I now have a set of several patches which pass the abi-validation , 1 patch of checkpatches.sh to prevent future panic instances and the set of abi-breaking changes which are included the init sequence.
1. I assume it is best to bundle all to a single patchset. Please correct me otherwise 2. Trying to work around the abi in this phase What is your take regarding adding a state to the init phase: int rte_get_legacy_panic_state(); void rte_move_to_legacy_panic_state(); This will allow preserving abi for these few functions, replacing for example the currently abi-breaking if (eal_thread_init_master()) return -1 with eal_thread_init_master() if ( rte_get_legacy_panic_state()) return -1 while calling rte_move_to_legacy_panic_state() from within these void functions where panic takes place today. This can also partially serve the cases where panic is called from within an interrupt handler, and have no applicative context to return to. thanks /Arnon