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Date:   Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:58:41 +0000
To:     segher@kernel.crashing.org
From:   Peter Lafreniere <peter@n8pjl.ca>
Cc:     anton.ivanov@cambridgegreys.com, geert@linux-m68k.org,
        ink@jurassic.park.msu.ru, jack@suse.cz, johannes@sipsolutions.net,
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        linux-um@lists.infradead.org, linux@armlinux.org.uk,
        linuxppc-dev@lists.ozlabs.org, peter@n8pjl.ca,
        reiserfs-devel@vger.kernel.org, richard.henderson@linaro.org,
        richard@nod.at, tsbogend@alpha.franken.de
Subject: Re: [PATCH 0/7] arch/*: config: Remove ReiserFS from defconfig
Message-ID: <20230919155832.4179-1-peter@n8pjl.ca>
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On Tue, Sep 19, 2023 at 11:16, Segher Boessenkool wrote:
>=20
> On Tue, Sep 19, 2023 at 12:00:34AM +0000, Peter Lafreniere wrote:
>=20
> > On Monday, September 18th, 2023 at 19:41, Segher Boessenkool segher@ker=
nel.crashing.org wrote:
> >=20
> > > On Mon, Sep 18, 2023 at 05:56:09PM +0000, Peter Lafreniere wrote:
> > >=20
> > > > ReiserFS has been considered deprecated for 19 months since commit
> > > > eb103a51640e ("reiserfs: Deprecate reiserfs"). However, there are
> > > > several architectures that still build it into their defconfig kern=
els.
> > > >=20
> > > > As ReiserFS will be removed in 2025, delete all ReiserFS-related op=
tions
> > > > from defconfig files before the filesystem's removal.
> > >=20
> > > This is essentially equivalent to deleting the filesystem now. Why do
> > > this? Is there such a hurry?
> >=20
> > This is not equivalent to deleting the filesystem. The filesystem can s=
till
> > be configured into kernels, and few distros use a defconfig kernel anyw=
ay.
>=20
>=20
> Most people who compile kernels use defconfigs though. Distros are a
> tiny minority if you look at builds.
>=20
> Again: why do you want this?
>=20

Because the filesystem is deprecated and rarely used. Those who do use Reis=
erFS
should migrate away from it or get ready to stop upgrading their kernels so=
on.

This removal from defconfig:

 1) Serves as a reminder to those that use the fs that they should take the
    above actions, but with the filesystem staying available should they ne=
ed
    it.

 2) Stops building an obsolete and largely-unused filesystem unnecessarily.
    Some hobbyist targets like m68k and alpha may prefer to keep all filesy=
stems
    available until total removal, but others like arm and UML have no need=
 for
    ReiserFS to be built unless specifically configured.

 3) Arguably simplifies the removal of the filesystem when that takes place=
.
    This point is admittedly quite weak.

 4) Has to happen someday, unless someone steps up and volunteers to mainta=
in
    the fs. I don't find it worthwhile, but you can if you'd like. Perhaps =
work
    towards removal will cause a user to step forward and keep their belove=
d
    filesystem around?

 5) Doesn't actually remove support for the filesystem whatsoever. I can't
    emphasize this enough: users who build their own kernel and maintain a
    niche filesystem like ReiserFS should know how to flip a Kconfig switch=
.

>=20
> Segher

Cheers,
Peter