Docs: SubmittingPatches: update follow-through instructions

SubmittingPatches was written in the "keep sending to Linus until something
shows up in a release" era.  Given that we don't do things that way anymore
and the system is far less lossy, update this information and add some
hints on responding to reviewer comments.

Signed-off-by: Jonathan Corbet <corbet@lwn.net>
This commit is contained in:
Jonathan Corbet 2014-12-23 08:52:01 -07:00
parent ccae8616ec
commit 0eea231437

View File

@ -354,40 +354,34 @@ server, and provide instead a URL (link) pointing to your patch.
8) Name your kernel version.
8) Respond to review comments.
------------------------------
It is important to note, either in the subject line or in the patch
description, the kernel version to which this patch applies.
Your patch will almost certainly get comments from reviewers on ways in
which the patch can be improved. You must respond to those comments;
ignoring reviewers is a good way to get ignored in return. Review comments
or questions that do not lead to a code change should almost certainly
bring about a comment or changelog entry so that the next reviewer better
understands what is going on.
If the patch does not apply cleanly to the latest kernel version,
Linus will not apply it.
Be sure to tell the reviewers what changes you are making and to thank them
for their time. Code review is a tiring and time-consuming process, and
reviewers sometimes get grumpy. Even in that case, though, respond
politely and address the problems they have pointed out.
9) Don't get discouraged - or impatient.
----------------------------------------
9) Don't get discouraged. Re-submit.
After you have submitted your change, be patient and wait. If Linus
likes your change and applies it, it will appear in the next version
of the kernel that he releases.
However, if your change doesn't appear in the next version of the
kernel, there could be any number of reasons. It's YOUR job to
narrow down those reasons, correct what was wrong, and submit your
updated change.
It is quite common for Linus to "drop" your patch without comment.
That's the nature of the system. If he drops your patch, it could be
due to
* Your patch did not apply cleanly to the latest kernel version.
* Your patch was not sufficiently discussed on linux-kernel.
* A style issue (see section 2).
* An e-mail formatting issue (re-read this section).
* A technical problem with your change.
* He gets tons of e-mail, and yours got lost in the shuffle.
* You are being annoying.
When in doubt, solicit comments on linux-kernel mailing list.
After you have submitted your change, be patient and wait. Reviewers are
busy people and may not get to your patch right away.
Once upon a time, patches used to disappear into the void without comment,
but the development process works more smoothly than that now. You should
receive comments within a week or so; if that does not happen, make sure
that you have sent your patches to the right place. Wait for a minimum of
one week before resubmitting or pinging reviewers - possibly longer during
busy times like merge windows.
10) Include PATCH in the subject