Why XXX_softc in BSD?

[thirdm]

I'm reading autoconfiguration code in OpenBSD and see structs named XXX_softc which are based on struct device, but add more struct members. e.g. pcmcia_softc in
sys/dev/pcmcia/pcmciavar.h. Where does this name, "softc," come from? Is the c short for something? config? What's soft about it?

[ocicat]

Originally Posted by thirdm

Where does this name, "softc," come from?

Questions like this are better addressed on the project's official tech@ mailing list. Information on subscribing can be found at the following:

http://openbsd.org/mail.html

[thirdm]

Originally Posted by ocicat

Questions like this are better addressed on the project's official tech@ mailing list.

My feeling about openbsd-tech is it's not a place for novices to ask general questions. I sort of self-ban myself from there, figuring it's where people programming openbsd communicate about what they're doing and what patches they have.

Maybe freebsd's usenet group would be a good place for this? I thought of openbsd-misc, but figured they would find it annoying. All BSDs have these softc structs, and the freebsd groups seem fairly chatty.

[ocicat]

Originally Posted by thirdm

My feeling about openbsd-tech is it's not a place for novices to ask general questions.

I don't interpret your question to be general.

Maybe freebsd's usenet group would be a good place for this?

What you are looking for is to talk to a project developer -- especially one who has worked with this structure. Anyone else will simply be shooting in the dark. Hence, my suggestion of posting to tech@.

I have no knowledge of FreeBSD's Usenet group, so you are on your own there.

[J65nko]

I would suggest to ask your question on the OpenBSD misc list.

[thirdm]

Yes, I think misc is probably a better bet so I tried there.

[jggimi]

Looks like you got a quick and specific answer, too.

[Carpetsmoker]

http://marc.info/?l=openbsd-misc&m=127074645030284&w=2