.. sources:
`<https://info.ravenbrook.com/project/mps/doc/2002-06-18/obsolete-mminfo/mmdoc/protocol/mps/arena/>`_
`<https://info.ravenbrook.com/project/mps/master/design/arena/>`_
.. index::
single: arena
.. _topic-arena:
Arenas
======
An arena is an object that encapsulates the state of the Memory Pool
System, and tells it where to get the memory it manages. You typically
start a session with the MPS by creating an arena with
:c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` and end the session by destroying it with
:c:func:`mps_arena_destroy`. The only function you might need to call
before making an arena is :c:func:`mps_telemetry_control`.
Before destroying an arena, you must first destroy all objects and
data in it, as usual for abstract data types in the MPS. If you can't
destroy the arena properly (for example, because your program has
crashed and you are at the debugger prompt), you can still call
:c:func:`mps_telemetry_flush` explicitly.
Other types of objects in the MPS are created "in the arena". They are
part of the world within the arena, and may interact and affect each
other.
.. index::
single: arena; multiple
.. note::
The MPS allows creation of multiple arenas, but you would only do
this in unusual circumstances. It might be useful to have two
active arenas and to try different things out in them, or you
might be in the process of integrating two pieces of software that
each independently uses the MPS.
Arenas do not normally interact, but they compete with each other
for resources, and references from one arena to another are not
traced, though you *can* declare :term:`roots` pointing
from one arena to another. It is not efficient to have multiple
arenas containing :term:`automatically managed <automatic memory
management>` :term:`pools`: if you find yourself in this
situation it's best to find a way to move all the automatically
managed pools to one arena.
The open source MPS comes with two classes of arena,
:ref:`topic-arena-client` and :ref:`topic-arena-vm`. These differ in
the way that they acquire the memory to be managed.
.. note::
The MPS is designed to be extensible with new arena classes. If
you need features that are not provided by any of the open source
arena classes, :ref:`contact us <contact>`.
.. c:type:: mps_arena_t
The type of :term:`arenas`.
An arena is responsible for requesting :term:`memory (3)` from
the operating system, making it available to :term:`pools`,
and for :term:`garbage collection`.
.. c:type:: mps_arena_class_t
The type of :term:`arena classes`.
.. c:function:: mps_res_t mps_arena_create_k(mps_arena_t *arena_o, mps_arena_class_t arena_class, mps_arg_s args[])
Create an :term:`arena`.
``arena_o`` points to a location that will hold a pointer to the new
arena.
``arena_class`` is the :term:`arena class`.
``args`` are :term:`keyword arguments` specific to the arena
class. See the documentation for the arena class.
Returns :c:macro:`MPS_RES_OK` if the arena is created
successfully, or another :term:`result code` otherwise.
The arena persists until it is destroyed by calling
:c:func:`mps_arena_destroy`.
.. c:function:: mps_res_t mps_arena_create(mps_arena_t *arena_o, mps_arena_class_t arena_class, ...)
.. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
Use :c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` instead: the :term:`keyword
arguments` interface is more reliable and produces better
error messages.
An alternative to :c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` that takes its
extra arguments using the standard :term:`C` variable argument
list mechanism.
.. c:function:: mps_res_t mps_arena_create_v(mps_arena_t *arena_o, mps_arena_class_t arena_class, va_list args)
.. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
Use :c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` instead: the :term:`keyword
arguments` interface is more reliable and produces better
error messages.
An alternative to :c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` that takes its
extra arguments using the standard :term:`C` ``va_list``
mechanism.
.. c:function:: void mps_arena_destroy(mps_arena_t arena)
Destroy an :term:`arena`.
``arena`` is the arena to destroy.
This function checks the consistency of the arena, flushes the
:term:`telemetry stream` and destroys the arena's internal control
structures. Additionally, :term:`virtual memory arenas` return
their reserved address space to the operating system if possible.
It is an error to destroy an arena without first destroying all
:term:`generation chains`, :term:`object formats`, :term:`pools`
and :term:`roots` created in the arena, and deregistering all
:term:`threads` registered with the arena.
