[$] Better string handling for the kernel

The C programming language is replete with features that seemed like a goodidea at the time (and perhaps even were good ideas then) that have not agedwell. Most would likely agree that string handling, and the use ofNUL-terminated strings, is one of those. Kernel developers have, foryears, tried to improve the handling of strings in an attempt to slow theflow of bugs and vulnerabilities that result from mistakes in that area.Now there is an early discussion on the idea of moving away fromNUL-terminated strings in much of the kernel.