atomic_set()

Safely set bits in a variable (QNX Neutrino)

Synopsis:

#include <atomic.h>

void atomic_set( volatile unsigned * loc,
                 unsigned bits );

Arguments:

loc: A pointer to the location that you want to set bits in.
bits: The bits that you want to set.

Library:

libc

Use the -l c option to qcc to link against this library. This library is usually included automatically.

Description:

The atomic_set() function is a thread-safe way of doing an (*loc) |= bits operation.

When modifying a variable shared between a thread and an interrupt handler, you must either disable interrupts or use atomic operations.

The atomic_*() functions are also useful for modifying variables that are referenced by more than one thread (that aren't necessarily in the same process) without having to use a mutex.

CAUTION:

Perform atomic operations only on objects that were allocated in normal memory mappings. On certain processors, atomic operations will cause a fault if the object is allocated in uncached memory.

Examples:

To safely set the 1 bit in a flag:

#include <atomic.h>
…

volatile unsigned flags;
…

atomic_set( &flags, 0x01 );

Classification:

QNX Neutrino

Safety:
Cancellation point	No
Interrupt handler	Yes
Signal handler	Yes
Thread	Yes