Why 'printk' in linux?

Question

0.00/5 (No votes)

See more:

I looked over linux source code and i found that there is no 'printf'
Instead of 'pirntf', 'printf' was used in start_kernel().
Why is there 'printk' instead of 'printf'? Why can't we use 'printf'?

Posted 11-Sep-13 19:47pm

kyleK89

Add a Solution

3 solutions

Add a Solution

Add your solution here

Treat my content as plain text, not as HTML

Preview 0

…

Existing Members

Sign in to your account

...or Join us

Download, Vote, Comment, Publish.

Your Email
Password
Forgot your password?

Your Email
This email is in use. Do you need your password?
Optional Password

I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Please subscribe me to the CodeProject newsletters

When answering a question please:

Read the question carefully.
Understand that English isn't everyone's first language so be lenient of bad spelling and grammar.
If a question is poorly phrased then either ask for clarification, ignore it, or edit the question and fix the problem. Insults are not welcome.
Don't tell someone to read the manual. Chances are they have and don't get it. Provide an answer or move on to the next question.

Let's work to help developers, not make them feel stupid.

This content, along with any associated source code and files, is licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

_Asif_ · Answer 1 · 2013-09-11T20:49:00

Solution 1

Check this link

printk()[^]

Posted 11-Sep-13 20:49pm

_Asif_

Mehdi Gholam · Answer 2 · 2013-09-11T20:51:00

Solution 2

printk is a function available within the kernel since you do not have the standard library when you are writing kernel code, see : http://www.makelinux.net/books/lkd2/ch18lev1sec3[^]

Posted 11-Sep-13 20:51pm

Mehdi Gholam

CPallini · Answer 3 · 2013-09-11T21:20:00

Solution 3

Because libc functions (like printf) are not available in kernel space, see, for instance, this page: "3. User space and the libc interface"[^].

Posted 11-Sep-13 21:20pm

CPallini