* sphalerite
does not understand graphics driver black magic
<jD91mZM2>
"immd_is_good_idea"
<jD91mZM2>
I don't understand the code but I already like it
<jD91mZM2>
simpson: How'd you write this code and test it? What was the workflow like?
<jD91mZM2>
Seems like it's hard to write a driver before you have a driver, so I'm guessing you had a second computer?
<simpson>
In this case, the GPUs had working basic text mode and VGA modes, what we call 'modesetting', handled by the kernel already. The kernel gives us an API for submitting GPU instructions directly, and another API (which I hacked on a bit) for asking the GPU to manage memory buffers.
<simpson>
In another case, where I was bringing up the modesetting itself, I had a second computer for building my kernels and prepping my build images. The target machine was an embedded board, so I needed a support machine anyway.