From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 From: Jeff Garzik Subject: Re: [PATCH] Promise 'stex' driver Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2006 13:30:32 -0400 Message-ID: <44C65538.7050809@garzik.org> References: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=GB2312 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Return-path: Received: from srv5.dvmed.net ([207.36.208.214]:56294 "EHLO mail.dvmed.net") by vger.kernel.org with ESMTP id S1750785AbWGYRag (ORCPT ); Tue, 25 Jul 2006 13:30:36 -0400 In-Reply-To: Sender: linux-scsi-owner@vger.kernel.org List-Id: linux-scsi@vger.kernel.org To: Ed Lin Cc: linux-scsi , "James.Bottomley" , hch , linux-kernel , akpm , promise_linux Ed Lin wrote: > So it seems there are several possibilities here(regarding no.1 comment): > 1.The bridge code is kept unchanged. And, as this is a violation to > Linux tradition and requirement, it could not be admitted upstream. > 2.The code could be modified to be conforming to Linux standard. But, > we are new to Linux. Maybe we need some specific instructions to know > how to do it. Sorry if this request becomes annoying. > 3.Remove the code. > > We are wondering what should we do next. We are seeking the community's > help, and advice, something we definitely need. The normal process for submitting changes to the Linux kernel is by submitting a series of patches, each containing a single logical set of changes. For example: [PATCH 1/4] stex: white space/ minor fix(INQUIRY, max_channel) [PATCH 2/4] stex: add new device ids [PATCH 3/4] stex: update internal copy code path [PATCH 4/4] stex: add hard reset function Each patch may be dependent on prior patches. Each patch should produce a usable driver, e.g. patch #1 must produce a usable driver. patch #1 + #2 must produce a usable driver. patch #1 + #2 + #3 must produce a usable driver. patch #2 + #3 (missing patch #1) need not produce a usable driver. This is analogous to a mathematical proof: each step in the proof describes a complete equation. Therefore, to move forward, I would suggest that you break up your submitted patch into multiple patches, ordered such that the PCI bridge-related code is in the final patch. This permits me to immediately merge patches not related to PCI bridge stuff, while simultaneously discussing the hard reset/bridge change. Note that this is standard iterative development: 1. 'stex' driver development, testing. 2. Post a set of 'stex' patches. 3. Community reviews patches. 4. Upstream maintainer merges some or all of the patches. 5. Go to step #1, perhaps to resend (changed or unchanged) the patches that were not merged. Regards, Jeff