git/list[1] front-page[2] threads[3] people[4] search[5] about
 

[PATCH 23/23] cache_ref_iterator_begin(): avoid priming unneeded directories

From
Michael Haggerty <mhagger@alum.mit.edu>
Date
May 17, 2017, 12:05 UTC
Message-ID
<a20d94b932bc1b53478bb4fc9909357b58a5b37a.1495014840.git.mhagger@alum.mit.edu>
In-Reply-To
<cover.1495014840.git.mhagger@alum.mit.edu>

When iterating over references, reference priming is used to make sure that loose references are read into the ref-cache before packed references, to avoid races. It used to be that the prefix passed to reference iterators almost always ended in `/`, for example `refs/heads/`. In that case, the priming code would read all loose references under `find_containing_dir("refs/heads/")`, which is "refs/heads/". That's just what we want.

But now that `ref-filter` knows how to pass refname prefixes to `for_each_fullref_in()`, the prefix might come from user input; for example,

    git for-each-ref refs/heads

Since the argument doesn't include a trailing slash, the reference iteration code would prime all of the loose references under `find_containing_dir("refs/heads")`, which is "refs/". Thus we would unnecessarily read tags, remote-tracking references, etc., when the user is only interested in branches.

It is a bit awkward to get around this problem. We can't just append a slash to the argument, because we don't know ab initio whether an argument like `refs/tags/release` corresponds to a single tag or to a directory containing tags.

Moreover, until now a `prefix_ref_iterator` was used to make the final decision about which references fall within the prefix (the `cache_ref_iterator` only did a rough cut). This is also inefficient, because the `prefix_ref_iterator` can't know, for example, that while you are in a subdirectory that is completely within the prefix, you don't have to do the prefix check.

So:
* Move the responsibility for doing the prefix check directly to
  `cache_ref_iterator`. This means that `cache_ref_iterator_begin()`
  never has to wrap its return value in a `prefix_ref_iterator`.
* Teach `cache_ref_iterator_begin()` (and `prime_ref_dir()`) to be
  stricter about what they iterate over and what directories they
  prime.
* Teach `cache_ref_iterator` to keep track of whether the current
  `cache_ref_iterator_level` is fully within the prefix. If so, skip
  the prefix checks entirely.

The main benefit of these optimizations is for loose references, since packed references are always read all at once.

Note that after this change, `prefix_ref_iterator` is only ever used for its trimming feature and not for its "prefix" feature. But I'm not ripping out the latter yet, because it might be useful for another patch series that I'm working on.

Signed-off-by: Michael Haggerty <mhagger@alum.mit.edu>
---
 refs/ref-cache.c | 93 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++------
 1 file changed, 83 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)
diff --git a/refs/ref-cache.c b/refs/ref-cache.c
index ab76b34e30..257c3f9cd0 100644
--- a/refs/ref-cache.c
+++ b/refs/ref-cache.c
@@ -312,11 +312,42 @@ static void sort_ref_dir(struct ref_dir *dir)
 	dir->sorted = dir->nr = i;
 }
 
+enum prefix_state {
+	/* All refs within the directory would match prefix: */
+	PREFIX_CONTAINS_DIR,
+
+	/* Some, but not all, refs within the directory might match prefix: */
+	PREFIX_WITHIN_DIR,
+
+	/* No refs within the directory could possibly match prefix: */
+	PREFIX_EXCLUDES_DIR
+};
+
 /*
- * Load all of the refs from `dir` (recursively) into our in-memory
- * cache.
+ * Return a `prefix_state` constant describing the relationship
+ * between the directory with the specified `dirname` and `prefix`.
  */
-static void prime_ref_dir(struct ref_dir *dir)
+static enum prefix_state overlaps_prefix(const char *dirname,
+					 const char *prefix)
+{
+	while (*prefix && *dirname == *prefix) {
+		dirname++;
+		prefix++;
+	}
+	if (!*prefix)
+		return PREFIX_CONTAINS_DIR;
+	else if (!*dirname)
+		return PREFIX_WITHIN_DIR;
+	else
+		return PREFIX_EXCLUDES_DIR;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Load all of the refs from `dir` (recursively) that could possibly
+ * contain references matching `prefix` into our in-memory cache. If
+ * `prefix` is NULL, prime unconditionally.
+ */
+static void prime_ref_dir(struct ref_dir *dir, const char *prefix)
 {
 	/*
 	 * The hard work of loading loose refs is done by get_ref_dir(), so we
@@ -327,8 +358,28 @@ static void prime_ref_dir(struct ref_dir *dir)
 	int i;
 	for (i = 0; i < dir->nr; i++) {
 		struct ref_entry *entry = dir->entries[i];
-		if (entry->flag & REF_DIR)
-			prime_ref_dir(get_ref_dir(entry));
+		if (!(entry->flag & REF_DIR)) {
+			/* Not a directory; no need to recurse. */
+		} else if (!prefix) {
+			/* Recurse in any case: */
+			prime_ref_dir(get_ref_dir(entry), NULL);
+		} else {
+			switch (overlaps_prefix(entry->name, prefix)) {
+			case PREFIX_CONTAINS_DIR:
+				/*
+				 * Recurse, and from here down we
+				 * don't have to check the prefix
+				 * anymore:
+				 */
+				prime_ref_dir(get_ref_dir(entry), NULL);
+				break;
+			case PREFIX_WITHIN_DIR:
+				prime_ref_dir(get_ref_dir(entry), prefix);
+				break;
+			case PREFIX_EXCLUDES_DIR:
+				break;
+			}
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -343,6 +394,8 @@ struct cache_ref_iterator_level {
 	 */
 	struct ref_dir *dir;
 
