Linux Kernel to Remove Unmaintained EFS File-System After Two Decades
The EFS file-system, once utilized for non-ISO9660 CD-ROMs and disk partitions on SGI IRIX systems prior to the adoption of XFS in IRIX 6.0, is slated for removal from the Linux kernel. A read-only driver for EFS has been present in the Linux kernel for over 20 years without an assigned maintainer. Its removal is anticipated with the release of Linux 7.3. The EFS file-system's historical context is rooted in its use on Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI) IRIX operating systems.
The impending removal of the EFS file-system from the Linux kernel highlights a common challenge in software maintenance: the gradual obsolescence of legacy components. For over two decades, a read-only driver for EFS has persisted in the kernel despite the lack of active development or a dedicated maintainer. This situation underscores the importance of proactive code lifecycle management within large, complex software projects like the Linux kernel. As technology evolves and newer, more efficient file-systems emerge, maintaining outdated code incurs an ongoing technical debt and potential security risk. The decision to remove EFS reflects a strategic effort to streamline the kernel, reduce its attack surface, and focus development resources on actively supported and modern technologies, aligning with the long-term sustainability of the operating system.
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