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Kernel developers weigh rewriting XArray in Rust

lwn.net by daroc Editor score 7/10

A discussion at Kangrejos 2026 considered rewriting XArray, a data structure used by XFS, in Rust, weighing possible security and performance benefits against the risks of replacing existing code. The trade-offs matter to teams maintaining mature, widely deployed systems.

What

Kernel developers discussed whether to rewrite XArray, a data structure used under XFS, in Rust.

How

Daniel Gomez raised the idea amid difficult large-block support work and cited potential security and performance improvements; developers also voiced caution.

Why it matters

For kernel engineers, the discussion weighs possible safety and performance gains against the risks of converting a foundational data structure.

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