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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3Coro - coroutine process abstraction 3Coro - real threads in perl
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 31For a tutorial-style introduction, please read the L<Coro::Intro>
24to threads but don't run in parallel at the same time even on SMP 32manpage. This manpage mainly contains reference information.
25machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module also
26guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless
27necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and
28parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much
29safer than threads programming.
30 33
31(Perl, however, does not natively support real threads but instead does a 34This module collection manages coroutines, that is, cooperative
32very slow and memory-intensive emulation of processes using threads. This 35threads. Coroutines are similar to kernel threads but don't (in general)
33is a performance win on Windows machines, and a loss everywhere else). 36run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The specific flavor
37of coroutine used in this module also guarantees you that it will not
38switch between coroutines unless necessary, at easily-identified points
39in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an issue,
40making coroutine programming much safer and easier than using other thread
41models.
34 42
43Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads
44but only the windows process emulation ported to unix), Coro provides a
45full shared address space, which makes communication between coroutines
46very easy. And coroutines are fast, too: disabling the Windows process
47emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in a two to
48four times speed increase for your programs.
49
50Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share
51data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and
52for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running
53concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro
54into an event-based environment.
55
35In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables + 56In this module, a coroutines is defined as "callchain + lexical variables
36@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain, 57+ @_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own
37its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global 58callchain, its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important
38variables. 59global variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background
60info).
61
62See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro
63module family is quite large.
39 64
40=cut 65=cut
41 66
42package Coro; 67package Coro;
43 68
44use strict; 69use strict qw(vars subs);
45no warnings "uninitialized"; 70no warnings "uninitialized";
46 71
47use Coro::State; 72use Coro::State;
48 73
49use base qw(Coro::State Exporter); 74use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
50 75
51our $idle; # idle handler 76our $idle; # idle handler
52our $main; # main coroutine 77our $main; # main coroutine
53our $current; # current coroutine 78our $current; # current coroutine
54 79
55our $VERSION = '3.7'; 80our $VERSION = "5.0";
56 81
57our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 82our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
58our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 83our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
59 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 84 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
60); 85);
61our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 86our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
62 87
63{ 88=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES
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 89
97=over 4 90=over 4
98 91
99=item $main 92=item $Coro::main
100 93
101This coroutine represents the main program. 94This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
95program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
96coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
97whether you are running in the main program or not.
102 98
103=cut 99=cut
104 100
105$main = new Coro; 101# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
106 102
107=item $current (or as function: current) 103=item $Coro::current
108 104
109The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 105The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
106coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
110is C<$main> (of course). 107C<$Coro::main> (of course).
111 108
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 109This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essential you are encouraged to use the 110value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 111not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 112
116=cut 113=cut
117 114
118# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
119$main->{specific} = $current->{specific}
120 if $current;
121
122_set_current $main;
123
124sub current() { $current } 115sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
125 116
126=item $idle 117=item $Coro::idle
127 118
128A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 119This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
129to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 120usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
130exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 121pretty low-level functionality.
122
123This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
124finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
125"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
126to continue.
131 127
132This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 128This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
133C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 129C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
134coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 130coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
135 131
132Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
133the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
134coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
135readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
136
137See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
138technique.
139
136Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 140Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
137handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 141handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
138 142
139=cut 143=cut
140 144
141$idle = sub { 145$idle = sub {
142 require Carp; 146 require Carp;
143 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected"); 147 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected");
144}; 148};
145 149
146sub _cancel {
147 my ($self) = @_;
148
149 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed
150 $self->_destroy
151 or return;
152
153 # call all destruction callbacks
154 $_->(@{$self->{status}})
155 for @{(delete $self->{destroy_cb}) || []};
156}
157
158# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 150# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
159# cannot destroy itself. 151# cannot destroy itself.
160my @destroy; 152our @destroy;
161my $manager; 153our $manager;
162 154
163$manager = new Coro sub { 155$manager = new Coro sub {
164 while () { 156 while () {
165 (shift @destroy)->_cancel 157 Coro::_cancel shift @destroy
166 while @destroy; 158 while @destroy;
167 159
168 &schedule; 160 &schedule;
169 } 161 }
170}; 162};
171 163$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
172$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 164$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
173 165
174# static methods. not really.
