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Multiple mode object locking method and system

  • US 6,792,601 B1
  • Filed: 05/18/2000
  • Issued: 09/14/2004
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2000
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of operating an object-based multi-threaded computing system having a cyclic garbage collection strategy and including an object locking system having (i) a first mode in which access by a single thread without contention to an object is controlled by a monitor internal to said object, and (ii) a second mode in which access by multiple threads with contention to said object is controlled by a monitor external to said object, and wherein for any given object a transition from the first mode to the second mode is termed inflation, and a transition from the second mode to the first mode is termed deflation, said method including the steps of:

  • entering a period of contention for an object in said first mode;

    inflating said object to said second mode;

    updating an inflation rate value for said object, said value corresponding to a length of an interval between successive periods of contention, and said value being maintained over successive garbage collection cycles;

    ending a period of contention for said object;

    comparing the inflation rate value against a first predetermined value;

    deflating or not deflating said object, based on the result of the comparison; and

    resetting the inflation rate value at the next garbage collection cycle of the system.

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