Re: [PATCH 00/11] Introduce Simple atomic and non-atomic counters

Joel Fernandes
2020-09-28T21:17:15Z

On Mon, Sep 28, 2020 at 01:34:31PM -0700, Kees Cook wrote:
> On Sun, Sep 27, 2020 at 07:35:26PM -0400, Joel Fernandes wrote:
> > On Fri, Sep 25, 2020 at 05:47:14PM -0600, Shuah Khan wrote:
> > > This patch series is a result of discussion at the refcount_t BOF
> > > the Linux Plumbers Conference. In this discussion, we identified
> > > a need for looking closely and investigating atomic_t usages in
> > > the kernel when it is used strictly as a counter without it
> > > controlling object lifetimes and state changes.
> > >
> > > There are a number of atomic_t usages in the kernel where atomic_t api
> > > is used strictly for counting and not for managing object lifetime. In
> > > some cases, atomic_t might not even be needed.
> > >
> > > The purpose of these counters is twofold: 1. clearly differentiate
> > > atomic_t counters from atomic_t usages that guard object lifetimes,
> > > hence prone to overflow and underflow errors. It allows tools that scan
> > > for underflow and overflow on atomic_t usages to detect overflow and
> > > underflows to scan just the cases that are prone to errors. 2. provides
> > > non-atomic counters for cases where atomic isn't necessary.
> >
> > Nice series :)
> >
> > It appears there is no user of counter_simple in this series other than the
> > selftest. Would you be planning to add any conversions in the series itself,
> > for illustration of use? Sorry if I missed a usage.
> >
> > Also how do we guard against atomicity of counter_simple RMW operations? Is
> > the implication that it should be guarded using other synchronization to
> > prevent lost-update problem?
> >
> > Some more comments:
> >
> > 1. atomic RMW operations that have a return value are fully ordered. Would
> > you be adding support to counter_simple for such ordering as well, for
> > consistency?
>
> No -- there is no atomicity guarantee for counter_simple. I would prefer
> counter_simple not exist at all, specifically for this reason.

Yeah I am ok with it not existing, especially also as there are no examples
of its conversion/usage in the series.

> > 2. I felt counter_atomic and counter_atomic64 would be nice equivalents to
> > the atomic and atomic64 naming currently used (i.e. dropping the '32').
> > However that is just my opinion and I am ok with either naming.
>
> I had asked that they be size-named to avoid any confusion (i.e. we're
> making a new API).

Works for me.

Cheers,

- Joel