linux-kernel - [PATCHv9 4/8] x86/bitops: note on __test_and_clear

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Date:	Sun, 24 Jun 2012 19:24:42 +0300
From:	"Michael S. Tsirkin" <mst@...hat.com>
To:	x86@...nel.org, kvm@...r.kernel.org
Cc:	Ingo Molnar <mingo@...hat.com>, "H. Peter Anvin" <hpa@...or.com>,
	Avi Kivity <avi@...hat.com>,
	Marcelo Tosatti <mtosatti@...hat.com>, gleb@...hat.com,
	Linus Torvalds <torvalds@...ux-foundation.org>,
	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org, Thomas Gleixner <tglx@...utronix.de>
Subject: [PATCHv9 4/8] x86/bitops: note on __test_and_clear_bit atomicity

__test_and_clear_bit is actually atomic with respect
to the local CPU. Add a note saying that KVM on x86
relies on this behaviour so people don't accidentaly break it.
Also warn not to rely on this in portable code.

Signed-off-by: Michael S. Tsirkin <mst@...hat.com>
---
 arch/x86/include/asm/bitops.h |    7 +++++++
 1 files changed, 7 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-)

diff --git a/arch/x86/include/asm/bitops.h b/arch/x86/include/asm/bitops.h
index a6983b2..72f5009 100644
--- a/arch/x86/include/asm/bitops.h
+++ b/arch/x86/include/asm/bitops.h
@@ -264,6 +264,13 @@ static inline int test_and_clear_bit(int nr, volatile unsigned long *addr)
  * This operation is non-atomic and can be reordered.
  * If two examples of this operation race, one can appear to succeed
  * but actually fail.  You must protect multiple accesses with a lock.
+ *
+ * Note: the operation is performed atomically with respect to
+ * the local CPU, but not other CPUs. Portable code should not
+ * rely on this behaviour.
+ * KVM relies on this behaviour on x86 for modifying memory that is also
+ * accessed from a hypervisor on the same CPU if running in a VM: don't change
+ * this without also updating arch/x86/kernel/kvm.c
  */
 static inline int __test_and_clear_bit(int nr, volatile unsigned long *addr)
 {
-- 
1.6.3.2.307.gdf0b

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