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Date:      Fri, 22 Mar 2002 11:05:30 -0500 (EST)
From:      Robert Watson <rwatson@FreeBSD.org>
To:        "David O'Brien" <obrien@FreeBSD.org>
Cc:        Garrett Wollman <wollman@lcs.mit.edu>, cvs-committers@FreeBSD.org, cvs-all@FreeBSD.org
Subject:   Re: cvs commit: src/sys/kern kern_linker.c vfs_syscalls.c
Message-ID:  <Pine.NEB.3.96L.1020322110246.14139M-100000@fledge.watson.org>
In-Reply-To: <20020321233032.A21131@dragon.nuxi.com>

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On Thu, 21 Mar 2002, David O'Brien wrote:

> On Thu, Mar 21, 2002 at 11:38:06PM -0500, Garrett Wollman wrote:
> > > I really do not know what "compile modules into your kernel" means.
> > > A subsystem is either a module, or it is compiled statically into the
> > > kernel.  In the 2nd case, I've never heard things called a module.
> > 
> > `kldstat -v' disagrees.
> 
> *sigh* OK, I am speaking of the sysadmin POV -- there is a difference
> between the objects that are built from sys/modules and putting "options
> foo" in your kernel config.  Many developers say "I don't use modules in
> -CURRENT".  I really doubt they are talking about not using any network
> drivers (for instance).  Also note that debugging the two are different
> -- see the FAQ of how to gdb a module. 

Personally, I do use modules on -CURRENT frequently, as it permits me to
load, test new code, and unload rapidly.  Obviously, you can't do this for
everything, but if you're not testing your code in the module form as well
as the compiled-in form, you are at risk of developing serious bugs :-).
I've found that most of my concerns with modules and live development were
resolved when we moved to a model that kept modules with their associated
kernel.  Prior to that, I'd shoot myself in the foot by
upgrading/downgrading kernels but not modules in some development
scenarios, with much suffering immediately following.

Robert N M Watson             FreeBSD Core Team, TrustedBSD Project
robert@fledge.watson.org      NAI Labs, Safeport Network Services




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