[dmd-concurrency] composability

[Andrei Alexandrescu]

Nice essay, it just doesn't apply to this case; its converse does. There 
has been a flurry of theoretical papers defining containers and 
algorithms relying on DCAS and CASN. They died off because no one has 
been able to implement those efficiently. The work that endured did it 
all with CAS.

Andrei

Kevin Bealer wrote:
> On Thu, Jan 7, 2010 at 11:05 PM, Andrei Alexandrescu <andrei at erdani.com 
> <mailto:andrei at erdani.com>> wrote:
> 
>     Benjamin Shropshire wrote:
> 
>         Andrei Alexandrescu wrote:
> 
>             Benjamin Shropshire wrote:
> 
>                 OTOH that is just another form of the CAS 2 vs CAS 3
>                 problem. The system only works if you have the right
>                 abstractions.
> 
> 
>             What do you mean by CAS 2 and CAS 3?
> 
> 
>         The problem Kevin cited of their being 1 and 2 word CAS ops, but
>         no 3 word CAS, and if their was a 3 word CAS, then there not
>         being a 4 word CAS. My point being that you will end up always
>         with some case being just out of reach.
> 
> 
>     The good news is that CAS is all we need. True, it's not easy...
> 
> 
>     Andrei
> 
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> 
> I think there are two camps here.  One is the academic / mathematical 
> camp, that loves to tackle the "it's not easy but theory says it's 
> possible."  The second camp is the "what are the best practices?" camp 
> that doesn't own a microscope but looks at trade-offs between known 
> designs.  Sort of the 'scientists' and the 'engineers'.
> 
> The scientists usually fall into the role of studying fluid dynamics 
> with an eye toward discovering the trick to making the new and 
> experimental but elusive frictionless pipe.  The Engineers tend to study 
> building codes and grunge through installing plumbing most of the time, 
> with an eye toward becoming inventors or businessmen.  Most of the 
> industry ends up playing the 'engineer' role.
> 
> Personally I like tackling the "it's not easy" problems, or at least 
> reading about them and pondering.  But what I'd ideally want to make 
> sure is that both camps have a language they can work with.  That way, 
> when the scientists discover the new breakthrough in fluid dynamics, 
> it's more likely to be compatible with the toilets and dishwashers that 
> everyone already has.
> 
> (Okay, I clearly need sleep.)
> 
> Kevin
> 
> 
> 
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