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sm-discuss - Re: [SM-Discuss] tmpfs

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  • From: Phil/CERisE/KG6MBQ <cerise AT littlegreenmen.armory.com>
  • To: Aaron Brice <abrice2 AT cox.net>
  • Cc: Source Mage Discuss <sm-discuss AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [SM-Discuss] tmpfs
  • Date: Thu, 25 Jul 2002 17:34:01 -0700 (PDT)

Aaron Brice said:

> The benchmarks have shown that using tmpfs does not decrease compile
> time. That's not the same as saying that the native filesystem is a
> better idea. I have yet to see any benchmarks saying that other
> processes run slower if tmpfs is used compared to native, or any real
> reason backed up by facts to get rid of the tmpfs..

I'll give you points for trying.
The benchmarks have shown that using tempfs not only doesn't
decrease compile time; it increases it. The last number I recall was a
13 minute difference. If you're going to say that 13 minutes is
nothing, I recommend that you find a nice, quiet spot and time 13
minutes with a stop watch while doing nothing else. 13 minutes is
*not* trivial.
The amount of memory in addition is also not trivial.
Now, aside from it having claims of being an "elegant" solution, is
there actually something measurable which says that tempfs is a good
idea? Because this sounds like a classic case of people being gah-gah
over some feature and refusing to give it up even when it's been shown
to not be useful.
I think I'm through with this discussion. If an option is being
added, and it's being implemented in an acceptable manner, then there's
no real need to carry on. Those who believe that tempfs is somehow
better may continue their delusions. Those who have proof may use
their native filesystem.
Oh...Almost...8) As for the option of some sort of swap file. It
sounds like it'll involve a second level of metadata to push through
which will just muddle things. I thought about that, but it seems like
letting the native filesystem do things will have several greater
chances to speed things up. One of which being the ability to relink a
file instead of copying it elsewhere. Probably the best way to show it
is benchmarks.
I'll probably try it out for fun when I get to hacking out a sorcery
patch.

-Phil/CERisE







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