1 /*
2 * Copyright (c) 2017 Oticon A/S
3 * Copyright (c) 2023 Nordic Semiconductor ASA
4 *
5 * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
6 */
7
8 /*
9 * Native simulator, CPU Thread emulation (nct)
10 */
11
12 /**
13 * Native simulator single CPU threading emulation,
14 * an *optional* module provided by the Native simulator
15 * the hosted embedded OS / SW can use to emulate the threading
16 * context switching which would be handled by a OS CPU AL
17 *
18 * Principle of operation:
19 *
20 * The embedded OS threads are run as a set of native Linux pthreads.
21 * The embedded OS only sees one of this thread executing at a time.
22 *
23 * The hosted OS shall call nct_init() to initialize the state of an
24 * instance of this module, and nct_clean_up() once it desires to destroy it.
25 *
26 * For SOCs with several micro-controllers (AMP) one instance of this module
27 * would be instantiated per simulated uC and embedded OS.
28 *
29 * To create a new embedded thread, the hosted OS shall call nct_new_thread().
30 * To swap to a thread nct_swap_threads(), and to terminate a thread
31 * nct_abort_thread().
32 * The hosted OS can optionally use nct_first_thread_start() to swap
33 * to the "first thread".
34 *
35 * Whenever a thread calls nct_swap_threads(next_thread_idx) it will be blocked,
36 * and the thread identified by next_thread_idx will continue executing.
37 *
38 *
39 * Internal design:
40 *
41 * Which thread is running is controlled using {cond|mtx}_threads and
42 * currently_allowed_thread.
43 *
44 * The main part of the execution of each thread will occur in a fully
45 * synchronous and deterministic manner, and only when commanded by
46 * the embedded operating system kernel.
47 *
48 * The creation of a thread will spawn a new pthread whose start
49 * is asynchronous to the rest, until synchronized in nct_wait_until_allowed()
50 * below.
51 * Similarly aborting and canceling threads execute a tail in a quite an
52 * asynchronous manner.
53 *
54 * This implementation is meant to be portable in between fully compatible
55 * POSIX systems.
56 * A table (threads_table) is used to abstract the native pthreads.
57 * An index in this table is used to identify threads in the IF to the
58 * embedded OS.
59 */
60
61 #define NCT_DEBUG_PRINTS 0
62
63 /* For pthread_setname_np() */
64 #define _GNU_SOURCE
65 #include <pthread.h>
66 #include <stdbool.h>
67 #include <stdlib.h>
68 #include <string.h>
69 #include <stdint.h>
70 #include "nct_if.h"
71 #include "nsi_internal.h"
72 #include "nsi_safe_call.h"
73
74 #if NCT_DEBUG_PRINTS
75 #define NCT_DEBUG(fmt, ...) nsi_print_trace(PREFIX fmt, __VA_ARGS__)
76 #else
77 #define NCT_DEBUG(...)
78 #endif
79
80 #define PREFIX "Tread Simulator: "
81 #define ERPREFIX PREFIX"error on "
82 #define NO_MEM_ERR PREFIX"Can't allocate memory\n"
83
84 #define NCT_ENABLE_CANCEL 0 /* See Note.c1 */
85 #define NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE 64 /* In how big chunks we grow the thread table */
86 #define NCT_REUSE_ABORTED_ENTRIES 0
87 /* For the Zephyr OS, tests/kernel/threads/scheduling/schedule_api fails when setting
88 * NCT_REUSE_ABORTED_ENTRIES => don't set it by now
89 */
90
91 struct te_status_t;
92
93 struct threads_table_el {
94 /* Pointer to the overall status of the threading emulator instance */
95 struct te_status_t *ts_status;
96 struct threads_table_el *next; /* Pointer to the next element of the table */
97 int thread_idx; /* Index of this element in the threads_table*/
98
99 enum {NOTUSED = 0, USED, ABORTING, ABORTED, FAILED} state;
100 bool running; /* Is this the currently running thread */
101 pthread_t thread; /* Actual pthread_t as returned by the native kernel */
102 int thead_cnt; /* For debugging: Unique, consecutive, thread number */
103
104 /*
105 * Pointer to data from the hosted OS architecture
106 * What that is, if anything, is up to that the hosted OS
107 */
108 void *payload;
109 };
110
111 struct te_status_t {
112 struct threads_table_el *threads_table; /* Pointer to the threads table */
113 int thread_create_count; /* (For debugging) Thread creation counter */
114 int threads_table_size; /* Size of threads_table */
115 /* Pointer to the hosted OS function to be called when a thread is started */
116 void (*fptr)(void *payload);
117 /*
118 * Conditional variable to block/awake all threads during swaps.
