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Revision 1.132 by root, Thu Sep 20 22:53:23 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.194 by root, Tue Jul 8 20:08:40 2008 UTC

2 2
3Coro - coroutine process abstraction 3Coro - coroutine process abstraction
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 use Coro; 7 use Coro;
8 8
9 async { 9 async {
10 # some asynchronous thread of execution 10 # some asynchronous thread of execution
11 print "2\n";
12 cede; # yield back to main
13 print "4\n";
11 }; 14 };
12 15 print "1\n";
13 # alternatively create an async coroutine like this: 16 cede; # yield to coroutine
14 17 print "3\n";
15 sub some_func : Coro { 18 cede; # and again
16 # some more async code 19
17 } 20 # use locking
18 21 my $lock = new Coro::Semaphore;
19 cede; 22 my $locked;
23
24 $lock->down;
25 $locked = 1;
26 $lock->up;
20 27
21=head1 DESCRIPTION 28=head1 DESCRIPTION
22 29
23This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar 30This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar to
24to threads but don't run in parallel at the same time even on SMP 31threads but don't (in general) run in parallel at the same time even
25machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module also 32on SMP machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module
26guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless 33also guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless
27necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and 34necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and
28parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much 35parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much
29safer than threads programming. 36safer and easier than threads programming.
30 37
31(Perl, however, does not natively support real threads but instead does a 38Unlike a normal perl program, however, coroutines allow you to have
32very slow and memory-intensive emulation of processes using threads. This 39multiple running interpreters that share data, which is especially useful
33is a performance win on Windows machines, and a loss everywhere else). 40to code pseudo-parallel processes and for event-based programming, such as
41multiple HTTP-GET requests running concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to
42learn more.
43
44Coroutines are also useful because Perl has no support for threads (the so
45called "threads" that perl offers are nothing more than the (bad) process
46emulation coming from the Windows platform: On standard operating systems
47they serve no purpose whatsoever, except by making your programs slow and
48making them use a lot of memory. Best disable them when building perl, or
49aks your software vendor/distributor to do it for you).
34 50
35In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables + 51In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
36@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain, 52@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain,
37its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global 53its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
38variables. 54variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration).
39 55
40=cut 56=cut
41 57
42package Coro; 58package Coro;
43 59
50 66
51our $idle; # idle handler 67our $idle; # idle handler
52our $main; # main coroutine 68our $main; # main coroutine
53our $current; # current coroutine 69our $current; # current coroutine
54 70
55our $VERSION = '3.7'; 71our $VERSION = 4.744;
56 72
57our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 73our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
58our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 74our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
59 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 75 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
60); 76);
61our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 77our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
62 78
63{
64 my @async;
65 my $init;
66
67 # this way of handling attributes simply is NOT scalable ;()
68 sub import {
69 no strict 'refs';
70
71 Coro->export_to_level (1, @_);
72
73 my $old = *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"}{CODE};
74 *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"} = sub {
75 my ($package, $ref) = (shift, shift);
76 my @attrs;
77 for (@_) {
78 if ($_ eq "Coro") {
79 push @async, $ref;
80 unless ($init++) {
81 eval q{
82 sub INIT {
83 &async(pop @async) while @async;
84 }
85 };
86 }
87 } else {
88 push @attrs, $_;
89 }
90 }
91 return $old ? $old->($package, $ref, @attrs) : @attrs;
92 };
93 }
94
95}
96
97=over 4 79=over 4
98 80
99=item $main 81=item $Coro::main
100 82
101This coroutine represents the main program. 83This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
84program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
85coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
86wether you are running in the main program or not.
102 87
103=cut 88=cut
104 89
105$main = new Coro; 90$main = new Coro;
106 91
107=item $current (or as function: current) 92=item $Coro::current
108 93
109The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 94The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
95coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
110is C<$main> (of course). 96C<$main> (of course).
111 97
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 98This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essential you are encouraged to use the 99value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 100not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 101
116=cut 102=cut
117 103
118$main->{desc} = "[main::]"; 104$main->{desc} = "[main::]";
119 105
120# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before... 106# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
121$main->{specific} = $current->{specific} 107$main->{_specific} = $current->{_specific}
122 if $current; 108 if $current;
123 109
124_set_current $main; 110_set_current $main;
125 111
126sub current() { $current } 112sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
127 113
128=item $idle 114=item $Coro::idle
129 115
130A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 116This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
131to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 117usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
132exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 118pretty low-level functionality.
119
120This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
121finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
122"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
123to continue.
133 124
134This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 125This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
135C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 126C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
136coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 127coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
137 128
129Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
130the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
131coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
132readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
133
134See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
135technique.
136
138Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 137Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
139handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 138handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
140 139
141=cut 140=cut
142 141
143$idle = sub { 142$idle = sub {
144 require Carp; 143 require Carp;
151 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed 150 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed
152 $self->_destroy 151 $self->_destroy
153 or return; 152 or return;
154 153
155 # call all destruction callbacks 154 # call all destruction callbacks
156 $_->(@{$self->{status}}) 155 $_->(@{$self->{_status}})
157 for @{(delete $self->{destroy_cb}) || []}; 156 for @{(delete $self->{_on_destroy}) || []};
158} 157}
159 158
160# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 159# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
161# cannot destroy itself. 160# cannot destroy itself.
