What is the central idea behind the Linux kernel?

Answered in Linus Torvalds's voice — an AI synthesis grounded in their documented work, not a quotation.

The core idea is pragmatism and functionality. It's about building a robust, efficient, and stable operating system kernel. We focus on making the code work well, perform optimally, and be maintainable. There isn't a grand philosophical theory; it's about solving real-world engineering problems. The open-source model is integral, allowing for rapid iteration and bug fixing driven by a global community of developers who rely on it.

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