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How does Spring boot your Rails app instantly, or Puma route requests across many processes? How can you fine-tune your app for memory efficiency, or simply run Ruby code in parallel? Find out with a deep dive on that staple Unix utensil, the fork() system call! After an operating systems primer on children, zombies, processes and pipes, we'll dig into how exactly Spring and Puma use fork() to power Rails in development and production. We'll finish by sampling techniques for measuring and maximizing copy-on-write efficiency, including a new trick that can reduce memory usage up to 80%.
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In the RailsConf 2021 talk "What the fork()?", software engineer Will Jordan explores the Unix fork() system call and its applications within Ruby on Rails, specifically focusing on performance enhancement techniques. The talk is structured into three main sections that provide a thorough understanding of the fork mechanism and its integration into Ruby frameworks. Key points include: - **Unix Fundamentals**: Jordan begins by explaining the fork system call, which creates a child process duplicating the parent process’s memory space, allowing for independent execution. He introduces related concepts such as zombie processes, memory management, and optimizations like copy-on-write, which improves the efficiency of memory usage during forking. - **Ruby and Rails Deep Dive**: The talk proceeds to discuss how fork() is utilized in Ruby applications, particularly with the Spring and Puma frameworks. Spring preloads Rails applications for faster testing and execution, while Puma employs a cluster of worker processes for handling requests concurrently, improving the app's performance under high load. - **Tips, Tricks, and Experiments**: Jordan shares best practices for employing fork safely in Ruby, including optimal preloading techniques and methods to enhance memory efficiency. Notably, he discusses a custom experiment with Puma for reducing memory usage by resharing a larger application state among worker processes, leading to a reported memory reduction of up to 80%. In conclusion, Jordan emphasizes that understanding and effectively utilizing fork can significantly enhance Ruby on Rails application performance. He encourages developers to consider memory efficiency and the strategic use of processes for optimal application efficiency. Overall, the talk serves as a deep dive into the critical role of the fork system in Unix-like operating systems and its implications for Ruby-based applications, reiterating the importance of mastering these concepts for improved software development practices.
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