Re: [RFC net-next 1/2] net: add netdev_refs debug

[Leon Romanovsky <leon@kernel.org>]

On Wed, Nov 17, 2021 at 10:35:45AM -0800, Jakub Kicinski wrote:
> On Wed, 17 Nov 2021 20:24:17 +0200 Leon Romanovsky wrote:
> > > +/* Store a raw, unprotected pointer */
> > > +static inline void __netdev_ref_store(struct netdev_ref *ref,
> > > +				      struct net_device *dev)
> > > +{
> > > +	ref->dev = dev;
> > > +
> > > +#ifdef CONFIG_DEBUG_OBJECTS_NETDEV_REFS
> > > +	refcount_set(&ref->cnt, 0);  
> > 
> > This is very uncommon pattern. I would expect that first pointer access
> > will start from 1, like all refcount_t users. If you still prefer to
> > start from 0, i suggest you to use atomic_t. 
> 
> It's not really "starting from 0", it's more of a "setting the count
> to invalid". It can't escape from this state with a simple inc.

I understand it and this is what raises eyebrows. The refcount_t type
has very clear semantics which you are stretching too far.

Let's see what Eric had in mind for his RFC.

Thanks