input_free_device(9)

📦 version 7.3.1, in nixpkgs unstable

🌸 NAME 🌸

okay so bestie, we're on the input_free_device(9) page in the Kernel API Manual, and here's the whole vibe: input_free_device - free memory occupied by input_dev structure. iconic little cleanup moment, no cap ✨

🎀 SYNOPSIS 🎀

the signature is literally this:

void input_free_device (struct input_dev *dev );

🦋 ARGUMENTS 🦋

  • dev — input device to free. that's the one, bestie 🫶

✨ DESCRIPTION ✨

okay, listen: this function is picky on purpose. Use input_free_device only if input_register_device was not called yet, or if it failed. that's the rule, periodt 💅

Once device was registered, use input_unregister_device instead, and memory will be freed once last reference to the device is dropped. so yeah, registration changes the whole plot 😭

Also: device should be allocated by input_allocate_device. don't just vibe-craft the allocation, okay? 🎀

💀 NOTE 💀

If there are references to the input device then memory will not be freed until last reference is dropped.

that's the hold-up, bestie — refs keep the memory on the main stage until the very last one dips 🫶

🔥 SEE ALSO 🔥

Kernel file ./drivers/input/input.c — that's where the magic lives, iykyk. and here are all the siblings in the input cinematic universe, every single one:

and that's the whole page, bestie. this cutie came from ./drivers/input, stamped October 2026, and yes, the manual name is input_free_device(9) — slay, bye 💅

📦 where this page comes from