this post was submitted on 03 Feb 2025
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Behold, a Linux maintainer openly admitting to attempting to sabotage the entire Rust for Linux project:

https://lwn.net/ml/all/20250131075751.GA16720@lst.de/

The good news is this doesn't affect drm/asahi, our GPU driver. The bad news is it does affect all the other drivers we're (re)writing in Rust, two so far with a third one coming.

Another choice quote, calling R4L "cancer": https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/20250128092334.GA28548@lst.de/

Personally, I would consider this grounds for removal of Christoph from the Linux project on Code of Conduct violation grounds, but sadly I doubt much will happen other than draining a lot of people's energy and will to continue the project until Linus says "fuck you" or something.

As for how to move forward, if I were one of the Rust maintainers, I would just merge the patch (which does not touch code formally maintained by the dissenter). Either Linus takes the pull, and whatever Christoph says is irrelevant, or he doesn't, and R4L dies. Everything else is a waste of everyone's time and energy.

Edit: Sent in my 2 cents: https://lore.kernel.org/rust-for-linux/2b9b75d1-eb8e-494a-b05f-59f75c92e6ae@marcan.st/T/#m1944b6d485070970e359bbc7baa71b04c86a30af

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[–] kbal@fedia.io 11 points 1 month ago (12 children)

In this thread, much the same as in any discussion of the topic, we learn that Rust is vital to the survival of the Linux kernel and we're surely doomed without it, and that the absence of languages other than C in the Linux kernel is the only thing preventing the demons of chaos from arising to tear our souls to shreds and we must remain pure.

[–] MadhuGururajan@programming.dev 16 points 1 month ago (6 children)

looks like a lot of people want to die on the C programming hill. Cannot blame them, they have no will or ability to keep learning in an industry that *checks notes* ...asks you to keep learning!

[–] possiblylinux127@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 month ago (5 children)

C is much simpler from a language perspective. It doesn't have safety rails but it also has a lower learning curve assuming you understand computer hardware.

[–] Kissaki@programming.dev 7 points 1 month ago

Does the Linux Kernel use simple C though?

I think and assume they use enforced guidelines, custom types and tooling to make it workable. By that point C is no longer simple. You extended the language to make it safe, and ended up with the same complexity.

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