gc.c

/*
 * This file is part of the MicroPython project, http://micropython.org/
 *
 * The MIT License (MIT)
 *
 * Copyright (c) 2013, 2014 Damien P. George
 * Copyright (c) 2014 Paul Sokolovsky
 *
 * Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
 * of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
 * in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
 * to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
 * copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
 * furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
 *
 * The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in
 * all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
 *
 * THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
 * IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
 * FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
 * AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
 * LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
 * OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN
 * THE SOFTWARE.
 */

#include <assert.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>

#include "py/gc.h"
#include "py/runtime.h"

#if MICROPY_DEBUG_VALGRIND
#include <valgrind/memcheck.h>
#endif

#if MICROPY_ENABLE_GC

#if MICROPY_DEBUG_VERBOSE // print debugging info
#define DEBUG_PRINT (1)
#define DEBUG_printf DEBUG_printf
#else // don't print debugging info
#define DEBUG_PRINT (0)
#define DEBUG_printf(...) (void)0
#endif

// make this 1 to dump the heap each time it changes
#define EXTENSIVE_HEAP_PROFILING (0)

// make this 1 to zero out swept memory to more eagerly
// detect untraced object still in use
#define CLEAR_ON_SWEEP (0)

#define WORDS_PER_BLOCK ((MICROPY_BYTES_PER_GC_BLOCK) / MP_BYTES_PER_OBJ_WORD)
#define BYTES_PER_BLOCK (MICROPY_BYTES_PER_GC_BLOCK)

// ATB = allocation table byte
// 0b00 = FREE -- free block
// 0b01 = HEAD -- head of a chain of blocks
// 0b10 = TAIL -- in the tail of a chain of blocks
// 0b11 = MARK -- marked head block

#define AT_FREE (0)
#define AT_HEAD (1)
#define AT_TAIL (2)
#define AT_MARK (3)

#define BLOCKS_PER_ATB (4)
#define ATB_MASK_0 (0x03)
#define ATB_MASK_1 (0x0c)
#define ATB_MASK_2 (0x30)
#define ATB_MASK_3 (0xc0)

#define ATB_0_IS_FREE(a) (((a) & ATB_MASK_0) == 0)
#define ATB_1_IS_FREE(a) (((a) & ATB_MASK_1) == 0)
#define ATB_2_IS_FREE(a) (((a) & ATB_MASK_2) == 0)
#define ATB_3_IS_FREE(a) (((a) & ATB_MASK_3) == 0)

#if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
#define NEXT_AREA(area) (area->next)
#else
#define NEXT_AREA(area) (NULL)
#endif

#define BLOCK_SHIFT(block) (2 * ((block) & (BLOCKS_PER_ATB - 1)))
#define ATB_GET_KIND(area, block) (((area)->gc_alloc_table_start[(block) / BLOCKS_PER_ATB] >> BLOCK_SHIFT(block)) & 3)
#define ATB_ANY_TO_FREE(area, block) do { area->gc_alloc_table_start[(block) / BLOCKS_PER_ATB] &= (~(AT_MARK << BLOCK_SHIFT(block))); } while (0)
#define ATB_FREE_TO_HEAD(area, block) do { area->gc_alloc_table_start[(block) / BLOCKS_PER_ATB] |= (AT_HEAD << BLOCK_SHIFT(block)); } while (0)
#define ATB_FREE_TO_TAIL(area, block) do { area->gc_alloc_table_start[(block) / BLOCKS_PER_ATB] |= (AT_TAIL << BLOCK_SHIFT(block)); } while (0)
#define ATB_HEAD_TO_MARK(area, block) do { area->gc_alloc_table_start[(block) / BLOCKS_PER_ATB] |= (AT_MARK << BLOCK_SHIFT(block)); } while (0)
#define ATB_MARK_TO_HEAD(area, block) do { area->gc_alloc_table_start[(block) / BLOCKS_PER_ATB] &= (~(AT_TAIL << BLOCK_SHIFT(block))); } while (0)

#define BLOCK_FROM_PTR(area, ptr) (((byte *)(ptr) - area->gc_pool_start) / BYTES_PER_BLOCK)
#define PTR_FROM_BLOCK(area, block) (((block) * BYTES_PER_BLOCK + (uintptr_t)area->gc_pool_start))

// After the ATB, there must be a byte filled with AT_FREE so that gc_mark_tree
// cannot erroneously conclude that a block extends past the end of the GC heap
// due to bit patterns in the FTB (or first block, if finalizers are disabled)
// being interpreted as AT_TAIL.
#define ALLOC_TABLE_GAP_BYTE (1)

#if MICROPY_ENABLE_FINALISER
// FTB = finaliser table byte
// if set, then the corresponding block may have a finaliser

#define BLOCKS_PER_FTB (8)

#define FTB_GET(area, block) ((area->gc_finaliser_table_start[(block) / BLOCKS_PER_FTB] >> ((block) & 7)) & 1)
#define FTB_SET(area, block) do { area->gc_finaliser_table_start[(block) / BLOCKS_PER_FTB] |= (1 << ((block) & 7)); } while (0)
#define FTB_CLEAR(area, block) do { area->gc_finaliser_table_start[(block) / BLOCKS_PER_FTB] &= (~(1 << ((block) & 7))); } while (0)
#endif

#if MICROPY_PY_THREAD && !MICROPY_PY_THREAD_GIL
#define GC_ENTER() mp_thread_mutex_lock(&MP_STATE_MEM(gc_mutex), 1)
#define GC_EXIT() mp_thread_mutex_unlock(&MP_STATE_MEM(gc_mutex))
#else
#define GC_ENTER()
#define GC_EXIT()
#endif

