Re: [PATCH -mm] Taskstats fix the structure members alignment issue

[Andrew Morton <akpm@linux-foundation.org>]

On Sat, 21 Apr 2007 18:29:21 +0530 Balbir Singh <balbir@linux.vnet.ibm.com> wrote:

> >> The patch adds an __attribute__((aligned(8))) to the
> >> taskstats structure members so that 32 bit applications using taskstats
> >> can work with a 64 bit kernel.
> > 
> > But there might be 32-bit applications out there which are using the
> > present wrong structure?
> > 
> > otoh, I assume that those applications would be using taskstats.h and would
> > hence encounter this bug and we would have heard about it, is that correct?
> > 
> 
> Yes, correct.
> 
> > otoh^2, 32-bit applications running under 32-bit kernels will presently be
> > functioning correctly, and your change will require that those applications
> > be recompiled, I think?
> > 
> 
> Yes, correct. They would be broken with this fix. We could  bump up the
> version TASKSTATS_VERSION to 4. Would you like a new patch the version
> bumped up?

I can do that.

> > 
> > This patch looks like 2.6.20 and 2.6.21 material, but very carefully...
> 
> Yes, 2.6.20 and 2.6.21 sound correct.

OK.  I guess we have little choice but to slam it in asap, with a 2.6.20.x backport
before too many people start using the old interface.