+	enum prefix_state prefix_state;
+
 	/*
 	 * The index of the current entry within dir (which might
 	 * itself be a directory). If index == -1, then the iteration
@@ -369,6 +422,13 @@ struct cache_ref_iterator {
 	/* The number of levels that have been allocated on the stack */
 	size_t levels_alloc;
 
+	/*
+	 * Only include references with this prefix in the iteration.
+	 * The prefix is matched textually, without regard for path
+	 * component boundaries.
+	 */
+	const char *prefix;
+
 	/*
 	 * A stack of levels. levels[0] is the uppermost level that is
 	 * being iterated over in this iteration. (This is not
@@ -390,6 +450,7 @@ static int cache_ref_iterator_advance(struct ref_iterator *ref_iterator)
 			&iter->levels[iter->levels_nr - 1];
 		struct ref_dir *dir = level->dir;
 		struct ref_entry *entry;
+		enum prefix_state entry_prefix_state;
 
 		if (level->index == -1)
 			sort_ref_dir(dir);
@@ -404,6 +465,14 @@ static int cache_ref_iterator_advance(struct ref_iterator *ref_iterator)
 
 		entry = dir->entries[level->index];
 
+		if (level->prefix_state == PREFIX_WITHIN_DIR) {
+			entry_prefix_state = overlaps_prefix(entry->name, iter->prefix);
+			if (entry_prefix_state == PREFIX_EXCLUDES_DIR)
+				continue;
+		} else {
+			entry_prefix_state = level->prefix_state;
+		}
+
 		if (entry->flag & REF_DIR) {
 			/* push down a level */
 			ALLOC_GROW(iter->levels, iter->levels_nr + 1,
@@ -411,6 +480,7 @@ static int cache_ref_iterator_advance(struct ref_iterator *ref_iterator)
 
 			level = &iter->levels[iter->levels_nr++];
 			level->dir = get_ref_dir(entry);
+			level->prefix_state = entry_prefix_state;
 			level->index = -1;
 		} else {
 			iter->base.refname = entry->name;
@@ -496,10 +566,10 @@ struct ref_iterator *cache_ref_iterator_begin(struct ref_cache *cache,
 		dir = find_containing_dir(dir, prefix, 0);
 	if (!dir)
 		/* There's nothing to iterate over. */
-		return  empty_ref_iterator_begin();
+		return empty_ref_iterator_begin();
 
 	if (prime_dir)
-		prime_ref_dir(dir);
+		prime_ref_dir(dir, prefix);
 
 	iter = xcalloc(1, sizeof(*iter));
 	ref_iterator = &iter->base;
@@ -511,9 +581,12 @@ struct ref_iterator *cache_ref_iterator_begin(struct ref_cache *cache,
 	level->index = -1;
 	level->dir = dir;
 
