Following arguments on the Linux kernel mailing list the past few days over some Linux kernel maintainers being against the notion of Rust code in the mainline Linux kernel and trying to avoid it and very passionate views over the Linux kernel development process, Asahi Linux lead developer Hector Martin has removed himself from being an upstream maintainer of the ARM Apple code.

  • Leaflet@lemmy.worldEnglish
    293·
    2 hours ago

    I’m not going to deny that he can act aggressively, but his point is still valid. The anti-Rust sentiments of some maintainers has slowed down the upstreaming of Rust into the kernel. It doesn’t make sense to waste people’s time by letting R4L limp along in its current state.

    R4L either needs to be given the go-ahead to get things upstreamed, to the dismay of some Linux maintainers who don’t like Rust, or R4L should be killed and removed from the kernel so we can stop wasting people’s time.

    Personally, I think killing R4L would be a major mistake. Android’s Linux fork with Rust support has been a major success for Google and significantly cut down on vulnerabilities. And the drivers for Apple’s M chips has been surprisingly robust given how new they are and for being reverse engineered.