microsoft / microsoft/STL

Revisit the limitation of shared_ptr counter to 32 bit

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bug vNext
Dominant language
C++
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Merged PRs (30d)
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Description

32 bit size of shared_ptr counter limits the number of copies that can be created.
It can potentially overflow in 64 mode.

Note: to create 4.3 billion refs need 69 billion bytes of memory.
It would also take a significant amount of time on x86 due to atomic increment cost.
Still should be possible.

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First steps

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Research direction

The issue names no files, tests, or entry points. Locate the shared_ptr counter implementation and its existing tests first, then investigate 64-bit behavior and define tests that demonstrate the counter no longer has the reported limitation.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
cpp
Domain
backend
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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