Linux kernel mirror (for testing) git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git
kernel os linux

docs: driver-api: firmware: clarify userspace requirements

The guidelines mention that firmware updates can't break the kernel,
but it doesn't state directly that they can't break userspace programs.
Make it explicit that firmware updates cannot break UAPI.

Signed-off-by: Jacek Lawrynowicz <jacek.lawrynowicz@linux.intel.com>
Acked-by: Dave Airlie <airlied@redhat.com>
[jc: fixed "no trailing newline"]
Signed-off-by: Jonathan Corbet <corbet@lwn.net>
Link: https://lore.kernel.org/r/20250314100137.2972355-1-jacek.lawrynowicz@linux.intel.com

authored by

Jacek Lawrynowicz and committed by
Jonathan Corbet
5b8f85d0 4e6b7141

+5
+5
Documentation/driver-api/firmware/firmware-usage-guidelines.rst
··· 42 42 deprecating old major versions, then this should only be done as a 43 43 last option, and be stated clearly in all communications. 44 44 45 + * Firmware files that affect the User API (UAPI) shall not introduce 46 + changes that break existing userspace programs. Updates to such firmware 47 + must ensure backward compatibility with existing userspace applications. 48 + This includes maintaining consistent interfaces and behaviors that 49 + userspace programs rely on.