`thread.c` initializes a thread with an empty message queue. `cib_put()`
will `return -1` for an empty CIB, so there is no need to test if
`thread->msg_array != NULL`.
Fixes#1942.
There were two instances were it was not checked the target thread has a
message queue before queuing the message.
This PR centralizes the check into `queue_msg()`.
If a thread sends blocking, but the target thread is not currently in
receive mode, the sender gets queued. If it has a higher priority it
should run again as soon as the target goes into receiving mode.
Fixes#1708.
Currently involuntary preemption causes the current thread not only to
yield for a higher prioritized thread, but all other threads of its own
priority class, too.
This PR adds the function `thread_yield_higher()`, which will yield the
current thread in favor of higher prioritized functions, but not for
threads of its own priority class.
Boards now need to implement `thread_yield_higher()` instead of
`thread_yield()`, but `COREIF_NG` boards are not affected in any way.
`thread_yield()` retains its old meaning: yield for every thread that
has the same or a higher priority.
This PR does not touch the occurrences of `thread_yield()` in the periph
drivers, because the author of this PR did not look into the logic of
the various driver implementations.
PR #1000 overlooked to rename `runqueues` into `sched_runqueues` in
`sched.h`. This shows that the variable is not used outside of
`sched.c`.
As the list should not be accessed outside of the scheduler, so it
can be `static`.
Boards should define HWTIMER_SPIN_BARRIER that is used to decide
whether it makes sense to set a timer and yield or call hwtimer_spin
instead.
Used by `core/hwtimer.c` and `sys/vtimer/vtimer.c`.
A default value is provided and a warning is printed when it is used.
sched_switch() is called by some library functions when a call unblocks
another thread. Then it needs to be tested if the current thread should
be preempted for the newly runnable thread.
A non-volutarily yield should only happen if the unblocked thread has a
_higher_ priority than the current thread. The current implementation,
which tests if the other thread has the same or a higher priority, does
not fit the documentation.
