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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3Coro - coroutine process abstraction 3Coro - the only 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 coro
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 continuations in general, most often in
32very slow and memory-intensive emulation of processes using threads. This 35the form of cooperative threads (also called coros, or simply "coro"
33is a performance win on Windows machines, and a loss everywhere else). 36in the documentation). They are similar to kernel threads but don't (in
37general) run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The
38specific flavor of thread offered by this module also guarantees you that
39it will not switch between threads unless necessary, at easily-identified
40points in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an
41issue, making thread programming much safer and easier than using other
42thread models.
34 43
44Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads
45but only the windows process emulation ported to unix, and as such act
46as processes), Coro provides a full shared address space, which makes
47communication between threads very easy. And Coro's threads are fast,
48too: disabling the Windows process emulation code in your perl and using
49Coro can easily result in a two to four times speed increase for your
50programs. A parallel matrix multiplication benchmark runs over 300 times
51faster on a single core than perl's pseudo-threads on a quad core using
52all four cores.
53
54Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share
55data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and
56for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running
57concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro
58into an event-based environment.
59
35In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables + 60In this module, a thread is defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
36@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain, 61some package variables + C stack), that is, a thread has its own callchain,
37its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global 62its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
38variables. 63variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background info).
64
65See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro
66module family is quite large.
39 67
40=cut 68=cut
41 69
42package Coro; 70package Coro;
43 71
44use strict; 72use strict qw(vars subs);
45no warnings "uninitialized"; 73no warnings "uninitialized";
46 74
75use Guard ();
76
47use Coro::State; 77use Coro::State;
48 78
49use base qw(Coro::State Exporter); 79use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
50 80
51our $idle; # idle handler 81our $idle; # idle handler
52our $main; # main coroutine 82our $main; # main coro
53our $current; # current coroutine 83our $current; # current coro
54 84
55our $VERSION = '3.7'; 85our $VERSION = 5.131;
56 86
57our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 87our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
58our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 88our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
59 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 89 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
60); 90);
61our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 91our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
62 92
63{ 93=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 94
97=over 4 95=over 4
98 96
99=item $main 97=item $Coro::main
100 98
101This coroutine represents the main program. 99This variable stores the Coro object that represents the main
100program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
101coro, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
102whether you are running in the main program or not.
102 103
103=cut 104=cut
104 105
105$main = new Coro; 106# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
106 107
107=item $current (or as function: current) 108=item $Coro::current
108 109
109The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 110The Coro object representing the current coro (the last
111coro that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
110is C<$main> (of course). 112C<$Coro::main> (of course).
111 113
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 114This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essential you are encouraged to use the 115value stored in it and use it as any other Coro object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 116not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 117
116=cut 118=cut
117 119
118# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
119$main->{specific} = $current->{specific}
120 if $current;
121
122_set_current $main;
123
124sub current() { $current } 120sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
125 121
126=item $idle 122=item $Coro::idle
127 123
124This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
125usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or L<Coro::EV>, as this is
126pretty low-level functionality.
127
128This variable stores either a Coro object or a callback.
129
128A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 130If it is a callback, the it is called whenever the scheduler finds no
129to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 131ready coros to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL:
130exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 132deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way to
133continue.
131 134
135If it is a coro object, then this object will be readied (without
136invoking any ready hooks, however) when the scheduler finds no other ready
137coros to run.
138
132This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 139This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::EV> and
133C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 140C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
134coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 141coro so the scheduler can run it.
142
143Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
144the current coro. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
145coro" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
146readying that coro in the idle handler, or by simply placing the idle
147coro in this variable.
148
149See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
150technique.
135 151
136Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 152Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
137handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 153handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
138 154
139=cut 155=cut
140 156
141$idle = sub { 157$idle = sub {
142 require Carp; 158 require Carp;
143 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected"); 159 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected");
144}; 160};
145 161
146sub _cancel {
147 my ($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 162# this coro is necessary because a coro
159# cannot destroy itself. 163# cannot destroy itself.
160my @destroy; 164our @destroy;
161my $manager; 165our $manager;
162 166
163$manager = new Coro sub { 167$manager = new Coro sub {
164 while () { 168 while () {
165 (shift @destroy)->_cancel 169 Coro::State::cancel shift @destroy
166 while @destroy; 170 while @destroy;
167 171
168 &schedule; 172 &schedule;
169 } 173 }
170}; 174};
171 175$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
172$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 176$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
173 177
174# static methods. not really.
