Him

> > We store test modules in tools/testing/selftests/livepatch/test_modules/
> > now. Could you move klp_test_module.c there, please? You might also reuse
> > existing ones for the purpose perhaps.
> 
> IIUC, tools/testing/selftests/livepatch/test_modules/ is more like an out
> of tree module. In the case of testing klp-build, we prefer to have it to
> work the same as in-tree modules. This is important because klp-build
> is a toolchain, and any changes of in-tree Makefiles may cause issues
> with klp-build. Current version can catch these issues easily. If we build
> the test module as an OOT module, we may miss some of these issues.
> In the longer term, we should consider adding klp-build support to build
> livepatch for OOT modules. But for now, good test coverage for in-tree
> modules are more important.

Ok. I thought it would not matter but it is a fair point.

> > What about vmlinux? I understand that it provides a lot more flexibility
> > to have separate functions for testing but would it be somehow sufficient
> > to use the existing (real) kernel functions? Like cmdline_proc_show() and
> > such which we use everywhere else? Or would it be to limited? I am fine if
> > you find it necessary in the end. I just think that reusing as much as
> > possible is generally a good approach.
> 
> I think using existing functions would be too limited, and Joe seems to
> agree with this based on his experience. To be able to test corner cases
> of the compiler/linker, such as LTO, we need special code patterns.
> OTOH, if we want to use an existing kernel function for testing, it needs
> to be relatively stable, i.e., not being changed very often. It is not always
> easy to find some known to be stable code that follows specific patterns.
> If we add dedicated code as test targets, things will be much easier
> down the road.

Fair enough.

> > And a little bit of bikeshedding at the end. I think it would be more
> > descriptive if the new config options and tests (test modules) have
> > klp-build somewhere in the name to keep it clear. What do you think?
> 
> Technically, we can also use these tests to test other toolchains, for
> example, kpatch-build. I don't know ksplice or kGraft enough to tell
> whether they can benefit from these tests or not. OTOH, I am OK
> changing the name/description of these config options.

I would prefer it, thank you. Unless someone else objects of course.

Regards,
Miroslav

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