Atomic updates

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Task
Atomic updates
You are encouraged to solve this task according to the task description, using any language you may know.

Define a data type consisting of a fixed number of 'buckets', each containing a nonnegative integer value, which supports operations to

  1. get the current value of any bucket
  2. remove a specified amount from one specified bucket and add it to another, preserving the total of all bucket values, and clamping the transferred amount to ensure the values remain nonnegative

In order to exercise this data type, create one set of buckets, and start three concurrent tasks:

  1. As often as possible, pick two buckets and make their values closer to equal.
  2. As often as possible, pick two buckets and arbitrarily redistribute their values.
  3. At whatever rate is convenient, display (by any means) the total value and, optionally, the individual values of each bucket.

The display task need not be explicit; use of e.g. a debugger or trace tool is acceptable provided it is simple to set up to provide the display.


This task is intended as an exercise in atomic operations. The sum of the bucket values must be preserved even if the two tasks attempt to perform transfers simultaneously, and a straightforward solution is to ensure that at any time, only one transfer is actually occurring — that the transfer operation is atomic.

Contents

[edit] Ada

with Ada.Text_IO;  use Ada.Text_IO;
with Ada.Numerics.Discrete_Random;
 
procedure Test_Updates is
 
type Bucket_Index is range 1..13;
package Random_Index is new Ada.Numerics.Discrete_Random (Bucket_Index);
use Random_Index;
type Buckets is array (Bucket_Index) of Natural;
 
protected type Safe_Buckets is
procedure Initialize (Value : Buckets);
function Get (I : Bucket_Index) return Natural;
procedure Transfer (I, J : Bucket_Index; Amount : Integer);
function Snapshot return Buckets;
private
Data : Buckets := (others => 0);
end Safe_Buckets;
 
protected body Safe_Buckets is
procedure Initialize (Value : Buckets) is
begin
Data := Value;
end Initialize;
 
function Get (I : Bucket_Index) return Natural is
begin
return Data (I);
end Get;
 
procedure Transfer (I, J : Bucket_Index; Amount : Integer) is
Increment : constant Integer :=
Integer'Max (-Data (J), Integer'Min (Data (I), Amount));
begin
Data (I) := Data (I) - Increment;
Data (J) := Data (J) + Increment;
end Transfer;
 
function Snapshot return Buckets is
begin
return Data;
end Snapshot;
end Safe_Buckets;
 
Data : Safe_Buckets;
 
task Equalize;
task Mess_Up;
 
task body Equalize is
Dice : Generator;
I, J : Bucket_Index;
begin
loop
I := Random (Dice);
J := Random (Dice);
Data.Transfer (I, J, (Data.Get (I) - Data.Get (J)) / 2);
end loop;
end Equalize;
 
task body Mess_Up is
Dice : Generator;
begin
loop
Data.Transfer (Random (Dice), Random (Dice), 100);
end loop;
end Mess_Up;
 
begin
Data.Initialize ((1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13));
loop
delay 1.0;
declare
State : Buckets := Data.Snapshot;
Sum  : Natural := 0;
begin
for Index in State'Range loop
Sum := Sum + State (Index);
Put (Integer'Image (State (Index)));
end loop;
Put (" =" & Integer'Image (Sum));
New_Line;
end;
end loop;
end Test_Updates;

The array of buckets is a protected object which controls access to its state. The task Equalize averages pairs of buckets. The task Mess_Up moves content of one bucket to another. The main task performs monitoring of the buckets state. Sample output:

 18 0 0 0 36 16 0 0 0 2 0 19 0 = 91
 0 0 0 6 0 0 37 0 6 23 19 0 0 = 91
 1 0 7 66 4 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 9 = 91
 0 1 0 2 28 0 17 0 0 22 1 0 20 = 91
 2 0 0 11 0 37 17 0 0 0 8 0 16 = 91
 0 10 0 59 0 2 0 13 0 2 0 5 0 = 91
 0 1 0 10 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 0 0 = 91
 16 0 0 0 13 0 9 8 14 16 0 15 0 = 91
 0 1 2 0 1 0 42 1 0 42 2 0 0 = 91
 0 16 0 0 0 19 28 0 0 0 0 0 28 = 91
...

[edit] C

Translation of: C#

Works with: POSIX version .1-2001

Library: pthread

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdbool.h>
#include <unistd.h>
#include <time.h>
#include <pthread.h>
 
#define N_BUCKETS 15
 
pthread_mutex_t bucket_mutex[N_BUCKETS];
int buckets[N_BUCKETS];
 
pthread_t equalizer;
pthread_t randomizer;
 
void transfer_value(int from, int to, int howmuch)
{
bool swapped = false;
 
if ( (from == to) || ( howmuch < 0 ) ||
(from < 0 ) || (to < 0) || (from >= N_BUCKETS) || (to >= N_BUCKETS) ) return;
 
if ( from > to ) {
int temp1 = from;
from = to;
to = temp1;
swapped = true;
howmuch = -howmuch;
}
 
pthread_mutex_lock(&bucket_mutex[from]);
pthread_mutex_lock(&bucket_mutex[to]);
 
if ( howmuch > buckets[from] && !swapped )
howmuch = buckets[from];
if ( -howmuch > buckets[to] && swapped )
howmuch = -buckets[to];
 
buckets[from] -= howmuch;
buckets[to] += howmuch;
 
pthread_mutex_unlock(&bucket_mutex[from]);
pthread_mutex_unlock(&bucket_mutex[to]);
}
 
void print_buckets()
{
int i;
int sum=0;
 
for(i=0; i < N_BUCKETS; i++) pthread_mutex_lock(&bucket_mutex[i]);
for(i=0; i < N_BUCKETS; i++) {
printf("%3d ", buckets[i]);
sum += buckets[i];
}
printf("= %d\n", sum);
for(i=0; i < N_BUCKETS; i++) pthread_mutex_unlock(&bucket_mutex[i]);
}
 
void *equalizer_start(void *t)
{
for(;;) {
int b1 = rand()%N_BUCKETS;
int b2 = rand()%N_BUCKETS;
int diff = buckets[b1] - buckets[b2];
if ( diff < 0 )
transfer_value(b2, b1, -diff/2);
else
transfer_value(b1, b2, diff/2);
}
return NULL;
}
 
void *randomizer_start(void *t)
{
for(;;) {
int b1 = rand()%N_BUCKETS;
int b2 = rand()%N_BUCKETS;
int diff = rand()%(buckets[b1]+1);
transfer_value(b1, b2, diff);
}
return NULL;
}
 
int main()
{
int i, total=0;
 
for(i=0; i < N_BUCKETS; i++) pthread_mutex_init(&bucket_mutex[i], NULL);
 
for(i=0; i < N_BUCKETS; i++) {
buckets[i] = rand() % 100;
total += buckets[i];
printf("%3d ", buckets[i]);
}
printf("= %d\n", total);
 