175
176=back 178=back
177 179
178=head2 STATIC METHODS 180=head1 SIMPLE CORO CREATION
179
180Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
181 181
182=over 4 182=over 4
183 183
184=item async { ... } [@args...] 184=item async { ... } [@args...]
185 185
186Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 186Create a new coro and return its Coro object (usually
187(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 187unused). The coro will be put into the ready queue, so
188it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
189
190The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
191coro. When it returns argument returns the coro is automatically
188terminated. 192terminated.
189 193
194The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
195
196See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coro
197environment in which coro are executed.
198
190Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside 199Calling C<exit> in a coro will do the same as calling exit outside
191the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit, 200the coro. Likewise, when the coro dies, the program will exit,
192just as it would in the main program. 201just as it would in the main program.
193 202
203If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
204simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
205
194 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 206Example: Create a new coro that just prints its arguments.
207
195 async { 208 async {
196 print "@_\n"; 209 print "@_\n";
197 } 1,2,3,4; 210 } 1,2,3,4;
198 211
199=cut 212=cut
204 $coro 217 $coro
205} 218}
206 219
207=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 220=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
208 221
209Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 222Similar to C<async>, but uses a coro pool, so you should not call
210terminate or join (although you are allowed to), and you get a coroutine 223terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
211that might have executed other code already (which can be good or bad :). 224coro that might have executed other code already (which can be good
225or bad :).
212 226
227On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
228destroying) a completely new coro, so if you need a lot of generic
229coros in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
230
213Also, the block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 231The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
214issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as 232issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
215C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy> 233C<async> does. As the coro is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
216will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel, 234will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
217which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling. 235which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
236exceptional case).
218 237
219The priority will be reset to C<0> after each job, otherwise the coroutine 238The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
220will be re-used "as-is". 239disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
240gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coro will
241be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coro global
242stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
243simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
221 244
222The pool size is limited to 8 idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by 245The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coros (this can be
223changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as 246adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
224required. 247coros as required.
225 248
226If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 249If you are concerned about pooled coros growing a lot because a
227single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool { 250single 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. 251{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
252addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb
253(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
229 254
230=cut 255=cut
231 256
232our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 257our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
258our $POOL_RSS = 32 * 1024;
233our @pool; 259our @async_pool;
234 260
235sub pool_handler { 261sub pool_handler {
236 while () { 262 while () {
237 eval { 263 eval {
238 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $current->{_invoke} or return }; 264 &{&_pool_handler} while 1;
239 $cb->(@arg);
240 }; 265 };
266
241 warn $@ if $@; 267 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 } 268 }
250} 269}
251 270
252sub async_pool(&@) { 271=back
253 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler 272
254 my $coro = (pop @pool) || do { 273=head1 STATIC METHODS
255 my $coro = new Coro \&pool_handler; 274
256 $coro->{desc} = "async_pool"; 275Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the
257 $coro 276current coro.
277
278=over 4
279
280=item schedule
281
282Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coro that is
283to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coro
284to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
285in its ready queue. If there is no coro ready, it will clal the
286C<$Coro::idle> hook.
287
288Please note that the current coro will I<not> be put into the ready
289queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
290again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
291thus waking you up.
292
293This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
294coro and wait for events: first you remember the current coro in
295a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
296>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
297yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coro up,
298so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
299status in a variable.
300
301See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
302
303=item cede
304
305"Cede" to other coros. This function puts the current coro into
306the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
307up the current "timeslice" to other coros of the same or higher
308priority. Once your coro gets its turn again it will automatically be
309resumed.
310
311This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
312
313=item Coro::cede_notself
314
315Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
316coro, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
317progress is made.
318
319=item terminate [arg...]
320
321Terminates the current coro with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
322
323=item Coro::on_enter BLOCK, Coro::on_leave BLOCK
324
325These function install enter and leave winders in the current scope. The
326enter block will be executed when on_enter is called and whenever the
327current coro is re-entered by the scheduler, while the leave block is
328executed whenever the current coro is blocked by the scheduler, and
329also when the containing scope is exited (by whatever means, be it exit,
330die, last etc.).
331
332I<Neither invoking the scheduler, nor exceptions, are allowed within those
333BLOCKs>. That means: do not even think about calling C<die> without an
334eval, and do not even think of entering the scheduler in any way.
335
336Since both BLOCKs are tied to the current scope, they will automatically
337be removed when the current scope exits.
