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Revision 1.108 by root, Fri Jan 5 20:00:49 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.222 by root, Tue Nov 18 08:59:46 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 use din this module also 33on SMP machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module
26guarentees 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 = '3.3'; 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 is now being initialised by Coro::State
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<$Coro::main> (of course).
111 98
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 99This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essentiel you are encouraged to use the 100value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 101not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 102
116=cut 103=cut
117 104
118# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
119$main->{specific} = $current->{specific}
120 if $current;
121
122_set_current $main;
123
124sub current() { $current } 105sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
125 106
126=item $idle 107=item $Coro::idle
127 108
128A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 109This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
129to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 110usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
130exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 111pretty low-level functionality.
112
113This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
114finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
115"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
116to continue.
131 117
132This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 118This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
133C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 119C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
134coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 120coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
135 121
122Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
123the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
124coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
125readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
126
127See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
128technique.
129
136Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 130Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
137handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 131handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
138 132
139=cut 133=cut
140 134
141$idle = sub { 135$idle = sub {
142 require Carp; 136 require Carp;
149 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed 143 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed
150 $self->_destroy 144 $self->_destroy
151 or return; 145 or return;
152 146
153 # call all destruction callbacks 147 # call all destruction callbacks
154 $_->(@{$self->{status}}) 148 $_->(@{$self->{_status}})
155 for @{(delete $self->{destroy_cb}) || []}; 149 for @{ delete $self->{_on_destroy} || [] };
156} 150}
157 151
158# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 152# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
159# cannot destroy itself. 153# cannot destroy itself.
160my @destroy; 154my @destroy;
166 while @destroy; 160 while @destroy;
167 161
168 &schedule; 162 &schedule;
169 } 163 }
170}; 164};
171 165$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
172$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 166$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
173 167
174# static methods. not really.
175
176=back 168=back
177 169
178=head2 STATIC METHODS 170=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
179
180Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
181 171
182=over 4 172=over 4
183 173
184=item async { ... } [@args...] 174=item async { ... } [@args...]
185 175
186Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 176Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
187(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 177unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so
178it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
179
180The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
181coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically
188terminated. 182terminated.
189 183
190Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 184The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
191 185
192When the coroutine dies, the program will exit, just as in the main 186See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
193program. 187environment in which coroutines are executed.
194 188
189Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
190the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
191just as it would in the main program.
192
193If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
194simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
195
195 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 196Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
197
196 async { 198 async {
197 print "@_\n"; 199 print "@_\n";
198 } 1,2,3,4; 200 } 1,2,3,4;
199 201
200=cut 202=cut
206} 208}
207 209
208=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 210=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
209 211
210Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 212Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call
211terminate or join (although you are allowed to), and you get a coroutine 213terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
212that might have executed other code already (which can be good or bad :). 214coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
215or bad :).
213 216
217On the plus side, this function is faster than creating (and destroying)
218a completly new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic coroutines in
219quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
220
214Also, the block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 221The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
215issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as 222issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
216C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy> 223C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
217will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel, 224will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
218which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling. 225which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
226exceptional case).
219 227
220The priority will be reset to C<0> after each job, otherwise the coroutine 228The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
221will be re-used "as-is". 229disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
230gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
231be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
232stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
233simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
222 234
223The pool size is limited to 8 idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by 235The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be
224changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as 236adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
225required. 237coros as required.
226 238
227If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 239If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
228single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool { 240single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
229terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. 241{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
242addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb
243(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
230 244
231=cut 245=cut
232 246
233our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 247our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
248our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024;
234our @pool; 249our @async_pool;
235 250
236sub pool_handler { 251sub pool_handler {
252 my $cb;
253
237 while () { 254 while () {
238 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $current->{_invoke} };
239
240 eval { 255 eval {
241 $cb->(@arg); 256 while () {
257 _pool_1 $cb;
258 &$cb;
259 _pool_2 $cb;
260 &schedule;
261 }
242 }; 262 };
263
264 if ($@) {
265 last if $@ eq "\3async_pool terminate\2\n";
243 warn $@ if $@; 266 warn $@;
244 267 }
245 last if @pool >= $POOL_SIZE;
246 push @pool, $current;
247
248 $current->prio (0);
249 schedule;
250 } 268 }
251} 269}
252 270
253sub async_pool(&@) { 271sub async_pool(&@) {
254 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler 272 # this is also inlined into the unblock_scheduler
255 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler); 273 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
256 274
257 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_]; 275 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_];
258 $coro->ready; 276 $coro->ready;
259 277
260 $coro 278 $coro
261} 279}
262 280
281=back
282
283=head2 STATIC METHODS
284
285Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine.
