Re: [PATCH 0/3] Support timer drivers as loadable modules

[Daniel Lezcano <daniel.lezcano@linaro.org>]

On Thu, Feb 09, 2023 at 11:50:49AM -0800, John Stultz wrote:
> On Thu, Feb 9, 2023 at 7:36 AM Daniel Lezcano <daniel.lezcano@linaro.org> wrote:
> >
> > On 08/02/2023 10:48, walter.chang@mediatek.com wrote:
> > > From: Walter Chang <walter.chang@mediatek.com>
> > >
> > > This patch exports functions in kernel so that timer drivers,
> > > such as timer-mediatek.c can become loadable modules in GKI.
> >
> > What for ?
> 
> In general, it's the same reason why modules exist: We want to be able
> to support a wide array of devices with a single kernel, but we don't
> want all devices to pay the memory cost of code that will never be
> used there. So being able to support loading device-specific bits like
> clocksources (along with other device specific logic) helps.

Agree, that is why modules are for.

> Obviously it still has to make sense, and others have raised concerns
> of stability issues if the hardware support is needed before we can
> get to module loading, but I think if this allows drivers (such as
> timer-mediatek) to be loadable safely, I see it as beneficial.

From a technical point of view, it is arguable.

But my main concern is the real reason of changing this to the module
format. I see that as a way to overcome the effort to upstream the
drivers. And the GKI is an alibi to justify the module conversion.

Given the timers is a base brick of the core subsystems, without
proper support of the timer (eg. bug fixes), the platform support will
be wobbly.

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