119 * (we only need 1 mutex and 1 cond variable for all threads)
120 */
121 pthread_cond_t cond_threads;
122 /* Mutex for the conditional variable cond_threads */
123 pthread_mutex_t mtx_threads;
124 /* Token which tells which thread is allowed to run now */
125 int currently_allowed_thread;
126 bool terminate; /* Are we terminating the program == cleaning up */
127 };
128
129 static void nct_exit_and_cleanup(struct te_status_t *this);
130 static struct threads_table_el *ttable_get_element(struct te_status_t *this, int index);
131
132 /**
133 * Helper function, run by a thread which is being aborted
134 */
abort_tail(struct te_status_t * this,int this_th_nbr)135 static void abort_tail(struct te_status_t *this, int this_th_nbr)
136 {
137 struct threads_table_el *tt_el = ttable_get_element(this, this_th_nbr);
138
139 NCT_DEBUG("Thread [%i] %i: %s: Aborting (exiting) (rel mut)\n",
140 tt_el->thead_cnt,
141 this_th_nbr,
142 __func__);
143
144 tt_el->running = false;
145 tt_el->state = ABORTED;
146 nct_exit_and_cleanup(this);
147 }
148
149 /**
150 * Helper function to block this thread until it is allowed again
151 *
152 * Note that we go out of this function (the while loop below)
153 * with the mutex locked by this particular thread.
154 * In normal circumstances, the mutex is only unlocked internally in
155 * pthread_cond_wait() while waiting for cond_threads to be signaled
156 */
nct_wait_until_allowed(struct te_status_t * this,int this_th_nbr)157 static void nct_wait_until_allowed(struct te_status_t *this, int this_th_nbr)
158 {
159 struct threads_table_el *tt_el = ttable_get_element(this, this_th_nbr);
160
161 tt_el->running = false;
162
163 NCT_DEBUG("Thread [%i] %i: %s: Waiting to be allowed to run (rel mut)\n",
164 tt_el->thead_cnt,
165 this_th_nbr,
166 __func__);
167
168 while (this_th_nbr != this->currently_allowed_thread) {
169 pthread_cond_wait(&this->cond_threads, &this->mtx_threads);
170
171 if (tt_el->state == ABORTING) {
172 abort_tail(this, this_th_nbr);
173 }
174 }
175
176 tt_el->running = true;
177
178 NCT_DEBUG("Thread [%i] %i: %s(): I'm allowed to run! (hav mut)\n",
179 tt_el->thead_cnt,
180 this_th_nbr,
181 __func__);
182 }
183
184 /**
185 * Helper function to let the thread <next_allowed_th> run
186 *
187 * Note: nct_let_run() can only be called with the mutex locked
188 */
nct_let_run(struct te_status_t * this,int next_allowed_th)189 static void nct_let_run(struct te_status_t *this, int next_allowed_th)
190 {
191 #if NCT_DEBUG_PRINTS
192 struct threads_table_el *tt_el = ttable_get_element(this, next_allowed_th);
193
194 NCT_DEBUG("%s: We let thread [%i] %i run\n",
195 __func__,
196 tt_el->thead_cnt,
197 next_allowed_th);
198 #endif
199
200 this->currently_allowed_thread = next_allowed_th;
201
202 /*
203 * We let all threads know one is able to run now (it may even be us