// we should check if these succeeded
pthread_create(&equalizer, NULL, equalizer_start, NULL);
pthread_create(&randomizer, NULL, randomizer_start, NULL);
 
for(;;) {
sleep(1);
print_buckets();
}
 
// we do not provide a "good" way to stop this run, so the following
// is never reached indeed...
for(i=0; i < N_BUCKETS; i++) pthread_mutex_destroy(bucket_mutex+i);
return EXIT_SUCCESS;
}

[edit] C#

This C# implementation uses a class to hold the buckets and data associated with them. The ThreadSafeBuckets class implements thread-stability, and ensures that two threads cannot operate on the same data at the same time. Additionally, the class uses a seperate mutex for each bucket, allowing multiple operations to occur at once if they do not alter the same buckets.

using System; //Rand class
using System.Threading; //Thread, Mutex classes
public class ThreadSafeBuckets
{
//This class is thread safe, and ensures that all operations on it are atomic.
//Calling threads do not need to ensure safety.
Random rand = new Random();
int[] Buckets;
Mutex[] Mutexes; //Mutexes for each bucket so they can lock individually
public int BucketCount { get; private set; }
public ThreadSafeBuckets(int bucketcount)
{
//Create buckets+mutexes and fill them with a random amount
BucketCount = bucketcount;
Buckets = new int[bucketcount];
Mutexes = new Mutex[bucketcount];
int startingtotal = 0;
for (int i = 0; i < BucketCount; i++)
{
Mutexes[i] = new Mutex(false);
Buckets[i] = rand.Next(30);
startingtotal += Buckets[i];
}
//Print the starting total
Console.WriteLine("Starting total: " + startingtotal);
}
public int GetBucketValue(int i)
{
return Buckets[i];
}
public void Transfer(int i, int j, int amount)
{
//Transfer amount from bucket i to bucket j
bool swapped = false;
if (i > BucketCount || j > BucketCount || i < 0 || j < 0 ||
i == j || amount < 0)
return;
if (i > j)
{ //To prevent deadlock, always try to lock the lower bucket first
int temp1 = i;
i = j;
j = temp1;
swapped = true; //Make sure we still transfer in the right direction
amount = -amount;
}
//Get the locks
Mutexes[i].WaitOne();
Mutexes[j].WaitOne();
//Make sure don't transfer out more than what's in the bucket
if (amount > Buckets[i] && !swapped)
amount = Buckets[i];
if (-amount > Buckets[j] && swapped)
amount = -Buckets[j];
//Do the transfer
Buckets[i] -= amount;
Buckets[j] += amount;
//Release the locks
Mutexes[i].ReleaseMutex();
Mutexes[j].ReleaseMutex();
}
public void PrintBuckets()
{
int counter = 0;
//Lock all the buckets in sequential order and print their contents
for (int i = 0; i < BucketCount; i++)
{
Mutexes[i].WaitOne();
Console.Write(Buckets[i] + " ");
counter += Buckets[i];
}
//Print the bucket total, then unlock all the mutexes
Console.Write("= " + counter);
Console.WriteLine();
for (int i = 0; i < BucketCount; i++)
{
Mutexes[i].ReleaseMutex();
}
}
}
 
class Program
{
static ThreadSafeBuckets TSBs;
 
public static void Main(){
//Create the thread-safe bucket list
TSBs = new ThreadSafeBuckets(10);
TSBs.PrintBuckets();
//Create and start the Equalizing Thread
new Thread(new ThreadStart(EqualizerThread)).Start();
Thread.Sleep(1);
//Create and start the Randamizing Thread
new Thread(new ThreadStart(RandomizerThread)).Start();
//Use this thread to do the printing
PrinterThread();
}
//EqualizerThread runs on it's own thread and randomly averages two buckets
static void EqualizerThread()
{
Random rand = new Random();
while (true)
{
//Pick two buckets
int b1 = rand.Next(TSBs.BucketCount);
int b2 = rand.Next(TSBs.BucketCount);
//Get the difference
int diff = TSBs.GetBucketValue(b1) - TSBs.GetBucketValue(b2);
//Transfer to equalize
if (diff < 0)
TSBs.Transfer(b2, b1, -diff / 2);
else
TSBs.Transfer(b1, b2, diff/2);
}
}
//RandomizerThread redistributes the values between two buckets
static void RandomizerThread()
{
Random rand = new Random();
while (true)
{
int b1 = rand.Next(TSBs.BucketCount);
int b2 = rand.Next(TSBs.BucketCount);
int diff = rand.Next(TSBs.GetBucketValue(b1));
TSBs.Transfer(b1, b2, diff);
}
}
//PrinterThread prints the current bucket contents
static void PrinterThread()
{
while (true)
{
Thread.Sleep(50); //Only print every few milliseconds to let the other threads work
TSBs.PrintBuckets();
}
}
}

Sample Output:

Starting total: 156
15 15 12 27 6 21 19 18 16 7 = 156
17 13 15 15 18 14 18 15 14 17 = 156
12 9 22 15 9 8 23 10 16 32 = 156
0 6 28 4 21 10 28 11 34 14 = 156
35 14 30 11 32 1 26 4 3 0 = 156
11 17 19 1 18 1 12 35 26 16 = 156

[edit] Clojure

Function returning a new map containing altered values:

