Re: [PATCH 1/2] x86: Remove dynamic NOP selection

From: H. Peter Anvin
Date: Sun Jan 21 2024 - 21:16:16 EST


On 1/21/24 16:56, Steven Rostedt wrote:

Yes, but it is a matter of where we optimize for performance as opposed to correctness.

There is no such thing as "optimize for correctness", it is either
correct or it is not. Correctness should always come before performance
(at least that is what Thomas has pounded into me ;-)

If a kernel use to work on a machine but a newer version no longer
works, I call that a regression.


There absolutely is such a thing as "optimize for correctness." It means to keep the code clean, easily testable, and with a minimal number of distinct code paths so that regressions and *especially* uncaught regressions get caught quickly.

-hpa