In multi thread programming we can find different terms for data transfer synchronization between two or more threads/tasks.

When exactly we can say that some algorithem is:

1)Lock-Free
2)Wait-Free
3)Wait-Freedom

I understand what means Lock-free but when we can say that some synchronization algorithm is Wait-Free or Wait-Freedom? I have made some code (ring buffer) for multi-thread synchronization and it use Lock-Free methods but:

1) Algorithm predicts maximum execution time of this routine.

2) Therad which call this routine at beginning set unique reference, what mean that is inside of this routine.

3) Other threads which are calling the same routine check this reference and if is set than count the CPU tick count (measure time) of first involved thread. If that time is to long interrupt the current work of involved thread and overrides him job.

4) Thread which not finished job because was interrupted from task scheduler (is reposed) at the end check the reference if not belongs to him repeat the job again.

So this algorithm is not really Lock-free but there is no memory lock in use, and other involved threads can wait (or not) certain time before overide the job of reposed thread.

Added RingBuffer.InsertLeft function:

function TgjRingBuffer.InsertLeft(const link: pointer): integer;
var
  AtStartReference: cardinal;
  CPUTimeStamp    : int64;
  CurrentLeft     : pointer;
  CurrentReference: cardinal;
  NewLeft         : PReferencedPtr;
  Reference       : cardinal;
label
  TryAgain;
begin
  Reference := GetThreadId + 1;                 //Reference.bit0 := 1
  with rbRingBuffer^ do begin
TryAgain:
    //Set Left.Reference with respect to all other cores :)
    CPUTimeStamp := GetCPUTimeStamp + LoopTicks;
    AtStartReference := Left.Reference OR 1;    //Reference.bit0 := 1
    repeat
      CurrentReference := Left.Reference;
    until (CurrentReference AND 1 = 0)or (GetCPUTimeStamp - CPUTimeStamp > 0);
    //No threads present in ring buffer or current thread timeout
    if ((CurrentReference AND 1 <> 0) and (AtStartReference <> CurrentReference)) or
      not CAS32(CurrentReference, Reference, Left.Reference) then
      goto TryAgain;
    //Calculate RingBuffer NewLeft address
    CurrentLeft := Left.Link;
    NewLeft := pointer(cardinal(CurrentLeft) - SizeOf(TReferencedPtr));
    if cardinal(NewLeft) < cardinal(@Buffer) then
      NewLeft := EndBuffer;
    //Calcolate distance
    result := integer(Right.Link) - Integer(NewLeft);
    //Check buffer full
    if result = 0 then                  //Clear Reference if task still own reference
      if CAS32(Reference, 0, Left.Reference) then
        Exit else
        goto TryAgain;
    //Set NewLeft.Reference
    NewLeft^.Reference := Reference;
    SFence;
    //Try to set link and try to exchange NewLeft and clear Reference if task own reference
    if (Reference <> Left.Reference) or
      not CAS64(NewLeft^.Link, Reference, link, Reference, NewLeft^) or
      not CAS64(CurrentLeft, Reference, NewLeft, 0, Left) then
      goto TryAgain;
    //Calcolate result
    if result < 0 then
      result := Length - integer(cardinal(not Result) div SizeOf(TReferencedPtr)) else
      result := cardinal(result) div SizeOf(TReferencedPtr);
  end; //with
end; { TgjRingBuffer.InsertLeft }

RingBuffer unit you can find here: RingBuffer, CAS functions: FockFreePrimitives, and test program: RingBufferFlowTest

Thanks in advance, GJ