Re: [MiNT] Using device files in "/dev" from kernel space

[m0n0 <ole@monochrom.net>]

Am Donnerstag, den 23.12.2010, 22:30 +0100 schrieb David Gálvez 
<dgalvez75@gmail.com>:
> Hi,
>
> > From what I know in UNIX kernels files in /dev directory make an
> interface between user space applications and device drivers.
>
> Is correct to use this interface from kernel space? For example
> opening a device and calling ioctl() or Fcntl() functions from a
> kernel module.

These functions do operate on an filehandle ( well, I don't know Fcntl 
), a filehandle is bound to an Process.
Because a Kernel Module has no Process associated to it (OK, I don't 
know if this is true for MiNT, but that's how it works within linux), 
but the FileHandle requires a process, you can't use functions which 
operate on Filehandle.

From the linux point of view it is not even possible to call such 
function - they don't exist in kernel space - because there is no libc 
for kernel modules. I guess it's the same for MiNT kernel modules: No 
gemlib available to kernel modules (???).

Of course there exists ways to use files within the linux kernel - but 
that is considered an hack, afaik. ...And of course it requires 
different code compared to user-space applications.

Greets,
m