From: Randy Dunlap <rdunlap@infradead.org>
To: Thorsten Leemhuis <linux@leemhuis.info>,
Jonathan Corbet <corbet@lwn.net>
Cc: linux-doc@vger.kernel.org, linux-kernel@vger.kernel.org
Subject: Re: [RFC PATCH v1 03/26] docs: reporting-bugs: step-by-step guide on how to report issues
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 2020 20:02:14 -0700 [thread overview]
Message-ID: <3f8a3a67-9e04-80a6-e540-c4c511dc4546@infradead.org> (raw)
In-Reply-To: <0c647add40e56b403bc17e9de1430917aa88bacb.1601541165.git.linux@leemhuis.info>
On 10/1/20 1:39 AM, Thorsten Leemhuis wrote:
>
> Signed-off-by: Thorsten Leemhuis <linux@leemhuis.info>
> ---
> Documentation/admin-guide/reporting-bugs.rst | 103 +++++++++++++++++++
> 1 file changed, 103 insertions(+)
>
> diff --git a/Documentation/admin-guide/reporting-bugs.rst b/Documentation/admin-guide/reporting-bugs.rst
> index 7bde6f32ff72..203df36af55f 100644
> --- a/Documentation/admin-guide/reporting-bugs.rst
> +++ b/Documentation/admin-guide/reporting-bugs.rst
> @@ -53,6 +53,109 @@ Security issues are typically best report privately; also CC the security team
> or forward your report there.
>
>
> +Step-by-step guide how to report issues to the kernel maintainers
> +=================================================================
> +
> +Above TL;DR outlines roughly how to report issues to the Linux kernel
The above
> +developers. It might be all that's needed for people already familiar with
> +reporting issues to Free/Libre & Open Source Software (FLOSS) projects. For
> +everyone else there is this section. It is more detailed and uses a
> +step-by-step approach. It still tries to be brief for readability; if it's to
too
> +brief for you, look up the details in the reference section below, where each
> +of the steps is explained in more detail.
> +
> +Note, this section covers a few more aspects than the TL;DR and does things in a
Note:
> +slightly different order. That's in your interest, to make sure you notice early
> +if an issue that looks like a Linux kernel problem is actually caused by
> +something else. These steps thus help to ensure the time you invest in this
> +process won't feel wasted in the end:
> +
> + * Stop reading this document and report the problem to your vendor instead,
> + unless you are running a vanilla mainline kernel already or are willing to
> + install it.
> +
> + * See if the issue you are dealing with qualifies as regression, security
> + issue, or a really severe problem: those are 'issues of high priority' that
> + need special handling in some steps that are about to follow.
> +
> + * Check if your kernel was 'tainted' when the issue occurred, as the event that
> + made the kernel set this flag might be causing the issue you face.
> +
> + * Locate the driver or kernel subsystem that seems to be causing the issue.
> + Find out how and where its developers expect reports. Note: most of the time
> + this won't be `bugzilla.kernel.org <https://bugzilla.kernel.org/>`_, as issues
> + typically need to be sent by mail to a maintainer and a public mailing list.
> +
> + * Search the archives of the bug tracker or mailing list in question
> + thoroughly for reports that might match your issue. Also check if you find
> + something with your favorite internet search engine or in the `Linux Kernel
> + Mailing List (LKML) archives <https://lore.kernel.org/lkml/>`_. If you find
> + anything, join the discussion instead of sending a new report.
> +
> + * Create a fresh backup and put system repair and restore tools at hand.
> +
> + * Ensure your system does not enhance its kernels by building additional
> + kernel modules on-the-fly locally, which solutions like DKMS might be doing
> + without your knowledge.
> +
> + * Make sure it's not the kernels surroundings that are causing the issue you
kernel's
> + face.
> +
> + * Write down coarsely how to reproduce the issue. If you deal with multiple
> + issue at once, create separate notes for each of them and make sure they
issues
> + work independently on a freshly booted system. That's needed, as each issue
> + needs to get reported to the kernel developers separately, unless they are
> + strongly entangled.
> +
> +After these preparations you'll now enter the main part:
> +
> + * Install the latest Linux mainline kernel: that's where all issue get fixed
> + first, because it's the version line the kernel developers mainly care about.
> + Testing and reporting with the latest Linux stable kernel can be acceptable
can be an acceptable
> + alternative in some situations, but is best avoided.
> +
> + * Ensure the kernel you just installed does not 'taint' itself when running.
> +
> + * Reproduce the issue with the kernel you just installed. If it doesn't show up
> + there, head over to the instructions for issues only happening with stable
> + and longterm kernels if you want to see it fixed there.
Can you link (reference) to that section?
> +
> + * Optimize your notes: try to find and write the most straightforward way to
> + reproduce your issue. Make sure the end result has all the important details,
> + and at the same time is easy to read and understand for others that hear
> + about it for the first time. And if you learned something in this process,
> + consider searching again for existing reports about the issue.
> +
> + * If the failure includes a stack dump, like an Oops does, consider decoding it
> + to find the offending line of code.
Refer to scripts/decodecode ?
or is that done elsewhere?
> +
> + * If your problem is a regression, try to narrow down when the issue was
> + introduced as much as possible.
