From: Larry Finger Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2016 15:27:57 GMT Subject: Re: Formatting problem send_mail in version 2.10.0 Message-ID: <02cfe81b-9f6a-ddbd-3411-2839e8a58b1e@lwfinger.net> In-Reply-To: On 10/12/2016 02:36 AM, Matthieu Moy wrote: > Larry Finger writes: > >> On 10/11/2016 11:18 AM, Matthieu Moy wrote: >>> Larry Finger writes: >>> >>>> That added information at the end is intended to be passed on to the >>>> stable group. In this case, the patch needs to be applied to kernel >>>> versions 4.8 and later. >>> >>> OK, but where do people fetch this information from? >> >> This format is used in a patch for the kernel. When the patch is >> merged into mainline, stable@vger.kernel.org gets sent an E-mail with >> a copy of the original patch. Maintainers of the indicated systems >> then merge the patch with their stable version. > > Sorry, but this does not answer my question. I'll rephrase: when > people behind stable@vger.kernel.org get the message, how do they know > which version of the kernel they should apply it to? > >> I do not want it in the body of the message. I just want to pass a >> hint to the stable maintainer(s). > > If it's not in the body of the message, then where is it? That information is supplied in the "Cc: Stable" line at the end. That is the point for the "[4.8+]" notation. That means apply to kernel 4.8 and later. Without this information, the patch author has to monitor the mainline kernel for the application of the main patch, and then send a separate E-mail to Stable indicating the version info. When the info is included, then the process is automatic. I hope you understand now. Larry