204 * again if fancied)
205 * Note that as we hold the mutex, they are going to be blocked until
206 * we reach our own nct_wait_until_allowed() while loop or abort_tail()
207 * mutex release
208 */
209 NSI_SAFE_CALL(pthread_cond_broadcast(&this->cond_threads));
210 }
211
212 /**
213 * Helper function, run by a thread which is being ended
214 */
nct_exit_and_cleanup(struct te_status_t * this)215 static void nct_exit_and_cleanup(struct te_status_t *this)
216 {
217 /*
218 * Release the mutex so the next allowed thread can run
219 */
220 NSI_SAFE_CALL(pthread_mutex_unlock(&this->mtx_threads));
221
222 /* We detach ourselves so nobody needs to join to us */
223 pthread_detach(pthread_self());
224
225 pthread_exit(NULL);
226 }
227
228 /**
229 * Let the ready thread run and block this managed thread until it is allowed again
230 *
231 * The hosted OS shall call this when it has decided to swap in/out two of its threads,
232 * from the thread that is being swapped out.
233 *
234 * Note: If called without having ever let another managed thread run / from a thread not
235 * managed by this nct instance, it will behave like nct_first_thread_start(),
236 * and terminate the calling thread while letting the managed thread
237 * <next_allowed_thread_nbr> continue.
238 *
239 * inputs:
240 * this_arg: Pointer to this thread emulator instance as returned by nct_init()
241 * next_allowed_thread_nbr: Identifier of the thread the hosted OS wants to swap in
242 */
nct_swap_threads(void * this_arg,int next_allowed_thread_nbr)243 void nct_swap_threads(void *this_arg, int next_allowed_thread_nbr)
244 {
245 struct te_status_t *this = (struct te_status_t *)this_arg;
246 int this_th_nbr = this->currently_allowed_thread;
247
248 nct_let_run(this, next_allowed_thread_nbr);
249
250 if (this_th_nbr == -1) { /* This is the first time a thread was swapped in */
251 NCT_DEBUG("%s: called from an unmanaged thread, terminating it\n",
252 __func__);
253 nct_exit_and_cleanup(this);
254 }
255
256 struct threads_table_el *tt_el = ttable_get_element(this, this_th_nbr);
257
258 if (tt_el->state == ABORTING) {
259 NCT_DEBUG("Thread [%i] %i: %s: Aborting curr.\n",
260 tt_el->thead_cnt,
261 this_th_nbr,
262 __func__);
263 abort_tail(this, this_th_nbr);
264 } else {
265 nct_wait_until_allowed(this, this_th_nbr);
266 }
267 }
268
269 /**
270 * Let the very first hosted thread run, and exit this thread.
271 *
272 * The hosted OS shall call this when it has decided to swap in into another
273 * thread, and wants to terminate the currently executing thread, which is not
274 * a thread managed by the thread emulator.
275 *
276 * This function allows to emulate a hosted OS doing its first swapping into one
277 * of its hosted threads from the init thread, abandoning/terminating the init
278 * thread.
