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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 use din this module also
26guarentees 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 = '3.3'; 85our $VERSION = 5.15;
56 86
57our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 87our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
58our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 88our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
59 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 89 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
60); 90);
61our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$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<$Coro::main> (of course).
111 113
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 114This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essentiel you are encouraged to use the 115value stored in it and use it as any other Coro object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 116not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 117
116=cut 118=cut
117 119
118# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
119$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
190Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 194The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
191 195
192When the coroutine dies, the program will exit, just as in the main 196See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coro
193program. 197environment in which coro are executed.
194 198
199Calling C<exit> in a coro will do the same as calling exit outside
200the coro. Likewise, when the coro dies, the program will exit,
201just as it would in the main program.
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
195 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 206Example: Create a new coro that just prints its arguments.
207
196 async { 208 async {
197 print "@_\n"; 209 print "@_\n";
198 } 1,2,3,4; 210 } 1,2,3,4;
199 211
200=cut 212=cut
205 $coro 217 $coro
206} 218}
207 219
208=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 220=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
209 221
210Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 222Similar to C<async>, but uses a coro pool, so you should not call
211terminate or join (although you are allowed to), and you get a coroutine 223terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
212that might have executed other code already (which can be good or bad :). 224coro that might have executed other code already (which can be good
225or bad :).
213 226
227On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
228destroying) a completely new coro, so if you need a lot of generic
229coros in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
230
214Also, the block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 231The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
215issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as 232issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
216C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy> 233C<async> does. As the coro is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
217will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel, 234will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
218which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling. 235which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
236exceptional case).
219 237
220The priority will be reset to C<0> after each job, otherwise the coroutine 238The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
221will be re-used "as-is". 239disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
240gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coro will
241be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coro global
242stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
243simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
222 244
223The 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
224changing $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
225required. 247coros as required.
226 248
227If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 249If you are concerned about pooled coros growing a lot because a
228single 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
229terminate }> 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.
230 254
231=cut 255=cut
232 256
233our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 257our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
258our $POOL_RSS = 32 * 1024;
234our @pool; 259our @async_pool;
235 260
236sub pool_handler { 261sub pool_handler {
237 while () { 262 while () {
238 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $current->{_invoke} };
239
240 eval { 263 eval {
241 $cb->(@arg); 264 &{&_pool_handler} while 1;
242 }; 265 };
266
243 warn $@ if $@; 267 warn $@ if $@;
244
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(&@) { 271=back
254 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler
255 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler);
256 272
257 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_]; 273=head1 STATIC METHODS
258 $coro->ready;
259 274
260 $coro 275Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the
261} 276current coro.
277
278=over 4
262 279
263=item schedule 280=item schedule
264 281
265Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 282Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coro that is
283to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coro
284to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
285in its ready queue. If there is no coro ready, it will clal the
286C<$Coro::idle> hook.
287
288Please note that the current coro will I<not> be put into the ready
266into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 289queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
267never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 290again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
268ready. 291thus waking you up.
269 292
270The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 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.
271 300
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 thread switching considerably for coros that use them
344(about 40% for a BLOCK with a single assignment, so thread switching is
345still reasonably fast if the handlers are fast).
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.
373 };
374
375This can be used to localise about any resource (locale, uid, current
376working directory etc.) to a block, despite the existance of other
377coros.
378
379Another interesting example implements time-sliced multitasking using
380interval timers (this could obviously be optimised, but does the job):
381
382 # "timeslice" the given block
383 sub timeslice(&) {
384 use Time::HiRes ();
385
386 Coro::on_enter {
387 # on entering the thread, we set an VTALRM handler to cede
388 $SIG{VTALRM} = sub { cede };
389 # and then start the interval timer
390 Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0.01, 0.01;
391 };
392 Coro::on_leave {
393 # on leaving the thread, we stop the interval timer again
394 Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0, 0;
395 };
396
397 &{+shift};
398 }
399
400 # use like this:
401 timeslice {
402 # The following is an endless loop that would normally
403 # monopolise the process. Since it runs in a timesliced
404 # environment, it will regularly cede to other threads.
405 while () { }
406 };
407
408
409=item killall
410
411Kills/terminates/cancels all coros except the currently running one.
412
413Note that while this will try to free some of the main interpreter
414resources if the calling coro isn't the main coro, but one
415cannot free all of them, so if a coro that is not the main coro
416calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
417
418=cut
419
420sub killall {
421 for (Coro::State::list) {
422 $_->cancel
423 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
272 { 424 }
273 # remember current coroutine 425}
426
427=back
428
429=head1 CORO OBJECT METHODS
430
431These are the methods you can call on coro objects (or to create
432them).
