Alan Cox (computer programmer)

Alan Cox is a British computer programmer best known for his significant contributions to the Linux kernel during its early development. He was one of the core developers and maintainers of the kernel for many years, especially the 2.2 branch.

Cox began working with Linux in the early 1990s and became instrumental in adapting it to run efficiently on a wider range of hardware. He took over much of the responsibility for maintaining the core kernel code, allowing Linus Torvalds to focus on higher-level architectural aspects and new features.

His areas of expertise included networking, device drivers, and internal kernel subsystems. He became known for his no-nonsense approach and his willingness to tackle complex technical challenges.

Cox was employed by companies like Red Hat and Intel during his active development period. After stepping back from core kernel maintenance, he continued to be involved in open-source projects and software development, though at a less intensive level. His work has had a lasting impact on the Linux operating system and the open-source community as a whole.