How Linux Versions are Numbered

 Linus Torvalds seemed to have wanted to maintain simplicity when he thought of his version numbering system for Linux. His early versions pre-1994 were listed like this 0.01, 0.02 and so on. Versions after 1994 to present are listed with four sets of numbers, for example the current stable version is 2.6.37.2. The first number is the actual version number. This number is not changed that often and has only been changed twice in the Linux revolution. The second number is the major revision number. Even numbers resemble a stable version that was released for production. Odd numbers resemble new releases that are still experimenting with new drivers or feature new developments that soon become stable enough to release. The third number resembles minor revisions and is updated when the new features and/or driver have been added. The fourth number resembles corrections, security patches and error fixes.

I think the Linux Version numbering system is a total advantage to anybody once they understand what the simplicity of the format is.