(defn xfer [m from to amt]
(let [{f-bal from t-bal to} m
f-bal (- f-bal amt)
t-bal (+ t-bal amt)]
(if (or (neg? f-bal) (neg? t-bal))
(throw (IllegalArgumentException. "Call results in negative balance."))
(assoc m from f-bal to t-bal))))

Since clojure data structures are immutable, atomic mutability occurs via a reference, in this case an atom:

(def *data* (atom {:a 100 :b 100})) ;; *data* is an atom holding a map
(swap! *data* xfer :a :b 50) ;; atomically results in *data* holding {:a 50 :b 150}

Now for the test:

(defn equalize [m a b]
(let [{a-val a b-val b} m
diff (- a-val b-val)
amt (/ diff 2)]
(xfer m a b amt)))
 
(defn randomize [m a b]
(let [{a-val a b-val b} m
min-val (min a-val b-val)
amt (rand-int (- min-val) min-val)]
(xfer m a b amt)))
 
(defn test-conc [f data a b n name]
(dotimes [i n]
(swap! data f a b)
(println (str "total is " (reduce + (vals @data)) " after " name " iteration " i))))
 
(def thread-eq (Thread. #(test-conc equalize *data* :a :b 1000 "equalize")))
(def thread-rand (Thread. #(test-conc randomize *data* :a :b 1000 "randomize")))
 
(.start thread-eq)
(.start thread-rand)

[edit] E

In E, any computation occurs in a particular vat. Over its lifetime, a vat executes many individual computations, turns, which are taken from a queue of pending events. The eventual send operator <- puts message-sends on the queue.

Since a vat executes only one turn at a time, each turn is atomic; since the below implementation of the transfer operation does not invoke any other code, the transfer operation is itself automatically atomic and will always preserve the total value provided that it does not have any bugs.

In this example, the tasks are in the same vat as the buckets, but it would be straightforward to write them to live in separate vats.

Works with: E-on-Java

This example uses a Java AWT window to display the current state of the buckets.

#!/usr/bin/env rune
pragma.syntax("0.9")
 
def pi := (-1.0).acos()
def makeEPainter := <unsafe:com.zooko.tray.makeEPainter>
def colors := <awt:makeColor>
 
# --------------------------------------------------------------
# --- Definitions
 
/** Execute 'task' repeatedly as long 'indicator' is unresolved. */
def doWhileUnresolved(indicator, task) {
def loop() {
if (!Ref.isResolved(indicator)) {
task()
loop <- ()
}
}
loop <- ()
}
 
/** The data structure specified for the task. */
def makeBuckets(size) {
def values := ([100] * size).diverge() # storage
def buckets {
to size() :int { return size }
/** get current quantity in bucket 'i' */
to get(i :int) { return values[i] }
/** transfer 'amount' units, as much as possible, from bucket 'i' to bucket 'j'
or vice versa if 'amount' is negative */

to transfer(i :int, j :int, amount :int) {
def amountLim := amount.min(values[i]).max(-(values[j]))
values[i] -= amountLim
values[j] += amountLim
}
}
return buckets
}
 
/** A view of the current state of the buckets. */
def makeDisplayComponent(buckets) {
def c := makeEPainter(def paintCallback {
to paintComponent(g) {
def pixelsW := c.getWidth()
def pixelsH := c.getHeight()
def bucketsW := buckets.size()
 
g.setColor(colors.getWhite())
g.fillRect(0, 0, pixelsW, pixelsH)
 
g.setColor(colors.getDarkGray())
var sum := 0
for i in 0..!bucketsW {
sum += def value := buckets[i]
def x0 := (i * pixelsW / bucketsW).floor()
def x1 := ((i + 1) * pixelsW / bucketsW).floor()
g.fillRect(x0 + 1, pixelsH - value,
x1 - x0 - 1, value)
}
 
g.setColor(colors.getBlack())
g."drawString(String, int, int)"(`Total: $sum`, 2, 20)
}
})
c.setPreferredSize(<awt:makeDimension>(500, 300))
return c
}
 
# --------------------------------------------------------------
# --- Application setup
 
def buckets := makeBuckets(100)
def done # Promise indicating when the window is closed
 
# Create the window
def frame := <unsafe:javax.swing.makeJFrame>("Atomic transfers")
frame.setContentPane(def display := makeDisplayComponent(buckets))
frame.addWindowListener(def mainWindowListener {
to windowClosing(event) :void {
bind done := null
}
match _ {}
})
frame.setLocation(50, 50)
frame.pack()
 
# --------------------------------------------------------------
# --- Tasks
 
# Neatens up buckets
var ni := 0
doWhileUnresolved(done, fn {
def i := ni
def j := (ni + 1) %% buckets.size()
buckets.transfer(i, j, (buckets[i] - buckets[j]) // 4)
ni := j
})
 
# Messes up buckets
var mi := 0
doWhileUnresolved(done, fn {
def i := (mi + entropy.nextInt(3)) %% buckets.size()
def j := (i + entropy.nextInt(3)) %% buckets.size() #entropy.nextInt(buckets.size())
buckets.transfer(i, j, (buckets[i] / pi).floor())
mi := j
})
 
# Updates display at fixed 10 Hz
# (Note: tries to catch up; on slow systems slow this down or it will starve the other tasks)
def clock := timer.every(100, def _(_) {
if (Ref.isResolved(done)) {
clock.stop()
} else {
display.repaint()
}
})
clock.start()
 
# --------------------------------------------------------------
# --- All ready, go visible and wait
 
frame.show()
interp.waitAtTop(done)