.. index::
single: arena class; client
single: client arena class
.. _topic-arena-client:
Client arenas
-------------
::
#include "mpsacl.h"
.. c:function:: mps_arena_class_t mps_arena_class_cl(void)
Return the :term:`arena class` for a :term:`client arena`.
A client arena gets its managed memory from the :term:`client
program`. This memory chunk is passed when the arena is created.
When creating a client arena, :c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` requires two
:term:`keyword arguments`:
* :c:macro:`MPS_KEY_ARENA_CL_BASE` (type :c:type:`mps_addr_t`) is
the :term:`address` of the chunk of memory that will be managed
by the arena.
* :c:macro:`MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE` (type :c:type:`size_t`) is its
size.
For example::
MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_ARENA_CL_BASE, base);
MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, size);
MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_cl(), args);
} MPS_ARGS_END(args);
If the chunk is too small to hold the internal arena structures,
:c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` returns :c:macro:`MPS_RES_MEMORY`. In
this case, you need to use a (much) larger chunk.
.. note::
You don't have to provide all the memory up front: you can
call :c:func:`mps_arena_extend` later on.
Client arenas have no mechanism for returning unused memory.
.. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
When using :c:func:`mps_arena_create`, pass the size and base
address like this::
mps_res_t mps_arena_create(mps_arena_t *arena_o,
mps_arena_class_t mps_arena_class_cl,
size_t size, mps_addr_t base)
.. c:function:: mps_res_t mps_arena_extend(mps_arena_t arena, mps_addr_t base, size_t size)
Extend a :term:`client arena` with another block of memory.
``base`` is the :term:`address` of the block of memory that will be
managed by the arena.
``size`` is its :term:`size`.
Return :c:macro:`MPS_RES_OK` if successful, or another
:term:`result code` if it fails.
.. index::
single: arena class; virtual memory
single: virtual memory arena class
.. _topic-arena-vm:
Virtual memory arenas
---------------------
::
#include "mpsavm.h"
.. c:function:: mps_arena_class_t mps_arena_class_vm(void)
Return the :term:`arena class` for a :term:`virtual memory arena`.
A virtual memory arena uses the operating system's :term:`virtual
memory` interface to allocate memory. The chief consequence of
this is that the arena can manage many more virtual addresses than
it needs to commit memory to. This gives it flexibility as to
where to place :term:`blocks`, which reduces
:term:`fragmentation` and helps make :term:`garbage collection`
more efficient.
When creating a virtual memory arena, :c:func:`mps_arena_create_k`
requires one :term:`keyword argument`:
* :c:macro:`MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE` (type :c:type:`size_t`). is the
initial amount of virtual address space, in :term:`bytes (1)`,
that the arena will reserve (this space is initially reserved so
that the arena can subsequently use it without interference from
other parts of the program, but most of it is not committed, so
it doesn't require any RAM or backing store). The arena may
allocate more virtual address space beyond this initial
reservation as and when it deems it necessary. The MPS is most
efficient if you reserve an address space that is several times
larger than your peak memory usage.
.. note::
The MPS asks for more address space if it runs out, but the
more times it has to extend its address space, the less
efficient garbage collection will become.
An optional :term:`keyword argument` may be passed, but is
only used on the Windows operating system:
* :c:macro:`MPS_KEY_VMW3_TOP_DOWN` (type :c:type:`mps_bool_t`). If
true, the arena will allocate address space starting at the
highest possible address and working downwards through memory.
.. note::
This causes the arena to pass the ``MEM_TOP_DOWN`` flag to
`VirtualAlloc`_.
.. _VirtualAlloc: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366887%28v=vs.85%29.aspx
If the MPS fails to reserve adequate address space to place the
arena in, :c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` returns
:c:macro:`MPS_RES_RESOURCE`. Possibly this means that other parts
of the program are reserving too much virtual memory.
If the MPS fails to allocate memory for the internal arena
structures, :c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` returns
:c:macro:`MPS_RES_MEMORY`. Either ``size`` was far too small or
the operating system refused to provide enough memory.
