Control scheme for segmented buffers based on a shared reference count

摘要

For enabling shared use of a buffer and arbitrarily selectable segments thereof, three simple operators are provided, and a locator is issued as a token for each access right to the buffer or any partial segment. By a GET operator, a first user requests a basic buffer (B) and in turn receives a locator (L0) defining size and location of said basic buffer. By a REPLICATE operator, any holder of a locator can request another access right to a selectable segment of the basic buffer, and in turn receives a locator (Li) defining size and location of the segment. Counting the issued locators, a single reference count (CNT) is maintained for all access rights to the whole buffer or any segment. Locators are relinquished by a RETURN operator, which causes decreasing of the reference count. Neither memory management nor the first user need to keep a record of the segmentation or of issued access rights.