// TODO waste less memory; currently requires that all entries in alloc_table have a corresponding block in pool
STATIC void gc_setup_area(mp_state_mem_area_t *area, void *start, void *end) {
    // calculate parameters for GC (T=total, A=alloc table, F=finaliser table, P=pool; all in bytes):
    // T = A + F + P
    //     F = A * BLOCKS_PER_ATB / BLOCKS_PER_FTB
    //     P = A * BLOCKS_PER_ATB * BYTES_PER_BLOCK
    // => T = A * (1 + BLOCKS_PER_ATB / BLOCKS_PER_FTB + BLOCKS_PER_ATB * BYTES_PER_BLOCK)
    size_t total_byte_len = (byte *)end - (byte *)start;
    #if MICROPY_ENABLE_FINALISER
    area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len = (total_byte_len - ALLOC_TABLE_GAP_BYTE) * MP_BITS_PER_BYTE / (MP_BITS_PER_BYTE + MP_BITS_PER_BYTE * BLOCKS_PER_ATB / BLOCKS_PER_FTB + MP_BITS_PER_BYTE * BLOCKS_PER_ATB * BYTES_PER_BLOCK);
    #else
    area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len = (total_byte_len - ALLOC_TABLE_GAP_BYTE) / (1 + MP_BITS_PER_BYTE / 2 * BYTES_PER_BLOCK);
    #endif

    area->gc_alloc_table_start = (byte *)start;

    #if MICROPY_ENABLE_FINALISER
    size_t gc_finaliser_table_byte_len = (area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len * BLOCKS_PER_ATB + BLOCKS_PER_FTB - 1) / BLOCKS_PER_FTB;
    area->gc_finaliser_table_start = area->gc_alloc_table_start + area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len + ALLOC_TABLE_GAP_BYTE;
    #endif

    size_t gc_pool_block_len = area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len * BLOCKS_PER_ATB;
    area->gc_pool_start = (byte *)end - gc_pool_block_len * BYTES_PER_BLOCK;
    area->gc_pool_end = end;

    #if MICROPY_ENABLE_FINALISER
    assert(area->gc_pool_start >= area->gc_finaliser_table_start + gc_finaliser_table_byte_len);
    #endif

    #if MICROPY_ENABLE_FINALISER
    // clear ATBs and FTBs
    memset(area->gc_alloc_table_start, 0, gc_finaliser_table_byte_len + area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len + ALLOC_TABLE_GAP_BYTE);
    #else
    // clear ATBs
    memset(area->gc_alloc_table_start, 0, area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len + ALLOC_TABLE_GAP_BYTE);
    #endif

    area->gc_last_free_atb_index = 0;

    #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
    area->next = NULL;
    #endif

    DEBUG_printf("GC layout:\n");
    DEBUG_printf("  alloc table at %p, length " UINT_FMT " bytes, " UINT_FMT " blocks\n", MP_STATE_MEM(area).gc_alloc_table_start, MP_STATE_MEM(area).gc_alloc_table_byte_len, MP_STATE_MEM(area).gc_alloc_table_byte_len * BLOCKS_PER_ATB);
    #if MICROPY_ENABLE_FINALISER
    DEBUG_printf("  finaliser table at %p, length " UINT_FMT " bytes, " UINT_FMT " blocks\n", MP_STATE_MEM(area).gc_finaliser_table_start, gc_finaliser_table_byte_len, gc_finaliser_table_byte_len * BLOCKS_PER_FTB);
    #endif
    DEBUG_printf("  pool at %p, length " UINT_FMT " bytes, " UINT_FMT " blocks\n", MP_STATE_MEM(area).gc_pool_start, gc_pool_block_len * BYTES_PER_BLOCK, gc_pool_block_len);
}

void gc_init(void *start, void *end) {
    // align end pointer on block boundary
    end = (void *)((uintptr_t)end & (~(BYTES_PER_BLOCK - 1)));
    DEBUG_printf("Initializing GC heap: %p..%p = " UINT_FMT " bytes\n", start, end, (byte *)end - (byte *)start);

    gc_setup_area(&MP_STATE_MEM(area), start, end);

    // set last free ATB index to start of heap
    #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
    MP_STATE_MEM(gc_last_free_area) = &MP_STATE_MEM(area);
    #endif

    // unlock the GC
    MP_STATE_THREAD(gc_lock_depth) = 0;

    // allow auto collection
    MP_STATE_MEM(gc_auto_collect_enabled) = 1;

    #if MICROPY_GC_ALLOC_THRESHOLD
    // by default, maxuint for gc threshold, effectively turning gc-by-threshold off
    MP_STATE_MEM(gc_alloc_threshold) = (size_t)-1;
    MP_STATE_MEM(gc_alloc_amount) = 0;
    #endif

    #if MICROPY_PY_THREAD && !MICROPY_PY_THREAD_GIL
    mp_thread_mutex_init(&MP_STATE_MEM(gc_mutex));
    #endif
}

#if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
void gc_add(void *start, void *end) {
    // Place the area struct at the start of the area.
    mp_state_mem_area_t *area = (mp_state_mem_area_t *)start;
    start = (void *)((uintptr_t)start + sizeof(mp_state_mem_area_t));

    end = (void *)((uintptr_t)end & (~(BYTES_PER_BLOCK - 1)));
    DEBUG_printf("Adding GC heap: %p..%p = " UINT_FMT " bytes\n", start, end, (byte *)end - (byte *)start);

    // Init this area
    gc_setup_area(area, start, end);

    // Find the last registered area in the linked list
    mp_state_mem_area_t *prev_area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area);
    while (prev_area->next != NULL) {
        prev_area = prev_area->next;
    }

