Request for review (XL) 6990754: Use native memory and reference counting to implement SymbolTable

[Coleen Phillimore]

One of the ongoing projects in Hotspot is to move the VM internal data 
structures (known as metadata) out of the Java heap (permgen) into 
native memory.  This patch is the first step in the greater project.  
For more information please read the information in the bugs:

6964458: Reimplement class meta-data storage to use native memory
http://bugs.sun.com/view_bug.do?bug_id=6964468

6990754: Use native memory and reference counting to implement SymbolTable
http://bugs.sun.com/view_bug.do?bug_id=6990754

I've had 3 detailed code reviews and contribution from internal team 
members never, acorn, jmasa and apangin.  If you are part of the openjdk 
java vm community we especially want to hear your comments and review.  
This is a very large change.

The major changes are in the symbolTable.hpp and symbol.hpp.  These 
files should be read FIRST.  symbolOop has been replaced with Symbol* in 
many of the source files.  Symbol* is now a reference counted type 
contained in the SymbolTable.  Symbol* is no longer an oop and it is not 
in the Java heap.  The symbolHandle uses are no longer applicable.

Webrev:
http://cr.openjdk.java.net/~coleenp/6990754_3/

You can either send your comments to me directly or the whole email 
list.  I am not going to be working Friday or this weekend but will 
carefully address all comments next week.

Thanks,
Coleen