Re: [RFC PATCH v1 0/3] docs: stable-kernel-rules: add delayed backporting option and a few tweaks

From: Thorsten Leemhuis
Date: Tue Jul 11 2023 - 04:57:43 EST


On 11.07.23 10:42, Johan Hovold wrote:
> On Mon, Jul 10, 2023 at 07:18:43PM +0200, Thorsten Leemhuis wrote:
>> On 10.07.23 19:10, Thorsten Leemhuis wrote:
>
>>> * For patches that may have kernel version prerequisites specify them using
>>> the following format in the sign-off area:
>>>
>>> .. code-block:: none
>>>
>>> Cc: <stable@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> # 3.3.x
>>>
>>> The tag has the meaning of:
>>>
>>> .. code-block:: none
>>>
>>> git cherry-pick <this commit>
>>>
>>> For each "-stable" tree starting with the specified version.
>>
>> /me wonders if something like a "note, such tagging is unnecessary if
>> the appropriate version can be derived from a Fixes: tag" would be
>> appropriate and worth it here
>
> Having these comments in the patch itself makes it easier to determine
> whether a fix addresses a recent regression or an issue that's been
> around since forever without having to copy-paste and look up each
> commit in the Fixes tag(s).

Hmmm. But that can be misleading, as something like "Cc:
<stable@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> # 3.3.x" might only have been used because the
submitter only tested if the change applies and works there while not
bothering with earlier kernels; similar things can happen if 3.2 and
earlier required changes to the patch due to API changes or file
movements the submitter was not willing to handle.

But I don't care. I already integrated a change like outlined earlier in
my local WIP document, but I can quickly remove it again.

Ciao, Thorsten