[edit] F#

The Buckets class is thread safe and its private higher-order Lock function ensures that locks are taken out in order (to avoid deadlocks):

 
open System.Threading
 
type Buckets(n) =
let rand = System.Random()
let mutex = Array.init n (fun _ -> new Mutex())
let bucket = Array.init n (fun _ -> 100)
 
member this.Count = n
 
member this.Item n = bucket.[n]
 
member private this.Lock is k =
let is = Seq.sort is
for i in is do
mutex.[i].WaitOne() |> ignore
try k() finally
for i in is do
mutex.[i].ReleaseMutex()
 
member this.Transfer i j d =
if i <> j && d <> 0 then
let i, j, d = if d > 0 then i, j, d else j, i, -d
this.Lock [i; j] (fun () ->
let d = min d bucket.[i]
bucket.[i] <- bucket.[i] - d
bucket.[j] <- bucket.[j] + d)
 
member this.Read =
this.Lock [0..n-1] (fun () -> Array.copy bucket)
 
member this.Print() =
let xs = this.Read
printf "%A = %d\n" xs (Seq.sum xs)
 
interface System.IDisposable with
member this.Dispose() =
for m in mutex do
(m :> System.IDisposable).Dispose()
 
let transfers = ref 0
let max_transfers = 1000000
 
let rand_pair (rand: System.Random) n =
let i, j = rand.Next n, rand.Next(n-1)
i, if j<i then j else j+1
 
let equalizer (bucket: Buckets) () =
let rand = System.Random()
while System.Threading.Interlocked.Increment transfers < max_transfers do
let i, j = rand_pair rand bucket.Count
let d = (bucket.[i] - bucket.[j]) / 2
if d > 0 then
bucket.Transfer i j d
else
bucket.Transfer j i -d
 
let randomizer (bucket: Buckets) () =
let rand = System.Random()
while System.Threading.Interlocked.Increment transfers < max_transfers do
let i, j = rand_pair rand bucket.Count
let d = 1 + rand.Next bucket.[i]
bucket.Transfer i j d
 
do
use bucket = new Buckets(10)
let equalizer = Thread(equalizer bucket)
let randomizer = Thread(randomizer bucket)
bucket.Print()
equalizer.Start()
randomizer.Start()
while !transfers < max_transfers do
Thread.Sleep 100
bucket.Print()
 

This program performs a million concurrent transfers. Typical output is:

 
[|100; 100; 100; 100; 100; 100; 100; 100; 100; 100|] = 1000
[|119; 61; 138; 115; 157; 54; 82; 58; 157; 59|] = 1000
[|109; 90; 78; 268; 55; 104; 91; 46; 105; 54|] = 1000
[|101; 75; 38; 114; 161; 160; 2; 234; 14; 101|] = 1000
[|104; 30; 114; 37; 32; 117; 50; 236; 127; 153|] = 1000
[|102; 32; 6; 55; 367; 69; 157; 80; 77; 55|] = 1000
[|211; 12; 319; 18; 11; 25; 73; 154; 154; 23|] = 1000
[|23; 373; 110; 108; 64; 33; 109; 8; 63; 109|] = 1000
[|72; 106; 174; 99; 115; 141; 98; 63; 123; 9|] = 1000
[|188; 67; 271; 30; 76; 134; 1; 74; 91; 68|] = 1000
[|2; 46; 240; 198; 63; 63; 113; 57; 136; 82|] = 1000
[|5; 151; 11; 191; 88; 236; 14; 0; 152; 152|] = 1000
[|162; 97; 102; 97; 122; 123; 0; 86; 84; 127|] = 1000
[|9; 11; 204; 50; 169; 206; 137; 26; 137; 51|] = 1000
[|175; 55; 157; 150; 116; 54; 10; 168; 114; 1|] = 1000
[|73; 85; 124; 3; 63; 62; 189; 115; 172; 114|] = 1000
[|112; 102; 253; 124; 39; 67; 197; 77; 20; 9|] = 1000
[|139; 172; 102; 1; 101; 64; 127; 55; 92; 147|] = 1000
[|54; 72; 130; 31; 99; 99; 130; 38; 186; 161|] = 1000
[|90; 0; 43; 46; 84; 335; 77; 79; 90; 156|] = 1000
[|20; 7; 128; 115; 24; 26; 128; 105; 240; 207|] = 1000
[|42; 79; 45; 60; 312; 37; 26; 61; 47; 291|] = 1000
[|176; 25; 10; 44; 126; 268; 78; 94; 46; 133|] = 1000
[|117; 153; 74; 63; 214; 44; 43; 93; 96; 103|] = 1000
[|56; 11; 106; 54; 1; 135; 174; 140; 174; 149|] = 1000
[|84; 153; 108; 77; 118; 140; 96; 102; 103; 19|] = 1000
[|59; 64; 85; 118; 215; 127; 42; 42; 120; 128|] = 1000
[|147; 95; 175; 116; 117; 0; 74; 116; 117; 43|] = 1000
[|131; 24; 128; 140; 45; 139; 155; 23; 68; 147|] = 1000
[|63; 184; 70; 24; 64; 84; 254; 14; 184; 59|] = 1000
[|119; 0; 234; 0; 98; 130; 94; 53; 99; 173|] = 1000
[|101; 0; 114; 129; 162; 176; 86; 84; 64; 84|] = 1000
[|95; 49; 57; 38; 73; 153; 276; 10; 147; 102|] = 1000
[|109; 182; 3; 147; 81; 107; 2; 142; 147; 80|] = 1000
[|45; 2; 103; 43; 103; 79; 65; 314; 57; 189|] = 1000
[|86; 86; 202; 47; 69; 11; 31; 246; 157; 65|] = 1000
[|82; 27; 107; 86; 106; 182; 64; 120; 82; 144|] = 1000
[|32; 158; 248; 50; 83; 109; 85; 16; 134; 85|] = 1000
[|49; 15; 246; 68; 69; 13; 219; 123; 130; 68|] = 1000
[|125; 133; 70; 23; 266; 30; 30; 44; 44; 235|] = 1000
[|18; 40; 174; 145; 146; 131; 62; 46; 138; 100|] = 1000
[|24; 128; 64; 104; 65; 109; 231; 101; 87; 87|] = 1000
[|107; 82; 40; 8; 133; 110; 180; 82; 102; 156|] = 1000
[|129; 122; 122; 52; 22; 143; 45; 49; 217; 99|] = 1000
[|15; 13; 71; 55; 55; 120; 115; 192; 192; 172|] = 1000
[|3; 95; 136; 76; 74; 37; 309; 44; 137; 89|] = 1000
[|14; 185; 47; 47; 97; 164; 180; 74; 98; 94|] = 1000
[|152; 145; 148; 83; 27; 35; 35; 77; 289; 9|] = 1000
[|78; 133; 147; 148; 83; 84; 142; 21; 141; 23|] = 1000
[|101; 63; 94; 168; 63; 90; 55; 94; 209; 63|] = 1000
[|73; 131; 182; 172; 130; 43; 102; 102; 5; 60|] = 1000
[|84; 61; 102; 9; 164; 175; 56; 4; 266; 79|] = 1000
[|89; 95; 29; 78; 200; 82; 152; 87; 101; 87|] = 1000
[|32; 33; 100; 7; 132; 75; 134; 234; 85; 168|] = 1000
[|197; 53; 81; 27; 1; 264; 100; 130; 34; 113|] = 1000
[|120; 198; 102; 51; 102; 64; 178; 45; 64; 76|] = 1000
[|208; 147; 18; 25; 178; 159; 23; 170; 36; 36|] = 1000
Press any key to continue . . .
 

