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Revision 1.128 by root, Wed Sep 19 21:39:15 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.218 by root, Sat Nov 15 06:26:52 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 use Coro::Semaphore;
19 cede; 22 my $lock = new Coro::Semaphore;
23 my $locked;
24
25 $lock->down;
26 $locked = 1;
27 $lock->up;
20 28
21=head1 DESCRIPTION 29=head1 DESCRIPTION
22 30
23This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar 31This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar to
24to threads but don't run in parallel at the same time even on SMP 32threads but don't (in general) run in parallel at the same time even
25machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module also 33on SMP machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module
26guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless 34also guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless
27necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and 35necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and
28parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much 36parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much
29safer than threads programming. 37safer and easier than threads programming.
30 38
31(Perl, however, does not natively support real threads but instead does a 39Unlike a normal perl program, however, coroutines allow you to have
32very slow and memory-intensive emulation of processes using threads. This 40multiple running interpreters that share data, which is especially useful
33is a performance win on Windows machines, and a loss everywhere else). 41to code pseudo-parallel processes and for event-based programming, such as
42multiple HTTP-GET requests running concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to
43learn more.
44
45Coroutines are also useful because Perl has no support for threads (the so
46called "threads" that perl offers are nothing more than the (bad) process
47emulation coming from the Windows platform: On standard operating systems
48they serve no purpose whatsoever, except by making your programs slow and
49making them use a lot of memory. Best disable them when building perl, or
50aks your software vendor/distributor to do it for you).
34 51
35In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables + 52In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
36@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain, 53@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain,
37its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global 54its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
38variables. 55variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration).
39 56
40=cut 57=cut
41 58
42package Coro; 59package Coro;
43 60
44use strict; 61use strict qw(vars subs);
45no warnings "uninitialized"; 62no warnings "uninitialized";
46 63
47use Coro::State; 64use Coro::State;
48 65
49use base qw(Coro::State Exporter); 66use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
50 67
51our $idle; # idle handler 68our $idle; # idle handler
52our $main; # main coroutine 69our $main; # main coroutine
53our $current; # current coroutine 70our $current; # current coroutine
54 71
55our $VERSION = '3.7'; 72our $VERSION = 5.0;
56 73
57our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 74our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
58our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 75our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
59 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 76 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
60); 77);
61our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 78our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
62 79
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 80=over 4
98 81
99=item $main 82=item $Coro::main
100 83
101This coroutine represents the main program. 84This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
85program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
86coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
87whether you are running in the main program or not.
102 88
103=cut 89=cut
104 90
105$main = new Coro; 91$main = new Coro;
106 92
107=item $current (or as function: current) 93=item $Coro::current
108 94
109The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 95The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
96coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
110is C<$main> (of course). 97C<$main> (of course).
111 98
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 99This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essential you are encouraged to use the 100value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 101not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 102
116=cut 103=cut
104
105$main->{desc} = "[main::]";
117 106
118# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before... 107# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
119$main->{specific} = $current->{specific} 108$main->{_specific} = $current->{_specific}
120 if $current; 109 if $current;
121 110
122_set_current $main; 111_set_current $main;
123 112
124sub current() { $current } 113sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
125 114
126=item $idle 115=item $Coro::idle
127 116
128A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 117This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
129to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 118usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
130exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 119pretty low-level functionality.
120
121This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
122finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
123"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
124to continue.
131 125
132This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 126This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
133C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 127C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
134coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 128coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
135 129
130Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
131the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
132coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
133readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
134
135See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
136technique.
137
136Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 138Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
137handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 139handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
138 140
139=cut 141=cut
140 142
141$idle = sub { 143$idle = sub {
142 require Carp; 144 require Carp;
149 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed 151 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed
150 $self->_destroy 152 $self->_destroy
151 or return; 153 or return;
152 154
153 # call all destruction callbacks 155 # call all destruction callbacks
154 $_->(@{$self->{status}}) 156 $_->(@{$self->{_status}})
155 for @{(delete $self->{destroy_cb}) || []}; 157 for @{ delete $self->{_on_destroy} || [] };
156} 158}
157 159
158# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 160# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
159# cannot destroy itself. 161# cannot destroy itself.
160my @destroy; 162my @destroy;
166 while @destroy; 168 while @destroy;
167 169
168 &schedule; 170 &schedule;
169 } 171 }
170}; 172};
171 173$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
172$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 174$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
173 175
174# static methods. not really.
175
176=back 176=back
177 177
178=head2 STATIC METHODS 178=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
179
180Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
181 179
182=over 4 180=over 4
183 181
184=item async { ... } [@args...] 182=item async { ... } [@args...]
185 183
186Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 184Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
187(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 185unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so
186it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
187
188The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
189coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically
188terminated. 190terminated.
191
192The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
193
194See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
195environment in which coroutines are executed.
189 196
190Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside 197Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
191the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit, 198the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
192just as it would in the main program. 199just as it would in the main program.
