Linux: Rewriting the x86 Setup Code

“H. Peter Anvin submitted a series of patches rewriting the x86
setup code, ‘this patch set replaces the x86 setup code, which is
currently all in assembly, with a version written in C, using the
‘.code16gcc’ feature of binutils (which has been present since at
least 2001.)’ He went on to explain why he did this, ‘the new code
is vastly easier to read, and, I hope, debug. It should be noted
that I found a fair number of minor bugs while going through this
code, and have attempted to correct them.’

“Linus Torvalds reacted favorably, ‘I can’t really argue against
this on any sane grounds–not only is it removing more lines than
it adds, but moving from mostly unreadable assembly to C seems a
good idea…'”

Complete
Story