Message-ID: <3F0DD3FD.3030403@triphoenix.de>
Date: Thu, 10 Jul 2003 23:00:45 +0200
From: Dennis Bliefernicht <itsme.nospam@triphoenix.de>
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To: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org
Subject: Re: Style question: Should one check for NULL pointers?
References: <7QmZ.5RP.17@gated-at.bofh.it>
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Alan Stern wrote:
> On the other hand, what if on rare occasions the pointer actually is NULL,
> even though it's not supposed to be?  This can only be the result of an
> error somewhere else in the kernel (such as incorrect locking during a
> data structure update).  Detecting the NULL pointer and returning an error
> code will hide the existence of the true underlying error.  But if the
> check _isn't_ made, then as soon as the pointer is derefenced there will
> be a nice big segfault.  This will immediately alert people to the
> existence of a problem, something they otherwise might not be aware of at
> all.
The problem is IMHO code where some pretty fragile things are handled, 
especially file systems. I'd say: DO the paranoia checks if some fragile 
things are involved like key structures of the file system that can take 
_permanent_ damage. If you check for a NULL pointer you still have the 
chance to properly leave the system in a consistent state and no user 
will be happy if his filesystem goes messy just because someone saved a 
check to have nicer code, even if the original of the NULL pointer 
wasn't his fault, even if it's a developing version. So if the check 
isn't a total performace disaster, do it whenever permanent damage could 
occur.
On other sections where, let's say just a user memory allocation would 
crash, checks could be ommitted, because it isn't that fatal and leaves 
no permanent destruction.

Just my opinion :)
TriPhoenix

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