175
176=back 166=back
177 167
178=head2 STATIC METHODS 168=head1 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
179
180Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
181 169
182=over 4 170=over 4
183 171
184=item async { ... } [@args...] 172=item async { ... } [@args...]
185 173
186Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 174Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
187(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 175unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so
176it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
177
178The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
179coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically
188terminated. 180terminated.
181
182The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
183
184See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
185environment in which coroutines are executed.
189 186
190Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside 187Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
191the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit, 188the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
192just as it would in the main program. 189just as it would in the main program.
193 190
191If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
192simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
193
194 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 194Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
195
195 async { 196 async {
196 print "@_\n"; 197 print "@_\n";
197 } 1,2,3,4; 198 } 1,2,3,4;
198 199
199=cut 200=cut
205} 206}
206 207
207=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 208=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
208 209
209Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 210Similar 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 211terminate 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 :). 212coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
213or bad :).
212 214
215On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
216destroying) a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic
217coroutines in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
218
213Also, the block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 219The 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 220issued 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> 221C<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, 222will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
217which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling. 223which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
224exceptional case).
218 225
219The priority will be reset to C<0> after each job, otherwise the coroutine 226The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
220will be re-used "as-is". 227disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
228gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
229be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
230stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
231simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
221 232
222The pool size is limited to 8 idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by 233The 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 234adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
224required. 235coros as required.
225 236
226If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 237If 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 { 238single 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. 239{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
240addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb
241(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
229 242
230=cut 243=cut
231 244
232our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 245our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
246our $POOL_RSS = 32 * 1024;
233our @pool; 247our @async_pool;
234 248
235sub pool_handler { 249sub pool_handler {
236 while () { 250 while () {
237 eval { 251 eval {
238 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $current->{_invoke} or return }; 252 &{&_pool_handler} while 1;
239 $cb->(@arg);
240 }; 253 };
254
241 warn $@ if $@; 255 warn $@ if $@;
242
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 }
250}
251
252sub async_pool(&@) {
253 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler
254 my $coro = (pop @pool) || do {
255 my $coro = new Coro \&pool_handler;
256 $coro->{desc} = "async_pool";
257 $coro
258 }; 256 }
259
260 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_];
261 $coro->ready;
262
263 $coro
264} 257}
258
259=back
260
261=head1 STATIC METHODS
262
263Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the
264current coroutine.
265
266=over 4
265 267
266=item schedule 268=item schedule
267 269
268Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 270Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
271to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
272to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
273in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
274C<$Coro::idle> hook.
275
276Please 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 277queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
270never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 278again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
271ready. 279thus waking you up.
272 280
273The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 281This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
282coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
283a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
284>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
285yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
286so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
287status in a variable.
274 288
289See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
290
291=item cede
292
293"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
294the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
295up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
296priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
297resumed.
298
299This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
300
301=item Coro::cede_notself
302
303Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
304coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
305progress is made.
306
307=item terminate [arg...]
308
309Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
310
311=item killall
312
313Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
314one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
315usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
316
317Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
318you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
319program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
320
321=cut
322
323sub killall {
324 for (Coro::State::list) {
325 $_->cancel
326 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
275 { 327 }
276 # remember current coroutine 328}
329
330=back
331
332=head1 COROUTINE OBJECT METHODS
333
334These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
335them).
336
337=over 4
338
339=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
340
341Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
342automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
343called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
344queue by calling the ready method.
345
346See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
347coroutine environment.
348
349=cut
350
351sub _terminate {
352 terminate &{+shift};
353}
354
355=item $success = $coroutine->ready
356
357Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
358queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
359the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
360
361This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
362once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
363priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
364
365=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
366
367Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
368
369=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
370
371Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
372status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
373current coroutine.
374
375=cut
376
377sub cancel {
378 my $self = shift;
379
380 if ($current == $self) {
381 terminate @_;
382 } else {
383 $self->{_status} = [@_];
384 $self->_cancel;
385 }
386}
387
388=item $coroutine->schedule_to
389
390Puts the current coroutine to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
391of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
392the given coroutine object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
393state of that coroutine isn't changed.
