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SubjectRe: [PATCH 1/2] Documentation/memory-barriers.txt: cross-reference "tools/memory-model/"
On Fri, Feb 09, 2018 at 04:00:53PM +0100, Andrea Parri wrote:
> On Fri, Feb 09, 2018 at 06:29:23AM -0800, Paul E. McKenney wrote:
> > On Fri, Feb 09, 2018 at 01:50:51PM +0100, Andrea Parri wrote:
> > > On Fri, Feb 09, 2018 at 04:31:00AM -0800, Paul E. McKenney wrote:
> > > > On Sun, Feb 04, 2018 at 07:37:08PM +0100, Andrea Parri wrote:
> > > > > Hi Akira,
> > > > >
> > > > > On Mon, Feb 05, 2018 at 01:14:10AM +0900, Akira Yokosawa wrote:
> > > > > > Hi Paul,
> > > > > > CC: Andrea
> > > > > >
> > > > > > This is intentionally off the list, as I was not cc'd in the thread.
> > > > > > If you think it is worthwhile, could you help me join the thread by
> > > > > > forwarding the following part as a reply to your message, plus CC: to me.
> > > > >
> > > > > [CCing lists and other people]
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > On Fri, Feb 02, 2018 at 17:21:03AM -0800, Paul E. McKenney wrote:
> > > > > > > On Fri, Feb 02, 2018 at 10:12:48AM +0100, Andrea Parri wrote:
> > > > > > >> Recent efforts led to the specification of a memory consistency model
> > > > > > >> for the Linux kernel [1], which "can (roughly speaking) be thought of
> > > > > > >> as an automated version of memory-barriers.txt" and which is (in turn)
> > > > > > >> "accompanied by extensive documentation on its use and its design".
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> Make sure that the (occasional) reader of memory-barriers.txt will be
> > > > > > >> aware of these developments.
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> [1] https://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel&m=151687290114799&w=2
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> Signed-off-by: Andrea Parri <parri.andrea@xxxxxxxxx>
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > I am inclined to pull in something along these lines, but would like
> > > > > > > some feedback on the wording, especially how "official" we want to
> > > > > > > make the memory model to be.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thoughts?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The change log of commit e7720af5f9ac ("locking/Documentation: Add disclaimer") says:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > It appears people are reading this document as a requirements list for
> > > > > > building hardware. This is not the intent of this document. Nor is it
> > > > > > particularly suited for this purpose.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > The primary purpose of this document is our collective attempt to define
> > > > > > a set of primitives that (hopefully) allow us to write correct code on
> > > > > > the myriad of SMP platforms Linux supports.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Its a definite work in progress as our understanding of these platforms,
> > > > > > and memory ordering in general, progresses.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Nor does being mentioned in this document mean we think its a
> > > > > > particularly good idea; the data dependency barrier required by Alpha
> > > > > > being a prime example. Yes we have it, no you're insane to require it
> > > > > > when building new hardware.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > My take on the Linux Kernel memory-consistency model is a supplement of
> > > > > > memory-barriers.txt and the disclaimer also applies to the memory model.
> > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > If I don't hear otherwise in a couple of days, I will pull this as is.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > Thanx, Paul
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >> ---
> > > > > > >> Documentation/memory-barriers.txt | 4 +++-
> > > > > > >> 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> diff --git a/Documentation/memory-barriers.txt b/Documentation/memory-barriers.txt
> > > > > > >> index a863009849a3b..8cc3f098f4a7d 100644
> > > > > > >> --- a/Documentation/memory-barriers.txt
> > > > > > >> +++ b/Documentation/memory-barriers.txt
> > > > > > >> @@ -17,7 +17,9 @@ meant as a guide to using the various memory barriers provided by Linux, but
> > > > > > >> in case of any doubt (and there are many) please ask.
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > > >> To repeat, this document is not a specification of what Linux expects from
> > > > > > >> -hardware.
> > > > > > >> +hardware. For such a specification, in the form of a memory consistency
> > > > > > >> +model, and for documentation about its usage and its design, the reader is
> > > > > > >> +referred to "tools/memory-model/".
> > > > > > >>
> > > > > >
> > > > > > Adding cross-reference in this way can _weaken_ the message of the disclaimer.
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank you for your remarks; I do share the same concern.
> > > > >
> > > > > > What about adding it in the previous sentence as the patch appended bellow?
> > > > >
> > > > > I do like this idea: I believe that my phrasing (and that "what Linux
> > > > > expects from hardware") may be easily subject to misinterpretation...
> > > > > which your solution can avoid.
> > > >
> > > > Any objections to Akira's patch below? (Give or take the usual
> > > > wordsmithing.)
> > > >
> > > > Andrea, should I interpret your paragraph above ask an Acked-by?
> > >
> > > Well, I am among the Signed-off-by: of the patch; it didn't seem too fair
> > > to me to Ack my own patch... ;-) Is the wording sound? other suggestions?
> >
> > Good point, too many all-day meetings last week. ;-)
> >
> > How about the following?
>
> Even better IMO,

Very good, thank you both!

I will include this in the version of the series.

Thanx, Paul

> Thanks!
>
> Andrea
>
>
> >
> > Thanx, Paul
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > commit 9370f98c312d658afe88e548d469549d8f31e402
> > Author: Andrea Parri <parri.andrea@gmail.com>
> > Date: Fri Feb 9 06:26:08 2018 -0800
> >
> > Documentation/memory-barriers.txt: Cross-reference "tools/memory-model/"
> >
> > A memory consistency model is now available for the Linux kernel [1],
> > which "can (roughly speaking) be thought of as an automated version of
> > memory-barriers.txt" and which is (in turn) "accompanied by extensive
> > documentation on its use and its design".
> >
> > Inform the (occasional) reader of memory-barriers.txt of these
> > developments.
> >
> > [1] https://marc.info/?l=linux-kernel&m=151687290114799&w=2
> >
> > Co-developed-by: Andrea Parri <parri.andrea@gmail.com>
> > Co-developed-by: Akira Yokosawa <akiyks@gmail.com>
> > Signed-off-by: Andrea Parri <parri.andrea@gmail.com>
> > Signed-off-by: Akira Yokosawa <akiyks@gmail.com>
> > Signed-off-by: Paul E. McKenney <paulmck@linux.vnet.ibm.com>
> >
> > diff --git a/Documentation/memory-barriers.txt b/Documentation/memory-barriers.txt
> > index 479ecec80593..74ad222d11ed 100644
> > --- a/Documentation/memory-barriers.txt
> > +++ b/Documentation/memory-barriers.txt
> > @@ -14,7 +14,11 @@ DISCLAIMER
> > This document is not a specification; it is intentionally (for the sake of
> > brevity) and unintentionally (due to being human) incomplete. This document is
> > meant as a guide to using the various memory barriers provided by Linux, but
> > -in case of any doubt (and there are many) please ask.
> > +in case of any doubt (and there are many) please ask. Some doubts may be
> > +resolved by referring to the formal memory consistency model and related
> > +documentation at tools/memory-model/. Nevertheless, even this memory
> > +model should be viewed as the collective opinion of its maintainers rather
> > +than as an infallible oracle.
> >
> > To repeat, this document is not a specification of what Linux expects from
> > hardware.
> >
>

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