Immix garbage collector as GSoC

[Simon Marlow]

Felipe Lessa wrote:
>
> I've just subscribed to cvs-ghc because I saw Simon's proposal on
> reddit[1] about the Immix GC. After reading the paper, I would like to
> know if it is feasible to consider implementing it in a GSoC project.

It's a feasible GSoC project (that's why I suggested it!).  Thomas 
Schilling looked into it a little when he was here as an intern, he might 
be able to tell you more.  I recall we discussed the details a bit, but 
can't remember exactly what we concluded.  You should read not just the 
PLDI paper, but also the tech report which I believe has more detailed 
information about the implementation.

> Some background about me:
> 
> - I am not familiar with GHC's code, although I'm very comfortable
> with Haskell and C and am currently reading the commentary alongside
> with the RTS source code.
> 
> - I'm in the Southern Hemisphere, so it won't be really a summer. Also
> that's why I'm sending this message so early. I'm an undergraduate CS
> student in the fourth year.
> 
> Well, I welcome any comments or advices. In my opinion this seems like
> a fun and useful project, but I don't really have any experience in
> writing garbage collectors :).

I suggest you read up on garbage collection too, the best reference is 
Jones/Lins:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Garbage-Collection-Algorithms-Automatic-Management/dp/0471941484

Cheers,
	Simon