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Linux 5.8 kernel adopts recommendations for inclusive terminology

Linus Torvalds accepted the into the Linux 5.8 kernel branch changes coding style guidelines. Adopted third edition text on the use of inclusive terminology, which was endorsed by 21 prominent kernel developers, including members of the Linux Foundation technical committee. Linus was sent request to include the changes in the 5.9 kernel, but he considered that there was no reason to wait for the next change acceptance window and accepted the new document into the 5.8 branch.

The third version of the text from inclusive terminology has been shortened compared to original proposal (the file was excluded inclusive-terminology.rst with a story about the importance of an inclusive attitude and an explanation of the reasons why problematic terms should be avoided). Only changes to the document defining the coding style are left. Developers are not recommended to use 'master / slave' and 'blacklist / whitelist' links, as well as the word 'slave' separately. The recommendations concern only the new use of these terms. The references to the specified words already in the kernel will remain untouched.

In addition, the use of the marked terms in new code is permitted if required to maintain the user-space API and ABI issued to user space, or when updating code to support existing hardware or protocols whose specifications mandate the use of these terms. When creating implementations based on new specifications, it is recommended that, where possible, the terminology of the specification be brought into line with the standard coding for the Linux kernel.

The words 'blacklist/whitelist' are recommended to be replaced by
'denylist / allowlist' or 'blocklist / passlist', and instead of the words 'master / slave' the following linking options are offered:

  • '{primary,main} / {secondary,replica,subordinate}',
  • '{initiator,requester} / {target,responder}',
  • '{controller,host} / {device,worker,proxy}',
  • 'leader/follower',
  • 'director/performer'.

Agreed with the change (Acked-by):

The change was reviewed (Reviewed-by):

Change signed (Signed-off-by):

Addendum: The developers of the Rust language have accepted change, replacing "whitelist" with "allowlist" in the code. The change does not affect the options and constructs of the language available to users, and only affects internal components.

Source: opennet.ru

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