On Wed, 23 Aug 2000, Andries Brouwer wrote:
> On Wed, Aug 23, 2000 at 07:15:40PM +0100, Tigran Aivazian wrote:
>
> > > rscsi_disks = (Scsi_Disk *)
> > > kmalloc(sd_template.dev_max * sizeof(Scsi_Disk), GFP_ATOMIC);
> >
> > no need to cast return from kmalloc, it returns (void *) and typecasts are
> > tiresome to eyes (human eyes, i.e.).
>
> Hmm. I am not sure I agree.
>
> Usually type casts are bad, because they tell the compiler
> not to check, and therefore may hide problems.
>
> In a case like this, where a (void *) is returned, casting
> to the proper pointer type is meaningful: it allows the compiler
> to check the type, and the human eye to check that the right
> amount of memory is allocated.
>
> If you just write
> foo = kmalloc(n * sizeof(some_type), GFP_x);
> then neither the compiler nor the human eye can check
> easily that things are right, i.e. that foo really is
> a (some_type *).
>
It is a small thing, Andries, but I still think otherwise than you. It is
better for code to be smaller than to be slightly more fool-proof. And,
such owner of "human eyes", must be a fool indeed, who declares a variable
and immediately forgets the type thereof...
Regards,
Tigran
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