Re: [Threads-devel] Mutexes

From: Matt Hurd (matt.hurd_at_[hidden])
Date: 2006-03-01 11:21:58

> Hi all,
<snip>

An additional discussion point is the recursive / non-recursive default 
thingo.

I like the current boost default of a boost::mutex being the base level an 
platform supports, but this has bitten me big time in projects.  Especially 
with windows developers coming to a posix platform.

Posix, and thus linux, are non-recursive by default.  Windows mutexes are 
re-entrant.

I'm no longer so sure the boost default is such a good idea especially as the 
performance of a recursive mutex on posix on a modern platform seems 
consistent with a non-recursive one in the main...

I think having the recursive mutex as a consisent default across platforms 
will be a good thing and protect the average user, like me, from themselves.

Have a concept of a non-recursive mutex as a special case mutex raises an 
interesting point as on windows they don't exist, so the separate concept as 
a 
lowest_level_mutex_that_may_be_recursive_or_non_recursive_depending_on_your_platform 
which is the boost default remains useful.

Any thoughts on this?

Regards,

Matt.