433
434=over 4
435
436=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
437
438Create a new coro and return it. When the sub returns, the coro
439automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
440called. To make the coro run you must first put it into the ready
441queue by calling the ready method.
442
443See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
444coro environment.
445
446=cut
447
448sub _coro_run {
449 terminate &{+shift};
450}
451
452=item $success = $coro->ready
453
454Put the given coro into the end of its ready queue (there is one
455queue for each priority) and return true. If the coro is already in
456the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
457
458This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coro automatically
459once all the coro of higher priority and all coro of the same
460priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
461
462=item $coro->suspend
463
464Suspends the specified coro. A suspended coro works just like any other
465coro, except that the scheduler will not select a suspended coro for
466execution.
467
468Suspending a coro can be useful when you want to keep the coro from
469running, but you don't want to destroy it, or when you want to temporarily
470freeze a coro (e.g. for debugging) to resume it later.
471
472A scenario for the former would be to suspend all (other) coros after a
473fork and keep them alive, so their destructors aren't called, but new
474coros can be created.
475
476=item $coro->resume
477
478If the specified coro was suspended, it will be resumed. Note that when
479the coro was in the ready queue when it was suspended, it might have been
480unreadied by the scheduler, so an activation might have been lost.
481
482To avoid this, it is best to put a suspended coro into the ready queue
483unconditionally, as every synchronisation mechanism must protect itself
484against spurious wakeups, and the one in the Coro family certainly do
485that.
486
487=item $is_ready = $coro->is_ready
488
489Returns true iff the Coro object is in the ready queue. Unless the Coro
490object gets destroyed, it will eventually be scheduled by the scheduler.
491
492=item $is_running = $coro->is_running
493
494Returns true iff the Coro object is currently running. Only one Coro object
495can ever be in the running state (but it currently is possible to have
496multiple running Coro::States).
497
498=item $is_suspended = $coro->is_suspended
499
500Returns true iff this Coro object has been suspended. Suspended Coros will
501not ever be scheduled.
502
503=item $coro->cancel (arg...)
504
505Terminates the given Coro and makes it return the given arguments as
506status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the Coro is the
507current Coro.
508
509=cut
510
511sub cancel {
512 my $self = shift;
513
514 if ($current == $self) {
515 terminate @_;
516 } else {
517 $self->{_status} = [@_];
518 Coro::State::cancel $self;
519 }
520}
521
522=item $coro->schedule_to
523
524Puts the current coro to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
525of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
526the given coro object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
527state of that coro isn't changed.
528
529This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
530uses for this one.
531
532=item $coro->cede_to
533
534Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coro into the ready
535queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
536coro, and continuing some time later.
537
538This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
539uses for this one.
540
541=item $coro->throw ([$scalar])
542
543If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
544inside the coro at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
545clears the exception object.
546
547Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
548returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
549>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions
550detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending.
551
552The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
553C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
554(unlike with C<die>).
555
556This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coro to
557end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
558termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
559program.
560
561You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
562C<kill>ing a coro with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
563
564=item $coro->join
565
566Wait until the coro terminates and return any values given to the
567C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
568from multiple coro, and all will be resumed and given the status
569return once the C<$coro> terminates.
570
571=cut
572
573sub join {
574 my $self = shift;
575
576 unless ($self->{_status}) {
274 my $current = $Coro::current; 577 my $current = $current;
275 578
276 # register a hypothetical event handler 579 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
277 on_event_invoke sub {
278 # wake up sleeping coroutine
279 $current->ready; 580 $current->ready;
280 undef $current; 581 undef $current;
281 }; 582 };
282 583
283 # call schedule until event occured.
284 # in case we are woken up for other reasons
285 # (current still defined), loop.
286 Coro::schedule while $current;
287 }
288
289=item cede
290
291"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the
292ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the
293current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority.
294
295Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
296
297=item Coro::cede_notself
298
299Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to any
300coroutine, regardless of priority, once.
301
302Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
303
304=item terminate [arg...]
305
306Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
307
308=cut
309
310sub terminate {
311 $current->cancel (@_);
312}
313
314=back
315
316# dynamic methods
317
318=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
319
320These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects.
321
322=over 4
323
324=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
325
326Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine
327automatically 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
329by calling the ready method.
330
331Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that.
