Linux Kernel Summit discussions
 help / color / mirror / Atom feed
From: Dan Williams <dan.j.williams@intel.com>
To: linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org
Cc: vishal.l.verma@intel.com,
	ksummit-discuss@lists.linuxfoundation.org,
	Greg Kroah-Hartman <gregkh@linuxfoundation.org>,
	linux-nvdimm@lists.01.org, Dmitry Vyukov <dvyukov@google.com>,
	Mauro Carvalho Chehab <mchehab@kernel.org>,
	Steve French <stfrench@microsoft.com>,
	"Tobin C. Harding" <me@tobin.cc>
Subject: [Ksummit-discuss] [RFC PATCH 2/3] MAINTAINERS, Handbook: Subsystem Profile
Date: Wed, 14 Nov 2018 20:53:25 -0800	[thread overview]
Message-ID: <154225760492.2499188.14152986544451112930.stgit@dwillia2-desk3.amr.corp.intel.com> (raw)
In-Reply-To: <154225759358.2499188.15268218778137905050.stgit@dwillia2-desk3.amr.corp.intel.com>

As presented at the 2018 Linux Plumbers conference [1], the Subsystem
Profile is proposed as a way to reduce friction between committers and
maintainers and perhaps encourage conversations amongst maintainers
about best practice policies.

The profile contains short answers to some of the common policy
questions a contributor might have, or that a maintainer might consider
formalizing. The current list of maintenance policies is:

Overview: General introduction to maintaining the subsystem
Core: List of source files considered core
Leaf: List of source files that consume core functionality
Patches or Pull requests: Simple statement of expected submission format
Last -rc for new feature submissions: Expected lead time for submissions
Last -rc to merge features: Deadline for merge decisions
Non-author Ack / Review Tags Required: Patch review economics
Test Suite: Pass this suite before requesting inclusion
Resubmit Cadence: When to ping the maintainer
Trusted Reviewers: Help for triaging patches
Time Zone / Office Hours: When might a maintainer be available
Checkpatch / Style Cleanups: Policy on pure cleanup patches
Off-list review: Request for review gates
TODO: Potential development tasks up for grabs, or active focus areas

The goal of the Subsystem Profile is to set expectations for
contributors and interim or replacement maintainers for a subsystem.

See Documentation/maintainer/subsystem-profile.rst for more details, and
a follow-on example profile for the libnvdimm subsystem.

[1]: https://linuxplumbersconf.org/event/2/contributions/59/

Cc: Jonathan Corbet <corbet@lwn.net>
Cc: Thomas Gleixner <tglx@linutronix.de>
Cc: Mauro Carvalho Chehab <mchehab@kernel.org>
Cc: Steve French <stfrench@microsoft.com>
Cc: Greg Kroah-Hartman <gregkh@linuxfoundation.org>
Cc: Linus Torvalds <torvalds@linux-foundation.org>
Cc: Tobin C. Harding <me@tobin.cc>
Cc: Olof Johansson <olof@lixom.net>
Cc: Martin K. Petersen <martin.petersen@oracle.com>
Cc: Daniel Vetter <daniel.vetter@ffwll.ch>
Cc: Joe Perches <joe@perches.com>
Cc: Dmitry Vyukov <dvyukov@google.com>
Signed-off-by: Dan Williams <dan.j.williams@intel.com>
---
 Documentation/maintainer/index.rst             |    1 
 Documentation/maintainer/subsystem-profile.rst |  145 ++++++++++++++++++++++++
 MAINTAINERS                                    |    4 +
 3 files changed, 150 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 Documentation/maintainer/subsystem-profile.rst

diff --git a/Documentation/maintainer/index.rst b/Documentation/maintainer/index.rst
index 2a14916930cb..1e6b1aaa6024 100644
--- a/Documentation/maintainer/index.rst
+++ b/Documentation/maintainer/index.rst
@@ -11,4 +11,5 @@ additions to this manual.
 