279 */
nct_first_thread_start(void * this_arg,int next_allowed_thread_nbr)280 void nct_first_thread_start(void *this_arg, int next_allowed_thread_nbr)
281 {
282 struct te_status_t *this = (struct te_status_t *)this_arg;
283
284 nct_let_run(this, next_allowed_thread_nbr);
285 NCT_DEBUG("%s: Init thread dying now (rel mut)\n",
286 __func__);
287 nct_exit_and_cleanup(this);
288 }
289
290 /**
291 * Handler called when any thread is cancelled or exits
292 */
nct_cleanup_handler(void * arg)293 static void nct_cleanup_handler(void *arg)
294 {
295 struct threads_table_el *element = (struct threads_table_el *)arg;
296 struct te_status_t *this = element->ts_status;
297
298 /*
299 * If we are not terminating, this is just an aborted thread,
300 * and the mutex was already released
301 * Otherwise, release the mutex so other threads which may be
302 * caught waiting for it could terminate
303 */
304
305 if (!this->terminate) {
306 return;
307 }
308
309 NCT_DEBUG("Thread %i: %s: Canceling (rel mut)\n",
310 element->thread_idx,
311 __func__);
312
313
314 NSI_SAFE_CALL(pthread_mutex_unlock(&this->mtx_threads));
315
316 /* We detach ourselves so nobody needs to join to us */
317 pthread_detach(pthread_self());
318 }
319
320 /**
321 * Helper function to start a hosted thread as a POSIX thread:
322 * It will block the pthread until the embedded OS devices to "swap in"
323 * this thread.
324 */
nct_thread_starter(void * arg_el)325 static void *nct_thread_starter(void *arg_el)
326 {
327 struct threads_table_el *tt_el = (struct threads_table_el *)arg_el;
328 struct te_status_t *this = tt_el->ts_status;
329
330 int thread_idx = tt_el->thread_idx;
331
332 NCT_DEBUG("Thread [%i] %i: %s: Starting\n",
333 tt_el->thead_cnt,
334 thread_idx,
335 __func__);
336
337 /*
338 * We block until all other running threads reach the while loop
339 * in nct_wait_until_allowed() and they release the mutex
340 */
341 NSI_SAFE_CALL(pthread_mutex_lock(&this->mtx_threads));
342
343 /*
344 * The program may have been finished before this thread ever got to run
345 */
346 /* LCOV_EXCL_START */ /* See Note1 */
347 if (!this->threads_table || this->terminate) {
348 nct_cleanup_handler(arg_el);
349 pthread_exit(NULL);
350 }
351 /* LCOV_EXCL_STOP */
352
353 pthread_cleanup_push(nct_cleanup_handler, arg_el);
354
355 NCT_DEBUG("Thread [%i] %i: %s: After start mutex (hav mut)\n",
356 tt_el->thead_cnt,
357 thread_idx,
358 __func__);
359
360 /*
361 * The thread would try to execute immediately, so we block it
362 * until allowed
363 */
364 nct_wait_until_allowed(this, thread_idx);
365
366 this->fptr(tt_el->payload);
367
368 /*
369 * We only reach this point if the thread actually returns which should
370 * not happen. But we handle it gracefully just in case
371 */
372 /* LCOV_EXCL_START */
373 nsi_print_trace(PREFIX"Thread [%i] %i [%lu] ended!?!\n",
374 tt_el->thead_cnt,
375 thread_idx,
376 pthread_self());
377
378 tt_el->running = false;
379 tt_el->state = FAILED;
380
381 pthread_cleanup_pop(1);
382
383 return NULL;
384 /* LCOV_EXCL_STOP */
385 }
386
ttable_get_element(struct te_status_t * this,int index)387 static struct threads_table_el *ttable_get_element(struct te_status_t *this, int index)
388 {
389 struct threads_table_el *threads_table = this->threads_table;
390
391 if (index >= this->threads_table_size) { /* LCOV_EXCL_BR_LINE */
392 nsi_print_error_and_exit("%s: Programming error, attempted out of bound access to "
393 "thread table (%i>=%i)\n",
394 index, this->threads_table_size); /* LCOV_EXCL_LINE */
395 }
396 while (index >= NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE) {
397 index -= NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE;
398 threads_table = threads_table[NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE - 1].next;
