The Linux kernel is planning to remove approximately 55,000 lines of code related to older 32-bit ARM platforms. Arnd Bergmann submitted 13 patches to facilitate this removal, citing the code as a burden on kernel developers and hindering further development.
The removal targets deprecated ARM platforms including SA1100, Footbridge, RISCPC, Orion / Dove / MV78xx0, OMAP24xx, i.MX31, i.MX targets without an MMU, LPC18xx, STM32f4/f7/h7 MCUs, Versatile MPS2, AT91 SAMV7, Axxia, and legacy PXA board files. These platforms are becoming increasingly rare in mainline Linux kernel deployments.
Bergmann noted the removal could potentially be included in the Linux 7.4 kernel, but he is leaning towards implementing the changes in Linux 7.5. This delay is intended to simplify dependencies and allow time for any remaining users to justify retaining support for these platforms. The removal of this code will also pave the way for the removal of orphaned drivers, resulting in even greater code savings. The core reason for the change is that the old kernel code has become a burden to upstream kernel developers, getting in the way of further code clean-ups and delivering new kernel features.
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