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The problem isn't that sharing code across platforms is bad, it's that not sharing code within Linux is bad. Airlie is basically saying that if the kernel API a

The problem isn't that sharing code across platforms is bad, it's that not sharing code within Linux is bad. Airlie is basically saying that if the kernel API and subsystems are somehow inadequate, AMD should improve them directly instead of covering them up with a bunch more code.

wolfgke 10y ago
> Airlie is basically saying that if the kernel API and subsystems are somehow inadequate, AMD should improve them directly instead of covering them up with a bunch more code. And you really believe that the maintainers will be accepting a giant patch that changes the API and subsystem completely (though into something better) that has the risk of causing lots of regressions to existing drivers? And you believe that AMD is supposed to fix all the regressions that are caused in drivers by other vendors that this change causes?
- brongondwana 10y ago
  Of course not, the maintainers will accept a well thought out series of patches that each make one small logical change towards the better interface. And yes - who else is supposed to fix all the regressions caused by changes that AMD wants? Volunteers who would rather work on something else? If you want a change, you get to support the regressions - and if AMD's work gets merged, then anyone ELSE who wants to make a change in that page needs to support AMD's regressions. Hence wanting to make sure that the changes from AMD are manageable and flexible enough to allow further changes.
  - wolfgke 10y ago
    > If you want a change, you get to support the regressions And what about a change to a stable internal kernel API, which the kernel developers refuse?
    - pas 10y ago
      No, they just want a stable future, around which they can plan the API, but so far no one has delivered on that tiny requirement.
      - prodigal_erik 10y ago
        Linux got where it is by evolving how the kernel and drivers interact whenever needed, without waiting to coordinate with outsiders and their closed work.
    - the_why_of_y 10y ago
      The Linux kernel does not have stable internal kernel APIs. https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/stable_api_nonsense.txt https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/stable_api_nonsense...
      - wolfgke 10y ago
        This is exactly my point.

wolfgke 10y ago

> Airlie is basically saying that if the kernel API and subsystems are somehow inadequate, AMD should improve them directly instead of covering them up with a bunch more code. And you really believe that the maintainers will be accepting a giant patch that changes the API and subsystem completely (though into something better) that has the risk of causing lots of regressions to existing drivers? And you believe that AMD is supposed to fix all the regressions that are caused in drivers by other vendors that this change causes?

brongondwana 10y ago
Of course not, the maintainers will accept a well thought out series of patches that each make one small logical change towards the better interface. And yes - who else is supposed to fix all the regressions caused by changes that AMD wants? Volunteers who would rather work on something else? If you want a change, you get to support the regressions - and if AMD's work gets merged, then anyone ELSE who wants to make a change in that page needs to support AMD's regressions. Hence wanting to make sure that the changes from AMD are manageable and flexible enough to allow further changes.
- wolfgke 10y ago
  > If you want a change, you get to support the regressions And what about a change to a stable internal kernel API, which the kernel developers refuse?
  - pas 10y ago
    No, they just want a stable future, around which they can plan the API, but so far no one has delivered on that tiny requirement.
    - prodigal_erik 10y ago
      Linux got where it is by evolving how the kernel and drivers interact whenever needed, without waiting to coordinate with outsiders and their closed work.
  - the_why_of_y 10y ago
    The Linux kernel does not have stable internal kernel APIs. https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/stable_api_nonsense.txt https://www.kernel.org/doc/Documentation/stable_api_nonsense...
    - wolfgke 10y ago
      This is exactly my point.