For example::
MPS_ARGS_BEGIN(args) {
MPS_ARGS_ADD(args, MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE, size);
MPS_ARGS_DONE(args);
res = mps_arena_create_k(&arena, mps_arena_class_cl(), args);
} MPS_ARGS_END(args);
.. deprecated:: starting with version 1.112.
When using :c:func:`mps_arena_create`, pass the size like
this::
mps_res_t mps_arena_create(mps_arena_t *arena_o,
mps_arena_class_t arena_class_vm(),
size_t size)
.. index::
single: arena; properties
Arena properties
----------------
.. c:function:: mps_word_t mps_collections(mps_arena_t arena)
Return the number of :term:`flips` that have taken place in an
:term:`arena` since it was created.
``arena`` is the arena.
.. c:function:: size_t mps_arena_commit_limit(mps_arena_t arena)
Return the current :term:`commit limit` for
an arena.
``arena`` is the arena to return the commit limit for.
Returns the commit limit in :term:`bytes (1)`. The commit limit
controls how much memory the MPS can obtain from the operating
system, and can be changed by calling
:c:func:`mps_arena_commit_limit_set`.
.. c:function:: mps_res_t mps_arena_commit_limit_set(mps_arena_t arena, size_t limit)
Change the :term:`commit limit` for an :term:`arena`.
``arena`` is the arena to change the commit limit for.
``limit`` is the new commit limit in :term:`bytes (1)`.
Returns :c:macro:`MPS_RES_OK` if successful, or another
:term:`result code` if not.
If successful, the commit limit for ``arena`` is set to ``limit``. The
commit limit controls how much memory the MPS will obtain from the
operating system. The commit limit cannot be set to a value that
is lower than the number of bytes that the MPS is using. If an
attempt is made to set the commit limit to a value greater than or
equal to that returned by :c:func:`mps_arena_committed` then it
will succeed. If an attempt is made to set the commit limit to a
value less than that returned by :c:func:`mps_arena_committed`
then it will succeed only if the amount committed by the MPS can
be reduced by reducing the amount of spare committed memory; in
such a case the spare committed memory will be reduced
appropriately and the attempt will succeed.
.. note::
:c:func:`mps_arena_commit_limit_set` puts a limit on all
memory committed by the MPS. The :term:`spare committed
memory` can be limited separately with
:c:func:`mps_arena_spare_commit_limit_set`. Note that "spare
committed" memory is subject to both limits; there cannot be
more spare committed memory than the spare commit limit, and
there can't be so much spare committed memory that there is
more committed memory than the commit limit.
.. c:function:: size_t mps_arena_committed(mps_arena_t arena)
Return the total :term:`committed <mapped>` memory for an
:term:`arena`.
``arena`` is the arena.
Returns the total amount of memory that has been committed to RAM
by the MPS, in :term:`bytes (1)`.
The committed memory is generally larger than the sum of the sizes
of the allocated :term:`blocks`. The reasons for this are:
* some memory is used internally by the MPS to manage its own data
structures and to record information about allocated blocks
(such as free lists, page tables, colour tables, statistics, and
so on);
* operating systems (and hardware) typically restrict programs to
requesting and releasing memory with a certain granularity (for
example, :term:`pages`), so extra memory is committed
when this rounding is necessary;
* there might also be :term:`spare committed memory`: see
:c:func:`mps_arena_spare_committed`.
The amount of committed memory is a good measure of how much
virtual memory resource ("swap space") the MPS is using from the
operating system.
The function :c:func:`mps_arena_committed` may be called whatever
state the the arena is in (:term:`unclamped <unclamped state>`,
:term:`clamped <clamped state>`, or :term:`parked <parked
state>`). If it is called when the arena is in the unclamped state
then the value may change after this function returns. A possible
use might be to call it just after :c:func:`mps_arena_collect` to
(over-)estimate the size of the heap.
If you want to know how much memory the MPS is using then you're
probably interested in the value ``mps_arena_committed() -
mps_arena_spare_committed()``.
