kernel_optimize_test/Documentation/ABI
Linus Torvalds 7a684c452e Nothing all that exciting; a new module-from-fd syscall for those who want
to verify the source of the module (ChromeOS) and/or use standard IMA on it
 or other security hooks.
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Merge tag 'modules-next-for-linus' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/rusty/linux

Pull module update from Rusty Russell:
 "Nothing all that exciting; a new module-from-fd syscall for those who
  want to verify the source of the module (ChromeOS) and/or use standard
  IMA on it or other security hooks."

* tag 'modules-next-for-linus' of git://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/rusty/linux:
  MODSIGN: Fix kbuild output when using default extra_certificates
  MODSIGN: Avoid using .incbin in C source
  modules: don't hand 0 to vmalloc.
  module: Remove a extra null character at the top of module->strtab.
  ASN.1: Use the ASN1_LONG_TAG and ASN1_INDEFINITE_LENGTH constants
  ASN.1: Define indefinite length marker constant
  moduleparam: use __UNIQUE_ID()
  __UNIQUE_ID()
  MODSIGN: Add modules_sign make target
  powerpc: add finit_module syscall.
  ima: support new kernel module syscall
  add finit_module syscall to asm-generic
  ARM: add finit_module syscall to ARM
  security: introduce kernel_module_from_file hook
  module: add flags arg to sys_finit_module()
  module: add syscall to load module from fd
2012-12-19 07:55:08 -08:00
..
obsolete Merge branches 'for-3.7/upstream-fixes', 'for-3.8/hidraw', 'for-3.8/i2c-hid', 'for-3.8/multitouch', 'for-3.8/roccat', 'for-3.8/sensors' and 'for-3.8/upstream' into for-linus 2012-12-12 21:41:55 +01:00
removed
stable Documentation: ABI: /sys/devices/system/node/ 2012-12-18 15:02:15 -08:00
testing Nothing all that exciting; a new module-from-fd syscall for those who want 2012-12-19 07:55:08 -08:00
README Documentation: remove reference to feature-removal-schedule.txt 2012-12-17 17:15:12 -08:00

This directory attempts to document the ABI between the Linux kernel and
userspace, and the relative stability of these interfaces.  Due to the
everchanging nature of Linux, and the differing maturity levels, these
interfaces should be used by userspace programs in different ways.

We have four different levels of ABI stability, as shown by the four
different subdirectories in this location.  Interfaces may change levels
of stability according to the rules described below.

The different levels of stability are:

  stable/
	This directory documents the interfaces that the developer has
	defined to be stable.  Userspace programs are free to use these
	interfaces with no restrictions, and backward compatibility for
	them will be guaranteed for at least 2 years.  Most interfaces
	(like syscalls) are expected to never change and always be
	available.

  testing/
	This directory documents interfaces that are felt to be stable,
	as the main development of this interface has been completed.
	The interface can be changed to add new features, but the
	current interface will not break by doing this, unless grave
	errors or security problems are found in them.  Userspace
	programs can start to rely on these interfaces, but they must be
	aware of changes that can occur before these interfaces move to
	be marked stable.  Programs that use these interfaces are
	strongly encouraged to add their name to the description of
	these interfaces, so that the kernel developers can easily
	notify them if any changes occur (see the description of the
	layout of the files below for details on how to do this.)

  obsolete/
  	This directory documents interfaces that are still remaining in
	the kernel, but are marked to be removed at some later point in
	time.  The description of the interface will document the reason
	why it is obsolete and when it can be expected to be removed.

  removed/
	This directory contains a list of the old interfaces that have
	been removed from the kernel.

Every file in these directories will contain the following information:

What:		Short description of the interface
Date:		Date created
KernelVersion:	Kernel version this feature first showed up in.
Contact:	Primary contact for this interface (may be a mailing list)
Description:	Long description of the interface and how to use it.
Users:		All users of this interface who wish to be notified when
		it changes.  This is very important for interfaces in
		the "testing" stage, so that kernel developers can work
		with userspace developers to ensure that things do not
		break in ways that are unacceptable.  It is also
		important to get feedback for these interfaces to make
		sure they are working in a proper way and do not need to
		be changed further.


How things move between levels:

Interfaces in stable may move to obsolete, as long as the proper
notification is given.

Interfaces may be removed from obsolete and the kernel as long as the
documented amount of time has gone by.

Interfaces in the testing state can move to the stable state when the
developers feel they are finished.  They cannot be removed from the
kernel tree without going through the obsolete state first.

It's up to the developer to place their interfaces in the category they
wish for it to start out in.