[edit] Haskell

Works with: GHC

This uses MVar as its concurrency protection. An MVar is a container that may have a value or not; trying to take the value when it is absent blocks until a value is provided, at which point it is atomically taken again. modifyMVar_ is a shortcut to take the value, then put a modified value; readMVar takes the value and puts back the same value while returning it.

So, at any given time, the current value map is either in the MVar or being examined or replaced by one thread, but not both. The IntMap held by the MVar is a pure immutable data structure (adjust returns a modified version), so there is no problem from that the display task puts the value back before it is done printing.

module AtomicUpdates (main) where
 
import Control.Concurrent (forkIO, threadDelay)
import Control.Concurrent.MVar (MVar, newMVar, readMVar, modifyMVar_)
import Control.Monad (forever, forM_)
import Data.IntMap (IntMap, (!), toAscList, fromList, adjust)
import System.Random (randomRIO)
import Text.Printf (printf)
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
type Index = Int
type Value = Integer
data Buckets = Buckets Index (MVar (IntMap Value))
 
makeBuckets :: Int -> IO Buckets
size :: Buckets -> Index
currentValue :: Buckets -> Index -> IO Value
currentValues :: Buckets -> IO (IntMap Value)
transfer :: Buckets -> Index -> Index -> Value -> IO ()
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
makeBuckets n = do v <- newMVar (fromList [(i, 100) | i <- [1..n]])
return (Buckets n v)
 
size (Buckets n _) = n
 
currentValue (Buckets _ v) i = fmap (! i) (readMVar v)
currentValues (Buckets _ v) = readMVar v
 
transfer b@(Buckets n v) i j amt | amt < 0 = transfer b j i (-amt)
| otherwise = do
modifyMVar_ v $ \map -> let amt' = min amt (map ! i)
in return $ adjust (subtract amt') i
$ adjust (+ amt') j
$ map
 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
roughen, smooth, display :: Buckets -> IO ()
 
pick buckets = randomRIO (1, size buckets)
 
roughen buckets = forever loop where
loop = do i <- pick buckets
j <- pick buckets
iv <- currentValue buckets i
transfer buckets i j (iv `div` 3)
 
smooth buckets = forever loop where
loop = do i <- pick buckets
j <- pick buckets
iv <- currentValue buckets i
jv <- currentValue buckets j
transfer buckets i j ((iv - jv) `div` 4)
 
display buckets = forever loop where
loop = do threadDelay 1000000
bmap <- currentValues buckets
putStrLn (report $ map snd $ toAscList bmap)
report list = "\nTotal: " ++ show (sum list) ++ "\n" ++ bars
where bars = concatMap row $ map (*40) $ reverse [1..5]
row lim = printf "%3d " lim ++ [if x >= lim then '*' else ' ' | x <- list] ++ "\n"
 
main = do buckets <- makeBuckets 100
forkIO (roughen buckets)
forkIO (smooth buckets)
display buckets

Sample output:

Total: 10000
200       *           *                                   *                                             
160       *           *           *            *          *                *  *   *          *        * 
120 **   ** *  ***   ****   **    *   *    *   ** *    * **              * *  *   * *        *   *    **
 80 ***  ** ** ***** **** ******  ****** ***   ** **  ***** * * *****    * * **   * ***     **   *    **
 40 ********** ******************************* ***** ****** *******************  ******* ***************

Total: 10000
200                                   *                                                                 
160                *        *         *                         *     *                      *         *
120     *  **  *** *  *     **    *  **    *    ** * *    *  ** *   * *  * *    *   * **     *      * **
 80  ***** **  ********     ***   * *** ** **  *** * * ***** ****   ***  *** * ** *** ***  * *** *  * **
 40  ******** ******************  ************************************************************** *******

[edit] Oz

Uses a lock for every bucket. Enforces a locking order to avoid deadlocks.

declare
%%
%% INIT
%%
NBuckets = 100
StartVal = 50
ExpectedSum = NBuckets * StartVal
 
%% Makes a tuple and calls Fun for every field
fun {Make Label N Fun}
R = {Tuple.make Label N}
in
for I in 1..N do R.I = {Fun} end
R
end
 
Buckets = {Make buckets NBuckets fun {$} {Cell.new StartVal} end}
Locks = {Make locks NBuckets Lock.new}
LockList = {Record.toList Locks}
 
%%
%% DISPLAY
%%
proc {Display}
Snapshot = {WithLocks LockList
fun {$}
{Record.map Buckets Cell.access}
end
}
Sum = {Record.foldL Snapshot Number.'+' 0}
in
{Print Snapshot}
{System.showInfo " sum: "#Sum}
Sum = ExpectedSum %% assert
end
 
%% Calls Fun with multiple locks locked and returns the result of Fun.
fun {WithLocks Ls Fun}
case Ls of L|Lr then
lock L then
{WithLocks Lr Fun}
end
[] nil then {Fun}
end
end
 
