3 ms·
> So if you open source your drivers and get them accepted into the kernel, then you don't need to rewrite[...] them for each new kernel version. You don't, bu
by afiori 2y ago
> So if you open source your drivers and get them accepted into the kernel, then you don't need to rewrite[...] them for each new kernel version.
You don't, but someone does. In the note linked above they give an example of how the USB interface changed from synchronous to asynchronous, this must have required some refactoring in all drivers that used USB
- vetinari 2y agoThat someone updating the drivers is exactly the same person who makes the change in the subsystem that they depend on. They cannot break what is already in the kernel, but they can break what's outside; it is after all an internal API.
- codedokode 2y agoAnd that is wrong because people might have reason not to mainline drivers.
- vetinari 2y agoThat's fine; but their reason is their problem. They are not entitled to free labor of other people.
- pantalaimon 2y agoWhat reasons are there other that corporate shenanigans? Sure it takes more effort to mainline the driver and address review comments, but if you aren't designing a throw-away product, it's effort well spent.
- account42 2y agoThose reasons tend to be petty ones that benefit the hardware company and noone else. Seems fair that the hardware company should pay for the consequences of their decisions and not the people advancing the kernel.