merge update

doc/design/cpp_data_feeding.md

@@ -0,0 +1,79 @@
+# C++ Data Feeding
+
+In training with Paddle V2 API, data feeding wholly dependents on Python code. To get rid of the Python environment and achieve the goal of "wrapping the whole training by a while loop op" in Paddle Fluid, a C++ data feeding mechanism is required. 
+
+In this document we show the fundamental design of C++ data feeding process, which includes the data reading, shuffling and batching.
+
+## Reader
+
+A new concept named 'Reader' is introduced. `Reader` is a series of inherited classes which can be hold by our `Variable` and they are used to read or process file data.
+
+
+### `ReaderBase`
+
+`ReaderBase` is the abstract base class of all readers. It defines the all readers' interfaces.
+
+```cpp
+class ReaderBase {
+ public:
+  explicit ReaderBase(const std::vector<DDim>& shapes) : shapes_(shapes) {
+    PADDLE_ENFORCE(!shapes_.empty());
+  }
+  // Read the next batch of data. (A 'batch' can be only one instance)
+  virtual void ReadNext(std::vector<LoDTensor>* out) = 0;
+  // Show whether the next bacth exists.
+  virtual bool HasNext() const = 0;
+  
+  // Reinitialize the reader and read the file from the begin.
+  virtual void ReInit() = 0;
+  
+  // Get a certain read in data's shape.
+  DDim shape(size_t idx) const;
+  // Get shapes of all read in data.
+  std::vector<DDim> shapes() const { return shapes_; }
+  // Set shapes of read in data.
+  void set_shapes(const std::vector<DDim>& shapes) { shapes_ = shapes; }
+
+  virtual ~ReaderBase() {}
+
+ protected:
+  std::vector<DDim> shapes_;
+};
+```
+
+### `FileReader` and `DecoratedReader`
+
+These two classes are derived from the `ReaderBase` and will further be derived by respective specific readers. That is to say, in our design, there are two kinds of readers: file readers and decorated readers. A file reader reads from a file of some specific format, and yield only one instance of data at a time. e.g. RecordIO reader, jpg reader, .... A decorated reader takes another reader(both file reader and decorated reader are OK) as its 'underlying reader'. It gets data from its underlying reader, does some process on them(shuffling, or batching), then yields processed data. The output data of a decorated reader can be a single instance or a batch. `ShuffleReader` and `BatchReader` are both decorated readers.
+
+All the readers share exactly the same interfaces defined in `ReaderBase`. So they can be decorated for more than one time: We can **shuffle** a reader's outputs and then **batch** the shuffle outputs. The interface consistency also allows related ops use readers without knowing what they are exactly.
+
+
+### `ReaderHolder`
+
+Different readers belong to different class types. It leads to a problem: How can we drop them into `Variable`s and fetch them out by a unified method? For example, if a Variable holds a `BatchReader`, we can not get it by the following code:
+
+```cpp
+var->Get<ReaderBase>("batch_reader");
+```
+
+we have to write:
+
+```cpp
+var->Get<BatchReader>("batch_reader");
+```
+
+This requires each time getting a reader from a variable we must know the reader's type exactly. It is nearly impossible.
+
+To solve this problem, we introduce `ReaderHolder` as a wrapper. It acts as an empty decorator of `ReaderBase`, which erases reader's type. With `ReaderHolder` we are able to fetch all types of readers by `var->Get<ReaderHolder>("...")` and regard the obtained object as a reader.
+
+## Related Operators
+
+To create and invoke readers, some now ops are introduced:
+
+### `CreateReaderOp`
+
+Each reader has its creating op. File readers' creating ops have no input and yield the created file reader as its output. Decorated readers' creating ops take the underlying readers as inputs and then yield new decorated readers.
+
+### `ReadOp`
+
+A reader is only a Variable. It cannot trigger the reading process by itself. So we add the `ReadOp` to execute it. A `ReadOp` takes a reader Variable as its input. Each time it runs, it invokes the reader‘s `ReadNext()` function and gets a new batch of data(or only one instance of data, if we use file reader directly). The output data of a reader are in the form of `std::vector<LoDTenosr>`, so the `ReadOp` also needs to split the vector and move LoDTensors to their respective output Variables.

doc/getstarted/quickstart_cn.rst

@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 快速开始
 ========
 
+快速安装
+--------
+
 PaddlePaddle支持使用pip快速安装，目前支持CentOS 6以上, Ubuntu 14.04以及MacOS 10.12，并安装有Python2.7。
 执行下面的命令完成快速安装，版本为cpu_avx_openblas：
 
@@ -16,6 +19,9 @@ PaddlePaddle支持使用pip快速安装，目前支持CentOS 6以上, Ubuntu 14.
 
 更详细的安装和编译方法参考：:ref:`install_steps` 。
 
+快速使用
+--------
+
 创建一个 housing.py 并粘贴此Python代码：
 
   .. code-block:: python

doc/getstarted/quickstart_en.rst

@@ -1,6 +1,9 @@
 Quick Start
 ============
 
+Quick Install
+-------------
+
 You can use pip to install PaddlePaddle with a single command, supports
 CentOS 6 above, Ubuntu 14.04 above or MacOS 10.12, with Python 2.7 installed.
 Simply run the following command to install, the version is cpu_avx_openblas:
@@ -17,6 +20,9 @@ If you need to install GPU version (cuda7.5_cudnn5_avx_openblas), run:
 
 For more details about installation and build: :ref:`install_steps` .
 
