Linux creator Torvalds criticizes slow RISC-V kernel developer, calling their patches "garbage" and claiming they are negatively impacting global technology development.
Linus Torvalds, the Linux head honcho, has put a kernel developer on notice for submitting a patch set too late for Linux on RISC-V systems. The developer in question, Palmer Dabbelt, works at Meta, not Google as previously stated.
Torvalds' specific issues with the patch set center on poor code quality and bad timing. He rejected the patches as "garbage" because they were submitted late, violating a key developer expectation to submit early, especially given Torvalds' travel plans.
The code included changes to generic header files that were not specific to RISC-V, introducing unnecessary and inappropriate modifications outside the RISC-V architecture scope. The inclusion of these non-architecture-specific changes in common headers posed a risk of spreading unwanted or problematic code patterns across the entire Linux kernel, not just RISC-V.
Torvalds characterized the patches as actively harmful, stating they "make the world actively a worse place to live," reflecting strong disapproval of the overall patch quality and approach. He warned the developer to avoid late submissions and to keep future contributions strictly relevant to the RISC-V subtree, demanding early and clean preparations for the Linux 6.18 merge window.
Dabbelt acknowledges his mistakes and promises to stop being late and improve the quality of his work. Torvalds' brusque attitude was demonstrated in a 2012 interview where he criticized graphics giant Nvidia. Torvalds took a break from active development of the kernel and returned with a desire to be a little more mellow.
This is not the first time Torvalds has been known for his aggressive responses, which are known to have chased people out of kernel development. In 2018, he issued an apology for "flippant attacks" which were unprofessional and uncalled for.
The patch set, which was supposed to deliver fixes and features for Linux 6.18, will now have to wait for at least that release, according to Torvalds.
[1] LKML Archive: https://lkml.org/ [2] Torvalds' comments: https://lkml.org/lkml/2022/10/14/115/ [3] Sponsored Content: "Riding the AI current: why leaders are letting it flow" (Not a fact, sponsored advertisement) [4] Torvalds' response to the developer: https://lkml.org/lkml/2022/10/15/20/
- Despite the late submission of patches, AI technology integrated into software development, such as predicting optimal submission times or identifying code quality issues, could potentially aid developers like Palmer Dabbelt in meeting project deadlines and maintaining high-quality code.
- The Linux community, led by Linus Torvalds, is currently debating the integration of advanced technology, like AI, to ensure that only well-timed and relevant code patches are submitted, thereby avoiding similar incidents and fostering a more collaborative work environment.
