[U-Boot-Users] Diagnostic Tools in U-Boot

[Wolfgang Denk]

In message <1104876780.23236.46.camel at cashmere.sps.mot.com> you wrote:
> 
> I have a few board-specific tools that help with some
> board diagnostics and manufacturing processes.  These


You're not the first one...

> tools are currently built in the "examples" directory,
> but are highly board-specific.  (EEPROM programming,
> memory checking, Serial Number stamping, etc.)

I always thought the name "examples" was clear enough. This is NOT  a
place  for  general  purpose code, especially not for borad-dependent
code.

> Currently, the examples directory has board-specific
> binaries that it builds, but it does so based on the
> the ARCH variable, like this:

This may be inelegant or even ugly, but i  IMHO  ok  for  the  simple
examples.

> It's sort of a rats nest all thrown together in one directory
> where you just happen to build the parts that apply to your
> board/ARCH.

ARCH yes, board no.

> I would like to propose a new scheme that fits in with

Why a new scheme instead of simply using what's already in place  and
being used by others?

> 1) Make the examples directory be a sub-directory structure
>    that allows a board-specific break-down beneath it.

No. "examples" means example code, and to be more specific:  examples
for  standalone  programs.  Board  dependent  code  belongs  to board
directories.

> 2) Make a "diagnostics" (or "tools") sub-directory beneath
>    each board directory if it can build tools in the style
>    of the current "examples" directory.

If you really feel you must create  a  sub-directory  in  your  board
directories  feel  free  to  do  this.  To  me it makes little sense,
though.

> Personally, I think 2) would be a cleaner distribution,
> though I am curious to know if you have any thoughts in
> this area too.

For example, have a look at the board/trab  directory;  the  Makefile
there  includes rules to build a custom tool "trab_fkt" which is used
by the board manufacturer for burn-in tests. This is totally transpa-
rent to the rest of the U-Boot tree.

Feel free to do something similar. I see no real need for a new level
of directories.

Best regards,

Wolfgang Denk

-- 
Software Engineering:  Embedded and Realtime Systems,  Embedded Linux
Phone: (+49)-8142-66989-10 Fax: (+49)-8142-66989-80 Email: wd at denx.de
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