Mps wiki: pool_classes: lo is for foreign code, for leaf-only use amcz, how to choose the right pool class. glossary: foreign code.

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mps/manual/wiki/glossary.html

@@ -88,9 +88,25 @@
 
 <p>Other terms:</p>
 <dl>
+  <dt> <a id="foreign_code">Foreign code (mps.h)</a> </dt>
+  <dd>From the MPS client's point of view, foreign code is 
+    external code (outside the client and MPS), which is not 
+    aware of and does not cooperate with the MPS.  
+    Examples include the operating system, graphics libraries,
+    etc.
+    Before the client passes MPS memory references to foreign 
+    code, it must ensure that the memory is not going to be moved, 
+    collected, or 
+    <a href="http://www.memorymanagement.org/glossary/p.html#protection">protected</a> by the MPS.
+    Some pool classes (eg. 
+    <a href="pool_classes.html#mps_class_lo"><code>mps_class_lo</code></a>
+    ) are specially 
+    designed for this.
+    </dd>
+
   <dt> Format (mps.h) </dt>
   <dd>A collection of client-implemented Format Methods, 
-    which MPS uses to ask questions about objects.
+    which MPS uses to ask the client questions about objects.
     See <a href="gc.html">GC</a>.</dd>
 
   <dt> Attr (internal) </dt>
@@ -116,6 +132,7 @@
   2006-06-06  RHSK  Created.
   2006-06-21  RHSK  Scope of terms; client/mutator, ap/buffer.
   2006-07-03  RHSK  Ring.
+  2006-08-02  RHSK  Foreign code.  Format (clarify).
 </pre>
 
 

mps/manual/wiki/pool_classes.html

@@ -42,18 +42,47 @@
 
 <p> This wiki article contains incomplete and informal notes about the MPS, the precursor to more formal documentation.  Not confidential.  Readership: MPS users and developers.  </p>
 
-<h2>Some notes about MPS pool classes</h2>
+<h2>How to choose the right MPS pool class</h2>
 
-<p>A useful survey from 1998:
+<p>We would like a 'map' from a client's requirements to the 
+  recommended pool class:</p>
+<blockquote><pre>
+Do you need garbage collection?
+Do you have objects with no references in them?
+Do you need to pass buffers to system calls?
+etc etc
+You need mps_class_lo.
+</pre></blockquote>
+  
+<p> For now, the closest we have to this is a survey from 1998 that 
+  still contains confidential material:
   <a href="/project/mps/doc/2002-06-18/obsolete-mminfo/mmdoc/doc/mps/guide/pool-classes/">guide.mps.pool-classes by RIT</a>
   <sup><a href="index.html#not-publicly-available" title="this document is not publicly available">&empty;</a></sup>.</p>
 
-<p>Other notes:</p>
+
+<h2>Some notes about MPS pool classes</h2>
+
 <dl>
-  <dt>mps_class_lo</dt>
+  <dt><a id="mps_class_lo">mps_class_lo</a></dt>
   <dd>
-    <p>Leaf Only pool class, for objects that contain no references.
-      Unit test: locv.c.</p>
+    <p>Leaf Only pool class (for objects that contain no references) 
+      that does not use memory protection.
+      Unit test: locv.c.  RefMan: -undocumented-.</p>
+    <p>This pool class should really be called "flat data 
+      that needs to be accessed by 
+      <a href="glossary.html#foreign_code">foreign code</a>"
+       -- that's what it was developed for.  If you want to allocate 
+       a buffer to pass to an operating system I/O call, this 
+       is probably the pool class you should use.  
+       [Conversation with DRJ, 2006-07].</p>
+    <p> For a general-purpose leaf-only pool, 
+       you probably want AMCZ.</p>
+  </dd>
+
+  <dt>mps_class_amcz</dt>
+  <dd>
+    <p>A variant of AMC for objects of Zero rank, ie. 
+      leaf-only objects (objects that contain no references).</p>
   </dd>
 
   <dt>mps_class_awl</dt>
@@ -185,6 +214,8 @@ NULL.
   2006-06-02  RHSK  Created.
   2006-06-23  RHSK  Link to RIT's 1998 guide.mps.pool-classes.
   2006-06-28  RHSK  Notes on AWL dependent object and scan method.
+  2006-08-02  RHSK  LO is for foreign code; for leaf-only use AMCZ.
+                    How to choose the right pool class.
 </pre>