The ongoing effort to integrate Rust code into the Linux kernel encounters resistance from veteran developers who argue that maintaining a multi-language codebase poses significant challenges and risks to the kernel's stability and integrity.
Developers endeavoring to integrate Rust code into the Linux kernel continue to encounter resistance from kernel maintainers who express concerns about the complexities and risks associated with employing multiple programming languages. This friction stems from differing perspectives on collaboration and the challenges of maintaining codebases written in diverse languages. One prominent example of this tension involves a recent attempt to introduce Rust code for a DMA coherent allocator.
Christoph Hellwig, a veteran Linux developer, voiced his opposition to the inclusion of Rust code, asserting that maintaining multi-language projects is cumbersome and that interfaces to the DMA API should ideally be written in readable C code. Hellwig argued that non-C drivers should have their own private bindings to C code, separate from the main kernel tree, to ensure maintainability.Danilo Krummrich, a Red Hat engineer involved in the Rust for Linux project, countered Hellwig's stance, explaining that their initiative aims to create Rust code that abstracts C APIs for all Rust drivers. The core C side of the kernel would remain unchanged, while Rust drivers would utilize abstractions provided by this layer. Krummrich emphasized that central maintenance of these abstractions within the rust/kernel tree would be more beneficial than individual drivers creating their own C bindings. Hellwig, however, remained steadfast in his opposition, stating that every additional language employed within the kernel significantly reduces its maintainability and risks disrupting the cohesive nature of the project. He further likened the potential encroachment of Rust into the core kernel to a 'cancer,' a comparison that echoes a past statement made by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer about Linux.The debate highlights a fundamental tension in the open-source community between embracing innovation and preserving the integrity of existing systems. While proponents of Rust argue for its potential to enhance security and reliability through its memory safety features, some maintainers express concerns about the complexities and risks associated with integrating it into the Linux kernel. The outcome of this discussion will likely shape the future direction of Rust's integration into the Linux ecosystem
LINUX KERNEL RUST SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT OPEN SOURCE MULTI-LANGUAGE KERNEL MAINTAINERS
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