1 This directory attempts to document the ABI be 1 This directory attempts to document the ABI between the Linux kernel and
2 userspace, and the relative stability of these 2 userspace, and the relative stability of these interfaces. Due to the
3 everchanging nature of Linux, and the differin 3 everchanging nature of Linux, and the differing maturity levels, these
4 interfaces should be used by userspace program 4 interfaces should be used by userspace programs in different ways.
5 5
6 We have four different levels of ABI stability 6 We have four different levels of ABI stability, as shown by the four
7 different subdirectories in this location. In 7 different subdirectories in this location. Interfaces may change levels
8 of stability according to the rules described 8 of stability according to the rules described below.
9 9
10 The different levels of stability are: 10 The different levels of stability are:
11 11
12 stable/ 12 stable/
13 This directory documents the interface 13 This directory documents the interfaces that the developer has
14 defined to be stable. Userspace progr 14 defined to be stable. Userspace programs are free to use these
15 interfaces with no restrictions, and b 15 interfaces with no restrictions, and backward compatibility for
16 them will be guaranteed for at least 2 16 them will be guaranteed for at least 2 years. Most interfaces
17 (like syscalls) are expected to never 17 (like syscalls) are expected to never change and always be
18 available. 18 available.
19 19
20 testing/ 20 testing/
21 This directory documents interfaces th 21 This directory documents interfaces that are felt to be stable,
22 as the main development of this interf 22 as the main development of this interface has been completed.
23 The interface can be changed to add ne 23 The interface can be changed to add new features, but the
24 current interface will not break by do 24 current interface will not break by doing this, unless grave
25 errors or security problems are found 25 errors or security problems are found in them. Userspace
26 programs can start to rely on these in 26 programs can start to rely on these interfaces, but they must be
27 aware of changes that can occur before 27 aware of changes that can occur before these interfaces move to
28 be marked stable. Programs that use t 28 be marked stable. Programs that use these interfaces are
29 strongly encouraged to add their name 29 strongly encouraged to add their name to the description of
30 these interfaces, so that the kernel d 30 these interfaces, so that the kernel developers can easily
31 notify them if any changes occur (see 31 notify them if any changes occur (see the description of the
32 layout of the files below for details 32 layout of the files below for details on how to do this.)
33 33
34 obsolete/ 34 obsolete/
35 This directory documents interfaces th !! 35 This directory documents interfaces that are still remaining in
36 the kernel, but are marked to be remov 36 the kernel, but are marked to be removed at some later point in
37 time. The description of the interfac 37 time. The description of the interface will document the reason
38 why it is obsolete and when it can be 38 why it is obsolete and when it can be expected to be removed.
39 39
40 removed/ 40 removed/
41 This directory contains a list of the 41 This directory contains a list of the old interfaces that have
42 been removed from the kernel. 42 been removed from the kernel.
43 43
44 Every file in these directories will contain t 44 Every file in these directories will contain the following information:
45 45
46 What: Short description of the inter 46 What: Short description of the interface
47 Date: Date created 47 Date: Date created
48 KernelVersion: Kernel version this feature fi 48 KernelVersion: Kernel version this feature first showed up in.
49 Contact: Primary contact for this inter 49 Contact: Primary contact for this interface (may be a mailing list)
50 Description: Long description of the interf 50 Description: Long description of the interface and how to use it.
51 Users: All users of this interface wh 51 Users: All users of this interface who wish to be notified when
52 it changes. This is very impo 52 it changes. This is very important for interfaces in
53 the "testing" stage, so that k 53 the "testing" stage, so that kernel developers can work
54 with userspace developers to e 54 with userspace developers to ensure that things do not
55 break in ways that are unaccep 55 break in ways that are unacceptable. It is also
56 important to get feedback for 56 important to get feedback for these interfaces to make
57 sure they are working in a pro 57 sure they are working in a proper way and do not need to
58 be changed further. 58 be changed further.
59 59
60 60
61 Note: <<
62 The fields should be use a simple notation, <<
63 Also, the file **should not** have a top-le <<
64 <<
65 === <<
66 foo <<
67 === <<
68 <<
69 How things move between levels: 61 How things move between levels:
70 62
71 Interfaces in stable may move to obsolete, as 63 Interfaces in stable may move to obsolete, as long as the proper
72 notification is given. 64 notification is given.
73 65
74 Interfaces may be removed from obsolete and th 66 Interfaces may be removed from obsolete and the kernel as long as the
75 documented amount of time has gone by. 67 documented amount of time has gone by.
76 68
77 Interfaces in the testing state can move to th 69 Interfaces in the testing state can move to the stable state when the
78 developers feel they are finished. They canno 70 developers feel they are finished. They cannot be removed from the
79 kernel tree without going through the obsolete 71 kernel tree without going through the obsolete state first.
80 72
81 It's up to the developer to place their interf 73 It's up to the developer to place their interfaces in the category they
82 wish for it to start out in. 74 wish for it to start out in.
83 75
84 76
85 Notable bits of non-ABI, which should not unde 77 Notable bits of non-ABI, which should not under any circumstances be considered
86 stable: 78 stable:
87 79
88 - Kconfig. Userspace should not rely on the p 80 - Kconfig. Userspace should not rely on the presence or absence of any
89 particular Kconfig symbol, in /proc/config.g 81 particular Kconfig symbol, in /proc/config.gz, in the copy of .config
90 commonly installed to /boot, or in any invoc 82 commonly installed to /boot, or in any invocation of the kernel build
91 process. 83 process.
92 84
93 - Kernel-internal symbols. Do not rely on the 85 - Kernel-internal symbols. Do not rely on the presence, absence, location, or
94 type of any kernel symbol, either in System. 86 type of any kernel symbol, either in System.map files or the kernel binary
95 itself. See Documentation/process/stable-ap !! 87 itself. See Documentation/stable_api_nonsense.txt.
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