java - Thread-specific heap allocation

Question

Is it possible to make some sub-set of threads (e.g. from specific ThreadPool) allocate memory from own heap? E.g. most of the threads are allocating from regular shared heap, and few worker threads are allocating from individual heaps (1:1 per thread).

The intent is to ensure safe execution of the code in shared environment - typical worker is stateless and is running on separate thread, processing of one request should not consume more than 4MB of heap.

Update #1 Re: But why are you worried about "safe execution" and unpredictable increasing of heap consumption?

The point is about safe hosting of arbitrary 3rd party java code within my process. Once of the points is to not get "Out of Memory" for my entire process because of bugs in the 3rd party code.

Update #2 Re: As of limiting memory usage per thread, in Java the language it's impossible

According to my investigation before I've posted this question my opinion is the same, I'm just hoping I'm missing something.

The only possible alternative solutions for my use-case as I see right now are ...

1) How much memory does my java thread take? - track thread memory usage in some governor thread and terminate bad threads

2) Run Java code on my own JVM - Yes it is possible. You can download a JVM open source implementation, modify it ... :)

Answer 1

Check out Java nonblocking memory allocation — threads are usually allocating memory from their own allocation blocks already. So if the speed is of concern, Sun has done it for you.

As of limiting memory usage per thread, in Java the language it's impossible. Whether it is possible (or makes sense) in JVM and Java the platform is an interesting question. You can of course do it the same way as any memory profiler does, but I'm afraid the management system will outgrow the application itself pretty soon.