On Tuesday 16 September 2003 00:59, David S. Miller wrote:
> > - char physindev[IFNAMSIZ];
> > + char physindev[IFNAMSIZ] __attribute__ ((aligned (__alignof__(unsigned
> > int))));
>
> I have to reject the fix for this problem again.
>
> You can't change the struct exported to userspace in any way
> without breaking the tools. I tried to explain this in the
> first revision of your change.
On Thursday 04 September 2003 05:05, you wrote:
<quote>
As I mentioned in another email, this patch can't be used, it
breaks in mixed 32/64 bit environments.
<unquote>
I guess I'm a bit on the slow side but I didn't quite read the above text like
that.
Anyway, this rule about not changing structs exported to userspace truly
sucks, IMHO. If someone decides to compile her own kernel this person should
not expect every userspace tool to keep working, again IMHO. Adding a new
module to the kernel results in the user having to upgrade her tools,
recompiling won't even do. Why on earth do you allow adding modules.
But I'm sure some nice volunteer will come along and downgrade that code
fragment.
Bart
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