[MLton] Transactions for ML

[Eric McCorkle]

I've discussed this briefly with Philip Schatz, who is working on OS- 
level threads, but I'm looking into the possibility of implementing a  
transactional memory system for SML.  In particular, I'm interested  
in a compiler-based STM implementation as opposed to the more typical  
library-based approaches.

The first option I discussed with Philip was to insert calls to an  
existing library implementation, reasoning that they could be  
replaced with internal implementations at a later time, but this  
loses due to the fact that any TM system in existence right now uses  
the C-style stack.  However, I'd like to look into exactly what a  
compiler can do to implement STM more efficiently anyway, so  
constructing a framework specifically for MLton SML is something I'm  
considering.

The main delicate point I see is the interplay between the scheduler,  
the TM system, and the garbage collector.  I'd like to get some input  
on the developers as to what the best implementation strategy would  
be.  Specifically, which components should use which others, and how?

-- 
Eric McCorkle
Brown University
CS Graduate Student



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