[Avila] Warning: Problem with libpthread on 0.6 release

[Dave]

And a follow up to this issue..

Another customer had an issue with pthreads and I suggested to replace the 
/lib/libpthread.so that is on the ramdisk.gz he is using, with the one 
located at /usr/local/arm-linux/lib/be/libpthread.so. This resolved his 
problem.

It reminded me that there will likely there will be other library related 
issues if the developer is building an application or even a simple compile 
of hello world...OUTSIDE of the SnapGear (SG) tree.

I am sure you all are aware that during the SG build a libc and libpthreads 
and all related libraries are built INSIDE the SG tree and are used on the 
ramdisk.gz.

bash# arm-linux-gcc -o hello hello.c

If a developer cross compiles hello.c using the cross development 
environment (/usr/local/arm-linux) such as above, it is being built 
using/against the includes and MSB libs of the development environment and 
NOT against the target libc/libpthreads located in the SG tree and in romfs/ 
and ramdisk.gz

I have not thoroughly checked this out but I would highly suspect that the 
library (libc/libpthread/etc/etc) versions in the cross development 
environment at /usr/local/arm-linux is different than the target libraries 
within the SG tree and on the target ramdisk.gz

Just some food for thought..

Thanks!

-Dave

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Burns, Darrell" <dburns1 at ibahn.com>
To: "Avila" <avila at lists.unixstudios.net>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2006 1:37 PM
Subject: [Avila] Warning: Problem with libpthread on 0.6 release
Subject: [Avila] This bug took about two weeks to track down.  My pthreads were locking
up randomly, but because I was using sockets, I was certain I was doing
something wrong with the TCP stuff.

Well - it turns out that the pthreads were locking up.  I replaced the
libpthread.so.0 that was part of the romfs for gateworks Avila release
0.6, with an older libpthread.so.0 from a MontaVista distribution, and
the problem went away.

So - just a warning to let you know that the libpthread.so.0 has a
serious bug, at least in my environment.  If you are trying to track
down threading problems, even though it is not the usual first step,
mistrust this library.

Darrell Burns
Senior Firmware Engineer
10757 S River Front Parkway, Suite 300
South Jordan, UT 84095

Direct: (801) 563-2023
Email:dburns1 at ibahn.com

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