How is the direction to be taken for kernel development decided? Is Linus something like the CEO of the Linux Foundation?
Linux Foundation has a research division who do research on several things.
There are also other factors too that decide the direction, but usually there is lots of discussion and testing first. When Rust came out Linux tried and said it is not ready yet because he found several drawbacks, I speculate he did the same, some practical tests, then more research, discussions and now he adopts new standards.
Why not just jump to C++ while they’re at it? Sure a freestanding implementation lacks most of the advanced features but it would still be quite a bit more pleasant experience.
Im not sure whether this is irony… But in case it Is not, you should definitely search for the comments Torvalds had on C++ for the kernel… Because they are very good (although of course a bit rant-y).
Linux is a statement that we can own technology.
Modern C is basically an oxymoron at this point.
