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diff --git a/tools/memory-model/Documentation/README b/tools/memory-model/Documentation/README new file mode 100644 index 000000000..db90a26db --- /dev/null +++ b/tools/memory-model/Documentation/README @@ -0,0 +1,76 @@ +It has been said that successful communication requires first identifying +what your audience knows and then building a bridge from their current +knowledge to what they need to know. Unfortunately, the expected +Linux-kernel memory model (LKMM) audience might be anywhere from novice +to expert both in kernel hacking and in understanding LKMM. + +This document therefore points out a number of places to start reading, +depending on what you know and what you would like to learn. Please note +that the documents later in this list assume that the reader understands +the material provided by documents earlier in this list. + +o You are new to Linux-kernel concurrency: simple.txt + +o You have some background in Linux-kernel concurrency, and would + like an overview of the types of low-level concurrency primitives + that the Linux kernel provides: ordering.txt + + Here, "low level" means atomic operations to single variables. + +o You are familiar with the Linux-kernel concurrency primitives + that you need, and just want to get started with LKMM litmus + tests: litmus-tests.txt + +o You are familiar with Linux-kernel concurrency, and would + like a detailed intuitive understanding of LKMM, including + situations involving more than two threads: recipes.txt + +o You would like a detailed understanding of what your compiler can + and cannot do to control dependencies: control-dependencies.txt + +o You are familiar with Linux-kernel concurrency and the use of + LKMM, and would like a quick reference: cheatsheet.txt + +o You are familiar with Linux-kernel concurrency and the use + of LKMM, and would like to learn about LKMM's requirements, + rationale, and implementation: explanation.txt + +o You are interested in the publications related to LKMM, including + hardware manuals, academic literature, standards-committee + working papers, and LWN articles: references.txt + + +==================== +DESCRIPTION OF FILES +==================== + +README + This file. + +cheatsheet.txt + Quick-reference guide to the Linux-kernel memory model. + +control-dependencies.txt + Guide to preventing compiler optimizations from destroying + your control dependencies. + +explanation.txt + Detailed description of the memory model. + +litmus-tests.txt + The format, features, capabilities, and limitations of the litmus + tests that LKMM can evaluate. + +ordering.txt + Overview of the Linux kernel's low-level memory-ordering + primitives by category. + +recipes.txt + Common memory-ordering patterns. + +references.txt + Background information. + +simple.txt + Starting point for someone new to Linux-kernel concurrency. + And also a reminder of the simpler approaches to concurrency! |