+Quick Use
+---------
+
 Create a new file called housing.py, and paste this Python
 code:
 

doc/howto/cluster/index_cn.rst

@@ -1,10 +1,22 @@
 分布式训练
 ==========
 
+本节将介绍如何使用PaddlePaddle在不同的集群框架下完成分布式训练。分布式训练架构如下图所示：
+
+.. image:: src/ps_cn.png
+   :width: 500
+
+- 数据分片（Data shard): 用于训练神经网络的数据，被切分成多个部分，每个部分分别给每个trainer使用。
+- 计算节点（Trainer）: 每个trainer启动后读取切分好的一部分数据，开始神经网络的“前馈”和“后馈”计算，并和参数服务器通信。在完成一定量数据的训练后，上传计算得出的梯度（gradients），然后下载优化更新后的神经网络参数（parameters）。
+- 参数服务器（Parameter server）:每个参数服务器只保存整个神经网络所有参数的一部分。参数服务器接收从计算节点上传的梯度，并完成参数优化更新，再将更新后的参数下发到每个计算节点。
+
+这样，通过计算节点和参数服务器的分布式协作，可以完成神经网络的SGD方法的训练。PaddlePaddle可以同时支持同步随机梯度下降（SGD）和异步随机梯度下降。
+
+在使用同步SGD训练神经网络时，PaddlePaddle使用同步屏障（barrier），使梯度的提交和参数的更新按照顺序方式执行。在异步SGD中，则并不会等待所有trainer提交梯度才更新参数，这样极大地提高了计算的并行性：参数服务器之间不相互依赖，并行地接收梯度和更新参数，参数服务器也不会等待计算节点全部都提交梯度之后才开始下一步，计算节点之间也不会相互依赖，并行地执行模型的训练。可以看出，虽然异步SGD方式会提高参数更新并行度, 但是并不能保证参数同步更新，在任意时间某一台参数服务器上保存的参数可能比另一台要更新，与同步SGD相比，梯度会有噪声。
+
 ..  toctree::
   :maxdepth: 1
 
-  introduction_cn.md
   preparations_cn.md
   cmd_argument_cn.md
   multi_cluster/index_cn.rst

doc/howto/cluster/index_en.rst

@@ -1,10 +1,22 @@
 Distributed Training
 ====================
 
+In this section, we'll explain how to run distributed training jobs with PaddlePaddle on different types of clusters. The diagram below shows the main architecture of a distributed trainning job:
+
+.. image:: src/ps_en.png
+   :width: 500
+
+- Data shard: training data will be split into multiple partitions, trainers use the partitions of the whole dataset to do the training job.
+- Trainer: each trainer reads the data shard, and train the neural network. Then the trainer will upload calculated "gradients" to parameter servers, and wait for parameters to be optimized on the parameter server side. When that finishes, the trainer download optimized parameters and continues its training.
+- Parameter server: every parameter server stores part of the whole neural network model data. They will do optimization calculations when gradients are uploaded from trainers, and then send updated parameters to trainers.
+
+PaddlePaddle can support both synchronize stochastic gradient descent (SGD) and asynchronous SGD.
+
+When training with synchronize SGD, PaddlePaddle uses an internal "synchronize barrier" which makes gradients update and parameter download in strict order. On the other hand, asynchronous SGD won't wait for all trainers to finish upload at a single step, this will increase the parallelism of distributed training: parameter servers do not depend on each other, they'll do parameter optimization concurrently. Parameter servers will not wait for trainers, so trainers will also do their work concurrently. But asynchronous SGD will introduce more randomness and noises in the gradient.
+
 ..  toctree::
   :maxdepth: 1
 
-  introduction_en.md
   preparations_en.md
   cmd_argument_en.md
   multi_cluster/index_en.rst

doc/howto/cluster/introduction_cn.md

@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-## 概述
-
-本节将介绍如何使用PaddlePaddle在不同的集群框架下完成分布式训练。分布式训练架构如下图所示：
-
-<img src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/13348433/31772175-5f419eca-b511-11e7-9db7-5231fe3d9ccb.png" width="500">
-
-- 数据分片（Data shard): 用于训练神经网络的数据，被切分成多个部分，每个部分分别给每个trainer使用。
-- 计算节点（Trainer）: 每个trainer启动后读取切分好的一部分数据，开始神经网络的“前馈”和“后馈”计算，并和参数服务器通信。在完成一定量数据的训练后，上传计算得出的梯度（gradients），然后下载优化更新后的神经网络参数（parameters）。
-- 参数服务器（Parameter server）:每个参数服务器只保存整个神经网络所有参数的一部分。参数服务器接收从计算节点上传的梯度，并完成参数优化更新，再将更新后的参数下发到每个计算节点。
-
-这样，通过计算节点和参数服务器的分布式协作，可以完成神经网络的SGD方法的训练。PaddlePaddle可以同时支持同步随机梯度下降（SGD）和异步随机梯度下降。
-
-在使用同步SGD训练神经网络时，PaddlePaddle使用同步屏障（barrier），使梯度的提交和参数的更新按照顺序方式执行。在异步SGD中，则并不会等待所有trainer提交梯度才更新参数，这样极大地提高了计算的并行性：参数服务器之间不相互依赖，并行地接收梯度和更新参数，参数服务器也不会等待计算节点全部都提交梯度之后才开始下一步，计算节点之间也不会相互依赖，并行地执行模型的训练。可以看出，虽然异步SGD方式会提高参数更新并行度, 但是并不能保证参数同步更新，在任意时间某一台参数服务器上保存的参数可能比另一台要更新，与同步SGD相比，梯度会有噪声。

doc/howto/cluster/introduction_en.md

@@ -1,13 +0,0 @@
-## Introduction
-
-In this section, we'll explain how to run distributed training jobs with PaddlePaddle on different types of clusters. The diagram below shows the main architecture of a distributed trainning job:
-
-<img src="https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/13348433/31772146-41523d84-b511-11e7-8a12-a69fd136c283.png" width="500">
-
-- Data shard: training data will be split into multiple partitions, trainers use the partitions of the whole dataset to do the training job.
-- Trainer: each trainer reads the data shard, and train the neural network. Then the trainer will upload calculated "gradients" to parameter servers, and wait for parameters to be optimized on the parameter server side. When that finishes, the trainer download optimized parameters and continues its training.
-- Parameter server: every parameter server stores part of the whole neural network model data. They will do optimization calculations when gradients are uploaded from trainers, and then send updated parameters to trainers.
-
-PaddlePaddle can support both synchronize stochastic gradient descent (SGD) and asynchronous SGD.
-
-When training with synchronize SGD, PaddlePaddle uses an internal "synchronize barrier" which makes gradients update and parameter download in strict order. On the other hand, asynchronous SGD won't wait for all trainers to finish upload at a single step, this will increase the parallelism of distributed training: parameter servers do not depend on each other, they'll do parameter optimization concurrently. Parameter servers will not wait for trainers, so trainers will also do their work concurrently. But asynchronous SGD will introduce more randomness and noises in the gradient.