193 200
201If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
202simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
203
194 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 204Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
205
195 async { 206 async {
196 print "@_\n"; 207 print "@_\n";
197 } 1,2,3,4; 208 } 1,2,3,4;
198 209
199=cut 210=cut
205} 216}
206 217
207=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 218=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
208 219
209Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 220Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call
210terminate or join (although you are allowed to), and you get a coroutine 221terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
211that might have executed other code already (which can be good or bad :). 222coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
223or bad :).
212 224
225On the plus side, this function is faster than creating (and destroying)
226a completly new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic coroutines in
227quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
228
213Also, the block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 229The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
214issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as 230issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
215C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy> 231C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
216will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel, 232will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
217which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling. 233which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
234exceptional case).
218 235
219The priority will be reset to C<0> after each job, otherwise the coroutine 236The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
220will be re-used "as-is". 237disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
238gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
239be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
240stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
241simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
221 242
222The pool size is limited to 8 idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by 243The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be
223changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as 244adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
224required. 245coros as required.
225 246
226If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 247If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
227single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool { 248single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
228terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. 249{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
250addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb
251(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
229 252
230=cut 253=cut
231 254
232our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 255our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
256our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024;
233our @pool; 257our @async_pool;
234 258
235sub pool_handler { 259sub pool_handler {
260 my $cb;
261
236 while () { 262 while () {
237 eval { 263 eval {
238 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $current->{_invoke} or return }; 264 while () {
239 $cb->(@arg); 265 _pool_1 $cb;
266 &$cb;
267 _pool_2 $cb;
268 &schedule;
269 }
240 }; 270 };
271
272 if ($@) {
273 last if $@ eq "\3async_pool terminate\2\n";
241 warn $@ if $@; 274 warn $@;
242 275 }
243 last if @pool >= $POOL_SIZE;
244 push @pool, $current;
245
246 $current->save (Coro::State::SAVE_DEF);
247 $current->prio (0);
248 schedule;
249 } 276 }
250} 277}
251 278
252sub async_pool(&@) { 279sub async_pool(&@) {
253 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler 280 # this is also inlined into the unblock_scheduler
254 my $coro = (pop @pool) || do {
255 my $coro = new Coro \&pool_handler; 281 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
256 $coro->{desc} = "async_pool";
257 $coro
258 };
259 282
260 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_]; 283 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_];
261 $coro->ready; 284 $coro->ready;
262 285
263 $coro 286 $coro
264} 287}
265 288
289=back
290
291=head2 STATIC METHODS
292
293Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine.
294
295=over 4
296
266=item schedule 297=item schedule
267 298
268Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 299Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
300to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
301to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
302in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
303C<$Coro::idle> hook.
304
305Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
269into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 306queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
270never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 307again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
271ready. 308thus waking you up.
309
310This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
311coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
312a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
313>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
314yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
315so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
316status in a variable.
272 317
273The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 318The canonical way to wait on external events is this:
274 319
275 { 320 {
276 # remember current coroutine 321 # remember current coroutine
289 Coro::schedule while $current; 334 Coro::schedule while $current;
290 } 335 }
291 336
292=item cede 337=item cede
293 338
294"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the 339"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
295ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the 340the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
296current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority. 341up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
342priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
343resumed.
297 344
298Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened. 345This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
299 346
300=item Coro::cede_notself 347=item Coro::cede_notself
301 348
302Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to any 349Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
303coroutine, regardless of priority, once. 350coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
304 351progress is made.
305Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
306 352
307=item terminate [arg...] 353=item terminate [arg...]
308 354
309Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>). 355Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
356
357=item killall
358
359Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
360one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
361usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
362
363Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
364you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
365program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
310 366
311=cut 367=cut
312 368
313sub terminate { 369sub terminate {
314 $current->cancel (@_); 370 $current->cancel (@_);
315} 371}
316 372
373sub killall {
374 for (Coro::State::list) {
375 $_->cancel
376 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
377 }
378}
379
317=back 380=back
318 381
319# dynamic methods
320
321=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 382=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
322 383
323These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects. 384These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
385them).
324 386
325=over 4 387=over 4
326 388
327=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 389=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
328 390
329Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine 391Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
330automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 392automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
331called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready queue 393called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
332by calling the ready method. 394queue by calling the ready method.
333 395
334See C<async> for additional discussion. 396See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
397coroutine environment.
