Re: FPU precision & signal handlers (bug?)

Alan Cox (alan@lxorguk.ukuu.org.uk)
Thu, 7 Mar 2002 19:25:21 +0000 (GMT)


> I agree with the second part, but actually what you want is to start with
> an empty stack. Whether the contents are FP or MMX is irrelevant.
> Actually the support of applications using MMX did not require any change
> to the kernel (Intel carefully designed it that way).

Not the case. If you drop into a signal or exception handler and it uses
FPU while MMX is on it'll get a nasty shock. As it happens Linux already
did the right thing.

Intel minimised it and did pretty much the best job that could be done for
it
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