162my @destroy; 161my @destroy;
171 } 170 }
172}; 171};
173$manager->desc ("[coro manager]"); 172$manager->desc ("[coro manager]");
174$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 173$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
175 174
176# static methods. not really.
177
178=back 175=back
179 176
180=head2 STATIC METHODS 177=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
181
182Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
183 178
184=over 4 179=over 4
185 180
186=item async { ... } [@args...] 181=item async { ... } [@args...]
187 182
188Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 183Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
189(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 184unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so
185it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
186
187The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
188coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically
190terminated. 189terminated.
190
191The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
192
193See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
194environment in which coroutines are executed.
191 195
192Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside 196Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
193the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit, 197the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
194just as it would in the main program. 198just as it would in the main program.
195 199
200If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
201simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
202
196 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 203Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
204
197 async { 205 async {
198 print "@_\n"; 206 print "@_\n";
199 } 1,2,3,4; 207 } 1,2,3,4;
200 208
201=cut 209=cut
207} 215}
208 216
209=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 217=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
210 218
211Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 219Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call
212terminate or join (although you are allowed to), and you get a coroutine 220terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
213that might have executed other code already (which can be good or bad :). 221coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
222or bad :).
214 223
224On the plus side, this function is faster than creating (and destroying)
225a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic coroutines in
226quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
227
215Also, the block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 228The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
216issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as 229issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
217C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy> 230C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
218will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel, 231will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
219which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling. 232which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
233exceptional case).
220 234
221The priority will be reset to C<0> after each job, otherwise the coroutine 235The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
222will be re-used "as-is". 236disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
237gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
238be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
239stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> to revert that change, which is most
240simply done by using local as in: C< local $/ >.
223 241
224The pool size is limited to 8 idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by 242The pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by
225changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as 243changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as
226required. 244required.
227 245
228If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 246If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
229single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool { 247single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
230terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. 248{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
249addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb
250(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
231 251
232=cut 252=cut
233 253
234our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 254our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
235our $MAX_POOL_RSS = 64 * 1024; 255our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024;
236our @pool; 256our @async_pool;
237 257
238sub pool_handler { 258sub pool_handler {
259 my $cb;
260
239 while () { 261 while () {
240 $current->{desc} = "[async_pool]";
241
242 eval { 262 eval {
243 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $current->{_invoke} or return }; 263 while () {
244 $cb->(@arg); 264 _pool_1 $cb;
265 &$cb;
266 _pool_2 $cb;
267 &schedule;
268 }
245 }; 269 };
270
271 if ($@) {
272 last if $@ eq "\3async_pool terminate\2\n";
246 warn $@ if $@; 273 warn $@;
247 274 }
248 last if @pool >= $POOL_SIZE || $current->rss >= $MAX_POOL_RSS;
249
250 push @pool, $current;
251 $current->{desc} = "[async_pool idle]";
252 $current->save (Coro::State::SAVE_DEF);
253 $current->prio (0);
254 schedule;
255 } 275 }
256} 276}
257 277
258sub async_pool(&@) { 278sub async_pool(&@) {
259 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler 279 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler
260 my $coro = (pop @pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;; 280 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
261 281
262 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_]; 282 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_];
263 $coro->ready; 283 $coro->ready;
264 284
265 $coro 285 $coro
266} 286}
267 287
288=back
289
290=head2 STATIC METHODS
291
292Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine.
293
294=over 4
295
268=item schedule 296=item schedule
269 297
270Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 298Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
299to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
300to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
301in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
302C<$Coro::idle> hook.
303
304Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
271into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 305queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
272never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 306again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
273ready. 307thus waking you up.
308
309This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
310coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
311a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
312>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
313yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
314so you need to check wether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
315status in a variable.
274 316
275The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 317The canonical way to wait on external events is this:
276 318
277 { 319 {
278 # remember current coroutine 320 # remember current coroutine
291 Coro::schedule while $current; 333 Coro::schedule while $current;
292 } 334 }
293 335
294=item cede 336=item cede
295 337
296"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the 338"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
297ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the 339the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
298current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority. 340up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
341priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
342resumed.
299 343
300Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened. 344This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
301 345
302=item Coro::cede_notself 346=item Coro::cede_notself
303 347
304Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to any 348Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
305coroutine, regardless of priority, once. 349coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
306 350progress is made.
307Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
308 351
309=item terminate [arg...] 352=item terminate [arg...]
310 353
311Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>). 354Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
355
356=item killall
357
358Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
359one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
360usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
361
362Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
363you cnanot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
364program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
312 365
313=cut 366=cut
314 367
315sub terminate { 368sub terminate {
316 $current->cancel (@_); 369 $current->cancel (@_);
317} 370}
318 371
372sub killall {
373 for (Coro::State::list) {
374 $_->cancel
375 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
376 }
377}
378
319=back 379=back
320 380
321# dynamic methods
322
323=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 381=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
324 382
325These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects. 383These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
384them).