    // Add this area to the linked list
    prev_area->next = area;
}
#endif

void gc_lock(void) {
    // This does not need to be atomic or have the GC mutex because:
    // - each thread has its own gc_lock_depth so there are no races between threads;
    // - a hard interrupt will only change gc_lock_depth during its execution, and
    //   upon return will restore the value of gc_lock_depth.
    MP_STATE_THREAD(gc_lock_depth)++;
}

void gc_unlock(void) {
    // This does not need to be atomic, See comment above in gc_lock.
    MP_STATE_THREAD(gc_lock_depth)--;
}

bool gc_is_locked(void) {
    return MP_STATE_THREAD(gc_lock_depth) != 0;
}

#if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
// Returns the area to which this pointer belongs, or NULL if it isn't
// allocated on the GC-managed heap.
STATIC inline mp_state_mem_area_t *gc_get_ptr_area(const void *ptr) {
    if (((uintptr_t)(ptr) & (BYTES_PER_BLOCK - 1)) != 0) {   // must be aligned on a block
        return NULL;
    }
    for (mp_state_mem_area_t *area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area); area != NULL; area = NEXT_AREA(area)) {
        if (ptr >= (void *)area->gc_pool_start   // must be above start of pool
            && ptr < (void *)area->gc_pool_end) {   // must be below end of pool
            return area;
        }
    }
    return NULL;
}
#endif

// ptr should be of type void*
#define VERIFY_PTR(ptr) ( \
    ((uintptr_t)(ptr) & (BYTES_PER_BLOCK - 1)) == 0          /* must be aligned on a block */ \
    && ptr >= (void *)MP_STATE_MEM(area).gc_pool_start      /* must be above start of pool */ \
    && ptr < (void *)MP_STATE_MEM(area).gc_pool_end         /* must be below end of pool */ \
    )

#ifndef TRACE_MARK
#if DEBUG_PRINT
#define TRACE_MARK(block, ptr) DEBUG_printf("gc_mark(%p)\n", ptr)
#else
#define TRACE_MARK(block, ptr)
#endif
#endif

// Take the given block as the topmost block on the stack. Check all it's
// children: mark the unmarked child blocks and put those newly marked
// blocks on the stack. When all children have been checked, pop off the
// topmost block on the stack and repeat with that one.
#if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
STATIC void gc_mark_subtree(mp_state_mem_area_t *area, size_t block)
#else
STATIC void gc_mark_subtree(size_t block)
#endif
{
    // Start with the block passed in the argument.
    size_t sp = 0;
    for (;;) {
        MICROPY_GC_HOOK_LOOP

        #if !MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
        mp_state_mem_area_t * area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area);
        #endif

        // work out number of consecutive blocks in the chain starting with this one
        size_t n_blocks = 0;
        do {
            n_blocks += 1;
        } while (ATB_GET_KIND(area, block + n_blocks) == AT_TAIL);

        // check that the consecutive blocks didn't overflow past the end of the area
        assert(area->gc_pool_start + (block + n_blocks) * BYTES_PER_BLOCK <= area->gc_pool_end);

        // check this block's children
        void **ptrs = (void **)PTR_FROM_BLOCK(area, block);
        for (size_t i = n_blocks * BYTES_PER_BLOCK / sizeof(void *); i > 0; i--, ptrs++) {
            MICROPY_GC_HOOK_LOOP
            void *ptr = *ptrs;
            // If this is a heap pointer that hasn't been marked, mark it and push
            // it's children to the stack.
            #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
            mp_state_mem_area_t *ptr_area = gc_get_ptr_area(ptr);
            if (!ptr_area) {
                // Not a heap-allocated pointer (might even be random data).
                continue;
            }
            #else
            if (!VERIFY_PTR(ptr)) {
                continue;
            }
            mp_state_mem_area_t *ptr_area = area;
            #endif
            size_t ptr_block = BLOCK_FROM_PTR(ptr_area, ptr);
            if (ATB_GET_KIND(ptr_area, ptr_block) != AT_HEAD) {
                // This block is already marked.
                continue;
            }
            // An unmarked head. Mark it, and push it on gc stack.
            TRACE_MARK(ptr_block, ptr);
            ATB_HEAD_TO_MARK(ptr_area, ptr_block);
            if (sp < MICROPY_ALLOC_GC_STACK_SIZE) {
                MP_STATE_MEM(gc_block_stack)[sp] = ptr_block;
                #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
                MP_STATE_MEM(gc_area_stack)[sp] = ptr_area;
                #endif
                sp += 1;
            } else {
                MP_STATE_MEM(gc_stack_overflow) = 1;
            }
        }

        // Are there any blocks on the stack?
        if (sp == 0) {
            break; // No, stack is empty, we're done.
        }

        // pop the next block off the stack
        sp -= 1;
        block = MP_STATE_MEM(gc_block_stack)[sp];
        #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
        area = MP_STATE_MEM(gc_area_stack)[sp];
        #endif
    }
}

STATIC void gc_deal_with_stack_overflow(void) {
    while (MP_STATE_MEM(gc_stack_overflow)) {
        MP_STATE_MEM(gc_stack_overflow) = 0;

        // scan entire memory looking for blocks which have been marked but not their children
        for (mp_state_mem_area_t *area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area); area != NULL; area = NEXT_AREA(area)) {
            for (size_t block = 0; block < area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len * BLOCKS_PER_ATB; block++) {
                MICROPY_GC_HOOK_LOOP
                // trace (again) if mark bit set
                if (ATB_GET_KIND(area, block) == AT_MARK) {
                    #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
                    gc_mark_subtree(area, block);
                    #else
                    gc_mark_subtree(block);
                    #endif
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

