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Revision 1.139 by root, Thu Sep 27 15:52:30 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.191 by root, Sat May 31 12:10:55 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 = '3.8'; 71our $VERSION = 4.742;
56 72
57our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 73our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
58our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 74our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
59 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 75 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
60); 76);
61our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$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 $self->{_on_destroy}) || []};
158}
159
160sub _do_trace_sub {
161 &{$current->{_trace_sub_cb}}
162}
163
164sub _do_trace_line {
165 &{$current->{_trace_line_cb}}
166} 157}
167 158
168# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 159# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
169# cannot destroy itself. 160# cannot destroy itself.
170my @destroy; 161my @destroy;
179 } 170 }
180}; 171};
181$manager->desc ("[coro manager]"); 172$manager->desc ("[coro manager]");
182$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 173$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
183 174
184# static methods. not really.
185
186=back 175=back
187 176
188=head2 STATIC METHODS 177=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
189
190Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
191 178
192=over 4 179=over 4
193 180
194=item async { ... } [@args...] 181=item async { ... } [@args...]
195 182
196Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 183Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
197(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
198terminated. 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.
199 195
200Calling 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
201the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit, 197the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
202just as it would in the main program. 198just as it would in the main program.
203 199
200If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
201simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
202
204 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 203Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
204
205 async { 205 async {
206 print "@_\n"; 206 print "@_\n";
207 } 1,2,3,4; 207 } 1,2,3,4;
208 208
209=cut 209=cut
215} 215}
216 216
217=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 217=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
218 218
219Similar 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
220terminate 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
221that 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 :).
222 223
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
223Also, 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
224issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as 229issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
225C<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>
226will 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,
227which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling. 232which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
233exceptional case).
228 234
229The 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
230will 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 $/ >.
231 241
232The 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
233changing $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
234required. 244required.
235 245
236If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 246If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
237single 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
238{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In 248{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
239addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb 249addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb
240(adjustable with $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also exit. 250(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
241 251
242=cut 252=cut
243 253
244our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 254our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
245our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024; 255our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024;
256 _pool_2 $cb; 266 _pool_2 $cb;
257 &schedule; 267 &schedule;
258 } 268 }
259 }; 269 };
260 270
261 last if $@ eq "\3terminate\2\n"; 271 last if $@ eq "\3async_pool terminate\2\n";
262 warn $@ if $@; 272 warn $@ if $@;
263 } 273 }
264} 274}
265 275
266sub async_pool(&@) { 276sub async_pool(&@) {
271 $coro->ready; 281 $coro->ready;
272 282
273 $coro 283 $coro
274} 284}
275 285
286=back
287
288=head2 STATIC METHODS
289
290Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine.
291
292=over 4
293
276=item schedule 294=item schedule
277 295
278Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 296Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
297to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
298to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
299in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
300C<$Coro::idle> hook.
301
302Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
279into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 303queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
280never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 304again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
281ready. 305thus waking you up.
306
307This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
308coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
309a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
310>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
311yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
312so you need to check wether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
313status in a variable.
282 314
283The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 315The canonical way to wait on external events is this:
284 316
285 { 317 {
286 # remember current coroutine 318 # remember current coroutine
299 Coro::schedule while $current; 331 Coro::schedule while $current;
300 } 332 }
301 333
302=item cede 334=item cede
303 335
304"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the 336"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
305ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the 337the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
306current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority. 338up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
339priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
340resumed.
307 341
308Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened. 342This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
309 343
310=item Coro::cede_notself 344=item Coro::cede_notself
311 345
312Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to any 346Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
313coroutine, regardless of priority, once. 347coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
314 348progress is made.
315Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
316 349
317=item terminate [arg...] 350=item terminate [arg...]
318 351
319Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>). 352Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
353
354=item killall
355
356Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
357one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
358usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
359
360Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
361you cnanot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
362program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
320 363
321=cut 364=cut
322 365
323sub terminate { 366sub terminate {
324 $current->cancel (@_); 367 $current->cancel (@_);
325} 368}
326 369
370sub killall {
371 for (Coro::State::list) {
372 $_->cancel
373 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
374 }
375}
376
327=back 377=back
328 378
329# dynamic methods
330
331=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 379=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
332 380
333These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects. 381These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
382them).
334 383
335=over 4 384=over 4
336 385
337=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 386=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
338 387
339Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine 388Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
340automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 389automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
341called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready queue 390called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
342by calling the ready method. 391queue by calling the ready method.