The amount of committed memory can be limited with the function
:c:func:`mps_arena_commit_limit`.
.. c:function:: size_t mps_arena_reserved(mps_arena_t arena)
Return the total :term:`address space` reserved by an
:term:`arena`, in :term:`bytes (1)`.
``arena`` is the arena.
For a :term:`virtual memory arena`, this is the total address space
reserved via the operating system's virtual memory interface.
For a :term:`client arena`, this is the sum of the usable portions
of the chunks of memory passed to the arena by the :term:`client
program` via :c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` and
:c:func:`mps_arena_extend`.
.. note::
For a client arena, the reserved address may be lower than the
sum of the :c:macro:`MPS_KEY_ARENA_SIZE` keyword argument
passed to :c:func:`mps_arena_create_k` and the ``size``
arguments passed to :c:func:`mps_arena_extend`, because the
arena may be unable to use the whole of each chunk for reasons
of alignment.
.. c:function:: size_t mps_arena_spare_commit_limit(mps_arena_t arena)
Return the current :term:`spare commit limit` for an
:term:`arena`.
``arena`` is the arena to return the spare commit limit for.
Returns the spare commit limit in :term:`bytes (1)`. The spare
commit limit can be changed by calling
:c:func:`mps_arena_spare_commit_limit_set`.
.. c:function:: void mps_arena_spare_commit_limit_set(mps_arena_t arena, size_t limit)
Change the :term:`spare commit limit` for an :term:`arena`.
``arena`` is the arena to change the spare commit limit for.
``limit`` is the new spare commit limit in :term:`bytes (1)`.
The spare commit limit is the maximum amount of :term:`spare
committed memory` the MPS is allowed to have. Setting it to a
value lower than the current amount of spare committed memory
causes spare committed memory to be uncommitted so as to bring the
value under the limit. In particular, setting it to 0 will mean
that the MPS will have no spare committed memory.
Non-virtual-memory arena classes (for example, a :term:`client
arena`) do not have spare committed memory. For these arenas, this
function functions sets a value but has no other effect.
Initially the spare commit limit is a configuration-dependent
value. The value of the limit can be retrieved by the function
:c:func:`mps_arena_spare_commit_limit`.
.. c:function:: size_t mps_arena_spare_committed(mps_arena_t arena)
Return the total :term:`spare committed memory` for an
:term:`arena`.
``arena`` is the arena.
Returns the number of bytes of spare committed memory.
Spare committed memory is memory which the arena is managing as
free memory (not in use by any pool and not otherwise in use for
internal reasons) but which remains committed (mapped to RAM by
the operating system). It is used by the arena to (attempt to)
avoid calling the operating system to repeatedly map and unmap
areas of :term:`virtual memory` as the amount of memory in use
goes up and down. Spare committed memory is counted as committed
memory by :c:func:`mps_arena_committed` and is restricted by
:c:func:`mps_arena_commit_limit`.
The amount of "spare committed" memory can be limited by calling
:c:func:`mps_arena_spare_commit_limit_set`, and the value of that
limit can be retrieved with
:c:func:`mps_arena_spare_commit_limit`. This is analogous to the
functions for limiting the amount of :term:`committed <mapped>`
memory.
.. index::
single: arena; states
Arena states
------------
An arena is always in one of three states.
1. .. index::
single: arena; unclamped state
single: unclamped state
In the *unclamped state*, garbage collection may take place,
objects may move in memory, references may be updated,
:term:`location dependencies` may become stale, virtual memory may
be requested from or return to the operating system, and other
kinds of background activity may occur. This is the normal state.
2. .. index::
single: arena; clamped state
single: clamped state
In the *clamped state*, objects do not move in memory, references
do not change, the staleness of :term:`location dependencies` does
not change, and memory occupied by :term:`unreachable` objects is
not recycled.
However, a :term:`garbage collection` may be in progress and
incremental collection may still occur, but it will not be visible
to the :term:`client program` and no new collections will begin.
3. .. index::
single: arena; parked state
single: parked state
The *parked state* is the same as the clamped state, with the
additional constraint that no garbage collections are in progress.
