WebAssembly / WebAssembly/threads

Questions about non-atomic instructions like `i32.store`

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WebAssembly
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Description

when i32.store writes data to a shared memory, it's performed with an wr action. (https://webassembly.github.io/threads/core/exec/instructions.html#t-mathsf-xref-syntax-instructions-syntax-instr-memory-mathsf-store-n-xref-syntax-instructions-syntax-memarg-mathit-memarg)

those events are atomically performed according to https://webassembly.github.io/threads/core/exec/runtime.html#events.

thus, if a runtime implements atomic instructions like i32.atomic.rmw.cmpxchg via a lock, non-atomic instructions like i32.store should take the lock too, at least when operating on a shared memory.
is it the correct reading of the spec?

background:
some applications (eg. musl) implements a mutex with atomic cmpxchg for lock and ordinary store + barrier for unlock. as far as i know, it's fine for eg. x86. however, a naive porting to wasm might or might not cause problems.

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Research direction

Start with the WebAssembly Threads specification sections linked in the issue, especially the instruction and runtime event definitions. Compare the stated behavior of shared-memory i32.store with i32.atomic.rmw.cmpxchg and the mutex pattern described; done means resolving the interpretation and recording a clear specification answer.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
wasm
Domain
compilers
Issue type
Documentation
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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