%%
%% MANIPULATE
%%
proc {Smooth I J}
Diff = @(Buckets.I) - @(Buckets.J) %% reading without lock: by design
Amount = Diff div 4
in
{Transfer I J Amount}
end
 
proc {Roughen I J}
Amount = @(Buckets.I) div 3 %% reading without lock: by design
in
{Transfer I J Amount}
end
 
%% Atomically transfer an amount from From to To.
%% Negative amounts are allowed;
%% will never make a bucket negative.
proc {Transfer From To Amount}
if From \= To then
%% lock in order (to avoid deadlocks)
Smaller = {Min From To}
Bigger = {Max From To}
in
lock Locks.Smaller then
lock Locks.Bigger then
FromBucket = Buckets.From
ToBucket = Buckets.To
NewFromValue = @FromBucket - Amount
NewToValue = @ToBucket + Amount
in
if NewFromValue >= 0 andthen NewToValue >= 0 then
FromBucket := NewFromValue
ToBucket := NewToValue
end
end
end
end
end
 
%% Returns a random bucket index.
fun {Pick}
{OS.rand} mod NBuckets + 1
end
in
%%
%% START
%%
thread for do {Smooth {Pick} {Pick}} end end
thread for do {Roughen {Pick} {Pick}} end end
for do {Display} {Time.delay 50} end

Sample output:

buckets(50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 ,,,)  sum: 5000
buckets(24 68 58 43 78 85 43 66 14 48 ,,,) sum: 5000
buckets(36 33 59 38 39 23 55 51 43 45 ,,,) sum: 5000
buckets(64 32 62 26 50 82 38 70 16 43 ,,,) sum: 5000
buckets(51 51 49 50 51 51 51 49 49 49 ,,,) sum: 5000
buckets(43 28 27 60 77 41 36 48 72 70 ,,,) sum: 5000
...

[edit] PicoLisp

We use database objects (persistent symbols) for the buckets, and child processes to handle the tasks, as this is the standard way for general PicoLisp applications.

(de *Buckets . 15)  # Number of buckets
 
# E/R model
(class +Bucket +Entity)
(rel key (+Key +Number)) # Key 1 .. *Buckets
(rel val (+Number)) # Value 1 .. 999
 
 
# Start with an empty DB
(call 'rm "-f" "buckets.db") # Remove old DB (if any)
(pool "buckets.db") # Create new DB file
 
 
# Create *Buckets buckets with values between 1 and 999
(for K *Buckets
(new T '(+Bucket) 'key K 'val (rand 1 999)) )
(commit)
 
 
# Pick a random bucket
(de pickBucket ()
(db 'key '+Bucket (rand 1 *Buckets)) )
 
 
# First process
(unless (fork)
(seed *Pid) # Ensure local random sequence
(loop
(let (B1 (pickBucket) B2 (pickBucket)) # Pick two buckets 'B1' and 'B2'
(dbSync) # Atomic DB operation
(let (V1 (; B1 val) V2 (; B2 val)) # Get current values
(cond
((> V1 V2)
(dec> B1 'val) # Make them closer to equal
(inc> B2 'val) )
((> V2 V1)
(dec> B2 'val)
(inc> B1 'val) ) ) )
(commit 'upd) ) ) ) # Close transaction
 
# Second process
(unless (fork)
(seed *Pid) # Ensure local random sequence
(loop
(let (B1 (pickBucket) B2 (pickBucket)) # Pick two buckets 'B1' and 'B2'
(unless (== B1 B2) # Found two different ones?
(dbSync) # Atomic DB operation
(let (V1 (; B1 val) V2 (; B2 val)) # Get current values
(cond
((> V1 V2 0)
(inc> B1 'val) # Redistribute them
(dec> B2 'val) )
((> V2 V1 0)
(inc> B2 'val)
(dec> B1 'val) ) ) )
(commit 'upd) ) ) ) ) # Close transaction
 
# Third process
(unless (fork)
(loop
(dbSync) # Atomic DB operation
(let Lst (collect 'key '+Bucket) # Get all buckets
(for This Lst # Print current values
(printsp (: val)) )
(prinl # and total sum
"-- Total: "
(sum '((This) (: val)) Lst) ) )
(rollback)
(wait 2000) ) ) # Sleep two seconds
 
(wait)

Output:

70 236 582 30 395 215 525 653 502 825 129 769 722 440 708 -- Total: 6801
0 156 566 352 198 263 0 743 0 1316 58 1180 897 0 1072 -- Total: 6801
0 0 424 101 0 0 0 682 0 1809 0 1549 961 0 1275 -- Total: 6801
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 452 0 2226 0 1838 884 0 1401 -- Total: 6801
54 55 56 55 54 55 54 102 54 2363 54 1816 666 55 1308 -- Total: 6801
198 198 197 196 198 198 197 197 196 1903 197 1438 345 197 946 -- Total: 6801
342 344 343 344 344 342 344 343 343 1278 343 992 343 343 413 -- Total: 6801
^C

[edit] PureBasic

#Buckets=9
#TotalAmount=200
Global Dim Buckets(#Buckets)
Global BMutex=CreateMutex()
Global Quit=#False
 
Procedure max(x,y)
If x>=y: ProcedureReturn x
Else: ProcedureReturn y
EndIf
EndProcedure
 
Procedure Move(WantedAmount, From, Dest)
Protected RealAmount
If from<>Dest
LockMutex(BMutex)
RealAmount=max(0, Buckets(from)-WantedAmount)
Buckets(From)-RealAmount
Buckets(Dest)+RealAmount
UnlockMutex(BMutex)
EndIf
ProcedureReturn RealAmount
EndProcedure
 
Procedure Level(A,B)
Protected i, j, t
If A<>B
LockMutex(BMutex)
t=Buckets(A)+Buckets(B)
i=t/2: j=t-i
Buckets(A)=i
Buckets(B)=j
UnlockMutex(BMutex)
EndIf
EndProcedure
 
Procedure DoInvent(Array A(1))
Protected i, sum
LockMutex(BMutex)
For i=0 To ArraySize(Buckets())
A(i)=Buckets(i)
sum+A(i)
Next i
UnlockMutex(BMutex)
ProcedureReturn sum
EndProcedure
 
