Adding C library wrappers for all Linux syscalls

on YouTube ↗24m

" summary

Calls for adding C library wrappers for every Linux syscall, arguing this makes kernel features easy to use and test, and proposing prioritized work on futex wait/futex wake primitive and futex2 so libraries can offer safe wait/wake APIs. Notes gap fixed recently by a SCHED_DEADLINE wrapper and explains obstacles: arch-dependent syscall ABI, time32 versus time64 timeout types, language runtimes embedding assembly (Go), and missing headers. Proposes partial autogeneration, mentoring glibc patches, and cleaning UAPI headers to ship usable wrappers.

AI-written summary · about

" chapters (9)

1. 0:00Call to action
2. 1:05Why syscall wrappers matter
3. 3:55Problems with raw syscalls
4. 6:29Futex complexity example
5. 9:46Assembly wrappers in runtimes
6. 12:12C library role in ecosystem
7. 14:38Autogenerating wrappers
8. 18:52Agreeing on standards
9. 22:25Future steps and collaboration

" related talks

• 46mGNU C LibraryCarlos O'Donell · Collaboration Summit 2013
• 01h 26mLinux User/Kernel ABI: the realities of how C and C++ programs really talk to the OSGreg Law · ACCU 2018
• 26mDesigning Syscalls for ExtensibilityAleksa Sarai · linux.conf.au 2020
• 36mLinux Kernel Developer PanelGreg Kroah-Hartman, Shuah Khan, Linus Torvalds, Andrew Morton, Andy Lutomirski · LinuxCon + CloudOpen North America 2014
• 40mImproving UAPI Compatibility Review with Automated ToolingJohn Moon · Linux Plumbers Conference 2023
• 27mTuning in-kernel routines on RISC-VHeiko Stuebner · Linux Plumbers Conference 2022
• 21mState of futex2André Almeida · linux.conf.au 2022
• 13mRISC-V 32-bit glibc portAlistair Francis · linux.conf.au 2020