286
287=over 4
288
263=item schedule 289=item schedule
264 290
265Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 291Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
292to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
293to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
294in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
295C<$Coro::idle> hook.
296
297Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
266into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 298queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
267never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 299again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
268ready. 300thus waking you up.
301
302This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
303coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
304a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
305>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
306yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
307so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
308status in a variable.
269 309
270The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 310The canonical way to wait on external events is this:
271 311
272 { 312 {
273 # remember current coroutine 313 # remember current coroutine
278 # wake up sleeping coroutine 318 # wake up sleeping coroutine
279 $current->ready; 319 $current->ready;
280 undef $current; 320 undef $current;
281 }; 321 };
282 322
283 # call schedule until event occured. 323 # call schedule until event occurred.
284 # in case we are woken up for other reasons 324 # in case we are woken up for other reasons
285 # (current still defined), loop. 325 # (current still defined), loop.
286 Coro::schedule while $current; 326 Coro::schedule while $current;
287 } 327 }
288 328
289=item cede 329=item cede
290 330
291"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the 331"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
292ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the 332the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
293current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority. 333up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
334priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
335resumed.
294 336
295Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened. 337This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
296 338
297=item Coro::cede_notself 339=item Coro::cede_notself
298 340
299Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to any 341Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
300coroutine, regardless of priority, once. 342coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
301 343progress is made.
302Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
303 344
304=item terminate [arg...] 345=item terminate [arg...]
305 346
306Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>). 347Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
348
349=item killall
350
351Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
352one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
353usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
354
355Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
356you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
357program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
307 358
308=cut 359=cut
309 360
310sub terminate { 361sub terminate {
311 $current->cancel (@_); 362 $current->cancel (@_);
312} 363}
313 364
365sub killall {
366 for (Coro::State::list) {
367 $_->cancel
368 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
369 }
370}
371
314=back 372=back
315 373
316# dynamic methods
317
318=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 374=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
319 375
320These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects. 376These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
377them).
321 378
322=over 4 379=over 4
323 380
324=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 381=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
325 382
326Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine 383Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
327automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 384automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
328called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready queue 385called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
329by calling the ready method. 386queue by calling the ready method.
330 387
331Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 388See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
389coroutine environment.
332 390
333=cut 391=cut
334 392
335sub _run_coro { 393sub _run_coro {
336 terminate &{+shift}; 394 terminate &{+shift};
342 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_) 400 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
343} 401}
344 402
345=item $success = $coroutine->ready 403=item $success = $coroutine->ready
346 404
347Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority) 405Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
348and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing 406queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
349and return false. 407the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
408
409This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
410once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
411priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
350 412
351=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 413=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
352 414
353Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 415Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
354 416
355=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...) 417=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
356 418
357Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as 419Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
358status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the 420status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
360 422
361=cut 423=cut
362 424
363sub cancel { 425sub cancel {
364 my $self = shift; 426 my $self = shift;
365 $self->{status} = [@_]; 427 $self->{_status} = [@_];
366 428
367 if ($current == $self) { 429 if ($current == $self) {
368 push @destroy, $self; 430 push @destroy, $self;
369 $manager->ready; 431 $manager->ready;
370 &schedule while 1; 432 &schedule while 1;
371 } else { 433 } else {
372 $self->_cancel; 434 $self->_cancel;
373 } 435 }
374} 436}
375 437
438=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
439
440If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
441inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
442clears the exception object.
443
444Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
445returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
446>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Note that this means that
447when a coroutine is acquiring a lock, it might only throw after it has
448sucessfully acquired it.
449
450The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
451C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
452(unlike with C<die>).
453
454This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
455end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
456termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
457program.