Procedure MixingThread(arg)
Repeat
Move(Random(#TotalAmount),Random(#Buckets),Random(#Buckets))
Until Quit
EndProcedure
 
Procedure LevelingThread(arg)
Repeat
Level(Random(#Buckets),Random(#Buckets))
Until Quit
EndProcedure
 
If OpenWindow(0,0,0,100,150,"Atomic updates",#PB_Window_SystemMenu)
Define Thread1=CreateThread(@MixingThread(),0)
Define Thread2=CreateThread(@MixingThread(),0)
Define i, Event
Dim Inventory(#Buckets)
; Set up a small GUI
For i=0 To 9
TextGadget(i, 0,i*15,50, 15,"Bucket #"+Str(i))
Next i
TextGadget(10,55,135,40,15,"=")
AddWindowTimer(0,0,500)
Buckets(0)=#TotalAmount
Repeat
Event=WaitWindowEvent()
If Event=#PB_Event_Timer
i=DoInvent(Inventory())
SetGadgetText(10,"="+Str(i))
For i=0 To #Buckets
SetGadgetText(i, Str(Inventory(i)))
Next i
EndIf
Until Event=#PB_Event_CloseWindow
Quit=#True ; Tell threads to shut down
WaitThread(Thread1): WaitThread(Thread2)
EndIf

[edit] Python

Works with: Python version 2.5 and above

This code uses a threading.Lock to serialize access to the bucket set.

from __future__ import with_statement # required for Python 2.5
import threading
import random
import time
 
terminate = threading.Event()
 
class Buckets:
def __init__(self, nbuckets):
self.nbuckets = nbuckets
self.values = [random.randrange(10) for i in range(nbuckets)]
self.lock = threading.Lock()
 
def __getitem__(self, i):
return self.values[i]
 
def transfer(self, src, dst, amount):
with self.lock:
amount = min(amount, self.values[src])
self.values[src] -= amount
self.values[dst] += amount
 
def snapshot(self):
# copy of the current state (synchronized)
with self.lock:
return self.values[:]
 
def randomize(buckets):
nbuckets = buckets.nbuckets
while not terminate.isSet():
src = random.randrange(nbuckets)
dst = random.randrange(nbuckets)
if dst!=src:
amount = random.randrange(20)
buckets.transfer(src, dst, amount)
 
def equalize(buckets):
nbuckets = buckets.nbuckets
while not terminate.isSet():
src = random.randrange(nbuckets)
dst = random.randrange(nbuckets)
if dst!=src:
amount = (buckets[src] - buckets[dst]) // 2
if amount>=0: buckets.transfer(src, dst, amount)
else: buckets.transfer(dst, src, -amount)
 
def print_state(buckets):
snapshot = buckets.snapshot()
for value in snapshot:
print '%2d' % value,
print '=', sum(snapshot)
 
# create 15 buckets
buckets = Buckets(15)
 
# the randomize thread
t1 = threading.Thread(target=randomize, args=[buckets])
t1.start()
 
# the equalize thread
t2 = threading.Thread(target=equalize, args=[buckets])
t2.start()
 
# main thread, display
try:
while True:
print_state(buckets)
time.sleep(1)
except KeyboardInterrupt: # ^C to finish
terminate.set()
 
# wait until all worker threads finish
t1.join()
t2.join()

Sample Output:

 5  5 11  5  5  5  5  5  5  0  6  5  5  6  5 = 78
 9  0  0  0 20  5  0 21 10  0  0  8  5  0  0 = 78
 4  0  4 12  4  4  9  2 14  0 11  2  0 12  0 = 78
 5  5  6  5  5  5  6  5  6  5  5  5  5  5  5 = 78
 2  0  3  0  0  0  0  4 13  4  9  0  1  9 33 = 78
 0  0  0 22 11  0 13 12  0  0  0 20  0  0  0 = 78

[edit] Ruby

require 'thread'
 
# The bucket store.
class BucketStore
# Creates a BucketStore with +nbuckets+ buckets.
def initialize nbuckets
# Create an array for the buckets, filling each bucket with a
# randomly chosen, non-negative value
@buckets = (1..nbuckets).map { rand(1024) }
 
# Mutex used to make operations atomic
@mutex = Mutex.new
end
 
# Returns an array with the bucket contents.
def buckets
@mutex.synchronize { Array.new(@buckets) }
end
 
# Makes the values in two buckets closer to equal.
def equalize first = nil, second = nil
@mutex.synchronize do
# Chose first and second at random if they are nil
first, second = pick_buckets first, second
 
# Do nothing if first and second are the same
return nil if first == second
 
# Divide the contents among the two buckets. Each bucket receives
# half of the contents. For the first bucket, we round down. For
# the second, we round up. This keeps the total amount constant.
contents = @buckets[first] + @buckets[second]
@buckets[first] = contents / 2
@buckets[second] = (contents + 1) / 2
nil
end
end
 
# Arbitrarily distributes the contents of two buckets.
def distribute first = nil, second = nil
@mutex.synchronize do
# Chose first and second at random if they are nil
first, second = pick_buckets first, second
 
# Do nothing if first and second are the same
return nil if first == second
 
# Divide the contents among the two buckets. One bucket receives
# a random amount up to the total contents of the two. The other
# bucket receives the rest. This keeps the total amount constant.
contents = @buckets[first] + @buckets[second]
# If no contents, there is nothing to exchange
return nil if contents < 1
@buckets[first] = rand contents
@buckets[second] = contents - @buckets[first]
nil
end
end
 
private
 
# Choses first and second at random if they are nil
def pick_buckets first, second
first = rand @buckets.length if first == nil
second = rand @buckets.length if second == nil
[first, second]
end
end
 
# Compute the total value in all buckets.
# We calculate this outside BucketStore so BucketStore can't cheat by
# always reporting the same value.
def total buckets
n = 0
buckets.each { |x| n = n + x }
n
end
 
# Create bucket store
bucket_store = BucketStore.new 8
 
# Get total amount in the store
TOTAL = total bucket_store.buckets
 
# Reference to the main thread
main_thread = Thread.current
 
# Start a thread to equalize buckets
Thread.new { while true; bucket_store.equalize; main_thread.wakeup; end }
 
# Start a thread to distribute values among buckets
Thread.new { while true; bucket_store.distribute; main_thread.wakeup; end }
 
