s390: Deprecate s390 32-bit target "s390-*"
Deprecates the 32-bit s390 target in binutils, aligning with removal in Linux kernel, glibc, and GCC.
Andreas Krebbel approves a patch to deprecate the 32-bit s390 target (s390-*, elf32-s390) in binutils. This deprecation aligns with ongoing removal efforts in the Linux kernel, glibc, and GCC. The patch is considered acceptable, and the revision timeline for its removal (Binutils 2.48) is deemed appropriate, as users of deprecated features might be expected to use older binutils versions. Krebbel does not see a need to backport the configure-time checks from GCC to binutils, given the imminent removal.
- maintainer
Approves the patch for deprecating the 32-bit s390 target, agreeing with the proposed timeline for removal and finding backporting additional configure checks unnecessary.
- proposer
Proposes deprecating the 32-bit s390 target and format in binutils, providing an overview of the removal timeline across related projects and suggesting binutils 2.47 for deprecation and 2.48 for removal.
Technical Tradeoffs
- Removes legacy support, simplifying the codebase and build process.
- May impact users still relying on 32-bit s390, necessitating migration to 64-bit.
In Details
This patch sequence deprecates the 32-bit s390 architecture support in binutils, specifically the targets named s390-* and the elf32-s390 object file format. This action is driven by a broader ecosystem trend: the Linux kernel has removed 32-bit compatibility support, glibc has deprecated and will soon remove it, and GCC is also deprecating its -m31 option. The binutils maintainers are aligning with these efforts, marking the 32-bit s390 support for future removal. The discussion confirms the acceptance of the deprecation and its planned removal in Binutils 2.48.
- s390
- IBM's 64-bit mainframe architecture, with earlier 32-bit variants.
- deprecation
- The process of marking a feature or API as obsolete, indicating that it will be removed in a future version, allowing users to migrate away from it.
- ELF
- Executable and Linkable Format, the standard file format for object files, executables, and shared libraries on many Unix-like systems.
- glibc
- The GNU C Library, the standard C library used in GNU/Linux systems.
- GCC
- The GNU Compiler Collection, a widely used compiler system.