David> separate Linux drivers and the the main kernel, and manage
David> drivers using a package management system that only manages
David> kernel drivers and modules? If this can be done, the kernel
David> maintenance can be simple, and will end-up with a more stable
David> (less frequent changed) kernel API for drivers, also make every
David> developers of drivers happy.
David> Would like to see that happens .
Simple answer: no
Maybe someone is working on it, but it's highly unlikely to be
anything but a waste of that person's time.
This is a classic question, by seperating out the drivers you make it
so much harder for all developers to propagate changes into all pieces
of the tree.
I write drivers, never need to change kernel if the kernel API is mature
enough to provide the need of a module developer needs. There is no
reason to make changes to the kernel source, only needed because the
original kernel code is crap or the API designed without proper
software/system architectural design work effort. Each Linux kernel
version go through a lengthy beta release cycle (e.g. 2.3, 2.5, 2.7),
this shouldn't happen and idea collection should be enough through this
large Linux community.
If our time is to focus on kernel's kernel, writing good documentation
about a stable kernel API, it will benefit many developers to write
drivers to Linux . It is too difficult to learn, this is a main reason
why Linux is lack of support from manufacturer drivers, not because they
don't like Linux and no market, it is because this has created high
entry barrier for them.
I've been working on Linux modules for many years, training my
engineers, talking to developers, hw manufacturers .. believe it or not,
this is the main reason. They all ask for a DDK for Linux that can make
drivers easily for their product.
I think I am in a different position like you guys, I've been work with
Linux from programmer level to Linux promotion . My goal is not just
focus on Linux technical or programming, I would like to promote this
operating system to not just for programmers, but also non-technical
end-users . Writing C code to me is just bits of task of some process.
You are too much focus on programming without considering the market
situation.
There is no right or wrong for this question, but my original question
is to listen thoughts and to hear the goal of people in the list. And of
course, I would really like to see you people look into the way to
facilitate more people gets a path with ease to Linux drivers
development. User driver installation without the need to know about
kernel sources, gcc, make etc.... "Because I am a dummy, I want to
plug-in my device, put in the driver disc and hope it works!"
regards,
David Chow
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