Understanding Kernel API Changes

Oct 13, 2025 by pynkocean.com 147 views

Introduction

When working with the Linux kernel, it's essential to understand the changes made to the kernel API over time. This knowledge is crucial for developers who need to ensure their code is compatible with different kernel versions. In this article, we'll explore how to find out the Linux kernel version for an API change, including the availability of kernel API functions and macros, as well as breaking changes.

Understanding Kernel API Changes

The Linux kernel API is constantly evolving, with new features and functions being added, and existing ones being modified or removed. These changes can have significant implications for kernel module developers, device drivers, and other kernel-related code. To stay up-to-date with these changes, it's essential to understand the history of the kernel API.

Finding Kernel API Changes

So, how do you find out since which Linux version a kernel API function or macro is available, or has undergone breaking changes? Here are some steps you can follow:

1. Check the Linux Kernel Documentation

The Linux kernel documentation is an excellent resource for understanding kernel API changes. The documentation includes information on kernel API functions, macros, and other related topics. You can find the documentation in the kernel source code, typically in the Documentation directory.

2. Use the `make htmldocs` Command

The make htmldocs command generates HTML documentation for the kernel source code. This documentation includes information on kernel API functions, macros, and other related topics. You can use this documentation to find out since which Linux version a kernel API function or macro is available.

3. Check the Kernel API Changelog

The kernel API changelog is a record of changes made to the kernel API over time. You can find the changelog in the kernel source code, typically in the Documentation directory. The changelog includes information on new kernel API functions, modified functions, and removed functions.

4. Use the `git log` Command

The git log command is a powerful tool for tracking changes made to the kernel source code. You can use this command to find out since which Linux version a kernel API function or macro is available. For example, you can use the following command to find out since which Linux version the foo_bar function was introduced:

git log --oneline --grep "foo_bar" --since=linux-4.0

This command will show you the commit history for the foo_bar function, including the commit that introduced the function.

5. Check the Kernel API Header Files

Kernel API header files, such as linux/api.h, include information on kernel API functions and macros. You can check these header files to find out since which Linux version a kernel API function or macro is available.

6. Use Online Resources

There are several online resources available that provide information on kernel API changes. For example, the Linux kernel mailing list archives include information on kernel API changes, and the Linux kernel wiki includes information on kernel API functions and macros.

Example Use Case

Let's say you're working on a kernel module that uses the foo_bar function, which was introduced in Linux kernel version 4.1. You want to find out since which Linux version the foo_bar function is available. Here's an example of how you can use the git log command to find this information:

git log --oneline --grep "foo_bar" --since=linux-4.0

This command will show you the commit history for the foo_bar function, including the commit that introduced the function.

Conclusion

Finding kernel API changes can be a challenging task, but there are several resources available that can help. By checking the Linux kernel documentation, using the make htmldocs command, checking the kernel API changelog, using the git log command, checking the kernel API header files, and using online resources, you can find out since which Linux version a kernel API function or macro is available, or has undergone breaking changes.

Additional Resources

Linux kernel documentation: https://www.kernel.org/doc/
Linux kernel API changelog: https://www.kernel.org/doc/changes/
Git log command: https://git-scm.com/docs/git-log
Linux kernel mailing list archives: https://lkml.org/
Linux kernel wiki: https://wiki.linuxfoundation.org/
Frequently Asked Questions: Finding Linux Kernel API Changes ===========================================================

Q: What is the Linux kernel API?

A: The Linux kernel API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of functions and macros that allow developers to interact with the Linux kernel. The kernel API is used by kernel modules, device drivers, and other kernel-related code to access kernel functionality.

Q: Why is it important to understand kernel API changes?

A: Understanding kernel API changes is crucial for developers who need to ensure their code is compatible with different kernel versions. Kernel API changes can have significant implications for kernel module developers, device drivers, and other kernel-related code.

Q: How do I find out since which Linux version a kernel API function or macro is available?

A: You can use the following methods to find out since which Linux version a kernel API function or macro is available:

Check the Linux kernel documentation
Use the make htmldocs command
Check the kernel API changelog
Use the git log command
Check the kernel API header files
Use online resources

Q: What is the kernel API changelog?

A: The kernel API changelog is a record of changes made to the kernel API over time. It includes information on new kernel API functions, modified functions, and removed functions.

Q: How do I use the `git log` command to find kernel API changes?

A: You can use the following command to find kernel API changes:

git log --oneline --grep "function_name" --since=linux-4.0

Replace function_name with the name of the kernel API function you're interested in, and linux-4.0 with the Linux kernel version you're interested in.

Q: What is the difference between a kernel API function and a kernel API macro?

A: A kernel API function is a function that can be called from user space or kernel space, while a kernel API macro is a preprocessor directive that expands to a kernel API function call.

Q: How do I check the kernel API header files to find kernel API changes?

A: You can check the kernel API header files, such as linux/api.h, to find kernel API changes. These header files include information on kernel API functions and macros.

Q: What online resources are available to help me find kernel API changes?

A: There are several online resources available to help you find kernel API changes, including:

Linux kernel mailing list archives
Linux kernel wiki
Online documentation for the Linux kernel

Q: How do I stay up-to-date with kernel API changes?

A: You can stay up-to-date with kernel API changes by:

Checking the Linux kernel documentation regularly
Using the make htmldocs command to generate HTML documentation for the kernel source code
Checking the kernel API changelog regularly
Using the git log command to track changes made to the kernel source code
Checking the kernel API header files regularly
Using online resources to stay informed about kernel API changes

Conclusion

Finding kernel API changes can be a challenging task, but there are several resources available to help. By understanding the Linux kernel API, using the make htmldocs command, checking the kernel API changelog, using the git log command, checking the kernel API header files, and using online resources, you can stay up-to-date with kernel API changes and ensure your code is compatible with different kernel versions.