B extension was making good progress after it had slowed down for a while. Seems like standardization has slowed because of COVID.
The argument that it will never be implemented seems kind of wrong, why not? Multiple vendors and open source extensions already implemented the essential functionality in non standard ways. In the next standard profile for Linux, the V and B extensions will very likely be included.
ISA standardization never happens as fast as you hope it does.
Popcount is important even in minimal implementations, including "embedded". Waiting for B is not a way to get popcount where it is needed. We need another track.
The argument that it will never be implemented seems kind of wrong, why not? Multiple vendors and open source extensions already implemented the essential functionality in non standard ways. In the next standard profile for Linux, the V and B extensions will very likely be included.
ISA standardization never happens as fast as you hope it does.