332
333=cut
334
335sub _run_coro {
336 terminate &{+shift};
337}
338
339sub new {
340 my $class = shift;
341
342 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
343}
344
345=item $success = $coroutine->ready
346
347Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority)
348and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing
349and return false.
350
351=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
352
353Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
354
355=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
356
357Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
358status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
359current coroutine.
360
361=cut
362
363sub cancel {
364 my $self = shift;
365 $self->{status} = [@_];
366
367 if ($current == $self) {
368 push @destroy, $self;
369 $manager->ready;
370 &schedule while 1;
371 } else {
372 $self->_cancel;
373 }
374}
375
376=item $coroutine->join
377
378Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
379C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times
380from multiple coroutine.
381
382=cut
383
384sub join {
385 my $self = shift;
386
387 unless ($self->{status}) {
388 my $current = $current;
389
390 push @{$self->{destroy_cb}}, sub {
391 $current->ready;
392 undef $current;
393 };
394
395 &schedule while $current; 584 &schedule while $current;
396 } 585 }
397 586
398 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 587 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
399} 588}
400 589
401=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 590=item $coro->on_destroy (\&cb)
402 591
403Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 592Registers a callback that is called when this coro gets destroyed,
404but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 593but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
405if any. 594if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
406 595
407=cut 596=cut
408 597
409sub on_destroy { 598sub on_destroy {
410 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 599 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
411 600
412 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 601 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
413} 602}
414 603
415=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 604=item $oldprio = $coro->prio ($newprio)
416 605
417Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 606Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
418coroutine. Higher priority coroutines get run before lower priority 607coro. Higher priority coro get run before lower priority
419coroutines. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3), 608coro. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3),
420that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio 609that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio
421to get then): 610to get then):
422 611
423 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN 612 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN
424 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4 613 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4
425 614
426 # set priority to HIGH 615 # set priority to HIGH
427 current->prio(PRIO_HIGH); 616 current->prio (PRIO_HIGH);
428 617
429The idle coroutine ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any 618The idle coro ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any
430existing coroutine. 619existing coro.
431 620
432Changing the priority of the current coroutine will take effect immediately, 621Changing the priority of the current coro will take effect immediately,
433but changing the priority of coroutines in the ready queue (but not 622but changing the priority of coro in the ready queue (but not
434running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that 623running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that
435coroutine). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version. 624coro). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version.
436 625
437=item $newprio = $coroutine->nice ($change) 626=item $newprio = $coro->nice ($change)
438 627
439Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e. 628Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e.
440higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 629higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
441 630
442=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 631=item $olddesc = $coro->desc ($newdesc)
443 632
444Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 633Sets (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. 634coro. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
635coro.
636
637This method simply sets the C<< $coro->{desc} >> member to the given
638string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
446 639
447=cut 640=cut
448 641
449sub desc { 642sub desc {
450 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 643 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
451 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 644 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
452 $old; 645 $old;
453} 646}
454 647
648sub transfer {
649 require Carp;
650 Carp::croak ("You must not call ->transfer on Coro objects. Use Coro::State objects or the ->schedule_to method. Caught");
651}
652
455=back 653=back
456 654
457=head2 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 655=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
458 656
459=over 4 657=over 4
460 658
461=item Coro::nready 659=item Coro::nready
462 660
463Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 661Returns the number of coro that are currently in the ready state,
464i.e. that can be swicthed to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 662i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
663indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coro is the
465coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 664currently 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 665would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
467that wakes up some coroutines. 666coro.
468 667
469=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 668=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
470 669
471This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the objetc 670This function still exists, but is deprecated. Please use the
472gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 671C<Guard::guard> function instead.
473executed. 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
475guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
476C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
477 672
478Example: set some flag and clear it again when the coroutine gets canceled
479or the function returns:
480
481 sub do_something {
482 my $guard = Coro::guard { $busy = 0 };
483 $busy = 1;
484
485 # do something that requires $busy to be true
486 }
487
488=cut 673=cut
489 674
490sub guard(&) { 675BEGIN { *guard = \&Guard::guard }
491 bless \(my $cb = $_[0]), "Coro::guard"
492}
493
494sub Coro::guard::cancel {
495 ${$_[0]} = sub { };
496}
497
498sub Coro::guard::DESTROY {
499 ${$_[0]}->();
500}
501
502 676
503=item unblock_sub { ... } 677=item unblock_sub { ... }
504 678
505This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 679This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
506returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 680returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
507immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 681will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
508ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 682original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
683coro.