The clamped and parked states are used for introspection and
debugging. If you are examining the contents of the heap, you don't
want data moving under your feet. So for example, if your program is
stopped in GDB you might type::
(gdb) print mps_arena_clamp(arena)
before inspecting memory, and::
(gdb) print mps_arena_release(arena)
afterward.
The results of introspection functions like
:c:func:`mps_arena_has_addr` only remain valid while the arena remains
in the parked state, and functions like :c:func:`mps_arena_roots_walk`
can only be called in this state.
.. c:function:: void mps_arena_clamp(mps_arena_t arena)
Put an :term:`arena` into the :term:`clamped state`.
``arena`` is the arena to clamp.
In the clamped state, no object motion will occur and the
staleness of :term:`location dependencies` will not change. All
references to objects loaded while the arena is clamped will keep
the same binary representation until after it is released by
calling :c:func:`mps_arena_release`.
In a clamped arena, incremental collection may still occur, but it
will not be visible to the mutator and no new collections will
begin. Space used by unreachable objects will not be recycled
until the arena is unclamped.
.. c:function:: void mps_arena_park(mps_arena_t arena)
Put an :term:`arena` into the :term:`parked state`.
``arena`` is the arena to park.
While an arena is parked, no object motion will occur and the
staleness of :term:`location dependencies` will not change. All
references to objects loaded while the arena is parked will keep
the same binary representation until after it is released.
Any current collection is run to completion before the arena is
parked, and no new collections will start. When an arena is in the
parked state, it is necessarily not in the middle of a collection.
.. c:function:: void mps_arena_release(mps_arena_t arena)
Puts an arena into the :term:`unclamped state`.
``arena`` is the arena to unclamp.
While an arena is unclamped, :term:`garbage collection`, object
motion, and other background activity can take place.
.. index::
single: garbage collection; running
single: collection; running
Running garbage collections
---------------------------
The Memory Pool System's garbage collector runs :term:`asynchronously
<asynchronous garbage collector>` and :term:`incrementally
<incremental garbage collection>`. This means that it is not normally
necessary to tell it when to start garbage collections, or to wait
until it has finished collecting. (But if your program has idle time
that could be productively spent by the MPS, see
:ref:`topic-arena-idle` below.)
However, during development and testing it is useful to be able to
request that MPS run a full :term:`collection cycle`. For example, you
might run frequent collections in an attempt to detect bugs in your
allocation and scanning code.
.. c:function:: void mps_arena_collect(mps_arena_t arena)
Collect an arena and put it into the :term:`parked state`.
``arena`` is the arena to collect.
The collector attempts to recycle as many unreachable objects as
possible and reduce the size of the arena as much as possible
(though in some cases it may increase because it becomes more
fragmented). Note that the collector may not be able to recycle
some objects (such as those near the destination of ambiguous
references) even though they are not reachable.
If you do not want the arena to remain in the parked state, you
must explicitly call :c:func:`mps_arena_release` afterwards.
.. note::
It is not normally necessary to call this function: in the
:term:`unclamped state`, collections start automatically.
However, it may be useful during development and debugging:
the more frequently the collector runs, the sooner and more
reliably errors are discovered. See :ref:`guide-debug-advice`.
.. c:function:: mps_res_t mps_arena_start_collect(mps_arena_t arena)
Request an :term:`arena` to start a full :term:`collection cycle`.
``arena`` is the arena.
Returns :c:macro:`MPS_RES_OK` if a collection is started, or
another :term:`result code` if not.
This function puts ``arena`` into the :term:`unclamped state` and
requests that it start a full collection cycle. The call to
:c:func:`mps_arena_start_collect` returns quickly, leaving the
collection to proceed incrementally (as for a collection that is
scheduled automatically).
.. note::
Contrast with :c:func:`mps_arena_collect`, which does not
return until the collection has completed.
.. index::
single: garbage collection; limiting pause
single: garbage collection; using idle time
single: idle time; using for garbage collection
single: pause; limiting
.. _topic-arena-idle:
Using idle time for collection
------------------------------
Some types of program have "idle time" in which they are waiting for
an external event such as user input or network activity. The MPS
provides a function, :c:func:`mps_arena_step`, for making use of idle
time to make memory management progress.
