Zero-copy transfer of memory between address spaces

A computer storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for transferring data between services using shared memory, said instructions for performing the method of:

• controlling sharing of a first memory object;
• determining if outstanding handles to said first memory object exist;
• if said outstanding handles do not exist, transferring a pointer to said first memory object from a first service to a second service to avoid making a copy of said first memory object;
• if an outstanding handle to said first memory object does exist, revoking the outstanding handle to the first memory object, including forcibly un-mapping any existing mapping to the first memory object, and creating a new memory object that points to a same memory that said first memory object pointed to, wherein said first memory object cannot be changed;
• delaying making a copy of said first memory object while said outstanding handles exist but there are no active mappings;
• and
• alternating read/write mappings to said first memory object between said first service and second service such that neither said first service, nor said second service have a write mapping to said first memory object at the same time.

A method of transferring data between a first service and a second service, comprising:

• creating a first memory object pointing to a buffer for use by said first service;
• writing to said buffer by said first service by way of the first memory object;
• releasing said buffer by said first service after said writing is performed;
• removing references to said buffer after the writing is performed and said buffer is released, by removing the first memory object;
• creating a second memory object pointing to said buffer for use by said second service;
• reading from said buffer by said second service by way of the second memory object;
• releasing said buffer by said second service after said reading is performed;
• removing references to said buffer after said reading is performed and said buffer is released, by removing the second memory object;
• wherein the method is performed without creating a copy of said buffer;
• and
• alternating read/write mappings to said buffer such that neither said first service, nor said second service have a write mapping to said buffer at the same time, wherein if one or more handles for said first memory object is outstanding, delaying making a copy of said first memory object while outstanding handles to said first memory object exist but there are no active mappings.