394
395This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
396uses for this one.
397
398=item $coroutine->cede_to
399
400Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coroutine into the ready
401queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
402coroutine, and continuing some time later.
403
404This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
405uses for this one.
406
407=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
408
409If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
410inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
411clears the exception object.
412
413Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
414returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
415>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions
416detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending.
417
418The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
419C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
420(unlike with C<die>).
421
422This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
423end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
424termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
425program.
426
427You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
428C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
429
430=item $coroutine->join
431
432Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
433C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
434from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
435return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
436
437=cut
438
439sub join {
440 my $self = shift;
441
442 unless ($self->{_status}) {
277 my $current = $Coro::current; 443 my $current = $current;
278 444
279 # register a hypothetical event handler 445 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
280 on_event_invoke sub {
281 # wake up sleeping coroutine
282 $current->ready; 446 $current->ready;
283 undef $current; 447 undef $current;
284 }; 448 };
285 449
286 # call schedule until event occurred.
287 # in case we are woken up for other reasons
288 # (current still defined), loop.
289 Coro::schedule while $current;
290 }
291
292=item cede
293
294"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the
295ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the
296current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority.
297
298Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
299
300=item Coro::cede_notself
301
302Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to any
303coroutine, regardless of priority, once.
304
305Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
306
307=item terminate [arg...]
308
309Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
310
311=cut
312
313sub terminate {
314 $current->cancel (@_);
315}
316
317=back
318
319# dynamic methods
320
321=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
322
323These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects.
324
325=over 4
326
327=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
328
329Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine
330automatically 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
332by calling the ready method.
333
334See C<async> for additional discussion.
335
336=cut
337
338sub _run_coro {
339 terminate &{+shift};
340}
341
342sub new {
343 my $class = shift;
344
345 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
346}
347
348=item $success = $coroutine->ready
349
350Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority)
351and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing
352and return false.
353
354=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
355
356Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
357
358=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
359
360Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
361status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
362current coroutine.
363
364=cut
365
366sub cancel {
367 my $self = shift;
368 $self->{status} = [@_];
369
370 if ($current == $self) {
371 push @destroy, $self;
372 $manager->ready;
373 &schedule while 1;
374 } else {
375 $self->_cancel;
376 }
377}
378
379=item $coroutine->join
380
381Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
382C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times
383from multiple coroutine.
384
385=cut
386
387sub join {
388 my $self = shift;
389
390 unless ($self->{status}) {
391 my $current = $current;
392
393 push @{$self->{destroy_cb}}, sub {
394 $current->ready;
395 undef $current;
396 };
397
398 &schedule while $current; 450 &schedule while $current;
399 } 451 }
400 452
401 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 453 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
402} 454}
403 455
404=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 456=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
405 457
406Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 458Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
407but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 459but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
408if any. 460if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
409 461
410=cut 462=cut
411 463
412sub on_destroy { 464sub on_destroy {
413 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 465 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
414 466
415 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 467 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
416} 468}
417 469
418=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 470=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
419 471
420Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 472Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
443higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 495higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
444 496
445=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 497=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
446 498
447Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 499Sets (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. 500coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
501coroutine.
502
503This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given
504string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
449 505
450=cut 506=cut
451 507
452sub desc { 508sub desc {
453 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 509 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
454 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 510 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
455 $old; 511 $old;
456} 512}
457 513
514sub transfer {
515 require Carp;
516 Carp::croak ("You must not call ->transfer on Coro objects. Use Coro::State objects or the ->schedule_to method. Caught");
517}
518
458=back 519=back
459 520
460=head2 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 521=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
461 522
462=over 4 523=over 4
463 524
464=item Coro::nready 525=item Coro::nready
465 526
466Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 527Returns 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 528i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
529indirectly. 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, 530currently 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 531would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
470that wakes up some coroutines. 532coroutines.
471 533
472=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 534=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
473 535
474This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object 536This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
475gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 537gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
504 566
505 567
506=item unblock_sub { ... } 568=item unblock_sub { ... }
507 569
508This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 570This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
509returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 571returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
510immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 572will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
511ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 573original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
574coroutine.
