linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH 1/7] Documentation: gpio: add chardev userspace API documentation

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Date: Wed, 10 Jan 2024 15:27:50 +0100
From: Linus Walleij <linus.walleij@...aro.org>
To: Kent Gibson <warthog618@...il.com>
Cc: Phil Howard <phil@...getoid.com>, linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org, 
	linux-gpio@...r.kernel.org, linux-doc@...r.kernel.org, brgl@...ev.pl, 
	andy@...nel.org, corbet@....net
Subject: Re: [PATCH 1/7] Documentation: gpio: add chardev userspace API documentation

On Wed, Jan 10, 2024 at 2:02 PM Kent Gibson <warthog618@...il.com> wrote:
> On Wed, Jan 10, 2024 at 11:40:34AM +0000, Phil Howard wrote:

> > You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, so I'd probably soften to:
> >
> > Before abusing userspace APIs to bitbash drivers for your hardware you should
> > read Documentation/driver-api/gpio/drivers-on-gpio.rst to see if your device has
> > an existing kernel driver. If not, please consider contributing one.
> >
>
> The note is is a rewording of a section of the existing sysfs documentation:
>
>     DO NOT ABUSE SYSFS TO CONTROL HARDWARE THAT HAS PROPER KERNEL DRIVERS.
>     PLEASE READ THE DOCUMENT AT Subsystem drivers using GPIO TO AVOID REINVENTING
>     KERNEL WHEELS IN USERSPACE. I MEAN IT. REALLY.
>
> So I've already toned down the vineger.

I wrote that and I recognized the strong wording.

I have come with great regret to the conclusion that it is better to
shout like this,
note that the sentence is not directed to any specific person and that means
it is more OK to be harsh. It is not feedback to anyone, it is black-and-yellow
warning tape to not go into this dangerous area.

I like the current wording.

Yours,
Linus Walleij