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Linux gaming is getting faster because Windows APIs are becoming Linux kernel features (www.xda-developers.com)
submitted 1 week ago by cm0002@toast.ooo to c/linux@programming.dev
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[-] underscores@lemmy.zip 26 points 1 week ago

there's a disgusting implication that Linux is stealing code from Windows to implement APIs from this title

I can't wait to get rage baited about it from my windows using friends

"Linux is only doing good now because they're copying windows APIs into the kernel!"

[-] Scoopta@programming.dev 13 points 1 week ago

I mean...the code isn't copied but the design is and it honestly frustrates me. Like yes Linux performance is improving...but I personally don't like adding kernel functionality specifically for the benefit of wine

[-] psud@aussie.zone 23 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

The game supply is built against those APIs. If games are to be played on Linux it is necessary to adapt to the games until Linux is big enough that games change for us.

[-] Scoopta@programming.dev 5 points 1 week ago

But if you read the article even valve said fsync was basically good enough, why go this far if the improvements compared to fsync aren't amazing?

[-] ChairmanMeow@programming.dev 7 points 1 week ago

Fsync is also mentioned as having issues when emulating ntsync, and the improvements for some games are still quite good.

[-] FauxLiving@lemmy.world 17 points 1 week ago

I personally don’t like adding kernel functionality specifically for the benefit of wine

Well, luckily, you can personally have a kernel without that functionality

[-] Scoopta@programming.dev 3 points 1 week ago

XD, I do, I already build my own kernel and turn it off...just saying I don't like it

[-] bitfucker@programming.dev 6 points 1 week ago

I honestly welcome it. It brings up a lot more than just games in the future like MCAD and maybe even more creative apps.

[-] mojofrododojo@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

MCAD

?

[-] chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 3 points 1 week ago

CAD software for Mechanical design (mechanical engineers use it to design motors and transmissions and other machinery).

[-] mojofrododojo@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

interesting, worked in cad/cam and arch viz but never ran into it called mcad. always specific applications like catia or autocad, onshape etc.. assumed it was an application name

[-] bitfucker@programming.dev 3 points 6 days ago

Because if I say CAD then it would include KiCAD which is rock solid already and IMHO is perfect for most SME too

[-] chonglibloodsport@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

There’s also ECAD software for electronics. I believe a lot of product teams use both ECAD and MCAD. The former for designing the circuit board, the latter for designing the case and any moving parts.

[-] auzy1@lemmy.world 2 points 1 week ago

Why? Lots of people are using wine.

That's like saying we shouldn't be including modules for reverse engineered hardware that only benefits that company

[-] peterhorvath@mastodon.de 1 points 6 days ago

@auzy1 @Scoopta My problem with wine is that it can not work for most programs.

[-] auzy1@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Depends. For games it's usage is fairly common these days. It's transparent in steam

It's not perfect for apps but it does a surprisingly good job

[-] Scoopta@programming.dev 1 points 6 days ago

No, that's not quite the same thing, I fundamentally don't think it should be Linux's goal to be a good windows emulator. It's fine if wine exists and people use wine for that, but I don't think that should be a goal for the kernel, this starts pushing into that territory. Hardware support very much is the Kernel's job and modules which benefit it should be there if it's meaningful

[-] auzy1@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago

Except this is a scheduler issue from my understanding.

You can make the argument to put everything into user space, but it's a performance issue.

One of the growing huge applications of linux these days is gaming, which depends hugely on performance, and almost every gamer out there is likely using wine (generally, without even realising it).

[-] Scoopta@programming.dev 1 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

It's not a scheduler issue, it's a windows apps do thread synchronization differently to linux apps. Additionally fsync in the vast majority of use cases works just fine, the article notes most performance comparisons are against vanilla wine synchronization, i.e. without fsync or even esync. Regardless I still don't think the kernel should be emulating windows scheduling behavior.

[-] auzy1@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Don't compile it in then...

It's literally that simple.. but yeah, it is sync, you are correct

We could debate the advantage and disadvantages of a lot of things in the main kernel. There's so much stuff in there that only benefits certain limited applications, and we could make the argument for userspace for almost everything, including a lot of filesystem drivers

Like it or not, wine and gaming is probably the biggest avenue where Linux is winning on the desktop at the moment (especially thanks to steam). We shouldn't ignore it

I've been using Linux for at least 20+ years now. And seen a lot of stuff come and go.

A lot of distros are shipping with ntsync anyway, and, it's something that will definitely get maintained

[-] Scoopta@programming.dev 2 points 6 days ago

I already don't compile it in...I'm just stating my opinion. I don't think that should be something in the kernel. I complain, but I also do something about it.

[-] auzy1@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

Yeah. That's fair enough.

Both sides have merit. I get both angles tbh

[-] Scoopta@programming.dev 1 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

Yeah, I get both sides too, I also want Linux to be successful but I'm just disappointed this is what we're resorting to. Although I guess as long as I don't have to use it it's probably for the greater good?

[-] auzy1@lemmy.world 1 points 6 days ago

Also, I grew up trying games like Unreal tournament on Linux.

At the time, I thought wine was stupid and would never catch up.

However we're at the point that a lot of games already run better on Linux than windows even via wine.. There are even more opportunities here in the future

[-] onlinepersona@programming.dev 17 points 1 week ago

Once Linux becomes the premiere platform for gaming, the kernel will be expanded to make gaming faster. I see no problem with this.

this post was submitted on 14 May 2026
188 points (100.0% liked)

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