[U-Boot] [PATCH] Replace references to extern console_buffer with a function call

[Wolfgang Denk]

Dear Peter Tyser,

In message <1218831956.1273.114.camel at localhost.localdomain> you wrote:
> > what is the purpose of this patch? As far as I can see we gain
> > nothing, but we lose on memory footpint.  I guess there is some
> > problem you're trying to fix, but you did not mention it?
> 
> I've added a basic "debug serial console" which relies on this patch.
> The debug console is a simple command prompt which allows the user to
> issue commands before relocating to SDRAM.  We've found this feature
> very useful for operations such as initially programming SPD data,
> debugging hardware issues (SDRAM/I2C).  I'll submit the debug console
> patches shortly.

OK, I think what you're trying to do.

> I'm not sure if the debug console will be accepted to mainline, but I
> think this patch alone is an improvement over the current implementation

Frankly, I don't think so - it just makes the code bigger for no good
use to 99.9% of the users.

> of using a global string and multiple external console_buffer
> references.  I've always thought global variables should be avoided if
> there is a reasonable alternative

But this is a boot loader, and size matters.

Best regards,

Wolfgang Denk

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