Re: Scheduling (unused) board file removal for linux-6.x

[Krzysztof Kozlowski <krzk@kernel.org>]

On 29/06/2022 22:42, Arnd Bergmann wrote:
> With the multiplatform work completed in the past merge window, and the
> scheduled deprecation of the Samsung s3c platforms, I decided to have a
> look at the remaining board files. There are 196 remaining boards, down
> from 489 boards ten years ago, but my estimate is that only few of those
> ever booted a linux-5.x kernel, and even less for future kernels. The
> question is how to find out which ones are still used, and which ones
> can go.
> 
> I would propose that we start by changing the assumption that all boards
> might be used, instead assuming that they are all outdated unless someone
> says that they actually prefer to keep it in the kernel.  I have started
> a list of all 196 boards and annotated the ones that look like candidates
> for removal [1]. If a board you use is on that list, please either reply
> here or add a comment in the document.
> 
> Unless someone has a better idea for how to proceed, I would allow
> six months for users to speak up and then remove the orphaned board
> files for the release following the LTS kernel. I can't list all boards
> individually, so here is a breakdown by platform:
> 
> s3c24xx
> 
> These are all scheduled for removal in early 2023 already, once the next
> longterm stable kernel is out. No changes here, but it seems useful
> to use the same timeline for removing unused board files of the other
> platforms together.
> 
> s3c64xx
> 
> There are ten board files, which are currently scheduled for removal in
> 2024, along with the DT based boards for this SoC. We can still decide
> to throw out some of the board files earlier though, while keeping the
> platform around.

I would keep all s3c24xx/s3c64xx boards till the platform drop. Removing
few boards before platform won't give us huge benefits... and anyway
just 1 and 2 years and they all will be gone.

Best regards,
Krzysztof