[alsa-devel] Semantics of a single period per buffer?

While refining the sis7019 for submission, I found a possible issue with having a single period per buffer. The easy way out is to set the minimum number of periods to 2, but I see other drivers allow a single period. This leads to a question about the semantics of a single period that I've not been able to resolve using Google.

Any one have any thoughts or pointers to a discussion on having a single period per buffer? Should it be a one-shot play, or just let it hit XRUN every time? Other ideas?

Thanks, Dave