Apparatus and method for removing elements from a linked list

A computer program product in a computer storage medium for removing elements from a linked list in a memory device, comprising:

• first instructions for identifying at least one first element of a plurality of elements in the linked list for removal;
• second instructions for identifying a static area and an add/remove area of the linked list;
• third instructions for removing the at least one first element from the static area of the linked list;
• and
• fourth instructions for permitting an application to modify at least one second element of the plurality of elements in the add/remove area of the linked list while preventing the application from modifying at least one third element of the plurality of elements in the static area of the linked list during the removal of the at least one first element from the static area of the linked list.

An apparatus having a processor in a data processing system for removing elements from a linked list in a memory device, comprising:

• means for identifying at least one first element of a plurality of elements in the linked list for removal;
• means for identifying a static area and an add/remove area of the linked list;
• means for removing the at least one first element from the static area of the linked list;
• and
• means for permitting an application to modify at least one second element of the plurality of elements in the add/remove area of the linked list while preventing the application from modifying at least one third element of the plurality of elements in the static area of the linked list during the removal of the at least one first element from the static area of the linked list.

A system for removing elements from a linked list in a memory device, comprising:

• a first processor that identifies at least one first element of a plurality of elements in the linked list for removal;
• a second processor identifies a static add/remove area of the linked list;
• a garbage collector that removes the at least one first element from the static area of the linked list;
• and
• a third processor that permits an application to modify at least one second element of the plurality of elements in the add/remove area of the linked list while preventing the application from modifying at least one third element of the plurality of elements in the static area of the linked list during the removal of the at least one first element by the garbage collector from the static area of the linked list.