[idea] request_module(const char *fmt, ...);

From: Tigran Aivazian (tigran@sco.COM)
Date: Tue Jan 11 2000 - 07:39:02 EST

Hi guys,

Here is the idea:

Instead of current way of switching request_module() depending on
CONFIG_KMOD inside <linux/kmod.h> and having each driver contain a block
of code like this (see e.g. fs/block_device.c:get_blkfops())
  

  #ifdef CONFIG_KMOD
                if (!blkdevs[major].bdops) {
                        char name[20];
                        sprintf(name, "block-major-%d", major);
                        request_module(name);
                }
#endif

have a request_module() function with printf()-like syntax inside
kmod.c:

int request_module(const char *fmt, ...)
{
#ifdef CONFIG_KMOD
        va_list args;
        ....
#else
        return -1;
#endif
}

so, the drivers just call request_module("block-major-%d", major);

Disadvantage:

0. an extra function call even if CONFIG_KMOD is not defined. This is not
serious as request_module() is never called on a hot path (usually opening
a device etc.)

Advantages:

0. Code is not polluted with a multitude of #ifdef CONFIG_KMOD, thus
making disassembly output look more immediately recognizeable.

1. No dependency on CONFIG_KMOD spread around the entire kernel. So, if
you reconfigure the kernel changing CONFIG_KMOD, only the kernel/kmod.c is
recompiled.

Let me know your ideas and I shall knock up a patch this evening, if your
feedback is positive.

Regards,
------
Tigran A. Aivazian | http://www.sco.com
Escalations Research Group | tel: +44-(0)1923-813796
Santa Cruz Operation Ltd | http://www.ocston.org/~tigran

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