C11/C++11 Memory Model

Question

I have two questions:

1. I would like to know if the standards for C++11 and C11 will share the same memory model specs. I read that this is so, that in fact C11 is "inheriting" the C++11 memory model (for whatever historical reasons the latter happened either first or at the same time/with the same people, though I think Boehm, who's a C++ guy primarily, had a lot to say.) , but I'd like to make sure asking someone more knowledgeable.

2. My next question is: will GCC ever implement this memory model at all? I haven't seen the roadmap for this, and was wondering if someone had a "scoop".

Answer 1

1. The memory model was developed for C++11, and adopted by C11. Lawrence Crowl did a lot of work to ensure that the interface for atomic operations was as close as possible. There were quite a few people involved, but you are right that Hans Boehm was one of them.

2. GCC currently (4.7) implements a reasonable approximation of the memory model. Certainly close enough that most programs won't be able tell the difference. I'm fairly sure that full conformance is on their plan, but don't know the timetable, as I'm not involved.