[PATCH v2 0/29] block: Make blkdev_get_by_*() return handle

[Christoph Hellwig]

On Fri, Aug 25, 2023 at 03:47:56PM +0200, Jan Kara wrote:
> I can see the appeal of not having to introduce the new bdev_handle type
> and just using struct file which unifies in-kernel and userspace block
> device opens. But I can see downsides too - the last fput() happening from
> task work makes me a bit nervous whether it will not break something
> somewhere with exclusive bdev opens. Getting from struct file to bdev is
> somewhat harder but I guess a helper like F_BDEV() would solve that just
> fine.
> 
> So besides my last fput() worry about I think this could work and would be
> probably a bit nicer than what I have. But before going and redoing the whole
> series let me gather some more feedback so that we don't go back and forth.
> Christoph, Christian, Jens, any opinion?

I did think about the file a bit.  The fact that we'd need something
like an anon_file for the by_dev open was always a huge turn off for
me, but maybe my concern is overblown.  Having a struct file would
actually be really useful for a bunch of users.