scsi_tape_release(9)

✨ NAME ✨

okay so welcome to the scsi_tape_release(9) page from the Kernel API Manual, bestie 💅 this is the function that gets called to free the Scsi_Tape structure, and it’s giving cleanup-era main character energy. slay.

🎀 SYNOPSIS 🎀

void scsi_tape_release (struct kref *kref );

🌸 ARGUMENTS 🌸

• kref — pointer to the embedded kref, aka the little thing you’re passing in 🫶

💖 DESCRIPTION 💖

okay so real talk: st_ref_mutex must be held entering this routine. no sneaking in without it, bestie.

because it’s called on the last put, you should always use the scsi_tape_get scsi_tape_put helpers. they manipulate the semaphore directly, and you should never do a direct kref_put. not even once. periodt. 🙈

caution cutie: direct kref_put is a no-no here — let the helpers handle it, fr fr 💀

🦋 SEE ALSO 🦋

the kernel file ./drivers/scsi/st.c is the place to be, and these are the icons you should also check out:

• position_lost_in_reset_show(9)
• read_cnt_show(9)
• read_byte_cnt_show(9)
• read_ns_show(9)
• write_cnt_show(9)
• write_byte_cnt_show(9)
• write_ns_show(9)
• in_flight_show(9)
• io_ns_show(9)
• other_cnt_show(9)
• resid_cnt_show(9)

source/version: ./drivers/scsi • date: October 2026 • page: scsi_tape_release(9) — byeee bestie, ily, hydrate and protect your st_ref_mutex 🫶✨💖