STATIC void gc_sweep(void) {
    #if MICROPY_PY_GC_COLLECT_RETVAL
    MP_STATE_MEM(gc_collected) = 0;
    #endif
    // free unmarked heads and their tails
    int free_tail = 0;
    for (mp_state_mem_area_t *area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area); area != NULL; area = NEXT_AREA(area)) {
        for (size_t block = 0; block < area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len * BLOCKS_PER_ATB; block++) {
            MICROPY_GC_HOOK_LOOP
            switch (ATB_GET_KIND(area, block)) {
                case AT_HEAD:
                    #if MICROPY_ENABLE_FINALISER
                    if (FTB_GET(area, block)) {
                        mp_obj_base_t *obj = (mp_obj_base_t *)PTR_FROM_BLOCK(area, block);
                        if (obj->type != NULL) {
                            // if the object has a type then see if it has a __del__ method
                            mp_obj_t dest[2];
                            mp_load_method_maybe(MP_OBJ_FROM_PTR(obj), MP_QSTR___del__, dest);
                            if (dest[0] != MP_OBJ_NULL) {
                                // load_method returned a method, execute it in a protected environment
                                #if MICROPY_ENABLE_SCHEDULER
                                mp_sched_lock();
                                #endif
                                mp_call_function_1_protected(dest[0], dest[1]);
                                #if MICROPY_ENABLE_SCHEDULER
                                mp_sched_unlock();
                                #endif
                            }
                        }
                        // clear finaliser flag
                        FTB_CLEAR(area, block);
                    }
                    #endif
                    free_tail = 1;
                    DEBUG_printf("gc_sweep(%p)\n", (void *)PTR_FROM_BLOCK(area, block));
                    #if MICROPY_PY_GC_COLLECT_RETVAL
                    MP_STATE_MEM(gc_collected)++;
                    #endif
                    // fall through to free the head
                    MP_FALLTHROUGH

                case AT_TAIL:
                    if (free_tail) {
                        ATB_ANY_TO_FREE(area, block);
                        #if CLEAR_ON_SWEEP
                        memset((void *)PTR_FROM_BLOCK(area, block), 0, BYTES_PER_BLOCK);
                        #endif
                    }
                    break;

                case AT_MARK:
                    ATB_MARK_TO_HEAD(area, block);
                    free_tail = 0;
                    break;
            }
        }
    }
}

void gc_collect_start(void) {
    GC_ENTER();
    MP_STATE_THREAD(gc_lock_depth)++;
    #if MICROPY_GC_ALLOC_THRESHOLD
    MP_STATE_MEM(gc_alloc_amount) = 0;
    #endif
    MP_STATE_MEM(gc_stack_overflow) = 0;

    // Trace root pointers.  This relies on the root pointers being organised
    // correctly in the mp_state_ctx structure.  We scan nlr_top, dict_locals,
    // dict_globals, then the root pointer section of mp_state_vm.
    void **ptrs = (void **)(void *)&mp_state_ctx;
    size_t root_start = offsetof(mp_state_ctx_t, thread.dict_locals);
    size_t root_end = offsetof(mp_state_ctx_t, vm.qstr_last_chunk);
    gc_collect_root(ptrs + root_start / sizeof(void *), (root_end - root_start) / sizeof(void *));

    #if MICROPY_ENABLE_PYSTACK
    // Trace root pointers from the Python stack.
    ptrs = (void **)(void *)MP_STATE_THREAD(pystack_start);
    gc_collect_root(ptrs, (MP_STATE_THREAD(pystack_cur) - MP_STATE_THREAD(pystack_start)) / sizeof(void *));
    #endif
}

// Address sanitizer needs to know that the access to ptrs[i] must always be
// considered OK, even if it's a load from an address that would normally be
// prohibited (due to being undefined, in a red zone, etc).
#if defined(__GNUC__) && (__GNUC__ > 4 || (__GNUC__ == 4 && __GNUC_MINOR__ >= 8))
__attribute__((no_sanitize_address))
#endif
static void *gc_get_ptr(void **ptrs, int i) {
    #if MICROPY_DEBUG_VALGRIND
    if (!VALGRIND_CHECK_MEM_IS_ADDRESSABLE(&ptrs[i], sizeof(*ptrs))) {
        return NULL;
    }
    #endif
    return ptrs[i];
}

void gc_collect_root(void **ptrs, size_t len) {
    #if !MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
    mp_state_mem_area_t *area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area);
    #endif
    for (size_t i = 0; i < len; i++) {
        MICROPY_GC_HOOK_LOOP
        void *ptr = gc_get_ptr(ptrs, i);
        #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
        mp_state_mem_area_t *area = gc_get_ptr_area(ptr);
        if (!area) {
            continue;
        }
        #else
        if (!VERIFY_PTR(ptr)) {
            continue;
        }
        #endif
        size_t block = BLOCK_FROM_PTR(area, ptr);
        if (ATB_GET_KIND(area, block) == AT_HEAD) {
            // An unmarked head: mark it, and mark all its children
            ATB_HEAD_TO_MARK(area, block);
            #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
            gc_mark_subtree(area, block);
            #else
            gc_mark_subtree(block);
            #endif
        }
    }
}

void gc_collect_end(void) {
    gc_deal_with_stack_overflow();
    gc_sweep();
    #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
    MP_STATE_MEM(gc_last_free_area) = &MP_STATE_MEM(area);
    #endif
    for (mp_state_mem_area_t *area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area); area != NULL; area = NEXT_AREA(area)) {
        area->gc_last_free_atb_index = 0;
    }
    MP_STATE_THREAD(gc_lock_depth)--;
    GC_EXIT();
}

void gc_sweep_all(void) {
    GC_ENTER();
    MP_STATE_THREAD(gc_lock_depth)++;
    MP_STATE_MEM(gc_stack_overflow) = 0;
    gc_collect_end();
}

