Re: obsolete code must die

[Jaswinder Singh]

Cleanup is a nice idea , but Linux should support old hardware and should
not affect them in any way.

Jaswinder.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel" <[e-mail]>
To: "Linux kernel" <[e-mail]>
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2001 5:44 PM
Subject: obsolete code must die

> Anyone concerned about the current size of the kernel source code? I am,
and
> I propose to start cleaning house on the x86 platform. I mean it's all
very
> well and good to keep adding features, but stuff needs to go if kernel
> development is to move forward. Before listing the gunk I want to get rid
> of, here's my justification for doing so:
> -- Getting rid of old code can help simplify the kernel. This means less
> chance of bugs.
> -- Simplifying the kernel means that it will be easier for newbies to
> understand and perhaps contribute.
> -- a simpler, cleaner kernel will also be of more use in an academic
> environment.
> -- a smaller kernel is easier to maintain and is easier to re-architect
> should the need arise.
> -- If someone really needs support for this junk, they will always have
the
> option of using the 2.0.x, 2.2.x or 2.4.x series.
>
> So without further ado here're the features I want to get rid of:
>
> i386, i486
> The Pentium processor has been around since 1995. Support for these older
> processors should go so we can focus on optimizations for the pentium and
> better processors.
>
> math-emu
> If support for i386 and i486 is going away, then so should math emulation.
> Every intel processor since the 486DX has an FPU unit built in. In fact
> shouldn't FPU support be a userspace responsibility anyway?
>
> ISA bus, MCA bus, EISA bus
> PCI is the defacto standard. Get rid of CONFIG_BLK_DEV_ISAPNP,
> CONFIG_ISAPNP, etc
>
> ISA, MCA, EISA device drivers
> If support for the buses is gone, there's no point in supporting devices
for
> these buses.
>
> all code marked as CONFIG_OBSOLETE
> Since we're cleaning house we may as well get rid of this stuff.
>
> MFM/RLL/XT/ESDI hard drive support
> Does anyone still *have* an RLL drive that works? At the very least get
rid
> of the old driver (eg CONFIG_BLK_DEV_HD_ONLY, CONFIG_BLK_DEV_HD_IDE,
> CONFIG_BLK_DEV_XD, CONFIG_BLK_DEV_PS2)
>
> parallel/serial/game ports
> More controversial to remove this, since they are *still* in pretty wide
> use -- but USB and IEEE 1394 are the way to go. No ifs ands or buts.
>
> a.out
> Who needs it anymore. I love ELF.
>
> I really think doing a clean up is worthwhile. Maybe while looking for
stuff
> to clean up we'll even be able to better comment the existing code. Any
> other features people would like to get rid of? Any comments or
suggestions?
> I'd love to start a good discussion about this going so please send me
your
> 2 cents.
>
> Daniel
>
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