Method and apparatus for switching between per-thread and per-processor resource pools in multi-threaded programs

A method for dynamically assigning a local allocation buffer to one of a thread and a processor in a garbage-collected computer system, the method comprising:

• (a) during the operation of the computer system, measuring an amount of memory that remains free in the local allocation buffer;
• (b) if the local allocation buffer is currently assigned to the thread, changing the assignment of the local allocation buffer to the processor when the amount of memory measured in step (a) is greater than a first predetermined threshold;
• and
• (c) if the local allocation buffer is currently assigned to the processor, changing the assignment of the local allocation buffer to the thread when the amount of memory measured in step (a) is greater than a second predetermined threshold.

Apparatus operable in a computer system having at least one thread and at least one processor for dynamically switching the assignment of resources between a thread and a processor during the running of the thread so that the entity to which resources are assigned can use those resources without accounting for intervening access by other threads, the apparatus comprising:

• a mode selector that assigns resources to one of the thread and the processor;
• a monitor operable during the operation of the thread, measuring a utilization of the resources;
• and
• a mode switcher that switches the assignment of resources to one of the thread and the processor to which resources are not currently assigned when the utilization measured by the monitor falls below a predetermined threshold.

Apparatus for dynamically assigning a local allocation buffer to one of a thread and a processor in a garbage-collected computer system, the apparatus comprising:

• measuring means operable during the operation of the computer system, for measuring an amount of memory that remains free in the local allocation buffer;
• if the local allocation buffer is currently assigned to the thread, means for changing the assignment of the local allocation buffer to the processor when the amount of memory measured by the measuring means is greater than a first predetermined threshold;
• and
• if the local allocation buffer is currently assigned to the processor, means for changing the assignment of the local allocation buffer to the thread when the amount of memory measured by the measuring means is greater than a second predetermined threshold.

A computer program product for dynamically assigning a local allocation buffer to one of a thread and a processor in a garbage-collected computer system, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code thereon, including:

• measuring program code operable during the operation of the computer system, for measuring an amount of memory that remains free in the local allocation buffer;
• if the local allocation buffer is currently assigned to the thread, program code for changing the assignment of the local allocation buffer to the processor when the amount of memory measured by the measuring program code is greater than a first predetermined threshold;
• and
• if the local allocation buffer is currently assigned to the processor, program code for changing the assignment of the local allocation buffer to the thread when the amount of memory measured by the measuring program code is greater than a second predetermined threshold.