[Lcdproc] LCD drivers for ARM EP930x series processors

[Mattia Jona-Lasinio]

Hi all,

On Sun, 16 Jul 2006, Peter Marschall wrote:

> There are currently a few other drivers as well that require running the LCDd
> server as root. So, I guess, this does not hurt very much.
>
> On the other hand, IMHO requiring a kernel module is sub-optimal as it
> requires the user to either re-compile the module when a new kernel comes out
> (maybe even pre-compiled from his distribution).
> And in case of driver API changes in the kernel this forces the module to be
> updated whenever such a change occurs.

the spirit of a kernel module is to provide an independent layer between 
real hardware (the display) and the software that uses it (LCDproc or 
whatever else). A kernel module to drive LCD displays is, IMHO, the best 
choice as it allows application to concentrate on the display content 
(what has to be shown) instead of the display driving problems (timings, 
wiring schemes....). Moreover each application has to do EXACTLY the same 
work to drive a display, requiring the same problem to be solved again and 
again. On the contrary, if the driving problem is solved once for all with 
a kernel module, all applications access the LCD via a char device in the 
same way as, for instance, any application accesses the line printer. I 
don't think it would be a good idea to embed a printer driver in every 
application with printing needs....
And last but not the least, API changes in the kernel are far less 
probable than API changes in user applications.

Greetings to all!

 	Mattia