"For SysRq, we can get [a] hot key list from Documentation/sysrq.txt, but in most of cases, the user can't access it [when] using SysRq to debug, so it is better for SysRq to provide online help for the users," Yi Yang noted, explaining the need for his patch to improve SysReq's built in help. He continued, "in addition, that function has a big loop with another big loop embedded which is very inefficient".

The general reaction was that the changes were unnecessary. Valdis Kletnieks pointed out, "you're optimizing code that hopefully never gets executed, and even if it does, you have the optimization *backwards*. If you're worried about the efficiency, trim it down to output 3 lines - do you realize how many instructions it takes in the VGA and fb drivers to actually *output* all these lines?" He added that people using SysRq for debugging usually fall into two classes and don't require lengthy online help, "1) he has been told 'recreate the problem, hit alt-sysreq-cokebottle, and send me the results', or 2) he's already read the file in Documentation/ and just needs a reminder."