Isolate the Default Object Allocator between Interpreters · Issue #101659 · python/cpython (original) (raw)

(see gh-100227)

By default, the allocator for the "object" and "mem" domains is historically known as "obmalloc". The implementation of the allocator is _PyObject_Malloc(), etc., for which the runtime state is found in _PyRuntimeState.obmalloc. Thus all interpreters currently share the runtime state for the default allocator.

Isolating that state to each interpreter is important for a per-interpreter GIL (my short-term motivation here), but there are other benefits. For example, it helps us manage resources (e.g. objects) relative to the lifecycle of each interpreter, and to do so more efficiently. Furthermore, any situation where we share memory between interpreters is an invitation for memory leaks and other bugs.

The solution here should be as simple as moving the "obmalloc" state to PyInterpreterState.

Linked PRs

• gh-101659: Isolate "obmalloc" State to Each Interpreter #101660
• gh-101659: Avoid Allocation for Shared Exceptions in the _xxsubinterpreters Module #102659
• gh-101659: initialize stack variable _sharedexception #103048
• gh-101659: Clean Up the General Import Tests for Subinterpreters #103151
• gh-101659: Use the Raw Allocator in the _xxinterpchannels Module #103287
• gh-101659: Add _Py_AtExit() #103298