Re: [PATCH RFC 2/8] rcu: Clarify usage of cond_resched for tasks-RCU

From: Paul E. McKenney
Date: Mon May 14 2018 - 23:41:28 EST


On Mon, May 14, 2018 at 05:35:55PM -0700, Joel Fernandes wrote:
> On Mon, May 14, 2018 at 10:22:05AM -0700, Paul E. McKenney wrote:
> > On Mon, May 14, 2018 at 10:54:54AM -0400, Steven Rostedt wrote:
> > > On Sun, 13 May 2018 20:15:35 -0700
> > > "Joel Fernandes (Google)" <joel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > >
> > > > Recently we had a discussion about cond_resched unconditionally
> > > > recording a voluntary context switch [1].
> > > >
> > > > Lets add a comment clarifying that how this API is to be used.
> > > >
> > > > [1] https://lkml.kernel.org/r/1526027434-21237-1-git-send-email-byungchul.park@xxxxxxx
> > > >
> > > > Signed-off-by: Joel Fernandes (Google) <joel@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > > > ---
> > > > include/linux/rcupdate.h | 11 ++++++++---
> > > > 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)
> > > >
> > > > diff --git a/include/linux/rcupdate.h b/include/linux/rcupdate.h
> > > > index 743226176350..a9881007ece6 100644
> > > > --- a/include/linux/rcupdate.h
> > > > +++ b/include/linux/rcupdate.h
> > > > @@ -159,8 +159,12 @@ static inline void rcu_init_nohz(void) { }
> > > > } while (0)
> > > >
> > > > /*
> > > > - * Note a voluntary context switch for RCU-tasks benefit. This is a
> > > > - * macro rather than an inline function to avoid #include hell.
> > > > + * Note an attempt to perform a voluntary context switch for RCU-tasks benefit.
> > > > + *
> > > > + * This is called even in situations where a context switch didn't really
> > > > + * happen even though it was requested. The caller uses it to indicate
> > > > + * traversal of an RCU-tasks quiescent state. This is a macro rather than an
> > > > + * inline function to avoid #include hell.
> > >
> > > I don't know. I just don't like the wording. It sounds too much like
> > > it was written by someone that was confused for it being called when a
> > > context switch didn't occur ;-)
>
> True :)
>
> > >
> > > What about something more like:
> > >
> > > /*
> > > * This is called to denote a RCU-task quiescent state. It is placed at
> > > * voluntary preemption points, as RCU-task critical sections may not
> > > * perform voluntary preemption or scheduling calls. It does not matter
> > > * if the task is scheduled out or not, just that a voluntary preemption
> > > * may be done.
> > > */
> >
> > s/RCU-task/RCU-tasks/ and I am good with this.
>
> Ok. I like Steve's comment better too.
>
> Btw, I see you just posted a change of the macro name from
> rcu_note_voluntary_context_switch_lite to rcu_tasks_qs which actually in
> itself is much more descriptive. Considering this, I feel the new name is
> quite self-documenting in itself. So I am more inclined to drop this patch in
> any series reposting, but let me know if you feel otherwise.

I agree, but let's see what other people think.

Thanx, Paul