linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH] x86: Deprecate a.out support

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Date:   Mon, 11 Mar 2019 19:47:25 +0000
From:   Måns Rullgård <mans@...sr.com>
To:     Linus Torvalds <torvalds@...ux-foundation.org>
Cc:     Matt Turner <mattst88@...il.com>, Borislav Petkov <bp@...en8.de>,
        Alan Cox <gnomes@...rguk.ukuu.org.uk>,
        Matthew Wilcox <willy@...radead.org>,
        Jann Horn <jannh@...gle.com>,
        Al Viro <viro@...iv.linux.org.uk>,
        Thomas Gleixner <tglx@...utronix.de>,
        kernel list <linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org>,
        linux-fsdevel <linux-fsdevel@...r.kernel.org>,
        "the arch\/x86 maintainers" <x86@...nel.org>,
        Linux API <linux-api@...r.kernel.org>,
        Andrew Morton <akpm@...ux-foundation.org>,
        Richard Weinberger <richard@....at>,
        Anton Ivanov <anton.ivanov@...bridgegreys.com>,
        linux-alpha <linux-alpha@...r.kernel.org>,
        linux-m68k@...ts.linux-m68k.org
Subject: Re: [PATCH] x86: Deprecate a.out support

Linus Torvalds <torvalds@...ux-foundation.org> writes:

> On Mon, Mar 11, 2019 at 11:08 AM Måns Rullgård <mans@...sr.com> wrote:
>>
>> The latest version I have is 5.1, and that uses ECOFF.
>
> ECOFF _is_ a.out as far as Linux is concerned.
>
> So Linux basically treats ECOFF as "regular a.out with just some
> header extensions".
>
> We don't have any specific support for ECOFF.
>
> I _think_. Again, it's been years and years.

Right, which is why killing a.out entirely would have the unfortunate
effect of also removing the OSF/1 compatibility on Alpha.

If we are to support Alpha as an architecture at all, it makes sense to
support the things people actually use it for.

Now, personally I can live without it.  I just don't like to see
features removed without due consideration.

-- 
Måns Rullgård