Re: [PATCH 9/9] clocksource: dw_apb_timer: special variant for rockchip rk3188 timers

Thomas Gleixner
2013-07-06T21:00:40Z

Ulrich,

On Sat, 6 Jul 2013, Ulrich Prinz wrote:

> I got the message. With modifying the existing driver to support more
> function pointers in its system struct and assigning them at the
> beginning, and using them on runtime, these quirks are obsolete.

Correct.

> Again, this is the first time I provide code to the kernel officially

No problem. That's what code review is about. First post or not.

> and I learned from others that I should try it by modifying not too much
> code if not needed.
>
> Adding more function pointers to a system relevant structure, doubling
> the number of functions and such didn't look non-invasive to me.

Well, it always depends. If there is a single place to deal with some
oddball hardware, a flag is often the simplest way to go.

If you have to add 10 conditionals in several functions then in a
first step converting the existing implementation into function
pointer calls and then in the next step providing new implementations
for your hardware is most of the time simpler and cleaner.

> But, I totally agree with your argumentation and I even wanted to do it
> in the way you explained in your replies. Just the courage was missing I
> guess :)

Gut feelings are often a better guidance than our self-doubting
intellect. :)

But don't worry. I had to learn it the hard way as well and I still
trip over from time to time.

Thanks,

tglx