399 }
400 return &threads_table[index];
401 }
402
403 /**
404 * Return the first free entry index in the threads table
405 */
ttable_get_empty_slot(struct te_status_t * this)406 static int ttable_get_empty_slot(struct te_status_t *this)
407 {
408 struct threads_table_el *tt_el = this->threads_table;
409
410 for (int i = 0; i < this->threads_table_size; i++, tt_el = tt_el->next) {
411 if ((tt_el->state == NOTUSED)
412 || (NCT_REUSE_ABORTED_ENTRIES
413 && (tt_el->state == ABORTED))) {
414 return i;
415 }
416 }
417
418 /*
419 * else, we run out of table without finding an index
420 * => we expand the table
421 */
422
423 struct threads_table_el *new_chunk;
424
425 new_chunk = calloc(NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE, sizeof(struct threads_table_el));
426 if (new_chunk == NULL) { /* LCOV_EXCL_BR_LINE */
427 nsi_print_error_and_exit(NO_MEM_ERR); /* LCOV_EXCL_LINE */
428 }
429
430 /* Link new chunk to last element */
431 tt_el = ttable_get_element(this, this->threads_table_size-1);
432 tt_el->next = new_chunk;
433
434 this->threads_table_size += NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE;
435
436 /* Link all new elements together */
437 for (int i = 0 ; i < NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE - 1; i++) {
438 new_chunk[i].next = &new_chunk[i+1];
439 }
440 new_chunk[NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE - 1].next = NULL;
441
442 /* The first newly created entry is good, we return it */
443 return this->threads_table_size - NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE;
444 }
445
446 /**
447 * Create a new pthread for the new hosted OS thread.
448 *
449 * Returns a unique integer thread identifier/index, which should be used
450 * to refer to this thread for future calls to the thread emulator.
451 *
452 * It takes as parameter a pointer which will be passed to
453 * function registered in nct_init when the thread is swapped in.
454 *
455 * Note that the thread is created but not swapped in.
456 * The new thread execution will be held until nct_swap_threads()
457 * (or nct_first_thread_start()) is called with this newly created
458 * thread number.
459 */
nct_new_thread(void * this_arg,void * payload)460 int nct_new_thread(void *this_arg, void *payload)
461 {
462 struct te_status_t *this = (struct te_status_t *)this_arg;
463 struct threads_table_el *tt_el;
464 int t_slot;
465
466 t_slot = ttable_get_empty_slot(this);
467 tt_el = ttable_get_element(this, t_slot);
468
469 tt_el->state = USED;
470 tt_el->running = false;
471 tt_el->thead_cnt = this->thread_create_count++;
472 tt_el->payload = payload;
473 tt_el->ts_status = this;
474 tt_el->thread_idx = t_slot;
475
476 NSI_SAFE_CALL(pthread_create(&tt_el->thread,
477 NULL,
478 nct_thread_starter,
479 (void *)tt_el));
480
481 NCT_DEBUG("%s created thread [%i] %i [%lu]\n",
482 __func__,
483 tt_el->thead_cnt,
484 t_slot,
485 tt_el->thread);
486
487 return t_slot;
488 }
489
490 /**
491 * Initialize an instance of the threading emulator.
492 *
493 * Returns a pointer to the initialize threading emulator instance.
494 * This pointer shall be passed to all subsequent calls of the
495 * threading emulator when interacting with this particular instance.
496 *
497 * The input fptr is a pointer to the hosted OS function
498 * to be called each time a thread which is created on its request
499 * with nct_new_thread() is swapped in (from that thread context)
500 */
nct_init(void (* fptr)(void *))501 void *nct_init(void (*fptr)(void *))
502 {
503 struct te_status_t *this;
504
505 /*
506 * Note: This (and the calloc below) won't be free'd by this code
507 * but left for the OS to clear at process end.
508 * This is a conscious choice, see nct_clean_up() for more info.