doc/howto/rnn/index_cn.rst

@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-RNN相关模型
+RNN模型
 ===========
 
 ..  toctree::

paddle/framework/CMakeLists.txt

@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@ endif()
 
 cc_test(eigen_test SRCS eigen_test.cc DEPS tensor)
 
+nv_test(mixed_vector_test SRCS mixed_vector_test.cu DEPS place paddle_memory device_context init)
 cc_library(lod_tensor SRCS lod_tensor.cc DEPS ddim place tensor framework_proto)
 cc_test(lod_tensor_test SRCS lod_tensor_test.cc DEPS lod_tensor paddle_memory)
 nv_test(lod_tensor_gpu_test SRCS lod_tensor_test.cu DEPS lod_tensor init)

paddle/framework/channel_test.cc

@@ -22,6 +22,8 @@ limitations under the License. */
 using paddle::framework::Channel;
 using paddle::framework::MakeChannel;
 using paddle::framework::CloseChannel;
+using paddle::framework::details::Buffered;
+using paddle::framework::details::UnBuffered;
 
 TEST(Channel, MakeAndClose) {
   using paddle::framework::details::Buffered;
@@ -60,13 +62,54 @@ TEST(Channel, SufficientBufferSizeDoesntBlock) {
   delete ch;
 }
 
-TEST(Channel, SendOnClosedChannelPanics) {
-  const size_t buffer_size = 10;
-  auto ch = MakeChannel<size_t>(buffer_size);
-  size_t i = 5;
-  EXPECT_EQ(ch->Send(&i), true);  // should not block or panic
+// This tests that a  channel must return false
+// on send and receive performed after closing the channel.
+// Receive will only return false after close when queue is empty.
+// By creating separate threads for sending and receiving, we make this
+// function able to test both buffered and unbuffered channels.
+void SendReceiveWithACloseChannelShouldPanic(Channel<size_t> *ch) {
+  const size_t data = 5;
+  std::thread send_thread{[&]() {
+    size_t i = data;
+    EXPECT_EQ(ch->Send(&i), true);  // should not block
+  }};
+
+  std::thread recv_thread{[&]() {
+    size_t i;
+    EXPECT_EQ(ch->Receive(&i), true);  // should not block
+    EXPECT_EQ(i, data);
+  }};
+
+  send_thread.join();
+  recv_thread.join();
+
+  // After closing send should return false. Receive should
+  // also return false as there is no data in queue.
   CloseChannel(ch);
-  EXPECT_EQ(ch->Send(&i), false);  // should panic
+  send_thread = std::thread{[&]() {
+    size_t i = data;
+    EXPECT_EQ(ch->Send(&i), false);  // should return false
+  }};
+  recv_thread = std::thread{[&]() {
+    size_t i;
+    // should return false because channel is closed and queue is empty
+    EXPECT_EQ(ch->Receive(&i), false);
+  }};
+
+  send_thread.join();
+  recv_thread.join();
+}
+
+TEST(Channel, SendReceiveClosedBufferedChannelPanics) {
+  size_t buffer_size = 10;
+  auto ch = MakeChannel<size_t>(buffer_size);
+  SendReceiveWithACloseChannelShouldPanic(ch);
+  delete ch;
+}
+
+TEST(Channel, SendReceiveClosedUnBufferedChannelPanics) {
+  auto ch = MakeChannel<size_t>(0);
+  SendReceiveWithACloseChannelShouldPanic(ch);
   delete ch;
 }
 
