Bcachefs Future In Linux Kernel Uncertain After Code Of Conduct Dispute

The future of the Bcachefs file system within the Linux kernel is currently uncertain, following a public announcement by its lead developer, Kent Overstreet. This uncertainty stems from a conflict with the Linux Kernel Code of Conduct (CoC) committee, resulting in the rejection of Overstreet's 6.13 pull request.

Key Points of Contention:

Overstreet's blog post details two primary issues:

1. Technical Disputes: Overstreet alleges repeated instances of unhelpful feedback from a specific memory management (mm) maintainer, particularly regarding memory allocation profiling and the PF_MEMALLOC_NORECLAIM API. He contends this feedback, focused on "maintenance overhead" and safety concerns, lacked technical merit and stemmed from a misunderstanding of Bcachefs's design.

2. CoC Committee Handling: Overstreet criticizes the CoC committee's approach as heavy-handed, prioritizing appearances over addressing underlying cultural and procedural issues within the kernel community. He cites concerns about the lack of transparency in the committee's reliance on anonymous complaints and private proceedings, as well as pressure to issue a public apology under veiled threats. He argues that a culture of dismissing difficult technical discussions is detrimental to solving complex engineering problems.

Impact of the CoC's Approach:

Overstreet believes the CoC's current methods discourage open engagement and create an environment where developers hesitate to challenge established viewpoints. The recent, unannounced introduction of a new CoC enforcement policy allowing for complete bans from kernel development further exacerbates these concerns.

Community Response:

The situation has sparked debate within the Linux community. Some express concern that the CoC is silencing dissent and creating a hostile environment for independent developers, while others defend the CoC as essential for maintaining a respectful and inclusive community.

Outcome and Future of Bcachefs:

The outcome remains unresolved. Overstreet has indicated continued development of Bcachefs outside the mainline kernel, though this will hinder accessibility and adoption.

Conclusion:

A disagreement with the Linux Kernel Code of Conduct committee has cast doubt on the future of Bcachefs within the mainline kernel. Overstreet's concerns highlight a broader discussion about the balance between maintaining a positive community environment and fostering open, critical technical debate. The situation raises questions about the CoC's effectiveness and its potential impact on the Linux development process.

Update: Kent Overstreet has been banned from Linux Kernel development. Further details can be found in the linked article: Bcachefs Developer Kent Overstreet Banned From Linux Kernel Development

Further Reading:

• Linus Torvalds' comments on the Bcachefs development process.
• Report on the Debian developer orphaning the Bcachefs-Tools package.
• News about the resignation of a Rust maintainer for the Linux kernel.

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