Bug 10967 - include/asm-i386 removed but not documented
Summary: include/asm-i386 removed but not documented
Status: CLOSED INVALID
Alias: None
Product: Documentation
Classification: Unclassified
Component: man-pages (show other bugs)
Hardware: All Linux
: P1 normal
Assignee: Roland Kletzing
URL:
Keywords:
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2008-06-23 09:52 UTC by Royce Souther
Modified: 2008-06-23 12:49 UTC (History)
1 user (show)

See Also:
Kernel Version: 2.6.24+
Subsystem:
Regression: ---
Bisected commit-id:


Attachments

Description Royce Souther 2008-06-23 09:52:42 UTC
Latest working kernel version:2.6.25.8
Earliest failing kernel version:2.6.24
Distribution:N/A
Hardware Environment:i386
Software Environment:N/A
Problem Description:Between kernel 2.6.23.17 and 2.6.24 the include/asm-i386 directory was removed and there is no mention of it in the change log or the documentation. A new directory include/asm-x86 was added, one might assume this to be the replacement but still this also is not documented. There are still many source files that include headers from asm-i386 and also third party software that will try to include /usr/include/asm-i386 will now be broken for anyone trying to compile a kernel on a 32 bit CPU.

Documentation should include recommendations for changes needed to compile on a Linux system that has this alteration.
Comment 1 Roland Kletzing 2008-06-23 11:54:20 UTC
>Problem Description:Between kernel 2.6.23.17 and 2.6.24 the include/asm-i386
>directory was removed

it`s because of i386/x64 unification. see http://lwn.net/Articles/243704/

>there is no mention of it in the change log or the documentation.

it`s all documented - it began here
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=commit;h=96a388de5dc53a8b234b3fd41f3ae2cedc9ffd42

and this is the latest information about those changes in asm-i386
http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=history;f=include/asm-x86;h=9999ac87466fcbe63aa527c61f1e11627a349dea;hb=481c5346d0981940ee63037eb53e4e37b0735c10

git provides more detail than any documentation can provide. it`s the whole changelog for the kernel - patch by patch.

>There are still many source files that include headers from asm-i386 

which ?

>and also third party software that will try to include /usr/include/asm-i386
>>will now be broken for anyone trying to compile a kernel on a 32 bit CPU.

yes, we know out of tree code is a pain in the ass - but it`s like that - and that`s the way it is. 
see http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=blob;f=Documentation/stable_api_nonsense.txt
Comment 2 Royce Souther 2008-06-23 12:18:17 UTC
Would have been nice to see a one liner about this change in the change log.

Not trying to be a jerk. I know trying to document everything can be a big job.

Two thumbs up for all the kernel developers and the work they are doing.
Thanks.
Comment 3 Roland Kletzing 2008-06-23 12:49:14 UTC
you`re welcome

>Would have been nice to see a one liner about this change in the change log.

ok, but this is really not the best place for discussing this. if there is something to improve or to criticize, this should be better brought up on lkml please.

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