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A Unified Formal Specification and Analysis of the New Java Memory Models

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Part of the book series: Lecture Notes in Computer Science ((LNCS,volume 2589))

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Abstract

In a multithreaded program running on a multiprocessor platform, different processors may observe operations in different orders. This may lead to surprising results not anticipated by the programmer. The problem is exacerbated by common compiler and hardware optimization techniques. A memory (consistency) model provides a contract between the system designer and the software designer that constrains the order in which operations are observed. Every memory model strikes some balance between strictness (simplifying program behavior) and laxness (permitting greater optimization). With its emphasis on cross-platform compatibility, the Java programming language needs a memory model that is satisfactory to language users and implementors. Everyone in the Java community must be able to understand the Java memory model and its ramifications. The description of the original Java memory model suffered from ambiguity and opaqueness, and attempts to interpret it revealed serious deficiencies. Two memory models have been proposed as replacements. Unfortunately, these two new models are described at different levels of abstraction and are represented in different formats, making it difficult to compare them. In this paper we formalize these models and develop a unified representation of them, using Abstract State Machines. Using our formal specifications, we relate the new Java memory models to the Location Consistency memory model and to each other.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Computer Science Dept., Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, USA

    Varsha Awhad & Charles Wallace

Authors
  1. Varsha Awhad
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  2. Charles Wallace
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dipartimento di Informatica, Università di Pisa, Via Buonarotti 2, 56127, Pisa, Italy

    Egon Börger

  2. CEA, Università di Catania, Piazza Università 2, 95124, Catania, Italy

    Angelo Gargantini

  3. Dipartimento di Matematica e Informatica, Università di Catania, Città Universitaria, viale A. Doria 6, 95125, Catania, Italy

    Elvinia Riccobene

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Awhad, V., Wallace, C. (2003). A Unified Formal Specification and Analysis of the New Java Memory Models. In: Börger, E., Gargantini, A., Riccobene, E. (eds) Abstract State Machines 2003. ASM 2003. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 2589. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-36498-6_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/3-540-36498-6_9

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-00624-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-36498-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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