From: Dmitry Torokhov <dtor@insightbb.com>
To: Randy Dunlap <randy.dunlap@oracle.com>
Subject: Re: [PATCH] ucb1400_ts depends SND_AC97_BUS
Date: Sat, 9 Dec 2006 22:05:17 -0500
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On Saturday 09 December 2006 21:57, Randy Dunlap wrote:
> On Sat, 9 Dec 2006 21:50:01 -0500 Dmitry Torokhov wrote:
> 
> > On Saturday 09 December 2006 03:36, Randy Dunlap wrote:
> > > From: Randy Dunlap <randy.dunlap@oracle.com>
> > > 
> > > This driver is an AC97 codec according to its help text.
> > > However, if SOUND is disabled, the "select SND_AC97_BUS"
> > > still inserts that into the .config file:
> > > 
> > > #
> > > # Sound
> > > #
> > > # CONFIG_SOUND is not set
> > > CONFIG_SND_AC97_BUS=m
> > > 
> > 
> > I consider this abug in kconfig - users of "select" should not know
> > full dependency chain for selected symbol.
> 
> Seems that I've heard that somewhere else.
> so I agree with that part.
> 
> > > Even if the config software followed dependency chains on selects,
> > > we should try to limit usage of "select" to library-type
> > > code that is needed (e.g., CRC functions) instead of bus-type
> > > support.
> > >
> > 
> > I do not agree here - the way our directory structure is laid out
> > "sound" comes after "Input device support" menuconfig entry.
> > Your patch makes user go back and forth in menuconfig, which is
> > awkward. I think using select is fine when an option depends on
> > something down the stream. If user already had a chance to select
> > necessary option then using "depends on" is preferred.
> 
> Traversing the menus is not difficult.
> (It's easier in xconfig or gconfig than menuconfig IMO,
> but not a big deal in any of them.)
>

I agree but many people use menuconfig and may not even be aware of
a driver if it is hidden because facility it depends on is not
selected. The same with oldconfig - unless you are closely monitor
all changelogs (I for example don't, I just pull from Linus) you
would not even get prompted for UCB1400 if you do not have sound
enabled.
 
> Anyway, are you saying that the only fix for this build error
> is to fix *config to handle select dependencies?
> or could propose another way to handle the build error?
> 

Would not adding "select SOUND" fix it? We could use it as a bandaid
until kconfig os fixed.

-- 
Dmitry
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