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Revision 1.114 by root, Wed Jan 24 16:22:08 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.229 by root, Thu Nov 20 06:32:55 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 = '3.5'; 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; 154our @destroy;
161my $manager; 155our $manager;
162 156
163$manager = new Coro sub { 157$manager = new Coro sub {
164 while () { 158 while () {
165 (shift @destroy)->_cancel 159 (shift @destroy)->_cancel
166 while @destroy; 160 while @destroy;
167 161
168 &schedule; 162 &schedule;
169 } 163 }
170}; 164};
171 165$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 about twice as fast as creating (and
218destroying) a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic
219coroutines in quick 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 $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024;
234our @pool; 249our @async_pool;
235 250
236sub pool_handler { 251sub pool_handler {
237 while () { 252 while () {
238 eval { 253 eval {
239 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $current->{_invoke} or return }; 254 &{&_pool_handler} while 1;
240 $cb->(@arg);
241 }; 255 };
256
242 warn $@ if $@; 257 warn $@ if $@;
243
244 last if @pool >= $POOL_SIZE;
245 push @pool, $current;
246
247 $current->prio (0);
248 schedule;
249 } 258 }
250} 259}
251 260
252sub async_pool(&@) { 261=back
253 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler
254 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler);
255 262
256 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_]; 263=head2 STATIC METHODS
257 $coro->ready;
258 264
259 $coro 265Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine.
260} 266
267=over 4
261 268
262=item schedule 269=item schedule
263 270
264Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 271Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
272to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
273to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
274in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
275C<$Coro::idle> hook.
276
277Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
265into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 278queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
266never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 279again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
267ready. 280thus waking you up.
268 281
269The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 282This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
283coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
284a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
285>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
286yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
287so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
288status in a variable.
270 289
290See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
291
292=item cede
293
294"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
295the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
296up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
297priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
298resumed.
299
300This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
301
302=item Coro::cede_notself
303
304Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
305coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
306progress is made.
307
308=item terminate [arg...]
309
310Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
311
312=item killall
313
314Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
315one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
316usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
317
318Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
319you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
320program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
321
322=cut
323
324sub terminate {
325 $current->{_status} = [@_];
326 push @destroy, $current;
327 $manager->ready;
328 do { &schedule } while 1;
329}
330
331sub killall {
332 for (Coro::State::list) {
333 $_->cancel
334 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
271 { 335 }
272 # remember current coroutine 336}
337
338=back
339
340=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
341
342These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
343them).
344
345=over 4
346
347=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
348
349Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
350automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
351called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
352queue by calling the ready method.
353
354See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
355coroutine environment.
356
357=cut
358
359sub _terminate {
360 terminate &{+shift};
361}
362
363=item $success = $coroutine->ready
364
365Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
366queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
367the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
368
369This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
370once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
371priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
372
373=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
374
375Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
376
377=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
378
379Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
380status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
381current coroutine.
382
383=cut
384
385sub cancel {
386 my $self = shift;
387
388 if ($current == $self) {
389 terminate @_;
390 } else {
391 $self->{_status} = [@_];
392 $self->_cancel;
393 }
394}
395
396=item $coroutine->schedule_to
397
398Puts the current coroutine to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
399of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
400the given coroutine object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
401state of that coroutine isn't changed.
402
403This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
404uses for this one.
405
406=item $coroutine->cede_to
407
408Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coroutine into the ready
409queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
410coroutine, and continuing some time later.
411
412This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
413uses for this one.
414
415=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
416
417If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
418inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
419clears the exception object.
420
421Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
422returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
423>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions
424detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending.
425
426The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
427C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
428(unlike with C<die>).
429
430This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
431end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
432termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
433program.
434
435You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
436C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
437
438=item $coroutine->join
439
440Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
441C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
442from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
443return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
444
445=cut
446
447sub join {
448 my $self = shift;
449
450 unless ($self->{_status}) {
273 my $current = $Coro::current; 451 my $current = $current;
274 452
275 # register a hypothetical event handler 453 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
276 on_event_invoke sub {
277 # wake up sleeping coroutine
278 $current->ready; 454 $current->ready;
279 undef $current; 455 undef $current;
280 }; 456 };
281 457
282 # call schedule until event occured.
283 # in case we are woken up for other reasons
284 # (current still defined), loop.
285 Coro::schedule while $current;
286 }
287
288=item cede
289
290"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the
291ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the
292current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority.
293
294Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
295
296=item Coro::cede_notself
297
298Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to any
299coroutine, regardless of priority, once.
300
301Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
302
303=item terminate [arg...]
304
305Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
306
307=cut
308
309sub terminate {
310 $current->cancel (@_);
311}
312
313=back
314
315# dynamic methods
316
317=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
318
319These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects.
320
321=over 4
322
323=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
324
325Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine
326automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
327called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready queue
328by calling the ready method.
329
330Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that.
331
332=cut
333
334sub _run_coro {
335 terminate &{+shift};
336}
337
338sub new {
339 my $class = shift;
340
341 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
342}
343
344=item $success = $coroutine->ready
345
346Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority)
347and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing
348and return false.
349
350=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
351
352Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
353
354=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
355
356Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
357status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
358current coroutine.
359
360=cut
361
362sub cancel {
363 my $self = shift;
364 $self->{status} = [@_];
365
366 if ($current == $self) {
367 push @destroy, $self;
368 $manager->ready;
369 &schedule while 1;
370 } else {
371 $self->_cancel;
372 }
373}
374
375=item $coroutine->join
376
377Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
378C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times
379from multiple coroutine.