void gc_info(gc_info_t *info) {
    GC_ENTER();
    info->total = 0;
    info->used = 0;
    info->free = 0;
    info->max_free = 0;
    info->num_1block = 0;
    info->num_2block = 0;
    info->max_block = 0;
    for (mp_state_mem_area_t *area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area); area != NULL; area = NEXT_AREA(area)) {
        bool finish = false;
        info->total += area->gc_pool_end - area->gc_pool_start;
        for (size_t block = 0, len = 0, len_free = 0; !finish;) {
            size_t kind = ATB_GET_KIND(area, block);
            switch (kind) {
                case AT_FREE:
                    info->free += 1;
                    len_free += 1;
                    len = 0;
                    break;

                case AT_HEAD:
                    info->used += 1;
                    len = 1;
                    break;

                case AT_TAIL:
                    info->used += 1;
                    len += 1;
                    break;

                case AT_MARK:
                    // shouldn't happen
                    break;
            }

            block++;
            finish = (block == area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len * BLOCKS_PER_ATB);
            // Get next block type if possible
            if (!finish) {
                kind = ATB_GET_KIND(area, block);
            }

            if (finish || kind == AT_FREE || kind == AT_HEAD) {
                if (len == 1) {
                    info->num_1block += 1;
                } else if (len == 2) {
                    info->num_2block += 1;
                }
                if (len > info->max_block) {
                    info->max_block = len;
                }
                if (finish || kind == AT_HEAD) {
                    if (len_free > info->max_free) {
                        info->max_free = len_free;
                    }
                    len_free = 0;
                }
            }
        }
    }

    info->used *= BYTES_PER_BLOCK;
    info->free *= BYTES_PER_BLOCK;
    GC_EXIT();
}

void *gc_alloc(size_t n_bytes, unsigned int alloc_flags) {
    bool has_finaliser = alloc_flags & GC_ALLOC_FLAG_HAS_FINALISER;
    size_t n_blocks = ((n_bytes + BYTES_PER_BLOCK - 1) & (~(BYTES_PER_BLOCK - 1))) / BYTES_PER_BLOCK;
    DEBUG_printf("gc_alloc(" UINT_FMT " bytes -> " UINT_FMT " blocks)\n", n_bytes, n_blocks);

    // check for 0 allocation
    if (n_blocks == 0) {
        return NULL;
    }

    // check if GC is locked
    if (MP_STATE_THREAD(gc_lock_depth) > 0) {
        return NULL;
    }

    GC_ENTER();

    mp_state_mem_area_t *area;
    size_t i;
    size_t end_block;
    size_t start_block;
    size_t n_free;
    int collected = !MP_STATE_MEM(gc_auto_collect_enabled);

    #if MICROPY_GC_ALLOC_THRESHOLD
    if (!collected && MP_STATE_MEM(gc_alloc_amount) >= MP_STATE_MEM(gc_alloc_threshold)) {
        GC_EXIT();
        gc_collect();
        collected = 1;
        GC_ENTER();
    }
    #endif

    for (;;) {

        #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
        area = MP_STATE_MEM(gc_last_free_area);
        #else
        area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area);
        #endif

        // look for a run of n_blocks available blocks
        for (; area != NULL; area = NEXT_AREA(area), i = 0) {
            n_free = 0;
            for (i = area->gc_last_free_atb_index; i < area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len; i++) {
                byte a = area->gc_alloc_table_start[i];
                // *FORMAT-OFF*
                if (ATB_0_IS_FREE(a)) { if (++n_free >= n_blocks) { i = i * BLOCKS_PER_ATB + 0; goto found; } } else { n_free = 0; }
                if (ATB_1_IS_FREE(a)) { if (++n_free >= n_blocks) { i = i * BLOCKS_PER_ATB + 1; goto found; } } else { n_free = 0; }
                if (ATB_2_IS_FREE(a)) { if (++n_free >= n_blocks) { i = i * BLOCKS_PER_ATB + 2; goto found; } } else { n_free = 0; }
                if (ATB_3_IS_FREE(a)) { if (++n_free >= n_blocks) { i = i * BLOCKS_PER_ATB + 3; goto found; } } else { n_free = 0; }
                // *FORMAT-ON*
            }

            // No free blocks found on this heap. Mark this heap as
            // filled, so we won't try to find free space here again until
            // space is freed.
            #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
            if (n_blocks == 1) {
                area->gc_last_free_atb_index = (i + 1) / BLOCKS_PER_ATB; // or (size_t)-1
            }
            #endif
        }

        GC_EXIT();
        // nothing found!
        if (collected) {
            return NULL;
        }
        DEBUG_printf("gc_alloc(" UINT_FMT "): no free mem, triggering GC\n", n_bytes);
        gc_collect();
        collected = 1;
        GC_ENTER();
    }

    // found, ending at block i inclusive
found:
    // get starting and end blocks, both inclusive
    end_block = i;
    start_block = i - n_free + 1;

    // Set last free ATB index to block after last block we found, for start of
    // next scan.  To reduce fragmentation, we only do this if we were looking
    // for a single free block, which guarantees that there are no free blocks
    // before this one.  Also, whenever we free or shink a block we must check
    // if this index needs adjusting (see gc_realloc and gc_free).
    if (n_free == 1) {
        #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
        MP_STATE_MEM(gc_last_free_area) = area;
        #endif
        area->gc_last_free_atb_index = (i + 1) / BLOCKS_PER_ATB;
    }

    // mark first block as used head
    ATB_FREE_TO_HEAD(area, start_block);

    // mark rest of blocks as used tail
    // TODO for a run of many blocks can make this more efficient
    for (size_t bl = start_block + 1; bl <= end_block; bl++) {
        ATB_FREE_TO_TAIL(area, bl);
    }

    // get pointer to first block
    // we must create this pointer before unlocking the GC so a collection can find it
    void *ret_ptr = (void *)(area->gc_pool_start + start_block * BYTES_PER_BLOCK);
    DEBUG_printf("gc_alloc(%p)\n", ret_ptr);

