STRUCT KVM_STATS_DESC(9)

✨ struct kvm_stats_desc(9) ✨

okay bestie so this is a page from the Kernel API Manual and it's literally all about struct kvm_stats_desc — the Descriptor of a KVM statistics. yes, a statistics, that's what the manpage says, we don't question the manpage 💅 it's giving "small struct, big responsibilities."

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🌸 NAME 🌸

struct kvm_stats_desc — Descriptor of a KVM statistics. that's it, that's the whole job description 🎀

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🦋 SYNOPSIS 🦋

struct kvm_stats_desc {
    __u32 flags;
    __s16 exponent;
    __u16 size;
    __u32 offset;
    __u32 bucket_size;
  #ifdef __KERNEL__;
    char name[KVM_STATS_NAME_SIZE];
  #else;
    char name[];
  #endif;
};

no cap, copy it exactly like that, semicolons after the preprocessor lines and all — that's what the original says and we are not out here editing the source, periodt 🔥

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👑 Members 👑

• flags — the annotations of the stats, like type, unit, etc. basically the little vibe check labels so everyone knows what kind of stat this is ✨
• exponent — used together with flags to determine the unit. dynamic duo energy, they work as a team 🫶
• size — the number of data items for this stats. and every single data item is of type __u64, so plan accordingly 💖
• offset — the offset of the stats to the start of stat structure in structure kvm or kvm_vcpu. yes, it's a whole "where do I even sit" situation 🪑
• bucket_size — a parameter value used for histogram stats. it is only used for linear histogram stats, specifying the size of the bucket; lowkey a niche queen but iconic in her lane 🍓
• name — the name string for the stats. its size is indicated by the kvm_stats_header->name_size. 🎀
• name — the name string for the stats. its size is indicated by the kvm_stats_header->name_size. yeah bestie it's listed twice in the original, i'm not gonna gaslight you and pretend it isn't 😭 twice! we respect the duplication 💀

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🧚 SEE ALSO 🧚

• Kernel file ./tools/include/uapi/linux/kvm.h
• struct kvm_stats_header(9)

like, go read those too, iykyk 📚

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🌈 tiny reminder: the name field is sized differently depending on whether you're in __KERNEL__ or not — char name[KVM_STATS_NAME_SIZE] inside the kernel, flexible char name[] outside. the #ifdef says it all, no notes 💜

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and that's the page!! ty for coming to my ted talk, go forth and describe your KVM stats with confidence 💅🦋✨

— with love, from ./tools/include/uapi/linux, October 2026 🎀