@@ -381,3 +424,129 @@ TEST(Channel, UnbufferedMoreReceiveLessSendTest) {
   EXPECT_EQ(sum_receive, 28U);
   delete ch;
 }
+
+// This tests that destroying a channel unblocks
+//  any senders waiting for channel to have write space
+void ChannelDestroyUnblockSenders(Channel<int> *ch) {
+  size_t num_threads = 5;
+  std::thread t[num_threads];
+  bool thread_ended[num_threads];
+  bool send_success[num_threads];
+
+  // Launches threads that try to write and are blocked because of no readers
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < num_threads; i++) {
+    thread_ended[i] = false;
+    send_success[i] = false;
+    t[i] = std::thread(
+        [&](bool *ended, bool *success) {
+          int data = 10;
+          *success = ch->Send(&data);
+          *ended = true;
+        },
+        &thread_ended[i], &send_success[i]);
+  }
+
+  std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(500));  // wait 0.5 sec
+  bool is_buffered_channel = false;
+  if (dynamic_cast<Buffered<int> *>(ch)) is_buffered_channel = true;
+
+  if (is_buffered_channel) {
+    // If channel is buffered, verify that atleast 4 threads are blocked
+    int ct = 0;
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < num_threads; i++) {
+      if (thread_ended[i] == false) ct++;
+    }
+    // Atleast 4 threads must be blocked
+    EXPECT_GE(ct, 4);
+  } else {
+    // Verify that all the threads are blocked
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < num_threads; i++) {
+      EXPECT_EQ(thread_ended[i], false);
+    }
+  }
+  // Explicitly destroy the channel
+  delete ch;
+  std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(200));  // wait
+
+  // Verify that all threads got unblocked
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < num_threads; i++) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(thread_ended[i], true);
+  }
+
+  // Count number of successfuld sends
+  int ct = 0;
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < num_threads; i++) {
+    if (send_success[i]) ct++;
+  }
+
+  if (is_buffered_channel) {
+    // Only 1 send must be successful
+    EXPECT_EQ(ct, 1);
+  } else {
+    // In unbuffered channel, no send should be successful
+    EXPECT_EQ(ct, 0);
+  }
+
+  // Join all threads
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < num_threads; i++) t[i].join();
+}
+
+// This tests that destroying a channel also unblocks
+//  any receivers waiting on the channel
+void ChannelDestroyUnblockReceivers(Channel<int> *ch) {
+  size_t num_threads = 5;
+  std::thread t[num_threads];
+  bool thread_ended[num_threads];
+
+  // Launches threads that try to read and are blocked because of no writers
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < num_threads; i++) {
+    thread_ended[i] = false;
+    t[i] = std::thread(
+        [&](bool *p) {
+          int data;
+          // All reads should return false
+          EXPECT_EQ(ch->Receive(&data), false);
+          *p = true;
+        },
+        &thread_ended[i]);
+  }
+  std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(100));  // wait
+
+  // Verify that all threads are blocked
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < num_threads; i++) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(thread_ended[i], false);
+  }
+  // delete the channel
+  delete ch;
+  std::this_thread::sleep_for(std::chrono::milliseconds(200));  // wait
+  // Verify that all threads got unblocked
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < num_threads; i++) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(thread_ended[i], true);
+  }
+
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < num_threads; i++) t[i].join();
+}
+
+TEST(Channel, BufferedChannelDestroyUnblocksReceiversTest) {
+  size_t buffer_size = 1;
+  auto ch = MakeChannel<int>(buffer_size);
+  ChannelDestroyUnblockReceivers(ch);
+}
+
+TEST(Channel, BufferedChannelDestroyUnblocksSendersTest) {
+  size_t buffer_size = 1;
+  auto ch = MakeChannel<int>(buffer_size);
+  ChannelDestroyUnblockSenders(ch);
+}
+
+// This tests that destroying an unbuffered channel also unblocks
+//  unblocks any receivers waiting for senders
+TEST(Channel, UnbufferedChannelDestroyUnblocksReceiversTest) {
+  auto ch = MakeChannel<int>(0);
+  ChannelDestroyUnblockReceivers(ch);
+}
+
+TEST(Channel, UnbufferedChannelDestroyUnblocksSendersTest) {
+  auto ch = MakeChannel<int>(0);
+  ChannelDestroyUnblockSenders(ch);
+}

paddle/framework/details/buffered_channel.h

@@ -42,8 +42,11 @@ class Buffered : public paddle::framework::Channel<T> {
   std::mutex mu_;
   std::condition_variable empty_cond_var_;
   std::condition_variable full_cond_var_;
+  std::condition_variable destructor_cond_var_;
   std::deque<T> channel_;
   std::atomic<bool> closed_{false};
+  std::atomic<unsigned> send_ctr{0};
+  std::atomic<unsigned> recv_ctr{0};
 
   Buffered(size_t cap) : cap_(cap), closed_(false) {
     PADDLE_ENFORCE_GT(cap, 0);
@@ -58,6 +61,7 @@ bool Buffered<T>::Send(T* item) {
   if (closed_) {
     return ret;
   }
+  send_ctr++;
   std::unique_lock<std::mutex> lock(mu_);
   full_cond_var_.wait(lock,
                       [this]() { return channel_.size() < cap_ || closed_; });
@@ -67,20 +71,30 @@ bool Buffered<T>::Send(T* item) {
     empty_cond_var_.notify_one();
     ret = true;
   }
+  send_ctr--;
+  destructor_cond_var_.notify_one();
   return ret;
 }
 
 template <typename T>
 bool Buffered<T>::Receive(T* item) {
+  bool ret = false;
+  // Once the channel has been closed and all data has been consumed,
+  // just return false. Don't even try acquiring the mutex.
+  if (closed_ && channel_.empty()) {
+    return false;
+  }
+  recv_ctr++;
   std::unique_lock<std::mutex> lock(mu_);
   empty_cond_var_.wait(lock, [this]() { return !channel_.empty() || closed_; });
-  bool ret = false;
   if (!channel_.empty()) {
     *item = std::move(channel_.front());
     channel_.pop_front();
     full_cond_var_.notify_one();
     ret = true;
   }
+  recv_ctr--;
+  destructor_cond_var_.notify_one();
   return ret;
 }
 
@@ -100,6 +114,12 @@ Buffered<T>::~Buffered() {
   closed_ = true;
   channel_.clear();
   NotifyAllParticipants(&lock);
+
+  // The destructor must wait for all readers and writers to complete their task
+  // The channel has been closed, so we will not accept new readers and writers
+  lock.lock();
+  destructor_cond_var_.wait(
+      lock, [this]() { return send_ctr == 0 && recv_ctr == 0; });
 }
 
 template <typename T>

paddle/framework/details/unbuffered_channel.h

@@ -45,9 +45,11 @@ class UnBuffered : public paddle::framework::Channel<T> {
   // A transaction occurs only when both are true
   std::atomic<bool> reader_found_{false}, writer_found_{false};
   std::condition_variable cv_channel_;
-  std::condition_variable_any cv_reader_, cv_writer_;
+  std::condition_variable_any cv_reader_, cv_writer_, cv_destructor_;
   T* item{nullptr};
   std::atomic<bool> closed_{false};
+  std::atomic<unsigned> send_ctr{0};
+  std::atomic<unsigned> recv_ctr{0};
 
