Linus Torvalds on binary compatibility

Linus Torvalds' epic letter dated March 8, 2012 on the Linux Kernel Mailing List (Linux Kernel Mail List) is difficult to translate due to the abundant use of expressive language.

Written in response to a post by Eric W. Biederman of the same day.

>> Maintaining compatibility is quite simple, so it
>> worth it, but support for 30+ years of backward compatibility ...

Stand.
')
The point is not * in some arbitrarily taken "30-year backward compatibility."

The fact is that your patch BREAKES EXISTING BINARY.

So enough already whipping bullshit! They showed that the patch is unsuitable, stop writing excuses and carry nonsense.

The end of the story. Binary compatibility is more important than * any * of your patches. If you continue to make arguments or write excuses, I will ask people to completely ignore your patches.

Indeed. Binary compatibility * is so important * that I don’t want to deal with kernel developers who don’t understand this importance. If you continue to neglect it, you will only show your insecurity. Do not do that.

Damn it, I continue to be surprised * idiots * around, who do not understand that binary compatibility is one of the main priorities. * The only reason for the existence of the OS kernel is to serve user space. The kernel does not make sense by itself. Breaking existing binaries — and then not understanding how badly badly he entered — is simply * the worst * misconduct any kernel developer can do.

Because it shows their lack of understanding, what is the whole * meaning * of the kernel as such. We do not masturbate here with some kind of scientific project. And never did. Even when Linux was young, the common and sole purpose was to create a * convenient * system. That is why now it is not some crazy steroid-powered microkernel or any other crazy thing.

Indeed.
Linus