In a recent update to Linux 6.12, Linus Torvalds, the founder of Linux, expressed frustration with developers using passive voice in their commit messages. Commit messages are crucial descriptions written when developers save changes to the version control system, and Torvalds believes active voice makes them clearer.

During the announcement of Linux 6.12’s latest release candidate, Torvalds explained how he often revises commit messages to ensure they are coherent. He mentioned that many commit messages are written in a passive tone, making them harder to read and less direct. For example, Torvalds criticized the use of “error handling was fixed” and recommended changing it to “this fixes error handling.” By doing this, the messages become more direct, easier to understand, and follow a standardized format.

Torvalds also emphasized the importance of active voice in conveying clear information, urging developers to adopt this style when documenting their changes. While he stated that rewriting these commit messages isn’t overly burdensome for him, he encouraged developers to be more thoughtful when writing their messages. According to Torvalds, doing so would enhance the consistency of the project’s documentation and save him time during code merges.

This push for better grammar highlights Torvalds’ meticulous approach to managing Linux’s massive codebase and ensuring clarity across the development process. It also reinforces the importance of attention to detail when communicating changes in complex software projects like the Linux kernel.

Linux 6.12 is expected to be released in November 2024, bringing various updates and improvements to the kernel.

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