System Calls Interview Question:

What is atomic function and atomic variable?

Submitted by: Administrator

atomic variables are the variables which can only be
manipulated atomically using atomic APIs. Linux declares
variable as atomic by using the type atomic_t. Basically
used a way to achieve synchronization.

an atomic operation is one which cannot be (or is not)
interrupted by concurrent operations and cannot be broken up
into smaller parts that could be performed by different
processors.

Atomic function is a function which is executed to
completion without interruption. Atomic function can also be
seen as a small critical section which is executed without
interruption, locking.
Submitted by: Administrator