System and method for implementing nonblocking zero-indirection transactional memory
US8140497B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 31, 2007 |
| Grant date | Mar 20, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/467
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Systems and methods for implementing and using nonblocking zero-indirection software transactional memory (NZSTM) are disclosed. NZSTM systems implement object-based software transactional memory that eliminates all levels of indirection except in the uncommon case of a conflict with an unresponsive thread. Shared data is co-located with a header in an NZObject, and is addressable at a fixed offset from the header. Conflicting transactions are requested to abort themselves without being forced to abort. NZObjects are modified in place when there are no conflicts, and when a conflicting transaction acknowledges the abort request. In the uncommon case, NZObjects are inflated to introduce a locator and some levels of indirection, and are restored to their un-inflated form following resolution of the conflict. In some embodiments, transactions are executed using best effort hardware transactional memory if it is available and effective, and software transactional memory if not, yielding a hybrid transactional memory system, NZTM.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.