Re: [RFC PATCH 1/2] PM: EM: Export em_table_alloc/free

[Lukasz Luba <lukasz.luba@arm.com>]

On 7/22/26 10:01, Christoph Hellwig wrote:
> On Tue, Jul 21, 2026 at 07:10:38PM +0800, Xuewen Yan wrote:
>> we use it in android vendor specific ko, and the ko is not upstream.
>> We use them with em_dev_update_perf_domain(), Just like
>> em_dev_update_perf_domain() was exported, export the
>> em_table_alloc/free.
> 
> As you've probably been told many times exporting symbols without
> in-tree users that are in the same series or at least directly
> references is a no-go, and continuing to post them is considered
> extremely offensive.  Don't do this.
> 

It's a bit more complex situation IMHO. We have been always
struggling to involve kernel folks from Android world to contribute
into the mainline Linux. The thing is they have to apply some hacks
in order to make the plumbing for the new devices. This is
an example where they struggle. They ask work vendor hooks to workaround
which complicates even more the maintenance of stable Android kernel.
I have seen those good examples where finally the drivers are pushed
upstream, since downstream maintenance complexity is too high. Something
has to break this circle.