Re: [PATCH] checkpatch: validate commit tag ordering

[Hendrik Hamerlinck <hendrik.hamerlinck@hammernet.be>]

On 7/24/25 09:20, Hendrik Hamerlinck wrote:
> Modified the checkpatch script to ensure that commit tags (e.g.,
> Signed-off-by, Reviewed-by, Acked-by, Tested-by, etc.) appear in the
> correct order according to kernel conventions [1].
Hello all,

Thank you for the feedback. I wasn’t aware that the tag ordering
conventions used in the TIP tree are not universally followed across all
kernel subsystems.

My motivation for this change came from a recent mistake I made in a patch
submission, where I incorrectly placed a Fixes: tag after the
Signed-off-by: line. I realized that checkpatch.pl didn’t flag this, and I
thought a warning might be helpful, especially for newer contributors like
myself.

I now realize that my approach is too strict by trying to enforce an order
for all tags. However, I still believe that a targeted warning could be
useful. Another mentee I work with recently made the same mistake, so it
may be a common pitfall.

Is there a general consensus on placing the first Fixes: tag at the start
of the tag sequence? If so, a warning might be helpful for newer
contributors?

I was still using checkpatch as that was how I initially learned it. I'll
definitely look into using b4 as well.

Kind regards,
Hendrik