380
381=cut
382
383sub join {
384 my $self = shift;
385
386 unless ($self->{status}) {
387 my $current = $current;
388
389 push @{$self->{destroy_cb}}, sub {
390 $current->ready;
391 undef $current;
392 };
393
394 &schedule while $current; 458 &schedule while $current;
395 } 459 }
396 460
397 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 461 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
398} 462}
399 463
400=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 464=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
401 465
402Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 466Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
403but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 467but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
404if any. 468if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
405 469
406=cut 470=cut
407 471
408sub on_destroy { 472sub on_destroy {
409 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 473 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
410 474
411 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 475 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
412} 476}
413 477
414=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 478=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
415 479
416Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 480Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
439higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 503higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
440 504
441=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 505=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
442 506
443Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 507Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
444coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 508coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
509coroutine.
510
511This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given
512string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
445 513
446=cut 514=cut
447 515
448sub desc { 516sub desc {
449 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 517 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
458=over 4 526=over 4
459 527
460=item Coro::nready 528=item Coro::nready
461 529
462Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 530Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
463i.e. that can be swicthed to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 531i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
532indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the
464coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 533currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
465and C<schedule> would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler 534would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
466that wakes up some coroutines. 535coroutines.
467 536
468=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 537=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
469 538
470This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the objetc 539This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
471gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 540gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
472executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a 541executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
473runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the 542runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
474guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method, 543guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
475C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed. 544C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
500 569
501 570
502=item unblock_sub { ... } 571=item unblock_sub { ... }
503 572
504This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 573This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
505returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 574returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
506immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 575will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
507ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 576original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
577coroutine.
508 578
509The reason this fucntion exists is that many event libraries (such as the 579The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
510venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 580venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
511of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 581of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
512otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 582otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
583currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
513 584
514This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 585This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
515coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 586coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
516is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 587is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
517disk. 588disk, for example.
518 589
519In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 590In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
520creating event callbacks that want to block. 591creating event callbacks that want to block.
592
593If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
594another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
595there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
596
597Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
598are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
599use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
600provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
601must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
521 602
522=cut 603=cut
523 604
524our @unblock_queue; 605our @unblock_queue;
525 606
526# we create a special coro because we want to cede, 607# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
527# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks 608# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
528# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede 609# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
529# inside an event callback. 610# inside an event callback.
530our $unblock_scheduler = async { 611our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
531 while () { 612 while () {
532 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 613 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
533 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool 614 &async_pool (@$cb);
534 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler);
535 615
536 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
537 $coro->ready;
538 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 616 # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
617 # as the chance is very high that the async_poll coro will be back
618 # in the idle state when cede returns
619 cede;
539 } 620 }
540 schedule; # sleep well 621 schedule; # sleep well
541 } 622 }
542}; 623};
624$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
543 625
544sub unblock_sub(&) { 626sub unblock_sub(&) {
545 my $cb = shift; 627 my $cb = shift;
546 628
547 sub { 629 sub {
548 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 630 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
549 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 631 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
550 } 632 }
551} 633}
552 634
635=item $cb = Coro::rouse_cb
636
637Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that, when
638called, will save its arguments and notify the owner coroutine of the
639callback.
640
641See the next function.
642
643=item @args = Coro::rouse_wait [$cb]
644
645Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one tht was created in
646this coroutine).
647
648As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the calback was invoked before
649C<rouse_wait>), it will return a copy of the arguments originally passed
650to the rouse callback.
651
652See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
653
553=back 654=back
554 655
555=cut 656=cut
556 657
5571; 6581;
558 659
660=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
661
662It is very common for a coroutine to wait for some callback to be
663called. This occurs naturally when you use coroutines in an otherwise
664event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
665
666These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
667when the event occured. In a coroutine, however, you typically want to
668just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
669
670For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
671a specific child has exited:
672
673 my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
674
675But from withina coroutine, you often just want to write this:
676
677 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
678
679Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
680C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
681
682The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
683when invoked, will save it's arguments and notify the coroutine that
684created the callback.
685
686The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
687(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
688originally passed to the callback.
689
690Using these functions, it becomes easy to write the C<wait_for_child>
691function mentioned above:
692
693 sub wait_for_child($) {
694 my ($pid) = @_;
695
696 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb);
697
698 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait;
699 $rstatus
700 }
701
702In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
703you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
704
705 sub wait_for_child($) {
706 my ($pid) = @_;
707
708 # store the current coroutine in $current,
709 # and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
710 my $current = $Coro::current;
711 my ($done, $rstatus);
712
713 # pass a closure to ->child
714 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
715 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
716 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud
717 });
718
719 # wait until the closure has been called
720 schedule while !$done;
721
722 $rstatus
723 }
724
725
559=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 726=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
560 727
561 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 728=over 4
562 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
563 729
730=item fork with pthread backend
731
732When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
733but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
734coroutines will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
735fix your libc and use a saner backend.
736
737=item perl process emulation ("threads")
738
564 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 739This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
565 from the same thread (this requirement might be losened in the future 740module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
566 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 741future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
567 this). 742this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
743the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
744performance, even when not used.
745
746=item coroutine switching not signal safe
747
748You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler
749(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).
750
751That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
752current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
753anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
754works.
755
756=back
757
568 758
569=head1 SEE ALSO 759=head1 SEE ALSO
570 760
761Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
762
763Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
764
571Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 765Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
572 766
573Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 767Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
574 768
575Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 769IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
576 770
577Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 771Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>.
772
773XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
774
775Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
578 776
579=head1 AUTHOR 777=head1 AUTHOR
580 778
581 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 779 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
582 http://home.schmorp.de/ 780 http://home.schmorp.de/

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