338
339These functions implement the same concept as C<dynamic-wind> in scheme
340does, and are useful when you want to localise some resource to a specific
341coro.
342
343They slow down coro switching considerably for coros that use
344them (But coro switching is still reasonably fast if the handlers are
345fast).
346
347These functions are best understood by an example: The following function
348will change the current timezone to "Antarctica/South_Pole", which
349requires a call to C<tzset>, but by using C<on_enter> and C<on_leave>,
350which remember/change the current timezone and restore the previous
351value, respectively, the timezone is only changed for the coro that
352installed those handlers.
353
354 use POSIX qw(tzset);
355
356 async {
357 my $old_tz; # store outside TZ value here
358
359 Coro::on_enter {
360 $old_tz = $ENV{TZ}; # remember the old value
361
362 $ENV{TZ} = "Antarctica/South_Pole";
363 tzset; # enable new value
364 };
365
366 Coro::on_leave {
367 $ENV{TZ} = $old_tz;
368 tzset; # restore old value
369 };
370
371 # at this place, the timezone is Antarctica/South_Pole,
372 # without disturbing the TZ of any other coro.
258 }; 373 };
259 374
260 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_]; 375This can be used to localise about any resource (locale, uid, current
261 $coro->ready; 376working directory etc.) to a block, despite the existance of other
377coros.
262 378
263 $coro 379=item killall
264}
265 380
266=item schedule 381Kills/terminates/cancels all coros except the currently running one.
267 382
268Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 383Note that while this will try to free some of the main interpreter
269into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 384resources if the calling coro isn't the main coro, but one
270never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 385cannot free all of them, so if a coro that is not the main coro
271ready. 386calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
272 387
273The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 388=cut
274 389
390sub killall {
391 for (Coro::State::list) {
392 $_->cancel
393 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
275 { 394 }
276 # remember current coroutine 395}
396
397=back
398
399=head1 CORO OBJECT METHODS
400
401These are the methods you can call on coro objects (or to create
402them).
403
404=over 4
405
406=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
407
408Create a new coro and return it. When the sub returns, the coro
409automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
410called. To make the coro run you must first put it into the ready
411queue by calling the ready method.
412
413See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
414coro environment.
415
416=cut
417
418sub _coro_run {
419 terminate &{+shift};
420}
421
422=item $success = $coro->ready
423
424Put the given coro into the end of its ready queue (there is one
425queue for each priority) and return true. If the coro is already in
426the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
427
428This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coro automatically
429once all the coro of higher priority and all coro of the same
430priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
431
432=item $coro->suspend
433
434Suspends the specified coro. A suspended coro works just like any other
435coro, except that the scheduler will not select a suspended coro for
436execution.
437
438Suspending a coro can be useful when you want to keep the coro from
439running, but you don't want to destroy it, or when you want to temporarily
440freeze a coro (e.g. for debugging) to resume it later.
441
442A scenario for the former would be to suspend all (other) coros after a
443fork and keep them alive, so their destructors aren't called, but new
444coros can be created.
445
446=item $coro->resume
447
448If the specified coro was suspended, it will be resumed. Note that when
449the coro was in the ready queue when it was suspended, it might have been
450unreadied by the scheduler, so an activation might have been lost.
451
452To avoid this, it is best to put a suspended coro into the ready queue
453unconditionally, as every synchronisation mechanism must protect itself
454against spurious wakeups, and the one in the Coro family certainly do
455that.
456
457=item $is_ready = $coro->is_ready
458
459Returns true iff the Coro object is in the ready queue. Unless the Coro
460object gets destroyed, it will eventually be scheduled by the scheduler.
461
462=item $is_running = $coro->is_running
463
464Returns true iff the Coro object is currently running. Only one Coro object
465can ever be in the running state (but it currently is possible to have
466multiple running Coro::States).
467
468=item $is_suspended = $coro->is_suspended
469
470Returns true iff this Coro object has been suspended. Suspended Coros will
471not ever be scheduled.
472
473=item $coro->cancel (arg...)
474
475Terminates the given Coro and makes it return the given arguments as
476status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the Coro is the
477current Coro.
478
479=cut
480
481sub cancel {
482 my $self = shift;
483
484 if ($current == $self) {
485 terminate @_;
486 } else {
487 $self->{_status} = [@_];
488 Coro::State::cancel $self;
489 }
490}
491
492=item $coro->schedule_to
493
494Puts the current coro to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
495of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
496the given coro object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
497state of that coro isn't changed.
498
499This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
500uses for this one.
