nla_parse_deprecated(9)

📦 version 7.3.1, in nixpkgs unstable

nla_parse_deprecated(9)</p> 💅

okay so bestie, we're in the Kernel API Manual ✨ — specifically the page for nla_parse_deprecated, which lives in ./include/net in the kernel tree. yes it says "deprecated" right in the name, we'll get to that vibe 🫶

🌸 NAME 🌸

nla_parse_deprecated — literally "parse a stream of attributes into a tb buffer", that's the whole gig 💖

🦋 SYNOPSIS 🦋

int nla_parse_deprecated (struct nlattr **tb , int maxtype , const
       struct nlattr *head , int len , const struct nla_policy *policy , struct
       netlink_ext_ack *extack );

she's a big girl, six arguments, no cap 😭

🎀 ARGUMENTS 🎀

  • tb — the destination array, and it needs maxtype+1 elements. do not skimp on the size bestie, she counts 👑
  • maxtype — the maximum attribute type you're expecting. that's the ceiling, periodt.
  • head — head of the attribute stream. the starting point, the main character 💅
  • len — length of the attribute stream. how much of the stream we're actually reading 🌸
  • policy — the validation policy. the rulebook, iykyk 📜
  • extack — extended ACK pointer. the receipts, fr fr 🧾

🦋 DESCRIPTION 🦋

so what she does: she parses a stream of attributes and stashes a pointer to each attribute inside the tb array — and you can reach each one via its attribute type. cute, organized, iconic ✨

two things to know, and this is the important part so listen up:

  • attributes with a type that exceeds maxtype get ignored entirely 💀
  • attributes from the policy are not always strictly validated — only for new attributes. lowkey that's the whole reason this one's marked deprecated, so don't come for me 🙈

⭐ RETURN ⭐

0 on success, or a negative error code. that's it, that's the return 🎀

🌈 SEE ALSO 🌈

the kernel file ./include/net/netlink.h, and honestly the whole netlink extended family showed up to the group chat — every single one of these, no cuts 🔥

heads up bestie: the name literally says deprecated 💀 that's not me being dramatic, that's the actual function name. use it when you gotta, but like... know what you're doing, okay? 🫶

that's the whole page!! mwah 💋 this one shipped with the kernel tree at ./include/net, dated October 2026 — catch you in the next manpage, bestie 🦋✨

📦 where this page comes from