Re: systemtap & backward compatibility, was Re: [RFC] systemtap: begin the process of using proper kernel APIs

Frank Ch. Eigler
2008-07-23T17:43:17Z

Hi -

On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 07:54:05PM +0300, Adrian Bunk wrote:
> On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 12:41:37PM -0400, Frank Ch. Eigler wrote:
> >...
> > In the interim (before we come up with a way of moving more
> > kernel-coupled systemtap code into kernel.org/git), would y'all
> > consider an arrangement? Those of you who care about systemtap, and
> > are intending to make an incompatible kernel/module interface change,
> > please run the systemtap testsuite before & after. [...]

> The number of incompatible kernel/module interface changes per
> kernel is most likely some medium three digit number. What you have
> in mind is therefore not really feasible.

Do you think so, even if the historical pattern continues that only a
small fraction of those changes actually impact systemtap?

> But we have several levels of kernels that incorporate future stuff,
> from -rc over -next to -mm, and you could implement automated runs
> of the systemtap testsuite against the latest ones.

We do some of that already and should do more.

- FChE