[boost] [thread] RFC standard proposed mutex, read-write mutex, condition

From: Howard Hinnant (howard.hinnant_at_[hidden])
Date: 2007-08-20 14:54:28

Here is a link to a reference implementation and a FAQ for mutexes,  
locks and condition variables I am currently anticipating proposing  
for C++ standardization (or subsequent TR).

http://home.twcny.rr.com/hinnant/cpp_extensions/concurrency_rationale.html

I am posting this link here because this work draws heavily on the  
boost experience, and I believe feedback from boost users would be  
valuable.  The documentation is scant, chiefly consisting of a "FAQ"  
which largely centers around questions regarding design decisions that  
differ from the boost threads package.  I'm looking for both agreement  
and disagreement (and why) on these design decisions from users of the  
boost threading package.

One big difference between this threading package and the boost  
threading package is the ability to use C++0X language features such  
as rvalue reference and variadic templates.  The rvalue reference is  
used to make lock types movable but non-copyable.  This comes in  
especially handy with the "upgrade" mutex/locks (see faq).  Variadic  
templates are used for generic locking algorithms which can take an  
arbitrary number of locks.

This code is compiled using Doug Gregor's conceptgcc.

So far, only mutexes (including read/write mutexes), locks and  
conditions are addressed.  Yes, C++0X will have a std::thread.  It  
isn't covered in the link above.

Any further questions you may supply, I may add to the FAQ (unless  
there are objections).

Anyone is welcome to "boostize" any and all of this code.  The  
reference implementation is intended to be freely shared.  However it  
is currently only addressing POSIX systems.  No problems are  
anticipated in porting to Windows, largely due to the existing boost  
thread libraries (for which I am extremely grateful to all of those  
who have worked in this area).

Thank you for your time and comments.

-Howard