501
502=item $coro->cede_to
503
504Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coro into the ready
505queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
506coro, and continuing some time later.
507
508This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
509uses for this one.
510
511=item $coro->throw ([$scalar])
512
513If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
514inside the coro at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
515clears the exception object.
516
517Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
518returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
519>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions
520detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending.
521
522The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
523C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
524(unlike with C<die>).
525
526This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coro to
527end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
528termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
529program.
530
531You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
532C<kill>ing a coro with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
533
534=item $coro->join
535
536Wait until the coro terminates and return any values given to the
537C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
538from multiple coro, and all will be resumed and given the status
539return once the C<$coro> terminates.
540
541=cut
542
543sub join {
544 my $self = shift;
545
546 unless ($self->{_status}) {
277 my $current = $Coro::current; 547 my $current = $current;
278 548
279 # register a hypothetical event handler 549 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
280 on_event_invoke sub {
281 # wake up sleeping coroutine
282 $current->ready; 550 $current->ready;
283 undef $current; 551 undef $current;
284 }; 552 };
285 553
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; 554 &schedule while $current;
399 } 555 }
400 556
401 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 557 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
402} 558}
403 559
404=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 560=item $coro->on_destroy (\&cb)
405 561
406Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 562Registers a callback that is called when this coro gets destroyed,
407but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 563but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
408if any. 564if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
409 565
410=cut 566=cut
411 567
412sub on_destroy { 568sub on_destroy {
413 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 569 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
414 570
415 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 571 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
416} 572}
417 573
418=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 574=item $oldprio = $coro->prio ($newprio)
419 575
420Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 576Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
421coroutine. Higher priority coroutines get run before lower priority 577coro. Higher priority coro get run before lower priority
422coroutines. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3), 578coro. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3),
423that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio 579that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio
424to get then): 580to get then):
425 581
426 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN 582 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN
427 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4 583 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4
428 584
429 # set priority to HIGH 585 # set priority to HIGH
430 current->prio(PRIO_HIGH); 586 current->prio (PRIO_HIGH);
431 587
432The idle coroutine ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any 588The idle coro ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any
433existing coroutine. 589existing coro.
434 590
435Changing the priority of the current coroutine will take effect immediately, 591Changing the priority of the current coro will take effect immediately,
436but changing the priority of coroutines in the ready queue (but not 592but changing the priority of coro in the ready queue (but not
437running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that 593running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that
438coroutine). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version. 594coro). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version.
439 595
440=item $newprio = $coroutine->nice ($change) 596=item $newprio = $coro->nice ($change)
441 597
442Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e. 598Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e.
443higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 599higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
444 600
445=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 601=item $olddesc = $coro->desc ($newdesc)
446 602
447Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 603Sets (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. 604coro. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
605coro.
606
607This method simply sets the C<< $coro->{desc} >> member to the given
608string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
449 609
450=cut 610=cut
451 611
452sub desc { 612sub desc {
453 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 613 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
454 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 614 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
455 $old; 615 $old;
456} 616}
457 617
618sub transfer {
619 require Carp;
620 Carp::croak ("You must not call ->transfer on Coro objects. Use Coro::State objects or the ->schedule_to method. Caught");
621}
622
458=back 623=back
459 624
460=head2 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 625=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
461 626
462=over 4 627=over 4
463 628
464=item Coro::nready 629=item Coro::nready
465 630
466Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 631Returns the number of coro that are currently in the ready state,
467i.e. that can be switched to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 632i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
633indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coro is the
468coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 634currently 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 635would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
470that wakes up some coroutines. 636coro.
471 637
472=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 638=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
473 639
474This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object 640This function still exists, but is deprecated. Please use the
475gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 641C<Guard::guard> function instead.
476executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
477runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
478guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
479C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
480 642
481Example: set some flag and clear it again when the coroutine gets canceled
482or the function returns:
483
484 sub do_something {
485 my $guard = Coro::guard { $busy = 0 };
486 $busy = 1;
487
488 # do something that requires $busy to be true
489 }
490
491=cut 643=cut
492 644
493sub guard(&) { 645BEGIN { *guard = \&Guard::guard }
494 bless \(my $cb = $_[0]), "Coro::guard"
495}
496
497sub Coro::guard::cancel {
498 ${$_[0]} = sub { };
499}
500
501sub Coro::guard::DESTROY {
502 ${$_[0]}->();
503}
504
505 646
506=item unblock_sub { ... } 647=item unblock_sub { ... }
507 648
508This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 649This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
509returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 650returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
510immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 651will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
511ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 652original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
653coro.
