policy on externs

[justin.skists@juzza.co.uk (Justin Skists)]

On Sat, Jun 02, 2018 at 07:33:46PM +0200, Greg KH wrote:
> On Sat, Jun 02, 2018 at 05:23:20PM +0100, Justin Skists wrote:
> > Hi,
> > 
> > What is the kernel policy on using "extern" to share variables between
> > source files in a module?
> > 
> > I've been looking at one subsystem in staging [that shares variables quite a
> > bit] to becoming familar with it, and seeing if I can help do some work on it
> > in my free time.
> > 
> > Personally I prefer to see them eradicated (they polute the namespace), and
> > store such variables in a context structure that is passed around. But I don't
> > see any reference about it in the coding style, and I am not one to
> > code-churn just because it's not my personal style! :)
> 
> context structures are almost always best, as they can be tied to the
> hardware device, not the module itself.  So yes, if they can be
> eradicated, please do so.

OK, Greg. I'll have another look at it, then.

> What driver are you looking at?

I have been looking at the speakup subsystem.


Thanks,
Justin.