[cl-muproc-devel] Multiprocessor systems

[Klaus Harbo]

Parnell Flynn wrote:
> Excuse me if I am being thick here but I have a question about the 
> behavior of cl-muproc on multiprocessor systems in a Lispworks Lisp image.
> 
> The lispworks documentation states that: “Each Lisp mp:process has a 
> separate native thread, but Lisp code can only run in one thread at a 
> time and a lock is used to enforce this.”
> 
> Which is as I think we can all agree something short of real 
> multithreading. 
> 
> Now am I correct in thinking that with the cl-muproc library my 
> processes will have a separate native thread AND not be subject to the 
> “Lisp code lock” described above?
> 

No, unfortunately muproc can't live up to your expectations in this regard: 
muproc uses the multiprocessing system of the underlying implementation, with 
whatever strengths and weaknesses it posseses.  At Mu we use Lispworks, I and 
was disappointed to learn that LW5 did not have 'true' 
lisp-processes-can-actually-run-simultaneously multiprocessing.

Perhaps someone on the listen could enlighten us wrt. 'true' multiprocessing in 
other implementations?

> 
> Cheers,
> 
> Parnell
> 
> PS – I have just started to play with this library (only on a single 
> proc box) and I really love the API so far!
>

Excellent!  Do keep us posted wrt. your experiences.  I know that generic 
servers and the supervisor are not documented very well (at all), but I'd 
encourage you to look at them; at least I've found them very useful indeed.

-Klaus.

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