Netlink vs ioctl()

[clintonm9]

Trying to understand the reason for using Netlink vs ioctl() in this kernel.

Using is_wireless.c from https://gist.github.com/edufelipe/6108057 I get the following result:
interface wlan1 is not wireless

I also saw this mentioned:

Control: ioctl should be your first choice, unless there’s an overriding reason, due to its immediacy and reliable delivery.

I am using a fork of this to:
https://github.com/gemian/gemini-linux-kernel-3.18
and from here to:
https://github.com/Re4son/gemini-kali-linux-kernel-3.18

Trying to utilize a program that relies on ioct() on my Gemini kali device.

Thanks!