Re: [PATCH v3] dt-binding: ipmi: add fallback to npcm845 compatible
From: Corey Minyard
Date: Mon Aug 08 2022 - 08:27:02 EST
On Mon, Aug 08, 2022 at 11:11:16AM +0300, Krzysztof Kozlowski wrote:
> On 08/08/2022 09:54, Tomer Maimon wrote:
> > Add to npcm845 KCS compatible string a fallback to npcm750 KCS compatible
> > string becuase NPCM845 and NPCM750 BMCs are using identical KCS modules.
> >
> > Fixes: 84261749e58a ("dt-bindings: ipmi: Add npcm845 compatible")
> > Signed-off-by: Tomer Maimon <tmaimon77@xxxxxxxxx>
>
>
> Acked-by: Krzysztof Kozlowski <krzysztof.kozlowski@xxxxxxxxxx>
Ok, I think I understand how this is supposed to work. It's not
altogether clear from the device tree documentation. It says in
Documentation/devicetree/bindings/writing-bindings.rst:
- DO make 'compatible' properties specific. DON'T use wildcards in compatible
strings. DO use fallback compatibles when devices are the same as or a subset
of prior implementations. DO add new compatibles in case there are new
features or bugs.
AFAICT, there are no new features or bugs, just a new SOC with the same
device. In general usage I have seen, you would just use the same
compatible. However, if I understand this, that last sentence should say:
DO add new compatibles in case there is a new version of hardware with
the possibility of new features and/or bugs.
Also, the term "specific" is, ironically, vague. Specific to what?
It would be nice to have something added to "Typical cases and caveats"
that says:
- If you are writing a binding for a new device that is the same as, or
a superset of another existing device, add a new specific compatible
for the new device followed by a compatible for the existing device.
That way, if the device has new bugs or new specific features are
added, you can add workarounds without modifying the device tree.
Anyway, I have added this to my tree with your ack.
-corey
>
>
> Best regards,
> Krzysztof