Kernel 6.8-rc2 debuts after very robust discussion about 'inodes'
  • Linus Torvalds criticized a Google contributor on the Linux kernel mailing list for his suggestions about filesystems.
  • The debate centered around the use of inodes as unique identifiers for metadata on a filesystem.
  • Torvalds’s strong language and tone in his response to the contributor were reminiscent of his past flippant attacks, for which he previously apologized.

Archive link: https://archive.ph/LP24s

  • Kissaki@feddit.deEnglish
    733·
    10 months ago

    You copied that function without understanding why it does what it does, and as a result your code IS GARBAGE.

    AGAIN.

    […]

    Debate continued for some time, in a cooler tone, with Torvalds offering suggestions on what he felt would be a better approach to the issues Rostedt hoped to address.

    Harsh tone (in only two instances?), but he still invested in offering suggestions 🤷

    I expected more behind the verb “flaming”.

    • Bogasse@lemmy.ml
      393·
      10 months ago

      Well, “YOUR CODE IS GARBAGE” seems like flaming.

      You, send the same message without this and it achieves exactly the same thing without the “taking it all out on someone” part 🤷

      • jeremyparker@programming.dev
        128·
        10 months ago

        Disagree. The hostility expresses frustration and indicates recognition of a long term pattern, and emphasizes the gravity of Torvalds’s observation.

        Don’t get me wrong, I’m not pro-abuse – while the hostility does contribute to the content, that doesn’t mean it will have the desired effect. Some people get a fire lit under them when they experience that kind of feedback; others get defensive or heated or hurt, and those people are NOT motivated effectively – and it can cause lasting harm.

        The key of it is: group B will not learn and grow from this approach; they’ll learn and grow from a more cool headed approach. Group A, however, will grow from either approach. Therefore, the cool headed approach is preferable.