Bcachefs setback for linux 6.13
When we meet a colleague, a friend, an acquaintance, or any other person in real life, it’s natural to greet them warmly. However, this courtesy often gets overlooked when communicating over email. It’s important to remember that behind the screen is another human being—a fellow mate. There have been instances in the past where heated arguments and even abusive language have surfaced on LKML, causing frustration and strain for those involved.
Linux kernel development thrives on fostering an open-source community, and its success depends on bringing more people into the fold. To create and maintain an open and welcoming environment, certain ground rules have been established. A Code of Conduct has been put in place to ensure these rules are upheld and respected by everyone in the community.
In one notable incident on the LKML mailing list, Bcachefs maintainer Kent Overstreet might have crossed certain boundaries by using inappropriate language toward senior and well-regarded kernel developer Michal Hocko. Such behavior potentially violates the Code of Conduct guidelines, which can lead to serious repercussions.
Disagreements over design choices or kernel development processes are not uncommon in the Linux kernel community. However, these conflicts need to be addressed constructively. Many a times, Kent has even advocated for relaxing certain strict rules that he feels hinder Bcachefs development, such as sending large pull requests mid-release cycle.
One such disagreement with Kent prompted Linus Torvalds to respond with the following:
"You're a smart person. I feel like I've given you enough hints. Why don't you sit back and think about it, and let's make it clear: you have exactly two choices here:
(a) play better with others
(b) take your toy and go home
Those are the choices."
— Linus Torvalds
What does this mean for Bcachefs though
The Linux Foundation's Technical Advisory Board (TAB), acting on recommendations from the Code of Conduct committee, has issued a decision regarding Kent's participation in the kernel development process:
– Restrict Kent Overstreet's participation in the kernel development process during the Linux 6.13 kernel development cycle.
– Scope: Decline all pull requests from Kent Overstreet during the Linux 6.13 kernel development cycle.
As a result, no pull requests for Bcachefs will be accepted during the 6.13 merge window. This decision significantly impacts the progression of Bcachefs, delaying any major updates or improvements planned for inclusion in the kernel during this cycle. In response, Kent has issued an apology of sorts, somewhat in his own way.
Bcachefs is an impressive modern filesystem, packed with features that Linux users have long desired. There’s no doubt that both the broader Linux community and the kernel developers want to see Bcachefs succeed. However, its future will ultimately depend on what the maintainers choose to prioritize.
We hope this incident provides an opportunity for reflection and a chance to reassess these priorities. Given its potential, Linux would greatly benefit from a filesystem like Bcachefs, and we sincerely wish the project every success moving forward.