Here's an example illustrating the use of this function in a program's
event loop. When the program is idle (there are no client actions to
perform), it requests that the MPS spend up to 10 milliseconds on
incremental work, by calling ``mps_arena_step(arena, 0.010,
0.0)``. When this returns false to indicate that there is no more work
to do, the program blocks on the client for two seconds: if this times
out, it predicts that the user will remain idle for at least a further
second, so it calls ``mps_arena_step(arena, 0.010, 100.0)`` to tell
that it's a good time to start a collection taking up to 10 ms × 100
= 1 second, but not to pause for more than 10 ms.
The program remains responsive: the MPS doesn't take control for more
than a few milliseconds at a time (at most 10). But at the same time,
major collection work can get done at times when the program would
otherwise be idle. Of course the numbers here are only for
illustration and should be chosen based on the requirements of the
application.
::
for (;;) { /* event loop */
for (;;) {
if (client_is_waiting()) {
perform_client_action();
} else if (!mps_arena_step(arena, 0.010, 0.0)) {
/* no incremental MPS work remaining */
break;
}
}
if (!block_on_client_with_timeout(2.0)) {
/* Perhaps the user has gone for a cup of coffee? Allow the
* MPS to start a big piece of work, but don't actually pause
* for more than 10 ms. */
mps_arena_step(arena, 0.010, 100.0);
}
}
.. c:function:: mps_bool_t mps_arena_step(mps_arena_t arena, double interval, double multiplier)
Request an :term:`arena` to do some work during a period where the
:term:`client program` is idle.
``arena`` is the arena.
``interval`` is the time, in seconds, the MPS is permitted to
take. It must not be negative, but may be ``0.0``.
``multiplier`` is the number of further similar calls that the
client program expects to make during this idle period.
Returns true if there was work for the MPS to do in ``arena``
(regardless of whether or not it did any) or false if there was
nothing to do.
:c:func:`mps_arena_step` allows the client program to make use of
idle time to do some garbage collection, for example when it is
waiting for interactive input. The MPS makes every effort to
return from this function within ``interval`` seconds, but cannot
guarantee to do so, as it may need to call your own scanning
code. It uses ``multiplier`` to decide whether to commence
long-duration operations that consume CPU (such as a full
collection): it will only start such an operation if it is
expected to be completed within ``multiplier * interval`` seconds.
If the arena was in the :term:`parked state` or the :term:`clamped
state` before :c:func:`mps_arena_step` was called, it is in the
clamped state afterwards. It it was in the :term:`unclamped
state`, it remains there.
.. index::
pair: arena; introspection
Arena introspection
-------------------
.. note::
Introspection functions covered in other chapters are:
* :c:func:`mps_addr_fmt`: determine the :term:`object format` to
which an address belongs;
* :c:func:`mps_arena_formatted_objects_walk`: visit all
:term:`formatted objects` in an arena;
* :c:func:`mps_arena_roots_walk`: visit all references in
:term:`roots` registered with an arena; and
* :c:func:`mps_addr_pool`: determine the :term:`pool` to which an
address belongs.
.. c:function:: mps_bool_t mps_arena_has_addr(mps_arena_t arena, mps_addr_t addr)
Test whether an :term:`address` is managed by an :term:`arena`.
``arena`` is an arena.
``addr`` is an address.
Returns true if ``addr`` is managed by ``arena``; false otherwise.
An arena manages a portion of :term:`address space`. No two arenas
overlap, so for any particular address this function will return
true for at most one arena.
In general, not all addresses are managed by any arena. This is
what allows the MPS to cooperate with other memory managers,
shared object loaders, memory mapped file input/ouput, and so on:
it does not steal the whole address space.
.. note::
The result from this function is valid only at the instant at
which the function returned. In some circumstances the result
may immediately become invalidated (for example, a
:term:`garbage collection` may occur, the address in question
may become free, the arena may choose to unmap the address and
return storage to the operating system). For reliable results
call this function and interpret the result while the arena is
in the :term:`parked state`.
