New discussions to remove FBDEV from the Linux kernel

fbdev usage example

La graph stack GNU / Linux is complex, so much so that it becomes difficult to explain all the layers and elements involved in it. Linux's graphical system works, but it's not simple at all. Surely you have already heard about some of the parts of which it is composed, such as graphic drivers, DRM, KMS, FBDEV, etc., that without counting on the OpenGL graphic API or other APIs, in addition to the graphical environment supported by the server, etc.

Well, there is what is known as framebuffer or fbdev, some drivers to provide a minimum graphics system in the Linux terminal, in a more dependent way on the graphics card that we use and before having other more specific graphics drivers. Without going into much detail, to say that this system is already somewhat outdated, but it may be useful in some cases. Undoubtedly the activity on this part is minimal in recent years in terms of development.

The developers do not contribute to this element and as I say there are alternatives to it that are boiling, such as DRM. This system complies with the functionalities of fbdev for modern graphics systems and is even capable of simulating the operation of fbdev completely. Therefore there is redundancy in the Linux kernel in this sense and it is the focus of some critics and voices that join so that the old fbdev is eliminated from the kernel. One of them is Tomi Valkeinen from Texas Instruments ...

Tomi has set fire again this discussion and it has again proposed to get rid of the old drivers, something that would not mean ṕ loss of functionality by having DRM (by the way, not to be confused with Digital Rights Management, since they are the acronym for Direct Rendering Manager). At the kernel development level, removing fbdev would be to remove about 31.000 lines of code, making the kernel lighter. Certainly not negligible. What will they do?


Be the first to comment

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: AB Internet Networks 2008 SL
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.