• unhrpetby
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    2 days ago

    Generally no. There are some parts of your system that you will have to reboot for (like the kernel). But apps? Installing a new service?

    No.

    Most systems you just install the app you want, and run it.

    There are some immutable distros the require things that are installed as part of the base system to only be available after a reboot, but they provide ways to install things without making it a part of the base system. Thus no reboot required.

    • fuckwit_mcbumcrumble@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      2 days ago

      Both Windows and Linux are able to reload parts of their kernel without needing to reboot. It’s still suggested, but as long as the software doesn’t actually force you to you can just say “reboot later” then just start the program like normal.

      • unhrpetby
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        2 days ago

        Yes. Using kexec.

        Though this is irrelevant for majority of users: I’ve never seen it as the default.

        That +

        WARNING: Use with caution! Kernel crashes, spontaneous reboots, and data loss may occur!

        gives me the idea that its likely safer to just do a proper reboot, if your alternative is kernel patching or loading a completely different kernel.

        Plus, its likely that not every single bit of firmware running on your devices support live patching. Thus you will be rebooting eventually, unless you are fine with avoiding the updates.