Re: [PATCH] Revert "mm: rename _count, field of the struct page, to _refcount"

From: Vitaly Kuznetsov
Date: Thu Jun 16 2016 - 06:30:27 EST


Christoph Hellwig <hch@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> writes:

> On Thu, Jun 16, 2016 at 11:22:46AM +0200, Vitaly Kuznetsov wrote:
>> _count -> _refcount rename in commit 0139aa7b7fa12 ("mm: rename _count,
>> field of the struct page, to _refcount") broke kdump. makedumpfile(8) does
>> stuff like READ_MEMBER_OFFSET("page._count", page._count) and fails. While
>> it is definitely possible to fix this particular tool I'm not sure about
>> other tools which might be doing the same.
>>
>> I suggest we remember the "we don't break userspace" rule and revert for
>> 4.7 while it's not too late.
>
> Err, sorry - this is not "userspace". It's crazy crap digging into
> kernel internal structure.
>
> The rename was absolutely useful, so fix up your stinking pike in kdump.

Ok, sure, I'll send a patch to it. I was worried about other tools out
there which e.g. inspect /proc/vmcore. As it is something we support
some conservatism around it is justified.

--
Vitaly