   UnBuffered() : closed_(false) {}
 
@@ -62,6 +64,7 @@ bool UnBuffered<T>::Send(T* data) {
   if (closed_) {
     return ret;
   }
+  send_ctr++;
   // Prevent other writers from entering
   std::unique_lock<std::recursive_mutex> writer_lock(mu_write_);
   writer_found_ = true;
@@ -81,6 +84,8 @@ bool UnBuffered<T>::Send(T* data) {
     ret = true;
   }
   writer_found_ = false;
+  send_ctr--;
+  cv_destructor_.notify_one();
   return ret;
 }
 
@@ -88,6 +93,12 @@ bool UnBuffered<T>::Send(T* data) {
 // data that was sent by a writer is read from a reader.
 template <typename T>
 bool UnBuffered<T>::Receive(T* data) {
+  bool ret = false;
+  // If channel is closed, we don't even want any reader to enter.
+  // Unlike a buffered channel, an unbuffered channel does not allow
+  // readers to read after closing because there is no buffer to be consumed.
+  if (closed_) return ret;
+  recv_ctr++;
   // Prevent other readers from entering
   std::unique_lock<std::recursive_mutex> read_lock{mu_read_};
   reader_found_ = true;
@@ -96,7 +107,6 @@ bool UnBuffered<T>::Receive(T* data) {
   cv_reader_.wait(cv_lock,
                   [this]() { return writer_found_ == true || closed_; });
   cv_writer_.notify_one();
-  bool ret = false;
   if (!closed_) {
     std::unique_lock<std::mutex> lock_ch{mu_ch_};
     // Reader should wait for the writer to first write its data
@@ -110,6 +120,8 @@ bool UnBuffered<T>::Receive(T* data) {
     cv_channel_.notify_one();
   }
   reader_found_ = false;
+  recv_ctr--;
+  cv_destructor_.notify_one();
   return ret;
 }
 
@@ -135,6 +147,9 @@ UnBuffered<T>::~UnBuffered() {
   item = nullptr;
   closed_ = true;
   NotifyAllParticipants(&lock);
+  lock.lock();
+  cv_destructor_.wait(lock,
+                      [this]() { return send_ctr == 0 && recv_ctr == 0; });
 }
 
 // This function notifies all the readers, writers and

paddle/framework/lod_tensor.h

@@ -48,12 +48,26 @@ namespace framework {
  */
 struct LoD : public std::vector<Vector<size_t>> {
   using std::vector<Vector<size_t>>::vector;
+  platform::Place place() const {
+    if (this->size() == 0) {
+      // Not Initialze Yet.
+      return platform::CPUPlace();
+    } else {
+      return this->front().place();
+    }
+  }
 
   void CopyFromCUDA() {
     for (auto it = this->begin(); it != this->end(); ++it) {
       it->CopyFromCUDA();
     }
   }
+
+  void CopyToPeer(platform::Place place) {
+    for (auto it = this->begin(); it != this->end(); ++it) {
+      it->CopyToPeer(place);
+    }
+  }
 };
 
 std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream& os, const LoD& lod);

paddle/framework/lod_tensor_test.cu

@@ -28,28 +28,6 @@ __global__ void test(size_t* a, int size) {
   }
 }
 
-TEST(Vector, Normal) {
-  using namespace paddle::framework;
-  using namespace paddle::platform;
-  using namespace paddle::memory;
-
-  paddle::framework::InitDevices();
-
-  paddle::framework::Vector<size_t> vec({1, 2, 3});
-  size_t* ptr = vec.data();
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < vec.size(); ++i) {
-    EXPECT_EQ(vec[i], *(ptr + i));
-  }
-
-  vec.clear();
-  vec.CopyFromCUDA();
-
-  std::vector<size_t> v = {1, 2, 3};
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < v.size(); ++i) {
-    EXPECT_EQ(v[i], vec[i]);
-  }
-}
-
 TEST(LoD, data) {
   paddle::framework::InitDevices();
 

paddle/framework/mixed_vector.h

@@ -40,20 +40,21 @@ class Vector : public std::vector<T> {
   Vector() {}
   Vector(const std::vector<T> &v) : std::vector<T>(v) {}  // NOLINT
 
-  virtual ~Vector() {
-#ifdef PADDLE_WITH_CUDA
-    if (cuda_ptr_ != nullptr) {
-      memory::Free<platform::CUDAPlace>(place_, cuda_ptr_);
-    }
-#endif
-  }
+  inline platform::Place place() const { return place_; }
 
+  /*! Return a pointer to constant memory block. */
+  inline const T *data(platform::Place place) const;
+
+  /*! Return a pointer to mutable memory block. */
+  inline T *mutable_data(platform::Place place);
+
+  // TODO(dzhwinter): below interfaces should be removed
   /* Get device vector */
   T *cuda_data() {
     CopyToCUDA();
     PADDLE_ENFORCE_NOT_NULL(
         cuda_ptr_, "No data or Insufficient CUDA memory to allocation");
-    return static_cast<T *>(cuda_ptr_);
+    return static_cast<T *>(cuda_ptr_.get());
   }
 
   /* Get host vector */
@@ -76,25 +77,73 @@ class Vector : public std::vector<T> {
   void CopyToPeer(platform::Place);
 
  private:
-  void *cuda_ptr_ = nullptr;
+  std::shared_ptr<void> cuda_ptr_;
   size_t cuda_size_ = 0;  // device vector numel
   platform::CUDAPlace place_;
 };
 
