Subject: Re: [PATCH net-next v7 2/9] ptr_ring: add helper to detect newly freed space on consume

From: "Michael S. Tsirkin" <[email-masked]>
Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2026 03:31:59 -0500

On Fri, Jan 09, 2026 at 08:35:31AM +0100, Simon Schippers wrote:
> On 1/9/26 08:22, Michael S. Tsirkin wrote:
> > On Wed, Jan 07, 2026 at 10:04:41PM +0100, Simon Schippers wrote:
> >> This proposed function checks whether __ptr_ring_zero_tail() was invoked
> >> within the last n calls to __ptr_ring_consume(), which indicates that new
> >> free space was created. Since __ptr_ring_zero_tail() moves the tail to
> >> the head - and no other function modifies either the head or the tail,
> >> aside from the wrap-around case described below - detecting such a
> >> movement is sufficient to detect the invocation of
> >> __ptr_ring_zero_tail().
> >>
> >> The implementation detects this movement by checking whether the tail is
> >> at most n positions behind the head. If this condition holds, the shift
> >> of the tail to its current position must have occurred within the last n
> >> calls to __ptr_ring_consume(), indicating that __ptr_ring_zero_tail() was
> >> invoked and that new free space was created.
> >>
> >> This logic also correctly handles the wrap-around case in which
> >> __ptr_ring_zero_tail() is invoked and the head and the tail are reset
> >> to 0. Since this reset likewise moves the tail to the head, the same
> >> detection logic applies.
> >>
> >> Co-developed-by: Tim Gebauer <[email-masked]>
> >> Signed-off-by: Tim Gebauer <[email-masked]>
> >> Signed-off-by: Simon Schippers <[email-masked]>
> >> ---
> >>  include/linux/ptr_ring.h | 13 +++++++++++++
> >>  1 file changed, 13 insertions(+)
> >>
> >> diff --git a/include/linux/ptr_ring.h b/include/linux/ptr_ring.h
> >> index a5a3fa4916d3..7cdae6d1d400 100644
> >> --- a/include/linux/ptr_ring.h
> >> +++ b/include/linux/ptr_ring.h
> >> @@ -438,6 +438,19 @@ static inline int ptr_ring_consume_batched_bh(struct ptr_ring *r,
> >>  	return ret;
> >>  }
> >>  
> >> +/* Returns true if the consume of the last n elements has created space
> >> + * in the ring buffer (i.e., a new element can be produced).
> >> + *
> >> + * Note: Because of batching, a successful call to __ptr_ring_consume() /
> >> + * __ptr_ring_consume_batched() does not guarantee that the next call to
> >> + * __ptr_ring_produce() will succeed.
> > 
> > 
> > I think the issue is it does not say what is the actual guarantee.
> > 
> > Another issue is that the "Note" really should be more prominent,
> > it really is part of explaining what the functions does.
> > 
> > Hmm. Maybe we should tell it how many entries have been consumed and
> > get back an indication of how much space this created?
> > 
> > fundamentally
> > 	 n - (r->consumer_head - r->consumer_tail)?
> 
> No, that is wrong from my POV.
> 
> It always creates the same amount of space which is the batch size or
> multiple batch sizes (or something less in the wrap-around case). That is
> of course only if __ptr_ring_zero_tail() was executed at least once,
> else it creates zero space.

exactly, and caller does not know, and now he wants to know so
we add an API for him to find out?

I feel the fact it's a binary (batch or 0) is an implementation
detail better hidden from user.

> > 
> > 
> > does the below sound good maybe?
> > 
> > /* Returns the amound of space (number of new elements that can be
> >  * produced) that calls to ptr_ring_consume created.
> >  *
> >  * Getting n entries from calls to ptr_ring_consume() /
> >  * ptr_ring_consume_batched() does *not* guarantee that the next n calls to
> >  * ptr_ring_produce() will succeed.
> >  *
> >  * Use this function after consuming n entries to get a hint about
> >  * how much space was actually created.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >> + */
> >> +static inline bool __ptr_ring_consume_created_space(struct ptr_ring *r,
> >> +						    int n)
> >> +{
> >> +	return r->consumer_head - r->consumer_tail < n;
> >> +}
> >> +
> >>  /* Cast to structure type and call a function without discarding from FIFO.
> >>   * Function must return a value.
> >>   * Callers must take consumer_lock.
> >> -- 
> >> 2.43.0
> >