Re: [RFC PATCH] Writer-biased low-latency rwlock v8

Mathieu Desnoyers
2008-08-23T20:30:29Z

* Linus Torvalds (torvalds@linux-foundation.org) wrote:
>
>
> On Sat, 23 Aug 2008, Mathieu Desnoyers wrote:
> >
> > Now, let me explain why I need at least not one, but _four different_
> > contention bits. Simply because there are four types of contention, one
> > for each execution context which may take the read lock. (irq, softirq,
> > non-preemptable, preemptable)
>
> No. You need _one_ contention bit in the fast-path.
>
> Then, as you get into the slow-path, you can decide on four different
> behaviours.
>
> Quite frankly, I don't think this discussion is going anywhere. I don't
> think I'd take anything from you, since you seem to have a really hard
> time separating out the issue of fast-path and slow-path. So I'm simply
> not going to bother, and I'm not going to expect to merge your work.
>
> Sorry, but it simply isn't worth my time or effort.
>
> Linus

Hi,

OK, I now see how I can apply this contention bit idea to my algo.
Actually, the point I just fixed in my head is that this bit will be a
"MAY_CONTEND" bit, which could let higher priority readers access the
lock in the slow path. Only one fast path reader count will be required,
just as you said.

Sorry about taking that much time to get my head around this. Thanks for
your helpful explanations and your time.

Mathieu

--
Mathieu Desnoyers
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