Does perfbook need some prior knowledge?

Hao Lee <haolee.swjtu@xxxxxxxxx> · Tue, 5 Apr 2022 21:52:23 +0800

Hi, Paul

I'm currently reading perfbook, but I often get stuck in some concepts
which are not explained. Does this book need some prior knowledge?
Or all these concepts are explained later and I just need to keep
reading patiently?

For example, on page 67 in v2021.12.22a:

    For example, a write memory barrier (Linux kernel smp_wmb()) would
    order the store, but not the load. This situation might suggest use
    of smp_store_release() over smp_wmb().

Unfortunately, although I have some knowledge about Linux kernel, I'm not
familiar with the concepts such as store_release, smp_wmb, etc. I don't
know if I should keep reading this book until all these concepts are
explained or stop reading the book and learn some prior knowledge.

Thanks,
Hao Lee