Re: [PATCH] MAINTAINERS: move the BFQ io scheduler to orphan state

[Jens Axboe <axboe@kernel.dk>]

On 9/4/24 7:59 AM, Ulf Hansson wrote:
> + Paolo
> 
> On Wed, 4 Sept 2024 at 15:47, Jens Axboe <axboe@kernel.dk> wrote:
>>
>> On 9/4/24 7:27 AM, Ulf Hansson wrote:
>>> On Tue, 3 Sept 2024 at 17:54, Jens Axboe <axboe@kernel.dk> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Nobody is maintaining this code, and it just falls under the umbrella
>>>> of block layer code. But at least mark it as such, in case anyone wants
>>>> to care more deeply about it and assume the responsibility of doing so.
>>>>
>>>> Signed-off-by: Jens Axboe <axboe@kernel.dk>
>>>
>>> I haven't spoken to Paolo recently (just dropped him an email), but I
>>> was under the impression that he intended to keep an eye on the BFQ
>>> scheduler.
>>
>> But he hasn't, it's been a long time since he was involved. I've been
>> applying patches on an as-needed basis, but effectively nobody has
>> been maintaining it for probably 2 years at this point.
> 
> I don't think we should expect him to do active development, but
> rather just to keep an eye on it from maintenance point of view.

I never expect active development, there may not be a need for it. But
basic maintenance is definitely the maintainers role. As that hasn't
been happening for quite a while, I'd consider it orphaned.

>>> BTW, why didn't you cc him?
>>
>> That was an oversight, I think because I haven't seen anything from
>> him in a long time to assumed he was awol.
> 
> I looked at the last year or so at the linux-block mailing-list and it
> seems most patches for bfq aren't being sent to his email. :-(
> 
> Ohh well, let's see what we can do about this. Surely BFQ is being
> used out there, so it would really be a pity if nobody takes good care
> of it.

Probably not a whole lot I think, at least on the prod side experiences
with BFQ haven't been good. So there's definitely fixes to do, and I was
happy to see fixes being sent in recently to address some concerns.
Someone with actual customers using it and finding issues, or someone
actually using it.

-- 
Jens Axboe