# Check, in a loop, that the total amount remains constant
while true
buckets = bucket_store.buckets
n = total buckets
 
printf "%4d %4d %4d %4d %4d %4d %4d %4d, total %d\n",
buckets[0], buckets[1], buckets[2], buckets[3],
buckets[4], buckets[5], buckets[6], buckets[7],
n
 
if n != TOTAL
# This should never happen
$stderr.puts "ERROR: Total changed from #{TOTAL} to #{n}"
exit 1
end
 
# Sleep until something changes
Thread.stop
end

Sample Output:

 221  521  331 1186  654  185  521   19, total 3638                             
 455  455  455  455  454  454  455  455, total 3638                             
 455  455  455  455  454  454  455  455, total 3638                             
 755    3  115   10  598 1326  515  316, total 3638                             

[edit] Scala

 
object AtomicUpdates {
 
class Buckets(ns: Int*) {
 
import scala.actors.Actor._
 
val buckets = ns.toArray
 
case class Get(index: Int)
case class Transfer(fromIndex: Int, toIndex: Int, amount: Int)
case object GetAll
 
val handler = actor {
loop {
react {
case Get(index) => reply(buckets(index))
case Transfer(fromIndex, toIndex, amount) =>
assert(amount >= 0)
val actualAmount = Math.min(amount, buckets(fromIndex))
buckets(fromIndex) -= actualAmount
buckets(toIndex) += actualAmount
case GetAll => reply(buckets.toList)
}
}
}
 
def get(index: Int): Int = (handler !? Get(index)).asInstanceOf[Int]
def transfer(fromIndex: Int, toIndex: Int, amount: Int) = handler ! Transfer(fromIndex, toIndex, amount)
def getAll: List[Int] = (handler !? GetAll).asInstanceOf[List[Int]]
}
 
def randomPair(n: Int): (Int, Int) = {
import scala.util.Random._
val pair = (nextInt(n), nextInt(n))
if (pair._1 == pair._2) randomPair(n) else pair
}
 
def main(args: Array[String]) {
import scala.actors.Scheduler._
val buckets = new Buckets(List.range(1, 11): _*)
val stop = new java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicBoolean(false)
val latch = new java.util.concurrent.CountDownLatch(3)
execute {
while (!stop.get) {
val (i1, i2) = randomPair(10)
val (n1, n2) = (buckets.get(i1), buckets.get(i2))
val m = (n1 + n2) / 2
if (n1 < n2)
buckets.transfer(i2, i1, n2 - m)
else
buckets.transfer(i1, i2, n1 - m)
}
latch.countDown
}
execute {
while (!stop.get) {
val (i1, i2) = randomPair(10)
val n = buckets.get(i1)
buckets.transfer(i1, i2, if (n == 0) 0 else scala.util.Random.nextInt(n))
}
latch.countDown
}
execute {
for (i <- 1 to 20) {
val all = buckets.getAll
println(all.sum + ":" + all)
Thread.sleep(500)
}
stop.set(true)
latch.countDown
}
latch.await
shutdown
}
}
 

[edit] Tcl

In Tcl, you need to explicitly hold a mutex if you want to reliably access multiple shared variables; single shared variable accesses use a built-in lock.
Works with: Tcl version 8.5

package require Thread
package require Tk
 
# Make the shared state
canvas .c ;# So we can allocate the display lines in one loop
set m [thread::mutex create]
for {set i 0} {$i<100} {incr i} {
set bucket b$i ;# A handle for every bucket...
tsv::set buckets $bucket 50
lappend buckets $bucket
lappend lines [.c create line 0 0 0 0]
}
tsv::set still going 1
 
# Make the "make more equal" task
lappend tasks [thread::create {
# Perform an atomic update of two cells
proc transfer {b1 b2 val} {
variable m
thread::mutex lock $m
set v [tsv::get buckets $b1]
if {$val > $v} {
set val $v
}
tsv::incr buckets $b1 [expr {-$val}]
tsv::incr buckets $b2 $val
thread::mutex unlock $m
}
 
# The task itself; we loop this round frequently
proc task {mutex buckets} {
variable m $mutex b $buckets i 0
while {[tsv::get still going]} {
set b1 [lindex $b $i]
if {[incr i] == [llength $b]} {set i 0}
set b2 [lindex $b $i]
 
if {[tsv::get buckets $b1] > [tsv::get buckets $b2]} {
transfer $b1 $b2 1
} else {
transfer $b1 $b2 -1
}
}
}
thread::wait
}]
 
# Make the "mess things up" task
lappend tasks [thread::create {
# Utility to pick a random item from a list
proc pick list {
lindex $list [expr {int(rand() * [llength $list])}]
}
proc transfer {b1 b2 val} {
variable m
thread::mutex lock $m
set v [tsv::get buckets $b1]
if {$val > $v} {
set val $v
}
tsv::incr buckets $b1 [expr {-$val}]
tsv::incr buckets $b2 $val
thread::mutex unlock $m
}
 
# The task to move a large amount between two random buckets
proc task {mutex buckets} {
variable m $mutex b $buckets
while {[tsv::get still going]} {
set b1 [pick $b]
set b2 [pick $b]
transfer $b1 $b2 [expr {[tsv::get buckets $b1] / 3}]
}
}
thread::wait
}]
 
# The "main" task; we keep GUI operations in the main thread
proc redisplay {} {
global m buckets lines
thread::mutex lock $m
set i 1
foreach b $buckets l $lines {
.c coords $l $i 0 $i [tsv::get buckets $b]
incr i 2
}
thread::mutex unlock $m
after 100 redisplay
}
 
# Start tasks and display
.c configure -width 201 -height 120
pack .c
redisplay
foreach t $tasks {
thread::send -async $t [list task $m $buckets]
}
 
# Wait for user to close window, then tidy up
tkwait window .
tsv::set still going 0
thread::broadcast thread::exit
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