509 * If you got here due to valgrind's leak report, please use the
510 * provided valgrind suppression file valgrind.supp
511 */
512 this = calloc(1, sizeof(struct te_status_t));
513 if (this == NULL) { /* LCOV_EXCL_BR_LINE */
514 nsi_print_error_and_exit(NO_MEM_ERR); /* LCOV_EXCL_LINE */
515 }
516
517 this->fptr = fptr;
518 this->thread_create_count = 0;
519 this->currently_allowed_thread = -1;
520
521 NSI_SAFE_CALL(pthread_cond_init(&this->cond_threads, NULL));
522 NSI_SAFE_CALL(pthread_mutex_init(&this->mtx_threads, NULL));
523
524 this->threads_table = calloc(NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE,
525 sizeof(struct threads_table_el));
526 if (this->threads_table == NULL) { /* LCOV_EXCL_BR_LINE */
527 nsi_print_error_and_exit(NO_MEM_ERR); /* LCOV_EXCL_LINE */
528 }
529
530 this->threads_table_size = NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE;
531
532 for (int i = 0 ; i < NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE - 1; i++) {
533 this->threads_table[i].next = &this->threads_table[i+1];
534 }
535 this->threads_table[NCT_ALLOC_CHUNK_SIZE - 1].next = NULL;
536
537 NSI_SAFE_CALL(pthread_mutex_lock(&this->mtx_threads));
538
539 return (void *)this;
540 }
541
542 /**
543 * Free any allocated memory by the threading emulator and clean up.
544 * Note that this function cannot be called from a SW thread
545 * (the CPU is assumed halted. Otherwise we would cancel ourselves)
546 *
547 * Note: This function cannot guarantee the threads will be cancelled before the HW
548 * thread exists. The only way to do that, would be to wait for each of them in
549 * a join without detaching them, but that could lead to locks in some
550 * convoluted cases; as a call to this function can come due to a hosted OS
551 * assert or other error termination, we better do not assume things are working fine.
552 * => we prefer the supposed memory leak report from valgrind, and ensure we
553 * will not hang.
554 */
nct_clean_up(void * this_arg)555 void nct_clean_up(void *this_arg)
556 {
557 struct te_status_t *this = (struct te_status_t *)this_arg;
558
559 if (!this || !this->threads_table) { /* LCOV_EXCL_BR_LINE */
560 return; /* LCOV_EXCL_LINE */
561 }
562
563 this->terminate = true;
564
565 #if (NCT_ENABLE_CANCEL)
566 struct threads_table_el *tt_el = this->threads_table;
567
568 for (int i = 0; i < this->threads_table_size; i++, tt_el = tt_el->next) {
569 if (tt_el->state != USED) {
570 continue;
571 }
572
573 /* LCOV_EXCL_START */
574 if (pthread_cancel(tt_el->thread)) {
575 nsi_print_warning(
576 PREFIX"cleanup: could not stop thread %i\n",
577 i);
578 }
579 /* LCOV_EXCL_STOP */
580 }
581 #endif
582 /*
583 * This is the cleanup we do not do:
584 *
585 * free(this->threads_table);
586 * Including all chunks
587 * this->threads_table = NULL;
588 *
589 * (void)pthread_cond_destroy(&this->cond_threads);
590 * (void)pthread_mutex_destroy(&this->mtx_threads);
591 *
592 * free(this);
593 */
594 }
595
596
597 /*
598 * Mark a thread as being aborted. This will result in the underlying pthread
599 * being terminated some time later:
600 * If the thread is marking itself as aborting, as soon as it is swapped out
601 * by the hosted (embedded) OS
602 * If it is marking another thread, at some non-specific time in the future
603 * (But note that no embedded part of the aborted thread will execute anymore)
604 *
605 * * thread_idx : The thread identifier as provided during creation (return from nct_new_thread())
606 */
nct_abort_thread(void * this_arg,int thread_idx)607 void nct_abort_thread(void *this_arg, int thread_idx)
608 {
609 struct te_status_t *this = (struct te_status_t *)this_arg;
610 struct threads_table_el *tt_el = ttable_get_element(this, thread_idx);
611
612 if (thread_idx == this->currently_allowed_thread) {
613 NCT_DEBUG("Thread [%i] %i: %s Marked myself "
614 "as aborting\n",
615 tt_el->thead_cnt,
616 thread_idx,
617 __func__);
618 } else {
619 if (tt_el->state != USED) { /* LCOV_EXCL_BR_LINE */
620 /* The thread may have been already aborted before */
621 return; /* LCOV_EXCL_LINE */
622 }
623
624 NCT_DEBUG("Aborting not scheduled thread [%i] %i\n",
625 tt_el->thead_cnt,
626 thread_idx);
627 }
628 tt_el->state = ABORTING;
629 /*
630 * Note: the native thread will linger in RAM until it catches the
631 * mutex or awakes on the condition.