    configure-git
    pull-requests
+   subsystem-profile
 
diff --git a/Documentation/maintainer/subsystem-profile.rst b/Documentation/maintainer/subsystem-profile.rst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..a74b624e0972
--- /dev/null
+++ b/Documentation/maintainer/subsystem-profile.rst
@@ -0,0 +1,145 @@
+.. _subsystemprofile:
+
+Subsystem Profile
+=================
+
+The Subsystem Profile is a collection of policy positions that a
+maintainer or maintainer team establishes for the their subsystem. While
+there is a wide range of technical nuance on maintaining disparate
+sections of the kernel, the Subsystem Profile documents a known set of
+major process policies that vary between subsystems.  What follows is a
+list of policy questions a maintainer can answer and include a document
+in the kernel, or on an external website. It advertises to other
+maintainers and contributors the local policy of the subsystem. Some
+sections are optional like "Overview", "Off-list review", and "TODO".
+The others are recommended for all subsystems to address, but no section
+is mandatory. In addition there are no wrong answers, just document how
+a subsystem typically operates. Note that the profile follows the
+subsystem not the maintainer, i.e. there is no expectation that a
+maintainer of multiple subsystems deploys the same policy across those
+subsystems.
+
+
+Overview
+--------
+In this optional section of the profile provide a free form overview of
+the subsystem written as a hand-off document. In other words write a
+note to someone that would receive the “keys to the castle” in the event
+of extended or unexpected absence. “So, you have recently become the
+maintainer of the XYZ subsystem, condolences, it is a thankless job,
+here is the lay of the land.” Details to consider are the extended
+details that are not included in MAINTAINERS, and not addressed by the
+other profile questions below. For example details like, who has access
+to the git tree, branches that are pulled into -next, relevant
+specifications, issue trackers, and sensitive code areas. If available
+the Overview should link to other subsystem documentation that may
+clarify, re-iterate, emphasize / de-emphasize portions of the global
+process documentation for contributors (CodingStyle, SubmittingPatches,
+etc...).
+
+
+Core
+----
+A list of F: tags (as described by MAINTAINERS) listing what the
+maintainer considers to be core files. The review and lead time
+constraints for 'core' code may be stricter given the increased
+sensitivity and risk of change.
+
+
+Patches or Pull requests
+------------------------
+Some subsystems allow contributors to send pull requests, most require
+mailed patches. State “Patches only”, or “Pull requests accepted”.
+
+
+Last -rc for new feature submissions
+------------------------------------
+New feature submissions targeting the next merge window should have
+their first posting for consideration before this point. Patches that
+are submitted after this point should be clear that they are targeting
+the NEXT+1 merge window, or should come with sufficient justification
+why they should be considered on an expedited schedule. A general
+guideline is to set expectation with contributors that new feature
+submissions should appear before -rc5. The answer may be different for
+'Core:' files, include a second entry prefixed with 'Core:' if so.
+
+
+Last -rc to merge features
+--------------------------
+Indicate to contributors the point at which an as yet un-applied patch
+set will need to wait for the NEXT+1 merge window. Of course there is no
+obligation to ever except any given patchset, but if the review has not
+concluded by this point the expectation the contributor should wait and
+resubmit for the following merge window. The answer may be different for
+'Core:' files, include a second entry prefixed with 'Core:' if so.
+
+
+Non-author Ack / Review Tags Required
+-------------------------------------
+Let contributors and other maintainers know whether they can expect to
+see the maintainer self-commit patches without 3rd-party review. Some
+subsystem developer communities are so small as to make this requirement
+impractical. Others may have been bootstrapped by a submission of
+self-reviewed code at the outset, but have since moved to a
+non-author review-required stance. This section sets expectations on the
+code-review economics in the subsystem. For example, can a contributor
+trade review of a maintainer's, or other contributor's patches in
+exchange for consideration of their own.
+
+
+Test Suite
+----------
+Indicate the test suite all patches are expected to pass before being
+submitted for inclusion consideration.
+
+
+Resubmit Cadence
+----------------
+Define a rate at which a contributor should wait to resubmit a patchset
+that has not yet received comments. A general guideline is to try to
+meet a deadline of 1 - 2 weeks to acknowledge starting consideration for
+a patch set.
+
+
+Trusted Reviewers
+-----------------
+While a maintainer / maintainer-team is expected to be reviewer of last
+resort the review load is less onerous when distributed amongst
+contributors and or a trusted set of individuals.  This section is
+distinct from the R: tag (Designated Reviewer). Whereas R: identifies
+reviewers that should always be copied on a patch submission, the
+trusted reviewers here are individuals contributors can reach out to if
+a few 'Resubmit Cadence' intervals have gone by without maintainer
+action, or to otherwise consult for advice.
+
+
+Time Zone / Office Hours
+------------------------
+Let contributors know the time of day when one or more maintainers are
+usually actively monitoring the mailing list.
+
+
+Checkpatch / Style Cleanups
+---------------------------
+For subsystems with long standing code bases it is reasonable to decline
+to accept pure coding-style fixup patches. This is where you can let
+contributors know “Standalone style-cleanups are welcome”,
+“Style-cleanups to existing code only welcome with other feature
+changes”, or “Standalone style-cleanups to existing code are not
+welcome”.
+
+
+Off-list review
+---------------
+A maintainer may optionally require that contributors seek prior review
+of patches before initial submission for upstream. For example,
+“Developers from organization X, please seek internal review before
+requesting upstream review”. This policy identifies occasions where a
+maintainer wants to reflect some of the review load back to an
+organization.
+
+
+TODO
+----
+In this optional section include a list of work items that might be
+suitable for onboarding a new developer to the subsystem.
diff --git a/MAINTAINERS b/MAINTAINERS
index 83b7b3943a12..bb4a83a7684d 100644
--- a/MAINTAINERS
+++ b/MAINTAINERS
@@ -99,6 +99,10 @@ Descriptions of section entries:
 	   Obsolete:	Old code. Something tagged obsolete generally means
 			it has been replaced by a better system and you
 			should be using that.
+	P: Subsystem Profile document for the maintainer entry.  This
+	   is either an in-tree file or a URI to a document.  The
+	   contents of a Subsystem Profile are described in
+	   Documentation/maintainer/subsystem-profile.rst.
 	F: Files and directories with wildcard patterns.
 	   A trailing slash includes all files and subdirectory files.
 	   F:	drivers/net/	all files in and below drivers/net

  parent reply	other threads:[~2018-11-15  5:05 UTC|newest]

