Subject: Re: semaphore
To: Andrew Brown <atatat@atatdot.net>
From: Olaf Seibert <rhialto@polderland.nl>
List: tech-kern
Date: 05/05/2002 21:06:57
On Thu 21 Mar 2002 at 11:46:27 -0500, Andrew Brown wrote:
> >I thought one purpose of the newlock branch was (among other things)
> >about improving the API to our locking primitives. At least for folks
> >who don't speak dutch, semaphores typically have a *HORRID* API.
> >Which operation is "p" and which one is "v" again?
>
> hmm...i don't remember either.
>
> % dict semaphore
> ...
> P and V stand for Dutch "Proberen", to test, and "Verhogen",
> to increment. The value of a semaphore is the number of units
> ...
Really? They tought me it was "Passeren" and "Vrijgeven" (pass and
release). That seems to make more sense anyway, given the traditional
depiction with the 8-shaped railroad tracks.
-Olaf.
--
___ Olaf 'Rhialto' Seibert - rhialto@polder -- Ah only did well at school
\X/ land.nl -- tae git intae an O level class tae git away fae Begbie.