Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uflorida!novavax!hcx1!steve
From: steve@SSD.CSD.HARRIS.COM (Steve Brosky)
Newsgroups: comp.realtime
Subject: Re: real-time multicomputer systems
Message-ID: <4329@hcx1.UUCP>
Date: 30 May 90 16:12:23 GMT
Sender: news@hcx1.UUCP
Organization: Harris Computer Systems, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Lines: 13


>         What are spin locks??
>         (hope this isn't a frequently asked question!! )
spin locks, or busy waiting locks, are locks for which a user never blocks.
When the user tries to lock a spin lock which is already locked, he spins
in a tight loop, waiting for the lock to be freed.  Spin locks are only 
used to protect critical sections which hold the lock for a very short period
of time, and therefor not worth the overhead of blocking the process.

Steve Brosky                        sabrosky@ssd.csd.harris.com
Harris Computer Systems Division
2101 W Cypress Creek Rd
Fort Lauderdale, Fla 333122