    #if MICROPY_GC_ALLOC_THRESHOLD
    MP_STATE_MEM(gc_alloc_amount) += n_blocks;
    #endif

    GC_EXIT();

    #if MICROPY_GC_CONSERVATIVE_CLEAR
    // be conservative and zero out all the newly allocated blocks
    memset((byte *)ret_ptr, 0, (end_block - start_block + 1) * BYTES_PER_BLOCK);
    #else
    // zero out the additional bytes of the newly allocated blocks
    // This is needed because the blocks may have previously held pointers
    // to the heap and will not be set to something else if the caller
    // doesn't actually use the entire block.  As such they will continue
    // to point to the heap and may prevent other blocks from being reclaimed.
    memset((byte *)ret_ptr + n_bytes, 0, (end_block - start_block + 1) * BYTES_PER_BLOCK - n_bytes);
    #endif

    #if MICROPY_ENABLE_FINALISER
    if (has_finaliser) {
        // clear type pointer in case it is never set
        ((mp_obj_base_t *)ret_ptr)->type = NULL;
        // set mp_obj flag only if it has a finaliser
        GC_ENTER();
        FTB_SET(area, start_block);
        GC_EXIT();
    }
    #else
    (void)has_finaliser;
    #endif

    #if EXTENSIVE_HEAP_PROFILING
    gc_dump_alloc_table();
    #endif

    return ret_ptr;
}

/*
void *gc_alloc(mp_uint_t n_bytes) {
    return _gc_alloc(n_bytes, false);
}

void *gc_alloc_with_finaliser(mp_uint_t n_bytes) {
    return _gc_alloc(n_bytes, true);
}
*/

// force the freeing of a piece of memory
// TODO: freeing here does not call finaliser
void gc_free(void *ptr) {
    if (MP_STATE_THREAD(gc_lock_depth) > 0) {
        // TODO how to deal with this error?
        return;
    }

    GC_ENTER();

    DEBUG_printf("gc_free(%p)\n", ptr);

    if (ptr == NULL) {
        // free(NULL) is a no-op
        GC_EXIT();
        return;
    }

    // get the GC block number corresponding to this pointer
    mp_state_mem_area_t *area;
    #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
    area = gc_get_ptr_area(ptr);
    assert(area);
    #else
    assert(VERIFY_PTR(ptr));
    area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area);
    #endif

    size_t block = BLOCK_FROM_PTR(area, ptr);
    assert(ATB_GET_KIND(area, block) == AT_HEAD);

    #if MICROPY_ENABLE_FINALISER
    FTB_CLEAR(area, block);
    #endif

    #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
    if (MP_STATE_MEM(gc_last_free_area) != area) {
        // We freed something but it isn't the current area. Reset the
        // last free area to the start for a rescan. Note that this won't
        // give much of a performance hit, since areas that are completely
        // filled will likely be skipped (the gc_last_free_atb_index
        // points to the last block).
        // The reason why this is necessary is because it is not possible
        // to see which area came first (like it is possible to adjust
        // gc_last_free_atb_index based on whether the freed block is
        // before the last free block).
        MP_STATE_MEM(gc_last_free_area) = &MP_STATE_MEM(area);
    }
    #endif

    // set the last_free pointer to this block if it's earlier in the heap
    if (block / BLOCKS_PER_ATB < area->gc_last_free_atb_index) {
        area->gc_last_free_atb_index = block / BLOCKS_PER_ATB;
    }

    // free head and all of its tail blocks
    do {
        ATB_ANY_TO_FREE(area, block);
        block += 1;
    } while (ATB_GET_KIND(area, block) == AT_TAIL);

    GC_EXIT();

    #if EXTENSIVE_HEAP_PROFILING
    gc_dump_alloc_table();
    #endif
}

size_t gc_nbytes(const void *ptr) {
    GC_ENTER();

    mp_state_mem_area_t *area;
    #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
    area = gc_get_ptr_area(ptr);
    #else
    if (VERIFY_PTR(ptr)) {
        area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area);
    } else {
        area = NULL;
    }
    #endif

    if (area) {
        size_t block = BLOCK_FROM_PTR(area, ptr);
        if (ATB_GET_KIND(area, block) == AT_HEAD) {
            // work out number of consecutive blocks in the chain starting with this on
            size_t n_blocks = 0;
            do {
                n_blocks += 1;
            } while (ATB_GET_KIND(area, block + n_blocks) == AT_TAIL);
            GC_EXIT();
            return n_blocks * BYTES_PER_BLOCK;
        }
    }

    // invalid pointer
    GC_EXIT();
    return 0;
}

#if 0
// old, simple realloc that didn't expand memory in place
void *gc_realloc(void *ptr, mp_uint_t n_bytes) {
    mp_uint_t n_existing = gc_nbytes(ptr);
    if (n_bytes <= n_existing) {
        return ptr;
    } else {
        bool has_finaliser;
        if (ptr == NULL) {
            has_finaliser = false;
        } else {
            #if MICROPY_ENABLE_FINALISER
            has_finaliser = FTB_GET(BLOCK_FROM_PTR((mp_uint_t)ptr));
            #else
            has_finaliser = false;
            #endif
        }
        void *ptr2 = gc_alloc(n_bytes, has_finaliser);
        if (ptr2 == NULL) {
            return ptr2;
        }
        memcpy(ptr2, ptr, n_existing);
        gc_free(ptr);
        return ptr2;
    }
}

#else // Alternative gc_realloc impl

void *gc_realloc(void *ptr_in, size_t n_bytes, bool allow_move) {
    // check for pure allocation
    if (ptr_in == NULL) {
        return gc_alloc(n_bytes, false);
    }

    // check for pure free
    if (n_bytes == 0) {
        gc_free(ptr_in);
        return NULL;
    }

    if (MP_STATE_THREAD(gc_lock_depth) > 0) {
        return NULL;
    }

    void *ptr = ptr_in;