512 654
513The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 655The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
514venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 656venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not thread-safe (a weaker form
515of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 657of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
516otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 658otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
659currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
517 660
518This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 661This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
519coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 662coro 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 663is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
521disk. 664disk, for example.
522 665
523In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 666In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
524creating event callbacks that want to block. 667creating event callbacks that want to block.
668
669If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
670another coro, or puts some other coro into the ready queue), there is
671no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
672
673Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
674are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
675use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
676provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
677must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
525 678
526=cut 679=cut
527 680
528our @unblock_queue; 681our @unblock_queue;
529 682
530# we create a special coro because we want to cede, 683# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
531# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks 684# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
532# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede 685# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
533# inside an event callback. 686# inside an event callback.
534our $unblock_scheduler = async { 687our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
535 while () { 688 while () {
536 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 689 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
537 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool 690 &async_pool (@$cb);
538 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler);
539 691
540 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
541 $coro->ready;
542 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 692 # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
693 # as the chance is very high that the async_poll coro will be back
694 # in the idle state when cede returns
695 cede;
543 } 696 }
544 schedule; # sleep well 697 schedule; # sleep well
545 } 698 }
546}; 699};
700$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
547 701
548sub unblock_sub(&) { 702sub unblock_sub(&) {
549 my $cb = shift; 703 my $cb = shift;
550 704
551 sub { 705 sub {
552 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 706 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
553 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 707 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
554 } 708 }
555} 709}
556 710
711=item $cb = Coro::rouse_cb
712
713Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that,
714when called, will remember a copy of its arguments and notify the owner
715coro of the callback.
716
717See the next function.
718
719=item @args = Coro::rouse_wait [$cb]
720
721Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one that was created in
722this coro).
723
724As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the callback was invoked
725before C<rouse_wait>), it will return the arguments originally passed to
726the rouse callback.
727
728See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
729
557=back 730=back
558 731
559=cut 732=cut
560 733
5611; 7341;
562 735
736=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
737
738It is very common for a coro to wait for some callback to be
739called. This occurs naturally when you use coro in an otherwise
740event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
741
742These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
743when the event occured. In a coro, however, you typically want to
744just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
745
746For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
747a specific child has exited:
748
749 my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
750
751But from within a coro, you often just want to write this:
752
753 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
754
755Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
756C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
757
758The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
759when invoked, will save its arguments and notify the coro that
760created the callback.
761
762The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
763(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
764originally passed to the callback.
765
766Using these functions, it becomes easy to write the C<wait_for_child>
767function mentioned above:
768
769 sub wait_for_child($) {
770 my ($pid) = @_;
771
772 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb);
773
774 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait;
775 $rstatus
776 }
777
778In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
779you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
780
781 sub wait_for_child($) {
782 my ($pid) = @_;
783
784 # store the current coro in $current,
785 # and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
786 my $current = $Coro::current;
787 my ($done, $rstatus);
788
789 # pass a closure to ->child
790 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
791 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
792 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud
793 });
794
795 # wait until the closure has been called
796 schedule while !$done;
797
798 $rstatus
799 }
800
801
563=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 802=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
564 803
565 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 804=over 4
566 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
567 805
806=item fork with pthread backend
807
808When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
809but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
810coro will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
811fix your libc and use a saner backend.
812
813=item perl process emulation ("threads")
814
568 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 815This 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 816module from the first thread (this requirement might be removed in the
570 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 817future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
571 this). 818this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
819the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
820performance, even when not used.
821
822=item coro switching is not signal safe
823
824You must not switch to another coro from within a signal handler
825(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).
826
827That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
828current coro - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
829anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
830works.
831
832=back
833
572 834
573=head1 SEE ALSO 835=head1 SEE ALSO
574 836
837Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
838
839Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
840
575Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 841Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
576 842
577Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 843Locking and IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>,
844L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
578 845
579Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 846I/O and Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
580 847
581Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 848Compatibility with other modules: L<Coro::LWP> (but see also L<AnyEvent::HTTP> for
849a better-working alternative), L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>,
850L<Coro::Select>.
851
852XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
853
854Low level Configuration, Thread Environment, Continuations: L<Coro::State>.
582 855
583=head1 AUTHOR 856=head1 AUTHOR
584 857
585 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 858 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
586 http://home.schmorp.de/ 859 http://home.schmorp.de/

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