linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH RESEND] vgacon: remember scrollback buffer on console switch

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Message-ID: <20081025224247.GA25497@joi>
Date:	Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:43:01 +0200
From:	Marcin Slusarz <marcin.slusarz@...il.com>
To:	Andrew Morton <akpm@...ux-foundation.org>
Cc:	LKML <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>,
	Antonino Daplas <adaplas@...il.com>,
	Krzysztof Helt <krzysztof.h1@...pl>,
	linux-fbdev-devel@...ts.sourceforge.net
Subject: Re: [PATCH RESEND] vgacon: remember scrollback buffer on console
	switch

On Sat, Oct 25, 2008 at 01:46:15PM -0700, Andrew Morton wrote:
> On Sat, 25 Oct 2008 21:58:19 +0200 Marcin Slusarz <marcin.slusarz@...il.com> wrote:
> 
> > Add support for persistent console history, surviving
> > console switches. It allocates new scrollback buffer only when
> > user switches console for the first time.
> > 
> > Signed-off-by: Marcin Slusarz <marcin.slusarz@...il.com>
> > Cc: Antonino Daplas <adaplas@...il.com>
> > Cc: Krzysztof Helt <krzysztof.h1@...pl>
> > Cc: Andrew Morton <akpm@...ux-foundation.org>
> > Cc: linux-fbdev-devel@...ts.sourceforge.net
> > ---
> >  drivers/video/console/Kconfig  |   11 ++++++
> >  drivers/video/console/vgacon.c |   75 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++--
> >  2 files changed, 82 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)
> > 
> > diff --git a/drivers/video/console/Kconfig b/drivers/video/console/Kconfig
> > index 2f50a80..09e3d98 100644
> > --- a/drivers/video/console/Kconfig
> > +++ b/drivers/video/console/Kconfig
> > @@ -43,6 +43,17 @@ config VGACON_SOFT_SCROLLBACK_SIZE
> >  	 buffer.  Each 64KB will give you approximately 16 80x25
> >  	 screenfuls of scrollback buffer
> >  
> > +config VGACON_REMEMBER_SCROLLBACK
> > +	bool "Remember scrollback buffer on console switch"
> > +	depends on VGACON_SOFT_SCROLLBACK
> > +	default y
> > +	help
> > +	 Say 'Y' here if you want the scrollback buffer to be remembered
> > +	 on console switch and restored when you switch back.
> > +
> > +	 Note: every VGA console will use its own buffer, but it will be
> > +	 allocated only when you switch to this console for the first time.
> 
> I'd question the value in adding the config option.  Why not make the
> feature unconditionally present?
> 
> >  
> > +#define SCROLLBACK_SIZE (CONFIG_VGACON_SOFT_SCROLLBACK_SIZE * 1024)
> > +
> > ...
> >
> > +#ifdef CONFIG_VGACON_REMEMBER_SCROLLBACK
> > +static struct vgacon_scrollback_info {
> > +	void *data;
> > +	int cnt;
> > +	int tail;
> > +	int cur;
> > +	int rows;
> > +	int size;
> > +} vgacon_scrollbacks[MAX_NR_CONSOLES];
> 
> Perhaps you were concerned about memory consumption?

Yes. I could imagine scenario where this memory would be considered "wasted".

> If so, it would be much much better to make this feature switchable at
> runtime (module parameter/boot option or a /proc or /sys knob).

/sys knob seems to be the most flexible option.

/sys/class/vtconsole/vtconX/persistent_history? 0/1

> > +static int vgacon_last_vc_num;
> 
> We have lots of global state here with no apparent locking protecting
> it.  Possibly there's some higher-level lock which provides
> seralisation?  If so, the addition of a comment explaining all
> this would be good.

I checked it and this code is called under console_sem.

vgacon_switch_scrollback <- vgacon_switch <- con_switch <- redraw_screen <- switch_screen <- complete_change_console <-
1) vt_ioctl (calls acquire_console_sem before complete_change_console)
2) change_console <- console_callback (calls acquire_console_sem before change_console)

Thanks for a review!

PS: why DECLARE_MUTEX _defines_ _semaphore_? there are only 8 uses of this
macro so it's not a big problem to rename it to e.g. DEFINE_SEMAPHORE (I can
provide a patch)

Marcin
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