 template <typename T>
-void Vector<T>::CopyToCUDA() {
+inline const T *Vector<T>::data(platform::Place place) const {
+  if (platform::is_cpu_place(place)) {
+    return std::vector<T>::data();
+  } else if (platform::is_gpu_place(place)) {
+    if (cuda_ptr_ == nullptr) {
+      return nullptr;
+    }
+    if (boost::get<platform::CUDAPlace>(place) == place_) {
+      return static_cast<const T *>(cuda_ptr_.get());
+    } else {
+      PADDLE_THROW(
+          "Unmatched place. Please use `mutable_data` copy lod to the target "
+          "Place first.");
+    }
+  } else {
+    PADDLE_THROW("Unsupport Place.");
+  }
+}
+
+template <typename T>
+inline T *Vector<T>::mutable_data(platform::Place place) {
+  if (platform::is_cpu_place(place)) {
+    return std::vector<T>::data();
+  } else if (platform::is_gpu_place(place)) {
+    if (boost::get<platform::CUDAPlace>(place) != place_) {
+      place_ = boost::get<platform::CUDAPlace>(place);
+    }
 #ifdef PADDLE_WITH_CUDA
-  if (cuda_size_ < this->size()) {
-    if (cuda_ptr_ != nullptr) {
-      memory::Free<platform::CUDAPlace>(place_, cuda_ptr_);
+    if (cuda_size_ < this->size() || cuda_ptr_ == nullptr) {
+      cuda_ptr_.reset(
+          memory::Alloc<platform::CUDAPlace>(place_, this->size() * sizeof(T)),
+          memory::PlainDeleter<void, platform::CUDAPlace>(place_));
     }
-    cuda_ptr_ =
-        memory::Alloc<platform::CUDAPlace>(place_, this->size() * sizeof(T));
+    cuda_size_ = this->size();
+    platform::DeviceContextPool &pool = platform::DeviceContextPool::Instance();
+    auto *ctx = pool.GetByPlace(place_);
+    memory::Copy(place_, cuda_ptr_.get(), platform::CPUPlace(),
+                 static_cast<const void *>(this->data()),
+                 this->size() * sizeof(T), ctx->stream());
+    ctx->Wait();
+    return static_cast<T *>(cuda_ptr_.get());
+#else
+    return nullptr;
+#endif
+  } else {
+    PADDLE_THROW("Unsupport Place.");
+  }
+}
+
+template <typename T>
+void Vector<T>::CopyToCUDA() {
+#ifdef PADDLE_WITH_CUDA
+  if (cuda_size_ < this->size() || cuda_ptr_ == nullptr) {
+    cuda_ptr_.reset(
+        memory::Alloc<platform::CUDAPlace>(place_, this->size() * sizeof(T)),
+        memory::PlainDeleter<void, platform::CUDAPlace>(place_));
   }
   cuda_size_ = this->size();
   platform::DeviceContextPool &pool = platform::DeviceContextPool::Instance();
   auto *ctx = pool.GetByPlace(place_);
-  memory::Copy(place_, cuda_ptr_, platform::CPUPlace(),
+  memory::Copy(place_, cuda_ptr_.get(), platform::CPUPlace(),
                static_cast<const void *>(this->data()),
                this->size() * sizeof(T), ctx->stream());
   ctx->Wait();
@@ -112,32 +161,32 @@ void Vector<T>::CopyFromCUDA() {
   platform::DeviceContextPool &pool = platform::DeviceContextPool::Instance();
   auto *ctx = pool.GetByPlace(place_);
   memory::Copy(platform::CPUPlace(), static_cast<void *>(this->data()), place_,
-               static_cast<const void *>(cuda_ptr_), this->size() * sizeof(T),
-               ctx->stream());
+               static_cast<const void *>(cuda_ptr_.get()),
+               this->size() * sizeof(T), ctx->stream());
   ctx->Wait();
 #endif
 }
 
 template <typename T>
-void Vector<T>::CopyToPeer(platform::Place peer_place) {
+void Vector<T>::CopyToPeer(platform::Place place) {
 #ifdef PADDLE_WITH_CUDA
-  auto *ctx = platform::DeviceContextPool::Instance().GetByPlace(place_);
-  void *peer_cuda_ptr = memory::Alloc<platform::CUDAPlace>(
-      boost::get<platform::CUDAPlace>(peer_place), this->size() * sizeof(T));
-  memory::Copy(boost::get<platform::CUDAPlace>(peer_place), peer_cuda_ptr,
-               place_, cuda_ptr_, this->size() * sizeof(T), ctx->stream());
+  if (boost::get<platform::CUDAPlace>(place) != place_) {
+    place_ = boost::get<platform::CUDAPlace>(place);
+  }
+  if (cuda_size_ < this->size() || cuda_ptr_ == nullptr) {
+    cuda_ptr_.reset(
+        memory::Alloc<platform::CUDAPlace>(place_, this->size() * sizeof(T)),
+        memory::PlainDeleter<void, platform::CUDAPlace>(place_));
+  }
+  cuda_size_ = this->size();
+  platform::DeviceContextPool &pool = platform::DeviceContextPool::Instance();
+  auto *ctx = pool.GetByPlace(place_);
+  memory::Copy(place_, cuda_ptr_.get(), platform::CPUPlace(),
+               static_cast<const void *>(this->data()),
+               this->size() * sizeof(T), ctx->stream());
   ctx->Wait();
-
-  memory::Free<platform::CUDAPlace>(place_, cuda_ptr_);
-  place_ = boost::get<platform::CUDAPlace>(peer_place);
-  cuda_ptr_ = peer_cuda_ptr;
 #endif
 }
 
