the bus factor is 1 regardless of how many people actively contribute.

warmaster@lemmy.world on 13 Nov 13:30 collapse

What will happen when Linus dies ?

notprogrammer@programming.dev on 13 Nov 18:17 collapse

I guess there’s only one way to find out.

jxk@sh.itjust.works on 14 Nov 16:19 collapse

But please take a snapshot of the planet first