.. index::
pair: arena; protection
Protection interface
--------------------
.. c:function:: void mps_arena_expose(mps_arena_t arena)
.. deprecated:: starting with version 1.111.
Ensure that the MPS is not protecting any :term:`page` in the
:term:`arena` with a :term:`read barrier` or :term:`write
barrier`.
``mps_arena`` is the arena to expose.
This is expected to only be useful for debugging. The arena is
left in the :term:`clamped state`.
Since barriers are used during a collection, calling this function
has the same effect as calling :c:func:`mps_arena_park`: all
collections are run to completion, and the arena is clamped so
that no new collections begin. The MPS also uses barriers to
maintain :term:`remembered sets`, so calling this
function will effectively destroy the remembered sets and any
optimization gains from them.
Calling this function is time-consuming: any active collections
will be run to completion; and the next collection will have to
recompute all the remembered sets by scanning the entire arena.
The recomputation of the remembered sets can be avoided by calling
:c:func:`mps_arena_unsafe_expose_remember_protection` instead of
:c:func:`mps_arena_expose`, and by calling
:c:func:`mps_arena_unsafe_restore_protection` before calling
:c:func:`mps_arena_release`. Those functions have unsafe aspects
and place restrictions on what the :term:`client program` can do
(basically no exposed data can be changed).
.. c:function:: void mps_arena_unsafe_expose_remember_protection(mps_arena_t arena)
.. deprecated:: starting with version 1.111.
Ensure that the MPS is not protecting any :term:`page` in the
:term:`arena` with a :term:`read barrier` or :term:`write
barrier`. In addition, request the MPS to remember some parts of its
internal state so that they can be restored later.
``mps_arena`` is the arena to expose.
This function is the same as :c:func:`mps_arena_expose`, but
additionally causes the MPS to remember its protection state. The
remembered protection state can optionally be restored later by
calling the :c:func:`mps_arena_unsafe_restore_protection` function.
This is an optimization that avoids the MPS having to recompute
all the remembered sets by scanning the entire arena.
However, restoring the remembered protections is only safe if the
contents of the exposed pages have not been changed; therefore
this function should only be used if you do not intend to change
the pages, and the remembered protection must only be restored if
the pages have not been changed.
The MPS will only remember the protection state if resources
(memory) are available. If memory is low then only some or
possibly none of the protection state will be remembered, with a
corresponding necessity to recompute it later. The MPS provides no
mechanism for the :term:`client program` to determine whether the
MPS has in fact remembered the protection state.
The remembered protection state, if any, is discarded after
calling :c:func:`mps_arena_unsafe_restore_protection`, or as soon
as the arena leaves the :term:`clamped state` by calling
:c:func:`mps_arena_release`.
.. c:function:: void mps_arena_unsafe_restore_protection(mps_arena_t arena)
.. deprecated:: starting with version 1.111.
Restore the remembered protection state for an :term:`arena`.
``mps_arena`` is the arena to restore the protection state for.
This function restores the protection state that the MPS has
remembered when the :term:`client program` called
:c:func:`mps_arena_unsafe_expose_remember_protection`. The purpose
of remembering and restoring the protection state is to avoid the
need for the MPS to recompute all the :term:`remembered sets` by scanning the entire arena, that occurs when
:c:func:`mps_arena_expose` is used, and which causes the next
:term:`garbage collection` to be slow.
The client program must not change the exposed data between the
call to :c:func:`mps_arena_unsafe_expose_remember_protection` and
:c:func:`mps_arena_unsafe_restore_protection`. If the client
program has changed the exposed data then
:c:func:`mps_arena_unsafe_restore_protection` must not be called:
in this case simply call :c:func:`mps_arena_release`.
Calling this function does not release the arena from the clamped
state: :c:func:`mps_arena_release` must be called to continue
normal collections.
Calling this function causes the MPS to forget the remember
protection state; as a consequence the same remembered state
cannot be restored more than once.