Async-unsafe functions in signal handlers

Hello all,

I am going to refactor Greenplum backtraces for error messages and want to make it more compatible with PostgreSQL code. Backtraces in PostgreSQL were introduced by 71a8a4f6e36547bb060dbcc961ea9b57420f7190 commit (original discussion https://www.postgresql.org/message-id/CAMsr+YGL+yfWE=JvbUbnpWtrRZNey7hJ07+zT4bYJdVp4Szdrg@mail.gmail.com ) and rely on backtrace() and backtrace_symbols() functions. They are used inside errfinish() that is wrapped by ereport() macros. ereport() is invoked inside bgworker_die() and FloatExceptionHandler() signal handlers. I am confused with this fact - both backtrace functions are async-unsafe: backtrace_symbols() - always, backtrace() - only for the first call due to dlopen. I wonder why does PostgreSQL use async-unsafe functions in signal handlers?

Best regards,
Denis Smirnov | Developer
sd(at)arenadata(dot)io
Arenadata | Godovikova 9-17, Moscow 129085 Russia