-template class Vector<int>;
-template class Vector<unsigned>;
-template class Vector<size_t>;
-template class Vector<int64_t>;
-
 }  // namespace framework
 }  // namespace paddle

paddle/framework/mixed_vector_test.cu

@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+/* Copyright (c) 2016 PaddlePaddle Authors. All Rights Reserve.
+
+   Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License");
+   you may not use this file except in compliance with the License.
+   You may obtain a copy of the License at
+
+   http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0
+
+   Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software
+   distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
+   WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
+   See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
+   limitations under the License. */
+#include <cuda.h>
+#include <cuda_runtime.h>
+#include "gtest/gtest.h"
+
+#include "paddle/framework/init.h"
+#include "paddle/framework/mixed_vector.h"
+
+using namespace paddle::framework;
+using namespace paddle::platform;
+using namespace paddle::memory;
+
+template <typename T>
+__global__ void test(T* data, int size) {
+  for (int i = blockIdx.x * blockDim.x + threadIdx.x; i < size;
+       i += blockDim.x * gridDim.x) {
+    data[i] *= 2;
+  }
+}
+
+TEST(Vector, Normal) {
+  // fill the device context pool.
+  InitDevices();
+
+  Vector<size_t> vec({1, 2, 3});
+  size_t* ptr = vec.data();
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < vec.size(); ++i) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(vec[i], *(ptr + i));
+  }
+
+  vec.clear();
+  vec.CopyFromCUDA();
+
+  std::vector<size_t> v = {1, 2, 3};
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < v.size(); ++i) {
+    EXPECT_EQ(v[i], vec[i]);
+  }
+}
+
+TEST(Vector, MultipleCopy) {
+  InitDevices();
+  Vector<size_t> vec({1, 2, 3});
+  CUDAPlace place(0);
+  vec.mutable_data(place);
+  auto vec2 = Vector<size_t>(vec);
+  {
+    const size_t* ptr = vec2.data(CPUPlace());
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < vec2.size(); ++i) {
+      EXPECT_EQ(*(ptr + i), vec[i]);
+    }
+  }
+  test<size_t><<<3, 3>>>(vec2.mutable_data(place), vec2.size());
+  vec2.CopyFromCUDA();
+  {
+    const size_t* ptr = vec2.data(CPUPlace());
+    for (size_t i = 0; i < vec2.size(); ++i) {
+      EXPECT_EQ(*(ptr + i), vec[i] * 2);
+    }
+  }
+}

paddle/inference/tests/book/CMakeLists.txt

@@ -1,31 +1,30 @@
-set(PYTHON_TESTS_DIR ${PADDLE_SOURCE_DIR}/python/paddle/v2/fluid/tests)
-cc_test(test_inference_recognize_digits_mlp
-    SRCS test_inference_recognize_digits.cc
-    DEPS ARCHIVE_START paddle_fluid ARCHIVE_END
-    ARGS --dirname=${PYTHON_TESTS_DIR}/book/recognize_digits_mlp.inference.model)
-cc_test(test_inference_image_classification_vgg
-    SRCS test_inference_image_classification.cc
-    DEPS ARCHIVE_START paddle_fluid ARCHIVE_END
-    ARGS --dirname=${PYTHON_TESTS_DIR}/book/image_classification_vgg.inference.model)
-cc_test(test_inference_image_classification_resnet
-    SRCS test_inference_image_classification.cc
-    DEPS ARCHIVE_START paddle_fluid ARCHIVE_END
-    ARGS --dirname=${PYTHON_TESTS_DIR}/book/image_classification_resnet.inference.model)
-cc_test(test_inference_label_semantic_roles
-    SRCS test_inference_label_semantic_roles.cc
-    DEPS ARCHIVE_START paddle_fluid ARCHIVE_END
-    ARGS --dirname=${PYTHON_TESTS_DIR}/book/label_semantic_roles.inference.model)
-cc_test(test_inference_rnn_encoder_decoder
-    SRCS test_inference_rnn_encoder_decoder.cc
-    DEPS ARCHIVE_START paddle_fluid ARCHIVE_END
-    ARGS --dirname=${PYTHON_TESTS_DIR}/book/rnn_encoder_decoder.inference.model)
-set_tests_properties(test_inference_recognize_digits_mlp
-    PROPERTIES DEPENDS test_recognize_digits)
-set_tests_properties(test_inference_image_classification_vgg
-    PROPERTIES DEPENDS test_image_classification_train)
-set_tests_properties(test_inference_image_classification_resnet
-    PROPERTIES DEPENDS test_image_classification_train)
-set_tests_properties(test_inference_label_semantic_roles
-    PROPERTIES DEPENDS test_label_semantic_roles) 
-set_tests_properties(test_inference_rnn_encoder_decoder
-    PROPERTIES DEPENDS test_rnn_encoder_decoder) 
+function(inference_test TARGET_NAME)
+  set(options "")
+  set(oneValueArgs "")
+  set(multiValueArgs ARGS)
+  cmake_parse_arguments(inference_test "${options}" "${oneValueArgs}" "${multiValueArgs}" ${ARGN})
+
+  set(PYTHON_TESTS_DIR ${PADDLE_SOURCE_DIR}/python/paddle/v2/fluid/tests)
+  if(inference_test_ARGS)
+    foreach(arg ${inference_test_ARGS})
+      cc_test(test_inference_${TARGET_NAME}_${arg}
+          SRCS test_inference_${TARGET_NAME}.cc
+          DEPS ARCHIVE_START paddle_fluid ARCHIVE_END
+          ARGS --dirname=${PYTHON_TESTS_DIR}/book/${TARGET_NAME}_${arg}.inference.model)
+      set_tests_properties(test_inference_${TARGET_NAME}_${arg}
+          PROPERTIES DEPENDS test_${TARGET_NAME})
+    endforeach()
+  else()
+    cc_test(test_inference_${TARGET_NAME}
+        SRCS test_inference_${TARGET_NAME}.cc
+        DEPS ARCHIVE_START paddle_fluid ARCHIVE_END
+        ARGS --dirname=${PYTHON_TESTS_DIR}/book/${TARGET_NAME}.inference.model)
+    set_tests_properties(test_inference_${TARGET_NAME}
+        PROPERTIES DEPENDS test_${TARGET_NAME})
+  endif()
+endfunction(inference_test)
+
+inference_test(recognize_digits ARGS mlp)
+inference_test(image_classification ARGS vgg resnet)
+inference_test(label_semantic_roles)
+inference_test(rnn_encoder_decoder)

paddle/inference/tests/book/test_helper.h

@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied.
 See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 limitations under the License. */
 
