unrcu_pointer(9)

💅 unrcu_pointer — the "bestie, you're not RCU anymore" moment ✨

ok so picture this: it's unrcu_pointer(9) from the Kernel API Manual, and it's literally the teeny tiny function that removes the __rcu sparkle from a pointer. iconic behaviour, no cap 🎀

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🌸 NAME 🌸

unrcu_pointer — mark a pointer as not being RCU protected 💖

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✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

unrcu_pointer (p );

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🦋 ARGUMENTS 🦋

• p — the pointer that needs to lose its __rcu property. it's giving "graduation day" 🎓✨

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👑 DESCRIPTION 👑

so what it actually does: it converts p from an __rcu pointer into a __kernel pointer. that's it. that's the whole vibe 💅

why do we care? because this is what lets an __rcu pointer be used with xchg and friends 🫶 — the compiler stops side-eyeing you, and you get to hang out with the rest of the atomic crew. slay.

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🔥 SEE ALSO 🔥

like, all of RCU's extended universe is here, bestie. the kernel file lives at ./include/linux/rcupdate.h, and these are the ✨iconic✨ neighbours:

• same_state_synchronize_rcu(9)
• cond_resched_tasks_rcu_qs(9)
• rcu_softirq_qs_periodic(9)
• RCU_LOCKDEP_WARN(9)
• lockdep_assert_in_rcu_read_lock(9)
• lockdep_assert_in_rcu_read_lock_bh(9)
• lockdep_assert_in_rcu_read_lock_sched(9)
• lockdep_assert_in_rcu_reader(9)
• RCU_INITIALIZER(9)
• rcu_assign_pointer(9)
• rcu_replace_pointer(9)
• rcu_access_pointer(9)
• rcu_dereference_check(9)
• rcu_dereference_bh_check(9)
• rcu_dereference_sched_check(9)
• rcu_dereference_all_check(9)
• rcu_dereference_protected(9)
• rcu_dereference(9)
• rcu_dereference_bh(9)
• rcu_dereference_sched(9)
• rcu_dereference_all(9)
• rcu_pointer_handoff(9)
• rcu_read_lock(9)
• rcu_read_unlock(9)
• rcu_read_lock_bh(9)
• rcu_read_unlock_bh(9)
• rcu_read_lock_sched(9)
• rcu_read_unlock_sched(9)
• RCU_INIT_POINTER(9)
• RCU_POINTER_INITIALIZER(9)
• kfree_rcu(9)
• kfree_rcu_mightsleep(9)
• kfree_rcu_nolock(9)
• rcu_head_init(9)
• rcu_head_after_call_rcu(9)

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ok that's the whole page, go forth and un-rcu your pointers 😭💜

sign-off time: this lil beauty comes from ./include/linux, dated October 2026, and it's page unrcu_pointer(9) of the Kernel API Manual — mwah, bye bestie 🧚‍♀️🌸