Python 2.3.4c1 -- nasty threading bug (Linux)

[Tim Peters]

[Dieter Maurer]
> Python apparently contains a long lasting threading bug on Linux
> with LinuxThreads.

Yes, although note that LinuxThreads is an incorrect implementation of the
phtreads standard in a relevant respect, so you should also say that
LinuxThreads has a longstanding bug here.

>     SIGSEGV causes hung threads (Linux)
>     http://www.python.org/sf/756924

...

> This problem causes multi-threaded applications such
> as Zope to enter a funny state when one of the threads crashes.
> Some of the threads die but others remain and can only be killed
> with "kill -9". Normal restart logic fails for Zope because of these
> remaining threads.
>
> <mailto:alangmead at boston.com> submitted a patch
>
> <http://sourceforge.net/tracker/index.php?func=detail&aid=949332&group_id=
> 5470&atid=305470>
> 
> Nevertheless, the problem still exists in Python 2.3.4c1.
> Either the patch was not applied or it does not fix the problem.

The patch wasn't applied, and the 2.3.4 release manager doesn't want to risk
it for 2.3.4.  Do read the bug report!  There are 36 comments attached (so
far) because it's a complex problem to solve it correctly.  Andrew Langmead
(whose patch you referenced) is continuing to participate in finding a
correct solution.  See his comment there dated 2004-05-04 10:00 for the
relevant respect in which LinuxThreads is buggy but NPTL is not.