343 392
344See C<async> for additional discussion. 393See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
394coroutine environment.
345 395
346=cut 396=cut
347 397
348sub _run_coro { 398sub _run_coro {
349 terminate &{+shift}; 399 terminate &{+shift};
355 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_) 405 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
356} 406}
357 407
358=item $success = $coroutine->ready 408=item $success = $coroutine->ready
359 409
360Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority) 410Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
361and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing 411queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
362and return false. 412the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
413
414This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
415once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
416priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
363 417
364=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 418=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
365 419
366Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 420Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
367 421
373 427
374=cut 428=cut
375 429
376sub cancel { 430sub cancel {
377 my $self = shift; 431 my $self = shift;
378 $self->{status} = [@_]; 432 $self->{_status} = [@_];
379 433
380 if ($current == $self) { 434 if ($current == $self) {
381 push @destroy, $self; 435 push @destroy, $self;
382 $manager->ready; 436 $manager->ready;
383 &schedule while 1; 437 &schedule while 1;
387} 441}
388 442
389=item $coroutine->join 443=item $coroutine->join
390 444
391Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 445Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
392C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times 446C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
393from multiple coroutine. 447from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
448return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
394 449
395=cut 450=cut
396 451
397sub join { 452sub join {
398 my $self = shift; 453 my $self = shift;
399 454
400 unless ($self->{status}) { 455 unless ($self->{_status}) {
401 my $current = $current; 456 my $current = $current;
402 457
403 push @{$self->{destroy_cb}}, sub { 458 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
404 $current->ready; 459 $current->ready;
405 undef $current; 460 undef $current;
406 }; 461 };
407 462
408 &schedule while $current; 463 &schedule while $current;
409 } 464 }
410 465
411 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 466 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
412} 467}
413 468
414=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 469=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
415 470
416Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 471Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
417but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 472but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
418if any. 473if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
419 474
420=cut 475=cut
421 476
422sub on_destroy { 477sub on_destroy {
423 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 478 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
424 479
425 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 480 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
426} 481}
427 482
428=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 483=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
429 484
430Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 485Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
455=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 510=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
456 511
457Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 512Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
458coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 513coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine.
459 514
515This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given string. You
516can modify this member directly if you wish.
517
518=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
519
520If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
521inside the coroutine at the next convinient point in time (usually after
522it gains control at the next schedule/transfer/cede). Otherwise clears the
523exception object.
524
525The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
526C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
527(unlike with C<die>).
528
529This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
530end itself, although there is no guarentee that the exception will lead to
531termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
532program.
533
460=cut 534=cut
461 535
462sub desc { 536sub desc {
463 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 537 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
464 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 538 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
472=over 4 546=over 4
473 547
474=item Coro::nready 548=item Coro::nready
475 549
476Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 550Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
477i.e. that can be switched to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 551i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
552indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the
478coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 553currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
479and C<schedule> would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler 554would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
480that wakes up some coroutines. 555coroutines.
481 556
482=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 557=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
483 558
484This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object 559This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
485gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 560gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
514 589
515 590
516=item unblock_sub { ... } 591=item unblock_sub { ... }
517 592
518This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 593This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
519returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 594returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
520immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 595will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
521ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 596original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
597coroutine.
522 598
523The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 599The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
524venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 600venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
525of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 601of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
526otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 602otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
603currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
527 604
528This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 605This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
529coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 606coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
530is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 607is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
531disk. 608disk, for example.
532 609
533In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 610In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
534creating event callbacks that want to block. 611creating event callbacks that want to block.
612
613If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
614another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
615there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
616
617Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
618are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
619use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
620provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
621must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
535 622
536=cut 623=cut
537 624
538our @unblock_queue; 625our @unblock_queue;
539 626
571 658
5721; 6591;
573 660
574=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 661=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
575 662
576 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global
577 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
578
579 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 663This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
580 from the same thread (this requirement might be loosened in the future 664module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
581 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 665future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
582 this). 666this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as this
667is much faster and uses less memory.
583 668
584=head1 SEE ALSO 669=head1 SEE ALSO
585 670
671Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
672
673Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
674
586Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 675Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
587 676
588Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 677Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
589 678
590Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 679IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
591 680
592Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 681Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>.
682
683XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
684
685Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
593 686
594=head1 AUTHOR 687=head1 AUTHOR
595 688
596 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 689 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
597 http://home.schmorp.de/ 690 http://home.schmorp.de/

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