Deprecating Stuff
summary
Proposes removing niche kernel bits that nobody boots or builds regularly: mark seldom-tested configs as deprecated in Kconfig, emit an on-boot warning, and remove them after a fixed date (example proposal Jan 1 2025). Specific targets include XIP (hard to build and barely booted), SBI 0.1 (used only for early debug), medlow and non‑relocatable kernels that block other features, plus aging RISC‑V toolchains. Keeps ports alive when actual silicon appears, and prefers config toggles so remaining users must opt in before deletion.
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chapters (10)
- 0:00Introduction to deprecation
- 1:47Criteria for deprecation
- 3:16Deprecation process proposal
- 6:48Specific candidates to deprecate
- 9:17Non-relocatable kernels debate
- 12:36Maintenance burden vs usage
- 15:26XIP and toolchain challenges
- 17:16Old toolchain deprecation
- 20:40Future toolchain policy
- 22:04Summary and next steps
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