Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux and a prominent figure in the world of open-source software, has recently expressed his frustration with poorly explained pull requests in the Linux Kernel development workflow.
During the merge window for the upcoming Linux Kernel 6.3, Torvalds came across a one-liner commit that lacked an explanation for the merge. In response to this, he took to the Linux Kernel Mailing List to share his thoughts on the matter, emphasizing the importance of providing an explanation for every merge.
According to Torvalds, merges without an explanation are "buggy garbage by definition." He argued that every developer should take to heart the rule of explaining the reason behind a merge, stating that there is never an excuse for not doing so. He further noted that pointless merges only make the history harder to read and can ultimately harm the project's development.
Torvalds' statement highlights the critical role of communication and documentation in the development of complex software projects like the Linux Kernel. As the project continues to grow and evolve, it becomes increasingly important to maintain a clear and organised history of changes to the codebase. This allows developers to understand the reasons behind decisions, identify potential issues, and collaborate more effectively with one another.
Torvalds' call for more thorough explanations of merges is not unique to the Linux Kernel project. Many other open-source software projects rely on similar workflows, where changes to the codebase are submitted via pull requests and reviewed by other developers. By emphasizing the importance of clear communication and documentation, Torvalds is setting a positive example for other developers to follow.
In conclusion, Linus Torvalds' recent statement on the importance of explaining merges in the Linux Kernel development workflow serves as a reminder of the critical role that communication and documentation play in open-source software development. As software projects continue to grow and evolve, it becomes increasingly important to maintain clear and organised histories of changes to the codebase. By doing so, developers can work more effectively together, avoid mistakes, and ultimately create better software.
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