klp_get_prev_state(9)

💅 klp_get_prev_state — a.k.a. the "wait, what did the other patches already do?" function 🦋

okay so real talk, bestie, this is a Kernel API Manual page for klp_get_prev_state(9), from the ./kernel/livepatch corner of the kernel. it's short, it's sweet, and it's lowkey iconic. let's get into it 💖

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✨ NAME ✨

klp_get_prev_state — get information about system state modified by the already installed livepatches 👑

like, the livepatches that are already living their best life in your kernel. those ones. not the new baby patch. the established ones. no cap.

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🌸 SYNOPSIS 🌸

struct klp_state * klp_get_prev_state (unsigned long id );

that's the whole thing. one function, one argument, one pointer back. it's giving minimalism 🎀

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🫶 ARGUMENTS 🫶

• id — the custom identifier of the modified system state. like, your little label for the thing you care about. it's custom, so it's yours, so own it 💅

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🌈 DESCRIPTION 🌈

okay so what does it actually do? it checks whether the already installed livepatches modify the given system state. vibe check on the existing patches, basically ✨

the thing you need to know is that the same system state can be modified by more non-cumulative livepatches. and when that happens, the expectation is that the latest livepatch has the most up-to-date information. so you're not getting the first one, you're not getting all of them — you're getting the freshest info available. main character energy 👑

🚨 big important caveat, do not skip this one: the function can be called only during transition when a new livepatch is being enabled, or when such a transition is reverted. literally only then. so please don't just call it whenever, bestie 😭

and it's typically called only from pre/post (un)patch callbacks. that's its whole scene. iykyk 🦋

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⭐ RETURN ⭐

• a pointer to the latest struct klp_state from the already installed livepatches 🎀
• NULL when not found 💀

that's it. that's the return. pointer or NULL. binary slay 🙈

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🔥 SEE ALSO 🔥

• Kernel file ./kernel/livepatch/state.c — the source, go read it, it's right there 🍓
• klp_get_state(9) — its sibling, its bestie, its lore counterpart 💜

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and that's the page!! this icon was brought to you by the Kernel API Manual, from the ./kernel/livepatch directory, dated October 2026 🌸🧚 stay patched, stay fresh, and remember: only during transition 💖✨