326 385
327=over 4 386=over 4
328 387
329=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 388=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
330 389
331Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine 390Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
332automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 391automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
333called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready queue 392called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
334by calling the ready method. 393queue by calling the ready method.
335 394
336See C<async> for additional discussion. 395See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
396coroutine environment.
337 397
338=cut 398=cut
339 399
340sub _run_coro { 400sub _run_coro {
341 terminate &{+shift}; 401 terminate &{+shift};
347 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_) 407 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
348} 408}
349 409
350=item $success = $coroutine->ready 410=item $success = $coroutine->ready
351 411
352Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority) 412Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
353and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing 413queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
354and return false. 414the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
415
416This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
417once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
418priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
355 419
356=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 420=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
357 421
358Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 422Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
359 423
365 429
366=cut 430=cut
367 431
368sub cancel { 432sub cancel {
369 my $self = shift; 433 my $self = shift;
370 $self->{status} = [@_]; 434 $self->{_status} = [@_];
371 435
372 if ($current == $self) { 436 if ($current == $self) {
373 push @destroy, $self; 437 push @destroy, $self;
374 $manager->ready; 438 $manager->ready;
375 &schedule while 1; 439 &schedule while 1;
379} 443}
380 444
381=item $coroutine->join 445=item $coroutine->join
382 446
383Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 447Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
384C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times 448C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
385from multiple coroutine. 449from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
450return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
386 451
387=cut 452=cut
388 453
389sub join { 454sub join {
390 my $self = shift; 455 my $self = shift;
391 456
392 unless ($self->{status}) { 457 unless ($self->{_status}) {
393 my $current = $current; 458 my $current = $current;
394 459
395 push @{$self->{destroy_cb}}, sub { 460 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
396 $current->ready; 461 $current->ready;
397 undef $current; 462 undef $current;
398 }; 463 };
399 464
400 &schedule while $current; 465 &schedule while $current;
401 } 466 }
402 467
403 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 468 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
404} 469}
405 470
406=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 471=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
407 472
408Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 473Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
409but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 474but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
410if any. 475if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
411 476
412=cut 477=cut
413 478
414sub on_destroy { 479sub on_destroy {
415 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 480 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
416 481
417 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 482 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
418} 483}
419 484
420=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 485=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
421 486
422Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 487Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
447=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 512=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
448 513
449Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 514Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
450coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 515coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine.
451 516
517This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given string. You
518can modify this member directly if you wish.
519
520=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
521
522If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
523inside the coroutine at the next convinient point in time (usually after
524it gains control at the next schedule/transfer/cede). Otherwise clears the
525exception object.
526
527The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
528C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
529(unlike with C<die>).
530
531This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
532end itself, although there is no guarentee that the exception will lead to
533termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
534program.
535
452=cut 536=cut
453 537
454sub desc { 538sub desc {
455 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 539 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
456 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 540 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
464=over 4 548=over 4
465 549
466=item Coro::nready 550=item Coro::nready
467 551
468Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 552Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
469i.e. that can be switched to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 553i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
554indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the
470coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 555currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
471and C<schedule> would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler 556would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
472that wakes up some coroutines. 557coroutines.
473 558
474=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 559=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
475 560
476This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object 561This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
477gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 562gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
506 591
507 592
508=item unblock_sub { ... } 593=item unblock_sub { ... }
509 594
510This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 595This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
511returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 596returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
512immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 597will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
513ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 598original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
599coroutine.
514 600
515The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 601The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
516venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 602venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
517of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 603of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
518otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 604otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
605currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
519 606
520This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 607This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
521coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 608coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
522is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 609is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
523disk. 610disk, for example.
524 611
525In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 612In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
526creating event callbacks that want to block. 613creating event callbacks that want to block.
614
615If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
616another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
617there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
618
619Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
620are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
621use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
622provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
623must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
527 624
528=cut 625=cut
529 626
530our @unblock_queue; 627our @unblock_queue;
531 628
535# inside an event callback. 632# inside an event callback.
536our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub { 633our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
537 while () { 634 while () {
538 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 635 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
539 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool 636 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool
540 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler); 637 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
541 638
542 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb; 639 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
543 $coro->ready; 640 $coro->ready;
544 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 641 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
545 } 642 }
563 660
5641; 6611;
565 662
566=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 663=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
567 664
568 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global
569 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
570
571 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 665This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
572 from the same thread (this requirement might be loosened in the future 666module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
573 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 667future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
574 this). 668this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as this
669is much faster and uses less memory.
575 670
576=head1 SEE ALSO 671=head1 SEE ALSO
577 672
673Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
674
675Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
676
578Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 677Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
579 678
580Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 679Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
581 680
582Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 681IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
583 682
584Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 683Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>.
684
685XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
686
687Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
585 688
586=head1 AUTHOR 689=head1 AUTHOR
587 690
588 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 691 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
589 http://home.schmorp.de/ 692 http://home.schmorp.de/

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