+#include <time.h>
 #include "paddle/framework/lod_tensor.h"
 #include "paddle/inference/io.h"
 

paddle/inference/tests/book/test_inference_image_classification.cc

@@ -13,51 +13,11 @@ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 limitations under the License. */
 
 #include <gtest/gtest.h>
-#include <time.h>
-#include <sstream>
 #include "gflags/gflags.h"
-#include "paddle/framework/lod_tensor.h"
-#include "paddle/inference/io.h"
+#include "test_helper.h"
 
 DEFINE_string(dirname, "", "Directory of the inference model.");
 
-template <typename Place, typename T>
-void TestInference(const std::string& dirname,
-                   const std::vector<paddle::framework::LoDTensor*>& cpu_feeds,
-                   std::vector<paddle::framework::LoDTensor*>& cpu_fetchs) {
-  // 1. Define place, executor and scope
-  auto place = Place();
-  auto executor = paddle::framework::Executor(place);
-  auto* scope = new paddle::framework::Scope();
-
-  // 2. Initialize the inference_program and load all parameters from file
-  auto inference_program = paddle::inference::Load(executor, *scope, dirname);
-
-  // 3. Get the feed_target_names and fetch_target_names
-  const std::vector<std::string>& feed_target_names =
-      inference_program->GetFeedTargetNames();
-  const std::vector<std::string>& fetch_target_names =
-      inference_program->GetFetchTargetNames();
-
-  // 4. Prepare inputs: set up maps for feed targets
-  std::map<std::string, const paddle::framework::LoDTensor*> feed_targets;
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < feed_target_names.size(); ++i) {
-    // Please make sure that cpu_feeds[i] is right for feed_target_names[i]
-    feed_targets[feed_target_names[i]] = cpu_feeds[i];
-  }
-
-  // 5. Define Tensor to get the outputs: set up maps for fetch targets
-  std::map<std::string, paddle::framework::LoDTensor*> fetch_targets;
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < fetch_target_names.size(); ++i) {
-    fetch_targets[fetch_target_names[i]] = cpu_fetchs[i];
-  }
-
-  // 6. Run the inference program
-  executor.Run(*inference_program, scope, feed_targets, fetch_targets);
-
-  delete scope;
-}
-
 TEST(inference, image_classification) {
   if (FLAGS_dirname.empty()) {
     LOG(FATAL) << "Usage: ./example --dirname=path/to/your/model";
@@ -70,12 +30,10 @@ TEST(inference, image_classification) {
   // In unittests, this is done in paddle/testing/paddle_gtest_main.cc
 
   paddle::framework::LoDTensor input;
-  srand(time(0));
-  float* input_ptr =
-      input.mutable_data<float>({1, 3, 32, 32}, paddle::platform::CPUPlace());
-  for (int i = 0; i < 3072; ++i) {
-    input_ptr[i] = rand() / (static_cast<float>(RAND_MAX));
-  }
+  // Use normilized image pixels as input data,
+  // which should be in the range [0.0, 1.0].
+  SetupTensor<float>(
+      input, {1, 3, 32, 32}, static_cast<float>(0), static_cast<float>(1));
   std::vector<paddle::framework::LoDTensor*> cpu_feeds;
   cpu_feeds.push_back(&input);
 
@@ -98,16 +56,6 @@ TEST(inference, image_classification) {
       dirname, cpu_feeds, cpu_fetchs2);
   LOG(INFO) << output2.dims();
 
-  EXPECT_EQ(output1.dims(), output2.dims());
-  EXPECT_EQ(output1.numel(), output2.numel());
-
-  float err = 1E-3;
-  int count = 0;
-  for (int64_t i = 0; i < output1.numel(); ++i) {
-    if (fabs(output1.data<float>()[i] - output2.data<float>()[i]) > err) {
-      count++;
-    }
-  }
-  EXPECT_EQ(count, 0) << "There are " << count << " different elements.";
+  CheckError<float>(output1, output2);
 #endif
 }

paddle/inference/tests/book/test_inference_label_semantic_roles.cc

@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 limitations under the License. */
 
 #include <gtest/gtest.h>
-#include <time.h>
-#include <sstream>
 #include "gflags/gflags.h"
 #include "test_helper.h"
 

paddle/inference/tests/book/test_inference_recognize_digits.cc

@@ -13,8 +13,6 @@ See the License for the specific language governing permissions and
 limitations under the License. */
 
 #include <gtest/gtest.h>
-#include <time.h>
-#include <sstream>
 #include "gflags/gflags.h"
 #include "test_helper.h"
 

paddle/memory/memory.h

@@ -81,5 +81,23 @@ class PODDeleter {
   Place place_;
 };
 
+/**
+ * \brief   Free memory block in one place does not meet POD
+ *
+ * \note    In some cases, custom deleter is used to
+ *          deallocate the memory automatically for
+ *          std::unique_ptr<T> in tensor.h.
+ *
+ */
+template <typename T, typename Place>
+class PlainDeleter {
+ public:
+  explicit PlainDeleter(Place place) : place_(place) {}
+  void operator()(T* ptr) { Free(place_, reinterpret_cast<void*>(ptr)); }
+
+ private:
+  Place place_;
+};
+
 }  // namespace memory
 }  // namespace paddle

paddle/operators/ctc_align_op.cu

@@ -80,6 +80,14 @@ class CTCAlignOpCUDAKernel : public framework::OpKernel<T> {
 
     // resize output dims
     output->Resize({static_cast<int64_t>(host_out_lod0.back()), 1});
+
+    if (host_out_lod0.back() == 0) {
+      output->Resize({1, 1});
+      output->mutable_data<T>(ctx.GetPlace());
+      math::SetConstant<platform::CUDADeviceContext, T> set_constant;
+      set_constant(ctx.template device_context<platform::CUDADeviceContext>(),
+                   output, -1);
+    }
   }
 };