512 575
513The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 576The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
514venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 577venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
515of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 578of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
516otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 579otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
580currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
517 581
518This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 582This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
519coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 583coroutine 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 584is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
521disk. 585disk, for example.
522 586
523In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 587In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
524creating event callbacks that want to block. 588creating event callbacks that want to block.
589
590If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
591another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
592there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
593
594Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
595are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
596use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
597provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
598must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
525 599
526=cut 600=cut
527 601
528our @unblock_queue; 602our @unblock_queue;
529 603
530# we create a special coro because we want to cede, 604# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
531# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks 605# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
532# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede 606# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
533# inside an event callback. 607# inside an event callback.
534our $unblock_scheduler = async { 608our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
535 while () { 609 while () {
536 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 610 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
537 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool 611 &async_pool (@$cb);
538 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler);
539 612
540 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
541 $coro->ready;
542 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 613 # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
614 # as the chance is very high that the async_poll coro will be back
615 # in the idle state when cede returns
616 cede;
543 } 617 }
544 schedule; # sleep well 618 schedule; # sleep well
545 } 619 }
546}; 620};
621$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
547 622
548sub unblock_sub(&) { 623sub unblock_sub(&) {
549 my $cb = shift; 624 my $cb = shift;
550 625
551 sub { 626 sub {
552 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 627 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
553 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 628 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
554 } 629 }
555} 630}
556 631
632=item $cb = Coro::rouse_cb
633
634Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that, when
635called, will save its arguments and notify the owner coroutine of the
636callback.
637
638See the next function.
639
640=item @args = Coro::rouse_wait [$cb]
641
642Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one tht was created in
643this coroutine).
644
645As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the calback was invoked before
646C<rouse_wait>), it will return a copy of the arguments originally passed
647to the rouse callback.
648
649See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
650
557=back 651=back
558 652
559=cut 653=cut
560 654
5611; 6551;
562 656
657=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
658
659It is very common for a coroutine to wait for some callback to be
660called. This occurs naturally when you use coroutines in an otherwise
661event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
662
663These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
664when the event occured. In a coroutine, however, you typically want to
665just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
666
667For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
668a specific child has exited:
669
670 my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
671
672But from withina coroutine, you often just want to write this:
673
674 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
675
676Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
677C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
678
679The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
680when invoked, will save it's arguments and notify the coroutine that
681created the callback.
682
683The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
684(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
685originally passed to the callback.
686
687Using these functions, it becomes easy to write the C<wait_for_child>
688function mentioned above:
689
690 sub wait_for_child($) {
691 my ($pid) = @_;
692
693 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb);
694
695 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait;
696 $rstatus
697 }
698
699In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
700you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
701
702 sub wait_for_child($) {
703 my ($pid) = @_;
704
705 # store the current coroutine in $current,
706 # and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
707 my $current = $Coro::current;
708 my ($done, $rstatus);
709
710 # pass a closure to ->child
711 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
712 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
713 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud
714 });
715
716 # wait until the closure has been called
717 schedule while !$done;
718
719 $rstatus
720 }
721
722
563=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 723=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
564 724
565 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 725=over 4
566 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
567 726
727=item fork with pthread backend
728
729When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
730but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
731coroutines will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
732fix your libc and use a saner backend.
733
734=item perl process emulation ("threads")
735
568 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 736This 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 737module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
570 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 738future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
571 this). 739this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
740the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
741performance, even when not used.
742
743=item coroutine switching not signal safe
744
745You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler
746(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).
747
748That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
749current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
750anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
751works.
752
753=back
754
572 755
573=head1 SEE ALSO 756=head1 SEE ALSO
574 757
758Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
759
760Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
761
575Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 762Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
576 763
577Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 764Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>,
765L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
578 766
579Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 767IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
580 768
581Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 769Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP> (but see also L<AnyEvent::HTTP> for
770a better-working alternative), L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>,
771L<Coro::Select>.
772
773XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
774
775Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
582 776
583=head1 AUTHOR 777=head1 AUTHOR
584 778
585 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 779 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
586 http://home.schmorp.de/ 780 http://home.schmorp.de/

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