linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH 1/5] mtd: st_spi_fsm: Remove useless consts from function arguments

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Date:	Thu, 20 Mar 2014 09:58:07 -0700
From:	Brian Norris <computersforpeace@...il.com>
To:	Joe Perches <joe@...ches.com>
Cc:	Lee Jones <lee.jones@...aro.org>,
	"linux-arm-kernel@...ts.infradead.org" 
	<linux-arm-kernel@...ts.infradead.org>,
	Linux Kernel <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>,
	kernel@...inux.com,
	"linux-mtd@...ts.infradead.org" <linux-mtd@...ts.infradead.org>,
	David Woodhouse <dwmw2@...radead.org>,
	Angus CLARK <angus.clark@...com>
Subject: Re: [PATCH 1/5] mtd: st_spi_fsm: Remove useless consts from function
 arguments

On Thu, Mar 20, 2014 at 05:44:45AM -0700, Joe Perches wrote:
> On Thu, 2014-03-20 at 05:41 -0700, Brian Norris wrote:
> > I also don't think that a function parameter is the right place to
> > mark const like this. Function arguments are always pass-by-value, so
> > this 'const' tells users (callers) nothing useful. It only provides
> > useless constraints on what the function can do with its copy of the
> > parameter.
> 
> Again, that's not useless information.

For local, pass-by-value function arguments (i.e., constant data, or
constant pointers to data), I respectfully disagree. (For "pointers to
constant data", I completely agree that the 'const' info is useful.)

> And as you've seen, just making these changes
> can be error prone.

Thank you for catching our mistake now. But I don't think that is
relevant; just because you caught an error doesn't mean that the change
(primarily for consistency's sake) should be avoided entirely.

Unless you have a more convincing argument, this code will remain as-is.

Regards,
Brian
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