> +
> + * Start to compile the report by writing a detailed description about the
> + issue. Always mentions a few things: the latest kernel version you installed
> + for reproducing, the Linux Distribution used, and your notes how to
I would say: notes on how to
Maybe it's just me.
> + reproduce the issue. Ideally, make the kernels build configuration (.config)
kernel's
> + and the output from ``dmesg`` available somewhere on the net and link to it.
> + Include or upload all other information that might be relevant, like the
> + output/screenshot of an Oops or the output from ``lspci``. Once you
> + wrote this main part insert a normal length paragraph on top of it outlining
part, insert
> + the issue and the impact quickly. On top of this add one sentence that
> + briefly describes the problem and gets people to read on. Now give the thing
> + a descriptive title or subject that yet again is shorter. Then you're ready
> + to send or file the report like the `MAINTAINERS file
> + <https://git.kernel.org/pub/scm/linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux.git/plain/MAINTAINERS>`_
> + told you, unless you are dealing with one of those 'issues of high priority':
tells you,
OK, I like present tense as much as possible.
> + they need special care which is explained in 'Special handling for high
> + priority issues' below.
Can we provide a link to that section here?
> +
> + * Wait for reactions and keep the thing rolling until you can accept the
> + outcome in one way or the other. Thus react publicly and in a timely manner
> + to any inquiries. Test proposed fixes. Do proactive testing when a new rc1
when a new -rc
(release candidate) is released. Send
> + gets released. Sent friendly reminders if things stall. And try to help
> + yourself, if you don't get any help or if it is unsatisfying.
> +
> +
> .. ############################################################################
> .. Temporary marker added while this document is rewritten. Sections above
> .. are new and dual-licensed under GPLv2+ and CC-BY 4.0, those below are old.
>
--
~Randy
next prev parent reply other threads:[~2020-10-02 3:02 UTC|newest]
Thread overview: 75+ messages / expand[flat|nested] mbox.gz Atom feed top
2020-10-01 8:39 [RFC PATCH v1 00/26] Make reporting-bugs easier to grasp and yet more detailed Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 01/26] docs: reporting-bugs: temporary markers for licensing and diff reasons Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 02/26] docs: reporting-bugs: Create a TLDR how to report issues Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-02 2:32 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-03 7:27 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-11-11 15:24 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-11-12 3:33 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-11-12 4:56 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 03/26] docs: reporting-bugs: step-by-step guide on " Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-02 3:02 ` Randy Dunlap [this message]
2020-10-03 8:05 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 04/26] docs: reporting-bugs: step-by-step guide for issues in stable & longterm Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-02 3:25 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-03 8:24 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 05/26] docs: reporting-bugs: begin reference section providing details Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-02 16:49 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-03 8:27 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 06/26] docs: reporting-bugs: point out we only care about fresh vanilla kernels Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 07/26] docs: reporting-bugs: let users classify their issue Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-02 16:59 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-03 9:42 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 08/26] docs: reporting-bugs: make readers check the taint flag Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-02 17:08 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-03 9:56 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-03 17:47 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 09/26] docs: reporting-bugs: help users find the proper place for their report Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-04 4:03 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-07 12:05 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 10/26] docs: reporting-bugs: remind people to look for existing reports Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-02 17:17 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-03 9:58 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 11/26] docs: reporting-bugs: remind people to back up their data Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 12/26] docs: reporting-bugs: tell users to disable DKMS et al Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-02 17:28 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-03 9:59 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 13/26] docs: reporting-bugs: point out the environment might be causing issue Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-02 17:32 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-03 10:00 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 14/26] docs: reporting-bugs: make users write notes, one for each issue Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-02 17:35 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-03 10:01 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 15/26] docs: reporting-bugs: make readers test mainline, but leave a loophole Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-02 17:51 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-03 10:11 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-11-11 15:36 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-11-12 3:42 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-11-12 5:22 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 16/26] docs: reporting-bugs: let users check taint status again Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 17/26] docs: reporting-bugs: explain options if reproducing on mainline fails Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 18/26] docs: reporting-bugs: let users optimize their notes Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 19/26] docs: reporting-bugs: decode failure messages [need help] Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 20/26] docs: reporting-bugs: instructions for handling regressions Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-04 4:03 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-04 6:31 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:39 ` [RFC PATCH v1 21/26] docs: reporting-bugs: details on writing and sending the report Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-09 2:45 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-09 7:38 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:50 ` [RFC PATCH v1 22/26] docs: reporting-bugs: explain what users should do once the report got out Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-09 17:37 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-11 13:29 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-11 15:06 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-01 8:50 ` [RFC PATCH v1 23/26] docs: reporting-bugs: details for issues specific to stable and longterm Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-09 18:42 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-11 13:29 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:50 ` [RFC PATCH v1 24/26] docs: reporting-bugs: explain why users might get neither reply nor fix Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-04 4:03 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-04 6:35 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:50 ` [RFC PATCH v1 25/26] docs: reporting-bugs: explain things could be easier Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-04 4:03 ` Randy Dunlap
2020-10-04 6:36 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-10-01 8:50 ` [RFC PATCH v1 26/26] docs: reporting-bugs: add SPDX tag and license hint, remove markers Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-11-09 11:01 ` [RFC PATCH v1 00/26] Make reporting-bugs easier to grasp and yet more detailed Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-11-09 18:21 ` Jonathan Corbet
2020-11-10 12:01 ` Thorsten Leemhuis
2020-11-10 3:23 ` Randy Dunlap
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