632 * Note that even if we would pthread_cancel() the thread here, that
633 * would be the case, but with a pthread_cancel() the mutex state would
634 * be uncontrolled
635 */
636 }
637
638 /*
639 * Return a unique thread identifier for this thread for this
640 * run. This identifier is only meant for debug purposes
641 *
642 * thread_idx is the value returned by nct_new_thread()
643 */
nct_get_unique_thread_id(void * this_arg,int thread_idx)644 int nct_get_unique_thread_id(void *this_arg, int thread_idx)
645 {
646 struct te_status_t *this = (struct te_status_t *)this_arg;
647 struct threads_table_el *tt_el = ttable_get_element(this, thread_idx);
648
649 return tt_el->thead_cnt;
650 }
651
nct_thread_name_set(void * this_arg,int thread_idx,const char * str)652 int nct_thread_name_set(void *this_arg, int thread_idx, const char *str)
653 {
654 struct te_status_t *this = (struct te_status_t *)this_arg;
655 struct threads_table_el *tt_el = ttable_get_element(this, thread_idx);
656
657 return pthread_setname_np(tt_el->thread, str);
658 }
659
660 /*
661 * Notes about coverage:
662 *
663 * Note1:
664 *
665 * This condition will only be triggered in very unlikely cases
666 * (once every few full regression runs).
667 * It is therefore excluded from the coverage report to avoid confusing
668 * developers.
669 *
670 * Background: A pthread is created as soon as the hosted kernel creates
671 * a hosted thread. A pthread creation is an asynchronous process handled by the
672 * host kernel.
673 *
674 * This emulator normally keeps only 1 thread executing at a time.
675 * But part of the pre-initialization during creation of a new thread
676 * and some cleanup at the tail of the thread termination are executed
677 * in parallel to other threads.
678 * That is, the execution of those code paths is a bit indeterministic.
679 *
680 * Only when the hosted kernel attempts to swap to a new thread does this
681 * emulator need to wait until its pthread is ready and initialized
682 * (has reached nct_wait_until_allowed())
683 *
684 * In some cases (tests) hosted threads are created which are never actually needed
685 * (typically the idle thread). That means the test may finish before that
686 * thread's underlying pthread has reached nct_wait_until_allowed().
687 *
688 * In this unlikely cases the initialization or cleanup of the thread follows
689 * non-typical code paths.
690 * This code paths are there to ensure things work always, no matter
691 * the load of the host. Without them, very rare & mysterious segfault crashes
692 * would occur.
693 * But as they are very atypical and only triggered with some host loads,
694 * they will be covered in the coverage reports only rarely.
695 *
696 * Note2:
697 *
698 * Some other code will never or only very rarely trigger and is therefore
699 * excluded with LCOV_EXCL_LINE
700 *
701 *
702 * Notes about (memory) cleanup:
703 *
704 * Note.c1:
705 *
706 * In some very rare cases in very loaded machines, a race in the glibc pthread_cancel()
707 * seems to be triggered.
708 * In this, the cancelled thread cleanup overtakes the pthread_cancel() code, and frees the
709 * pthread structure before pthread_cancel() has finished, resulting in a dereference into already
710 * free'd memory, and therefore a segfault.
711 * Calling pthread_cancel() during cleanup is not required beyond preventing a valgrind
712 * memory leak report (all threads will be canceled immediately on exit).
713 * Therefore we do not do this, to avoid this very rare crashes.
714 */
715