fast-import was relying on the fact that on most systems mmap() and
write() are synchronized by the filesystem's buffer cache. We were
relying on the ability to mmap() 20 bytes beyond the current end
of the file, then later fill in those bytes with a future write()
call, then read them through the previously obtained mmap() address.
This isn't always true with some implementations of NFS, but it is
especially not true with our NO_MMAP=YesPlease build time option used
on some platforms. If fast-import was built with NO_MMAP=YesPlease
we used the malloc()+pread() emulation and the subsequent write()
call does not update the trailing 20 bytes of a previously obtained
"mmap()" (aka malloc'd) address.
Under NO_MMAP that behavior causes unpack_entry() in sha1_file.c to
be unable to read an object header (or data) that has been unlucky
enough to be written to the packfile at a location such that it
is in the trailing 20 bytes of a window previously opened on that
same packfile.
This bug has gone unnoticed for a very long time as it is highly data
dependent. Not only does the object have to be placed at the right
position, but it also needs to be positioned behind some other object
that has been accessed due to a branch cache invalidation. In other
words the stars had to align just right, and if you did run into
this bug you probably should also have purchased a lottery ticket.
Fortunately the workaround is a lot easier than the bug explanation.
Before we allow unpack_entry() to read data from a pack window
that has also (possibly) been modified through write() we force
all existing windows on that packfile to be closed. By closing
the windows we ensure that any new access via the emulated mmap()
will reread the packfile, updating to the current file content.
This comes at a slight performance degredation as we cannot reuse
previously cached windows when we update the packfile. But it
is a fairly minor difference as the window closes happen at only
two points:
- When the packfile is finalized and its .idx is generated:
At this stage we are getting ready to update the refs and any
data access into the packfile is going to be random, and is
going after only the branch tips (to ensure they are valid).
Our existing windows (if any) are not likely to be positioned
at useful locations to access those final tip commits so we
probably were closing them before anyway.
- When the branch cache missed and we need to reload:
At this point fast-import is getting change commands for the next
commit and it needs to go re-read a tree object it previously
had written out to the packfile. What windows we had (if any)
are not likely to cover the tree in question so we probably were
closing them before anyway.
We do try to avoid unnecessarily closing windows in the second case
by checking to see if the packfile size has increased since the
last time we called unpack_entry() on that packfile. If the size
has not changed then we have not written additional data, and any
existing window is still vaild. This nicely handles the cases where
fast-import is going through a branch cache reload and needs to read
many trees at once. During such an event we are not likely to be
updating the packfile so we do not cycle the windows between reads.
With this change in place t9301-fast-export.sh (which was broken
by c3b0dec509) finally works again.
Signed-off-by: Shawn O. Pearce <spearce@spearce.org>
Signed-off-by: Junio C Hamano <gitster@pobox.com>
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
GIT - the stupid content tracker
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
"git" can mean anything, depending on your mood.
- random three-letter combination that is pronounceable, and not
actually used by any common UNIX command. The fact that it is a
mispronunciation of "get" may or may not be relevant.
- stupid. contemptible and despicable. simple. Take your pick from the
dictionary of slang.
- "global information tracker": you're in a good mood, and it actually
works for you. Angels sing, and a light suddenly fills the room.
- "goddamn idiotic truckload of sh*t": when it breaks
Git is a fast, scalable, distributed revision control system with an
unusually rich command set that provides both high-level operations
and full access to internals.
Git is an Open Source project covered by the GNU General Public License.
It was originally written by Linus Torvalds with help of a group of
hackers around the net. It is currently maintained by Junio C Hamano.
Please read the file INSTALL for installation instructions.
See Documentation/tutorial.txt to get started, then see
Documentation/everyday.txt for a useful minimum set of commands,
and "man git-commandname" for documentation of each command.
CVS users may also want to read Documentation/cvs-migration.txt.
Many Git online resources are accessible from http://git.or.cz/
including full documentation and Git related tools.
The user discussion and development of Git take place on the Git
mailing list -- everyone is welcome to post bug reports, feature
requests, comments and patches to git@vger.kernel.org. To subscribe
to the list, send an email with just "subscribe git" in the body to
majordomo@vger.kernel.org. The mailing list archives are available at
http://marc.theaimsgroup.com/?l=git and other archival sites.
The messages titled "A note from the maintainer", "What's in
git.git (stable)" and "What's cooking in git.git (topics)" and
the discussion following them on the mailing list give a good
reference for project status, development direction and
remaining tasks.
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