335 398
336=cut 399=cut
337 400
338sub _run_coro { 401sub _run_coro {
339 terminate &{+shift}; 402 terminate &{+shift};
345 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_) 408 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
346} 409}
347 410
348=item $success = $coroutine->ready 411=item $success = $coroutine->ready
349 412
350Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority) 413Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
351and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing 414queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
352and return false. 415the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
416
417This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
418once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
419priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
353 420
354=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 421=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
355 422
356Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 423Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
357 424
358=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...) 425=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
359 426
360Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as 427Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
361status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the 428status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
363 430
364=cut 431=cut
365 432
366sub cancel { 433sub cancel {
367 my $self = shift; 434 my $self = shift;
368 $self->{status} = [@_]; 435 $self->{_status} = [@_];
369 436
370 if ($current == $self) { 437 if ($current == $self) {
371 push @destroy, $self; 438 push @destroy, $self;
372 $manager->ready; 439 $manager->ready;
373 &schedule while 1; 440 &schedule while 1;
374 } else { 441 } else {
375 $self->_cancel; 442 $self->_cancel;
376 } 443 }
377} 444}
378 445
446=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
447
448If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
449inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time (usually after
450it gains control at the next schedule/transfer/cede). Otherwise clears the
451exception object.
452
453The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
454C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
455(unlike with C<die>).
456
457This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
458end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
459termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
460program.
461
462You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
463C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
464
379=item $coroutine->join 465=item $coroutine->join
380 466
381Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 467Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
382C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times 468C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
383from multiple coroutine. 469from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
470return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
384 471
385=cut 472=cut
386 473
387sub join { 474sub join {
388 my $self = shift; 475 my $self = shift;
389 476
390 unless ($self->{status}) { 477 unless ($self->{_status}) {
391 my $current = $current; 478 my $current = $current;
392 479
393 push @{$self->{destroy_cb}}, sub { 480 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
394 $current->ready; 481 $current->ready;
395 undef $current; 482 undef $current;
396 }; 483 };
397 484
398 &schedule while $current; 485 &schedule while $current;
399 } 486 }
400 487
401 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 488 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
402} 489}
403 490
404=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 491=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
405 492
406Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 493Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
407but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 494but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
408if any. 495if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
409 496
410=cut 497=cut
411 498
412sub on_destroy { 499sub on_destroy {
413 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 500 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
414 501
415 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 502 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
416} 503}
417 504
418=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 505=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
419 506
420Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 507Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
443higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 530higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
444 531
445=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 532=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
446 533
447Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 534Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
448coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 535coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
536coroutine.
537
538This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given
539string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
449 540
450=cut 541=cut
451 542
452sub desc { 543sub desc {
453 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 544 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
462=over 4 553=over 4
463 554
464=item Coro::nready 555=item Coro::nready
465 556
466Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 557Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
467i.e. that can be switched to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 558i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
559indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the
468coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 560currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
469and C<schedule> would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler 561would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
470that wakes up some coroutines. 562coroutines.
471 563
472=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 564=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
473 565
474This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object 566This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
475gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 567gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
504 596
505 597
506=item unblock_sub { ... } 598=item unblock_sub { ... }
507 599
508This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 600This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
509returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 601returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
510immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 602will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
511ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 603original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
604coroutine.
512 605
513The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 606The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
514venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 607venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
515of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 608of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
516otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 609otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
610currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
517 611
518This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 612This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
519coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 613coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
520is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 614is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
521disk. 615disk, for example.
522 616
523In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 617In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
524creating event callbacks that want to block. 618creating event callbacks that want to block.
619
620If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
621another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
622there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
623
624Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
625are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
626use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
627provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
628must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
525 629
526=cut 630=cut
527 631
528our @unblock_queue; 632our @unblock_queue;
529 633
530# we create a special coro because we want to cede, 634# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
531# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks 635# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
532# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede 636# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
533# inside an event callback. 637# inside an event callback.
534our $unblock_scheduler = async { 638our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
535 while () { 639 while () {
536 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 640 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
537 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool 641 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool
538 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler); 642 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
539 643
540 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb; 644 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
541 $coro->ready; 645 $coro->ready;
542 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 646 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
543 } 647 }
544 schedule; # sleep well 648 schedule; # sleep well
545 } 649 }
546}; 650};
651$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
547 652
548sub unblock_sub(&) { 653sub unblock_sub(&) {
549 my $cb = shift; 654 my $cb = shift;
550 655
551 sub { 656 sub {
560 665
5611; 6661;
562 667
563=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 668=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
564 669
565 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 670=over 4
566 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
567 671
672=item perl process emulation ("threads")
673
568 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 674This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
569 from the same thread (this requirement might be loosened in the future 675module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
570 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 676future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
571 this). 677this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
678the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
679performance, even when not used.
680
681=item coroutine switching not signal safe
682
683You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler
684(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).
685
686That means you I<MUST NOT> call any fucntion that might "block" the
687current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
688anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
689works.
690
691=back
692
572 693
573=head1 SEE ALSO 694=head1 SEE ALSO
574 695
696Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
697
698Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
699
575Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 700Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
576 701
577Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 702Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
578 703
579Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 704IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
580 705
581Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 706Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>.
707
708XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
709
710Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
582 711
583=head1 AUTHOR 712=head1 AUTHOR
584 713
585 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 714 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
586 http://home.schmorp.de/ 715 http://home.schmorp.de/

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