Messages in this thread | | | Date | Tue, 21 Sep 1999 13:10:51 -0500 (EST) | From | "Mark H. Wood" <> | Subject | Re: [Q]: Linux and real device drivers |
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On Tue, 21 Sep 1999, Alan Cox wrote: [snip] > > unused, delivered by manufacturers seperately of the kernel and kernel > > version independent (more or less at least). Besides, by treating > > Unlikely. They would stil be very tied to the kernel.
It's not impossible, though, that this tied-ness could be organized into one or perhaps 2-3 kernel<->driver interface specifications. If you change stuff that breaks compatibility with driver spec version X, you increment the version so that old drivers can decide to refuse to load. When a driver says "I'm too old for this kernel", one knows immediately that it's time for someone (possibly one's self) to go get interface spec. versions X and X+1 and see what has to be changed.
-- Mark H. Wood, Lead System Programmer mwood@IUPUI.Edu A Brazil-nut is neatly packaged and tightly integrated. To turn it into food, you must crack and remove the shell. I find that I feel the same way about an increasing number of software products. *sigh*
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