-	if (prefix && *prefix)
-		ref_iterator = prefix_ref_iterator_begin(ref_iterator,
-							 prefix, 0);
+	if (prefix && *prefix) {
+		iter->prefix = xstrdup(prefix);
+		level->prefix_state = PREFIX_WITHIN_DIR;
+	} else {
+		level->prefix_state = PREFIX_CONTAINS_DIR;
+	}
 
 	return ref_iterator;
 }
-- 
2.11.0
Previous: Michael HaggertyNext: Michael Haggerty
Message 60 of 73 in “Prepare to separate out a packed_ref_store”
  1. 00/23 Prepare to separate out a packed_ref_storeMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  2. 01/23 t3600: clean up permissions test properlyMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  3. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  4. Michael HaggertyMay 17, 2017
  5. Junio C HamanoMay 18, 2017
  6. Michael HaggertyMay 19, 2017
  7. 02/23 refs.h: clarify docstring for the ref_transaction_update()-related fnsMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  8. Stefan BellerMay 17, 2017
  9. Junio C HamanoMay 18, 2017
  10. 03/23 ref_iterator_begin_fn(): fix docstringMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  11. 05/23 refs_ref_iterator_begin(): don't check prefixes redundantlyMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  12. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  13. Michael HaggertyMay 17, 2017
  14. 07/23 ref_store: take `logmsg` parameter when deleting referencesMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  15. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  16. Michael HaggertyMay 17, 2017
  17. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  18. 04/23 prefix_ref_iterator: don't trim too muchMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  19. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  20. Michael HaggertyMay 17, 2017
  21. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  22. Junio C HamanoMay 18, 2017
  23. Michael HaggertyMay 18, 2017
  24. 09/23 files-backend: move `lock` member to `files_ref_store`Michael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  25. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  26. Michael HaggertyMay 17, 2017
  27. 06/23 refs: use `size_t` indexes when iterating over ref transaction updatesMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  28. Stefan BellerMay 17, 2017
  29. Michael HaggertyMay 18, 2017
  30. 10/23 files_ref_store: put the packed files lock directly in this structMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  31. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  32. Michael HaggertyMay 17, 2017
  33. Stefan BellerMay 17, 2017
  34. Brandon WilliamsMay 18, 2017
  35. Michael HaggertyMay 19, 2017
  36. Brandon WilliamsMay 18, 2017
  37. Jeff KingMay 18, 2017
  38. Brandon WilliamsMay 18, 2017
  39. 12/23 ref_transaction_commit(): break into multiple functionsMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  40. Stefan BellerMay 17, 2017
  41. Michael HaggertyMay 19, 2017
  42. 16/23 should_pack_ref(): new function, extracted from `files_pack_refs()`Michael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  43. 17/23 get_packed_ref_cache(): assume "packed-refs" won't change while lockedMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  44. Stefan BellerMay 17, 2017
  45. Jeff KingMay 18, 2017
  46. Stefan BellerMay 18, 2017
  47. 18/23 read_packed_refs(): do more of the work of reading packed refsMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  48. 19/23 read_packed_refs(): report unexpected fopen() failuresMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  49. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  50. Michael HaggertyMay 17, 2017
  51. Junio C HamanoMay 18, 2017
  52. Jeff KingMay 18, 2017
  53. 15/23 ref_update_reject_duplicates(): add a sanity checkMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  54. 20/23 refs_ref_iterator_begin(): handle `GIT_REF_PARANOIA`Michael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  55. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  56. 22/23 ref-filter: limit traversal to prefixMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  57. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  58. Michael HaggertyMay 19, 2017
  59. 14/23 ref_update_reject_duplicates(): use `size_t` rather than `int`Michael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  60. 23/23 cache_ref_iterator_begin(): avoid priming unneeded directoriesMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  61. 21/23 create_ref_entry(): remove `check_name` optionMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  62. 08/23 lockfile: add a new method, is_lock_file_locked()Michael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  63. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  64. 11/23 files_transaction_cleanup(): new helper functionMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  65. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  66. Michael HaggertyMay 19, 2017
  67. Stefan BellerMay 17, 2017
  68. Michael HaggertyMay 19, 2017
  69. 13/23 ref_update_reject_duplicates(): expose function to whole refs moduleMichael Haggerty, May 17, 2017
  70. Jeff KingMay 17, 2017
  71. Stefan BellerMay 17, 2017
  72. Johannes SixtMay 18, 2017
  73. Jeff KingMay 18, 2017

Read the whole thread, see it on lore, or plain text.

$ cat FOOTERMessages come from the public archive at lore.kernel.org/git, fetched every hour. The front page is chosen and written each morning by an AI editor and can be wrong; the threads themselves are the record. About and API. For agents: an MCP server at https://gitlist.dev/mcp, and any thread, story or person page as Markdown by adding .md to its URL (or sending Accept: text/markdown). Details in /llms.txt.