[llvm-commits] PATCH: Add a few intrinsic definitions for r600

[Chandler Carruth]

On Tue, Mar 20, 2012 at 3:16 PM, Jim Grosbach <grosbach at apple.com> wrote:

> What's the benefit of adding the intrinsics to trunk llvm if the backend
> itself is going to remain separate?


I think this is the key point -- there is no particular benefit, and in
fact there is a cost because we won't be able to properly test them.

That said, I think Tom's concern is both valid, and addressable. We should
just work to get this backend into the tree.


You essentially *always* have the ability to make *your own* patch release
of LLVM. If you contribute your backend, and it lives in-tree, and you, as
a primary consumer, need to patch a release, you can create a
'mesa_3.1.1_release_branch' or whatever, and patch it.

The question is whether you need the typical round of release testing,
qualification, and pushing to various distros etc that happen for LLVM's
normal release. If not (that is, if you can directly use the patch LLVM
code from that branch), then you're done. It sounds like this is the state
you're in, as otherwise having your backend out-of-tree wouldn't help?


If, for some reason, you need all the distros to pick up the patched
version, then it's a bit harder. That would mean you essentially need to
take on the effort of doing the qualification and pushing of the point
release. I'm not sure you have the resources, but if you're the only one
who needs the point release I think it would fall on you to do whatever was
needed to get it out the door.


I don't think there is any objection to someone doing either of these if
they both need it and are willing to do the leg work. It sounds like the
answer to both for you is "yes". If so, I vote we start working on getting
the backend into the tree, and that will make patches such as this entirely
reasonable.
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