possible idea for a new RKWard feature - an RKWard set total max memory limit encompassing all rkward.rbackends

[rkward @ oijn]

A possible idea for a new RKWard feature.

I have come across situations where R consumes as much memory as it can 
get resulting in thrashing to swap and quite quickly an unresponsive 
system.

This can be safeguarded by using something like:
library(unix)                            #Required to force mem limits 
and avoid swap
rlimit_as(4.8e+10,  4.8e+10)             #Set soft limit = 48G; hard 
limit = 48G

This is a limit per R process... and works OK if using only a single R 
process - this can be set to safeguard the running desktop and avoid an 
unresponsive computer.

However, if you are using multicore libraries
options(cores = 16)
registerDoMC()

What is really needed is:
rlimit_as(3e+9,  3e+9)             #Set soft limit = 3G; hard limit = 3G

It would be idea to set the soft & hard limit (or something similar in 
concept) as a setting within RKWard as a total allowed limit.  As within 
a session there may be parts with a single R process and you wish the 
full limit to be 48G for that process. But also have later in the 
session have multiple R processes where the total limit should still 
remain 48G but be divided between the number of R processes.  I would 
think that RKWard having control over rkward.rbackend would be in an 
ideal position to be able to set a simple single limit and enforce it 
such that single processes could grow up to the limit.  But where 
multiple processes are being run - the limit can be distributed 
automagically still keeping the total allowed limit.

Thx

Just an idea I had?