    GC_ENTER();

    // get the GC block number corresponding to this pointer
    mp_state_mem_area_t *area;
    #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
    area = gc_get_ptr_area(ptr);
    assert(area);
    #else
    assert(VERIFY_PTR(ptr));
    area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area);
    #endif
    size_t block = BLOCK_FROM_PTR(area, ptr);
    assert(ATB_GET_KIND(area, block) == AT_HEAD);

    // compute number of new blocks that are requested
    size_t new_blocks = (n_bytes + BYTES_PER_BLOCK - 1) / BYTES_PER_BLOCK;

    // Get the total number of consecutive blocks that are already allocated to
    // this chunk of memory, and then count the number of free blocks following
    // it.  Stop if we reach the end of the heap, or if we find enough extra
    // free blocks to satisfy the realloc.  Note that we need to compute the
    // total size of the existing memory chunk so we can correctly and
    // efficiently shrink it (see below for shrinking code).
    size_t n_free = 0;
    size_t n_blocks = 1; // counting HEAD block
    size_t max_block = area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len * BLOCKS_PER_ATB;
    for (size_t bl = block + n_blocks; bl < max_block; bl++) {
        byte block_type = ATB_GET_KIND(area, bl);
        if (block_type == AT_TAIL) {
            n_blocks++;
            continue;
        }
        if (block_type == AT_FREE) {
            n_free++;
            if (n_blocks + n_free >= new_blocks) {
                // stop as soon as we find enough blocks for n_bytes
                break;
            }
            continue;
        }
        break;
    }

    // return original ptr if it already has the requested number of blocks
    if (new_blocks == n_blocks) {
        GC_EXIT();
        return ptr_in;
    }

    // check if we can shrink the allocated area
    if (new_blocks < n_blocks) {
        // free unneeded tail blocks
        for (size_t bl = block + new_blocks, count = n_blocks - new_blocks; count > 0; bl++, count--) {
            ATB_ANY_TO_FREE(area, bl);
        }

        #if MICROPY_GC_SPLIT_HEAP
        if (MP_STATE_MEM(gc_last_free_area) != area) {
            // See comment in gc_free.
            MP_STATE_MEM(gc_last_free_area) = &MP_STATE_MEM(area);
        }
        #endif

        // set the last_free pointer to end of this block if it's earlier in the heap
        if ((block + new_blocks) / BLOCKS_PER_ATB < area->gc_last_free_atb_index) {
            area->gc_last_free_atb_index = (block + new_blocks) / BLOCKS_PER_ATB;
        }

        GC_EXIT();

        #if EXTENSIVE_HEAP_PROFILING
        gc_dump_alloc_table();
        #endif

        return ptr_in;
    }

    // check if we can expand in place
    if (new_blocks <= n_blocks + n_free) {
        // mark few more blocks as used tail
        for (size_t bl = block + n_blocks; bl < block + new_blocks; bl++) {
            assert(ATB_GET_KIND(area, bl) == AT_FREE);
            ATB_FREE_TO_TAIL(area, bl);
        }

        GC_EXIT();

        #if MICROPY_GC_CONSERVATIVE_CLEAR
        // be conservative and zero out all the newly allocated blocks
        memset((byte *)ptr_in + n_blocks * BYTES_PER_BLOCK, 0, (new_blocks - n_blocks) * BYTES_PER_BLOCK);
        #else
        // zero out the additional bytes of the newly allocated blocks (see comment above in gc_alloc)
        memset((byte *)ptr_in + n_bytes, 0, new_blocks * BYTES_PER_BLOCK - n_bytes);
        #endif

        #if EXTENSIVE_HEAP_PROFILING
        gc_dump_alloc_table();
        #endif

        return ptr_in;
    }

    #if MICROPY_ENABLE_FINALISER
    bool ftb_state = FTB_GET(area, block);
    #else
    bool ftb_state = false;
    #endif

    GC_EXIT();

    if (!allow_move) {
        // not allowed to move memory block so return failure
        return NULL;
    }

    // can't resize inplace; try to find a new contiguous chain
    void *ptr_out = gc_alloc(n_bytes, ftb_state);

    // check that the alloc succeeded
    if (ptr_out == NULL) {
        return NULL;
    }

    DEBUG_printf("gc_realloc(%p -> %p)\n", ptr_in, ptr_out);
    memcpy(ptr_out, ptr_in, n_blocks * BYTES_PER_BLOCK);
    gc_free(ptr_in);
    return ptr_out;
}
#endif // Alternative gc_realloc impl

void gc_dump_info(void) {
    gc_info_t info;
    gc_info(&info);
    mp_printf(&mp_plat_print, "GC: total: %u, used: %u, free: %u\n",
        (uint)info.total, (uint)info.used, (uint)info.free);
    mp_printf(&mp_plat_print, " No. of 1-blocks: %u, 2-blocks: %u, max blk sz: %u, max free sz: %u\n",
        (uint)info.num_1block, (uint)info.num_2block, (uint)info.max_block, (uint)info.max_free);
}

