Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, has hinted at the possibility of removing experimental support for the Bcachefs file system in an upcoming version of Linux (6.17). This decision stems from a series of disputes with the file system’s developer, Kent Overstreet, escalating to a level that is rarely seen in the Linux kernel community.
The conflict began with a recent merge request from Overstreet for Linux version 6.16, which is currently in its stabilization phase, allowing only bug fixes. However, Overstreet’s changes included new code that presented a rudimentary mount option for emergency repairs—a change that Torvalds had previously rejected. His rejection was firm, indicating that new features should not be included in the current version’s stabilization. Despite this, Overstreet submitted the code again, leading Torvalds to express that they might part ways in the next merging window.
There have been ongoing tensions between Torvalds and Overstreet, with past incidents involving rude remarks from Overstreet that alienated other developers. At one point, Overstreet was even suspended for code of conduct violations, which contributed to reducing collaboration on Bcachefs. As a result, the inability to foster a cooperative atmosphere around Bcachefs has deterred larger companies and Linux distributions from engaging with it.
Typically, removing a feature from the Linux kernel is a significant step that contradicts the principle of maintaining user workflows. However, since the Bcachefs code is regarded as experimental and has not been fully integrated, the normal conventions may not apply.
For more details on this discussion, further reading can be found on the official Bcachefs website and in related reports about Linus Torvalds’ decisions regarding Linux kernel development.
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