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Re: [RFC][Patch 2/2] markers: example of irq regular kernel markers
Hi -
On Sat, Jun 21, 2008 at 06:13:54PM +0200, Peter Zijlstra wrote:
> [...] I think what Frank refers to here is why not scatter the
> kernel code with trace_mark()s on every conceivable location like
> you do with printk-style debugging.
It's not fair to caricaturize my suggestions this way ("every
conceivable location").
> Those trace marks might help out when $customer's kernel goes splat
> and you don't want to provide him with a custom kernel.
Right.
> I do think we must make a clear distinction between these cases because:
>
> 1) tracers provide a kernel<->user interface - and whilst we don't
> have a stable in-kernel API/ABI we are anal about the kernel/user
> boundary. Andrew also greatly worries about this aspect.
Well, how to set Andrew's mind at ease then, beyond what we've already
said? Back a few months ago, both systemtap and lttng guys - the
primary user-space clients - have said that we are fine with this
interface changing. We each have mechanisms to adapt.
> 2) it highly uglyfies the code, Frank doesn't need to maintain it,
> so its easy for him to say. But IMHO its much harder to read code
> that is littered with debug statements that it is to read regular
> code.
Then don't put too many in, or hide them with inline functions.
> 3) it bloats the kernel,.. while it may not be fast path bloat, all
> that marker stuff does go somewhere.
That bloat has been quantified and appears negligible in space and time.
> So, while I see the value of 'stable' mark sites for 'stable'
> events, I'm dead-set against littering the kernel with markers just
> because we can, and hoping they might some day be useful for
> someone.
We're in violent agreement. No one suggested "littering just because
we can". The initial lttng suite of markers consisted of about one
hundred *in total*. If some other subsystem maintainer runs amok and
adds thousands, please take it up with them, not with us.
- FChE