458
459You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
460C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
461
376=item $coroutine->join 462=item $coroutine->join
377 463
378Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 464Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
379C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times 465C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
380from multiple coroutine. 466from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
467return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
381 468
382=cut 469=cut
383 470
384sub join { 471sub join {
385 my $self = shift; 472 my $self = shift;
386 473
387 unless ($self->{status}) { 474 unless ($self->{_status}) {
388 my $current = $current; 475 my $current = $current;
389 476
390 push @{$self->{destroy_cb}}, sub { 477 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
391 $current->ready; 478 $current->ready;
392 undef $current; 479 undef $current;
393 }; 480 };
394 481
395 &schedule while $current; 482 &schedule while $current;
396 } 483 }
397 484
398 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 485 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
399} 486}
400 487
401=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 488=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
402 489
403Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 490Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
404but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 491but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
405if any. 492if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
406 493
407=cut 494=cut
408 495
409sub on_destroy { 496sub on_destroy {
410 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 497 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
411 498
412 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 499 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
413} 500}
414 501
415=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 502=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
416 503
417Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 504Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
440higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 527higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
441 528
442=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 529=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
443 530
444Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 531Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
445coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 532coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
533coroutine.
534
535This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given
536string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
446 537
447=cut 538=cut
448 539
449sub desc { 540sub desc {
450 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 541 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
459=over 4 550=over 4
460 551
461=item Coro::nready 552=item Coro::nready
462 553
463Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 554Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
464i.e. that can be swicthed to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 555i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
556indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the
465coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 557currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
466and C<schedule> would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler 558would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
467that wakes up some coroutines. 559coroutines.
468 560
469=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 561=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
470 562
471This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the objetc 563This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
472gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 564gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
473executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a 565executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
474runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the 566runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
475guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method, 567guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
476C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed. 568C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
501 593
502 594
503=item unblock_sub { ... } 595=item unblock_sub { ... }
504 596
505This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 597This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
506returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 598returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
507immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 599will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
508ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 600original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
601coroutine.
509 602
510The reason this fucntion exists is that many event libraries (such as the 603The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
511venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 604venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
512of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 605of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
513otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 606otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
607currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
514 608
515This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 609This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
516coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 610coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
517is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 611is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
518disk. 612disk, for example.
519 613
520In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 614In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
521creating event callbacks that want to block. 615creating event callbacks that want to block.
616
617If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
618another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
619there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
620
621Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
622are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
623use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
624provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
625must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
522 626
523=cut 627=cut
524 628
525our @unblock_queue; 629our @unblock_queue;
526 630
527# we create a special coro because we want to cede, 631# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
528# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks 632# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
529# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede 633# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
530# inside an event callback. 634# inside an event callback.
531our $unblock_scheduler = async { 635our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
532 while () { 636 while () {
533 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 637 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
534 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool 638 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool
535 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler); 639 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
536 640
537 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb; 641 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
538 $coro->ready; 642 $coro->ready;
539 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 643 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
540 } 644 }
541 schedule; # sleep well 645 schedule; # sleep well
542 } 646 }
543}; 647};
648$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
544 649
545sub unblock_sub(&) { 650sub unblock_sub(&) {
546 my $cb = shift; 651 my $cb = shift;
547 652
548 sub { 653 sub {
557 662
5581; 6631;
559 664
560=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 665=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
561 666
562 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 667=over 4
563 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
564 668
669=item fork with pthread backend
670
671When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
672but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
673coroutines will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
674fix your libc and use a saner backend.
675
676=item perl process emulation ("threads")
677
565 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 678This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
566 from the same thread (this requirement might be losened in the future 679module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
567 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 680future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
568 this). 681this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
682the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
683performance, even when not used.
684
685=item coroutine switching not signal safe
686
687You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler
688(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).
689
690That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
691current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
692anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
693works.
694
695=back
696
569 697
570=head1 SEE ALSO 698=head1 SEE ALSO
571 699
700Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
701
702Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
703
572Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 704Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
573 705
574Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 706Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
575 707
576Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 708IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
577 709
578Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 710Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>.
711
712XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
713
714Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
579 715
580=head1 AUTHOR 716=head1 AUTHOR
581 717
582 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 718 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
583 http://home.schmorp.de/ 719 http://home.schmorp.de/

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