Thread overview: 61+ messages / expand[flat|nested]  mbox.gz  Atom feed  top
2018-11-15  4:53 [Ksummit-discuss] [RFC PATCH 0/3] Maintainer Handbook: Subsystem Profile Dan Williams
2018-11-15  4:53 ` [Ksummit-discuss] [RFC PATCH 1/3] MAINTAINERS: Reclaim the P: tag for " Dan Williams
2018-11-15  5:39   ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-15 20:12     ` Joe Perches
2018-11-15  4:53 ` Dan Williams [this message]
2018-11-15  5:48   ` [Ksummit-discuss] [RFC PATCH 2/3] MAINTAINERS, Handbook: " Julia Lawall
2018-11-15  7:59     ` Geert Uytterhoeven
2018-11-15 13:47       ` Julia Lawall
2018-11-16 12:44         ` Jani Nikula
2018-11-16 17:56           ` Joe Perches
2018-11-17 14:12             ` Rob Herring
2018-11-17 17:03               ` Julia Lawall
2018-11-20  7:28             ` Jani Nikula
2018-11-15  5:49   ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-15  7:58   ` Geert Uytterhoeven
2018-11-15  8:38   ` Jani Nikula
2018-11-15 18:03     ` Tim.Bird
2018-11-15 23:56     ` Tobin C. Harding
2018-11-15 15:44   ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-16 23:28     ` Randy Dunlap
2018-11-17 11:57     ` Hans Verkuil
2018-11-16  0:11   ` Frank Rowand
2018-11-16 12:04     ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-16 18:57       ` Dan Williams
2018-11-18 12:58         ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-18 17:31           ` Dan Williams
2018-11-18 17:31             ` Dan Williams
2018-11-18 17:34               ` Dan Williams
2018-11-18 17:44                 ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-16 16:47     ` Frank Rowand
2018-11-15  4:53 ` [Ksummit-discuss] [RFC PATCH 3/3] libnvdimm, MAINTAINERS: " Dan Williams
2018-11-15  8:03   ` Geert Uytterhoeven
2018-11-15 14:10     ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-15 16:20       ` Leon Romanovsky
2018-11-15 19:09         ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-15 19:35           ` Leon Romanovsky
2018-11-15 19:40             ` Luck, Tony
2018-11-15 19:43               ` Joe Perches
2018-11-16 11:39                 ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-18  7:12                   ` Leon Romanovsky
2018-11-16 11:33             ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-16 12:00               ` Jan Kara
2018-11-18  7:00               ` Leon Romanovsky
2018-11-16 20:36         ` Rodrigo Vivi
2018-11-16 23:44           ` Dan Williams
2018-11-17  0:38             ` NeilBrown
2018-11-18 13:11               ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-18 13:03             ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-20  8:10               ` Jani Nikula
2018-11-20 19:31                 ` Dan Williams
2018-11-26 11:12                 ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-26 15:55                   ` Joe Perches
2018-11-16 19:13     ` Dan Williams
2018-11-15 14:30   ` Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-15 14:51     ` Julia Lawall
2018-11-16 19:20     ` Dan Williams
2018-11-16  2:58   ` y-goto
2018-11-17  0:32   ` David Woodhouse
2018-11-15  5:56 ` [Ksummit-discuss] [RFC PATCH 0/3] Maintainer Handbook: " Mauro Carvalho Chehab
2018-11-25 10:57 ` Pavel Machek
2018-11-25 20:55   ` Dan Williams

Reply instructions:

You may reply publicly to this message via plain-text email
using any one of the following methods:

* Save the following mbox file, import it into your mail client,
  and reply-to-all from there: mbox

  Avoid top-posting and favor interleaved quoting:
  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Posting_style#Interleaved_style

* Reply using the --to, --cc, and --in-reply-to
  switches of git-send-email(1):

  git send-email \
    --in-reply-to=154225760492.2499188.14152986544451112930.stgit@dwillia2-desk3.amr.corp.intel.com \
    --to=dan.j.williams@intel.com \
    --cc=dvyukov@google.com \
    --cc=gregkh@linuxfoundation.org \
    --cc=ksummit-discuss@lists.linuxfoundation.org \
    --cc=linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org \
    --cc=linux-nvdimm@lists.01.org \
    --cc=mchehab@kernel.org \
    --cc=me@tobin.cc \
    --cc=stfrench@microsoft.com \
    --cc=vishal.l.verma@intel.com \
    /path/to/YOUR_REPLY

  https://kernel.org/pub/software/scm/git/docs/git-send-email.html

* If your mail client supports setting the In-Reply-To header
  via mailto: links, try the mailto: link
Be sure your reply has a Subject: header at the top and a blank line before the message body.
This is a public inbox, see mirroring instructions
for how to clone and mirror all data and code used for this inbox;
as well as URLs for read-only IMAP folder(s) and NNTP newsgroup(s).