Re: [PATCH v2 3/4] Provide the always inline version of some functions

Xie Yuanbin
2025-11-09T17:04:32Z

On Sun, 9 Nov 2025 12:31:52 +0100, Peter Zijlstra wrote:
> There isn't a single function in the entire kernel with an _ainline
> suffix, while there are a ton of _inline suffixed functions.
>
> On top of that, this function was already marked inline, and your
> compiler just chose to not inline them for raisins. Just make the thing
> __always_inline and forget, dont make thing extra ugly for no reason.

Simple test: "Make the original functions as __always_inline" VS
"Add the always inline version of these functions (with _ainline suffix)"

compile as OPTIMIZE_FOR_SIZE: the size of bzImage is same
compile as OPTIMIZE_FOR_PERFORMANCE: disassembly of vmlinux is same

Adding the always-inline version of these functions can provide better
guidance for compiler optimization, but it does indeed lead to more
complex code.
The best solution may be to prompt the compiler to always inline at a
specific calling point through some keyword.
I noticed that there are also people discussing this issue on stackerflow
, but it seems that the current compiler does not have such a feature.
Link: https://stackoverflow.com/questions/14571593

I have no objection to either option; it depends on the opinion of the
community maintainers.

Xie Yuanbin