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Re: Module support

To: "Matt D. Robinson" <yakker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: Module support
From: "Michael Holzheu" <HOLZHEU@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Thu, 19 Jul 2001 13:03:41 +0200
Cc: lkcd@xxxxxxxxxxx
Importance: Normal
Sender: owner-lkcd@xxxxxxxxxxx


One reason that we do not build our kernels for
Linux/390 with -gstabs is that we realized, that
gcc produces less efficient code with -gstabs.

But we consider this as a gcc bug and will investigate
this further.

       Michael

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Linux/390 Development
Phone: +49-7031-16-2360,  Bld 71032-06-109
Email: holzheu@xxxxxxxxxx


"Matt D. Robinson" <yakker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> on 07/18/2001 11:21:50 PM

Please respond to "Matt D. Robinson" <yakker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

To:   Dave Anderson <anderson@xxxxxxxxxxx>
cc:   lkcd@xxxxxxxxxxx
Subject:  Re: Module support




Dave Anderson wrote:
>
> Most people won't put up with building their entire kernel -gstabs.
> If that were the case, we would have done that a long time ago.  I
> think it would be _GREAT_ to have that, but most people gag on the
> idea of putting all symbols into the kernel, as it creates huge
> kernels.
>
> I've never quite understood this.  We build our kernels
> with -g for the whole kernel, and to be sure, it
> creates a much larger vmlinux file -- maybe on the
> order of 4 times as large.  But what gets loaded
> into the bzImage file, and subsequently into memory,
> hardly changes at all.  In fact, if you also delete
> -fomit_frame_pointer along with adding -g, the kernel
> is actually smaller! (I'm guessing because of less
> aggressive in-lining?).

You omit the frame pointer because it takes an extra register
on x86 systems, which can slow the machine down tremendously
(it has to do more with fewer registers).

> Am I missing something here?
>
> Dave Anderson

No, you're not missing the point.  People just don't like to see
large kernels.  Trust me, I'd like to see -gstabs as a default
for all systems, but Linus gagged on the idea about two years
ago when I asked.  Maybe things are different now ... Heh. :)

Nice to see you again, Dave ... it's been a while. :)

--Matt




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