void gc_dump_alloc_table(void) {
    GC_ENTER();
    static const size_t DUMP_BYTES_PER_LINE = 64;
    for (mp_state_mem_area_t *area = &MP_STATE_MEM(area); area != NULL; area = NEXT_AREA(area)) {
        #if !EXTENSIVE_HEAP_PROFILING
        // When comparing heap output we don't want to print the starting
        // pointer of the heap because it changes from run to run.
        mp_printf(&mp_plat_print, "GC memory layout; from %p:", area->gc_pool_start);
        #endif
        for (size_t bl = 0; bl < area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len * BLOCKS_PER_ATB; bl++) {
            if (bl % DUMP_BYTES_PER_LINE == 0) {
                // a new line of blocks
                {
                    // check if this line contains only free blocks
                    size_t bl2 = bl;
                    while (bl2 < area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len * BLOCKS_PER_ATB && ATB_GET_KIND(area, bl2) == AT_FREE) {
                        bl2++;
                    }
                    if (bl2 - bl >= 2 * DUMP_BYTES_PER_LINE) {
                        // there are at least 2 lines containing only free blocks, so abbreviate their printing
                        mp_printf(&mp_plat_print, "\n       (%u lines all free)", (uint)(bl2 - bl) / DUMP_BYTES_PER_LINE);
                        bl = bl2 & (~(DUMP_BYTES_PER_LINE - 1));
                        if (bl >= area->gc_alloc_table_byte_len * BLOCKS_PER_ATB) {
                            // got to end of heap
                            break;
                        }
                    }
                }
                // print header for new line of blocks
                // (the cast to uint32_t is for 16-bit ports)
                mp_printf(&mp_plat_print, "\n%08x: ", (uint)(bl * BYTES_PER_BLOCK));
            }
            int c = ' ';
            switch (ATB_GET_KIND(area, bl)) {
                case AT_FREE:
                    c = '.';
                    break;
                /* this prints out if the object is reachable from BSS or STACK (for unix only)
                case AT_HEAD: {
                    c = 'h';
                    void **ptrs = (void**)(void*)&mp_state_ctx;
                    mp_uint_t len = offsetof(mp_state_ctx_t, vm.stack_top) / sizeof(mp_uint_t);
                    for (mp_uint_t i = 0; i < len; i++) {
                        mp_uint_t ptr = (mp_uint_t)ptrs[i];
                        if (gc_get_ptr_area(ptr) && BLOCK_FROM_PTR(ptr) == bl) {
                            c = 'B';
                            break;
                        }
                    }
                    if (c == 'h') {
                        ptrs = (void**)&c;
                        len = ((mp_uint_t)MP_STATE_THREAD(stack_top) - (mp_uint_t)&c) / sizeof(mp_uint_t);
                        for (mp_uint_t i = 0; i < len; i++) {
                            mp_uint_t ptr = (mp_uint_t)ptrs[i];
                            if (gc_get_ptr_area(ptr) && BLOCK_FROM_PTR(ptr) == bl) {
                                c = 'S';
                                break;
                            }
                        }
                    }
                    break;
                }
                */
                /* this prints the uPy object type of the head block */
                case AT_HEAD: {
                    void **ptr = (void **)(area->gc_pool_start + bl * BYTES_PER_BLOCK);
                    if (*ptr == &mp_type_tuple) {
                        c = 'T';
                    } else if (*ptr == &mp_type_list) {
                        c = 'L';
                    } else if (*ptr == &mp_type_dict) {
                        c = 'D';
                    } else if (*ptr == &mp_type_str || *ptr == &mp_type_bytes) {
                        c = 'S';
                    }
                    #if MICROPY_PY_BUILTINS_BYTEARRAY
                    else if (*ptr == &mp_type_bytearray) {
                        c = 'A';
                    }
                    #endif
                    #if MICROPY_PY_ARRAY
                    else if (*ptr == &mp_type_array) {
                        c = 'A';
                    }
                    #endif
                    #if MICROPY_PY_BUILTINS_FLOAT
                    else if (*ptr == &mp_type_float) {
                        c = 'F';
                    }
                    #endif
                    else if (*ptr == &mp_type_fun_bc) {
                        c = 'B';
                    } else if (*ptr == &mp_type_module) {
                        c = 'M';
                    } else {
                        c = 'h';
                        #if 0
                        // This code prints "Q" for qstr-pool data, and "q" for qstr-str
                        // data.  It can be useful to see how qstrs are being allocated,
                        // but is disabled by default because it is very slow.
                        for (qstr_pool_t *pool = MP_STATE_VM(last_pool); c == 'h' && pool != NULL; pool = pool->prev) {
                            if ((qstr_pool_t *)ptr == pool) {
                                c = 'Q';
                                break;
                            }
                            for (const byte **q = pool->qstrs, **q_top = pool->qstrs + pool->len; q < q_top; q++) {
                                if ((const byte *)ptr == *q) {
                                    c = 'q';
                                    break;
                                }
                            }
                        }
                        #endif
                    }
                    break;
                }
                case AT_TAIL:
                    c = '=';
                    break;
                case AT_MARK:
                    c = 'm';
                    break;
            }
            mp_printf(&mp_plat_print, "%c", c);
        }
        mp_print_str(&mp_plat_print, "\n");
    }
    GC_EXIT();
}

#if 0
// For testing the GC functions
void gc_test(void) {
    mp_uint_t len = 500;
    mp_uint_t *heap = malloc(len);
    gc_init(heap, heap + len / sizeof(mp_uint_t));
    void *ptrs[100];
    {
        mp_uint_t **p = gc_alloc(16, false);
        p[0] = gc_alloc(64, false);
        p[1] = gc_alloc(1, false);
        p[2] = gc_alloc(1, false);
        p[3] = gc_alloc(1, false);
        mp_uint_t ***p2 = gc_alloc(16, false);
        p2[0] = p;
        p2[1] = p;
        ptrs[0] = p2;
    }
    for (int i = 0; i < 25; i += 2) {
        mp_uint_t *p = gc_alloc(i, false);
        printf("p=%p\n", p);
        if (i & 3) {
            // ptrs[i] = p;
        }
    }

    printf("Before GC:\n");
    gc_dump_alloc_table();
    printf("Starting GC...\n");
    gc_collect_start();
    gc_collect_root(ptrs, sizeof(ptrs) / sizeof(void *));
    gc_collect_end();
    printf("After GC:\n");
    gc_dump_alloc_table();
}
#endif

#endif // MICROPY_ENABLE_GC