Re: [RFC PATCH v0.1 0/9] UMCG early preview/RFC patchset

From: Jonathan Corbet
Date: Thu May 27 2021 - 11:42:05 EST


Peter Oskolkov <posk@xxxxxxxxxx> writes:

> I've pasted below the content of umcg.rst file that I'll add as a doc
> patch to the next version of the patchset. I've also attached a PDF
> version of the file rendered, in case it is useful. I also think that
> it is a bit early for manpages - I expect the API and/or behavior to
> change quite a bit before this is all merged. I'm also not completely
> sure whether the manpages should describe the "porcelain API" or the
> "plumbing API" (see the .rst below).
>
> Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.

So this is very helpful, thanks. I've been through it once, and have
some overall comments.

- Parts of it read more like a requirements document. A document going
into the kernel should describe what the code actually does, not what
we think it should be.

- I would make a serious effort to get a handle on the terminology.
The term "kernel thread" has a meaning other than the one you give
it; saying "kernel thread" here will lead to a lot of confusion. I
hesitate to suggest terms because I'm terrible at naming (just ask my
kids), but I would pick clear and concise names for your "server
threads" and "worker threads", then stick to them.

- The library documentation is good to have, but it will really be
necessary to document the system calls as well. *That* is the part
that the kernel community will have to support forever if this is
merged.

Thanks,

jon