509 684
510The reason this fucntion exists is that many event libraries (such as the 685The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
511venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 686venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not thread-safe (a weaker form
512of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 687of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
513otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 688otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
689currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
514 690
515This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 691This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
516coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 692coro 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 693is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
518disk. 694disk, for example.
519 695
520In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 696In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
521creating event callbacks that want to block. 697creating event callbacks that want to block.
698
699If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
700another coro, or puts some other coro into the ready queue), there is
701no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
702
703Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
704are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
705use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
706provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
707must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
522 708
523=cut 709=cut
524 710
525our @unblock_queue; 711our @unblock_queue;
526 712
527# we create a special coro because we want to cede, 713# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
528# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks 714# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
529# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede 715# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
530# inside an event callback. 716# inside an event callback.
531our $unblock_scheduler = async { 717our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
532 while () { 718 while () {
533 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 719 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
534 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool 720 &async_pool (@$cb);
535 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler);
536 721
537 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
538 $coro->ready;
539 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 722 # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
723 # as the chance is very high that the async_poll coro will be back
724 # in the idle state when cede returns
725 cede;
540 } 726 }
541 schedule; # sleep well 727 schedule; # sleep well
542 } 728 }
543}; 729};
730$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
544 731
545sub unblock_sub(&) { 732sub unblock_sub(&) {
546 my $cb = shift; 733 my $cb = shift;
547 734
548 sub { 735 sub {
549 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 736 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
550 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 737 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
551 } 738 }
552} 739}
553 740
741=item $cb = Coro::rouse_cb
742
743Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that,
744when called, will remember a copy of its arguments and notify the owner
745coro of the callback.
746
747See the next function.
748
749=item @args = Coro::rouse_wait [$cb]
750
751Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one that was created in
752this coro).
753
754As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the callback was invoked
755before C<rouse_wait>), it will return the arguments originally passed to
756the rouse callback. In scalar context, that means you get the I<last>
757argument, just as if C<rouse_wait> had a C<return ($a1, $a2, $a3...)>
758statement at the end.
759
760See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
761
554=back 762=back
555 763
556=cut 764=cut
557 765
5581; 7661;
559 767
768=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
769
770It is very common for a coro to wait for some callback to be
771called. This occurs naturally when you use coro in an otherwise
772event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
773
774These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
775when the event occured. In a coro, however, you typically want to
776just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
777
778For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
779a specific child has exited:
780
781 my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
782
783But from within a coro, you often just want to write this:
784
785 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
786
787Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
788C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
789
790The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
791when invoked, will save its arguments and notify the coro that
792created the callback.
793
794The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
795(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
796originally passed to the callback.
797
798Using these functions, it becomes easy to write the C<wait_for_child>
799function mentioned above:
800
801 sub wait_for_child($) {
802 my ($pid) = @_;
803
804 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb);
805
806 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait;
807 $rstatus
808 }
809
810In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
811you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
812
813 sub wait_for_child($) {
814 my ($pid) = @_;
815
816 # store the current coro in $current,
817 # and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
818 my $current = $Coro::current;
819 my ($done, $rstatus);
820
821 # pass a closure to ->child
822 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
823 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
824 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud
825 });
826
827 # wait until the closure has been called
828 schedule while !$done;
829
830 $rstatus
831 }
832
833
560=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 834=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
561 835
562 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 836=over 4
563 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
564 837
838=item fork with pthread backend
839
840When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
841but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
842coro will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
843fix your libc and use a saner backend.
844
845=item perl process emulation ("threads")
846
565 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 847This 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 848module from the first thread (this requirement might be removed in the
567 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 849future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
568 this). 850this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
851the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
852performance, even when not used.
853
854=item coro switching is not signal safe
855
856You must not switch to another coro from within a signal handler
857(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).
858
859That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
860current coro - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
861anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
862works.
863
864=back
865
569 866
570=head1 SEE ALSO 867=head1 SEE ALSO
571 868
869Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
870
871Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
872
572Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 873Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
573 874
574Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 875Locking and IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>,
876L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
575 877
576Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 878I/O and Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
577 879
578Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 880Compatibility with other modules: L<Coro::LWP> (but see also L<AnyEvent::HTTP> for
881a better-working alternative), L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>,
882L<Coro::Select>.
883
884XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
885
886Low level Configuration, Thread Environment, Continuations: L<Coro::State>.
579 887
580=head1 AUTHOR 888=head1 AUTHOR
581 889
582 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 890 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
583 http://home.schmorp.de/ 891 http://home.schmorp.de/

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