*
* The caller:
*
- * * Allocates a `struct lock_file` either as a static variable or on
- * the heap, initialized to zeros. Once you use the structure to
- * call the `hold_lock_file_for_*()` family of functions, it belongs
- * to the lockfile subsystem and its storage must remain valid
- * throughout the life of the program (i.e. you cannot use an
- * on-stack variable to hold this structure).
+ * * Allocates a `struct lock_file` with whatever storage duration you
+ * desire. The struct does not have to be initialized before being
+ * used, but it is good practice to do so using by setting it to
+ * all-zeros (or using the LOCK_INIT macro). This puts the object in a
+ * consistent state that allows you to call rollback_lock_file() even
+ * if the lock was never taken (in which case it is a noop).
*
* * Attempts to create a lockfile by calling `hold_lock_file_for_update()`.
*
* `commit_lock_file()`, `commit_lock_file_to()`,
* `rollback_lock_file()`, or `reopen_lock_file()`.
*
- * Even after the lockfile is committed or rolled back, the
- * `lock_file` object must not be freed or altered by the caller.
- * However, it may be reused; just pass it to another call of
- * `hold_lock_file_for_update()`.
+ * After the lockfile is committed or rolled back, the `lock_file`
+ * object can be discarded or reused.
*
* If the program exits before `commit_lock_file()`,
* `commit_lock_file_to()`, or `rollback_lock_file()` is called, the
struct tempfile *tempfile;
};
+#define LOCK_INIT { NULL }
+
/* String appended to a filename to derive the lockfile name: */
#define LOCK_SUFFIX ".lock"
#define LOCK_SUFFIX_LEN 5