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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 coroutine
14 17 print "3\n";
15 sub some_func : Coro { 18 cede; # and again
16 # some more async code 19
17 } 20 # use locking
18 21 use Coro::Semaphore;
19 cede; 22 my $lock = new Coro::Semaphore;
23 my $locked;
24
25 $lock->down;
26 $locked = 1;
27 $lock->up;
20 28
21=head1 DESCRIPTION 29=head1 DESCRIPTION
22 30
23This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar 31For a tutorial-style introduction, please read the L<Coro::Intro>
24to threads but don't run in parallel at the same time even on SMP 32manpage. This manpage mainly contains reference information.
25machines. The specific flavor of coroutine 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
32very slow and memory-intensive emulation of processes using threads. This 35in the form of cooperative threads (also called coroutines in the
33is a performance win on Windows machines, and a loss everywhere else). 36documentation). They are similar to kernel threads but don't (in general)
37run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The specific flavor
38of thread offered by this module also guarantees you that it will not
39switch between threads unless necessary, at easily-identified points in
40your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an issue, making
41thread programming much safer and easier than using other thread models.
34 42
43Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads
44but only the windows process emulation ported to unix), Coro provides a
45full shared address space, which makes communication between threads
46very easy. And threads are fast, too: disabling the Windows process
47emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in a two to
48four times speed increase for your programs.
49
50Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share
51data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and
52for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running
53concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro
54into an event-based environment.
55
35In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables + 56In this module, a thread is defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
36@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain, 57@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a thread has its own callchain,
37its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global 58its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
38variables. 59variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background info).
60
61See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro
62module family is quite large.
39 63
40=cut 64=cut
41 65
42package Coro; 66package Coro;
43 67
44use strict; 68use strict qw(vars subs);
45no warnings "uninitialized"; 69no warnings "uninitialized";
70
71use Guard ();
46 72
47use Coro::State; 73use Coro::State;
48 74
49use base qw(Coro::State Exporter); 75use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
50 76
51our $idle; # idle handler 77our $idle; # idle handler
52our $main; # main coroutine 78our $main; # main coroutine
53our $current; # current coroutine 79our $current; # current coroutine
54 80
55our $VERSION = '3.5'; 81our $VERSION = 5.13;
56 82
57our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 83our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
58our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 84our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
59 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 85 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
60); 86);
61our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 87our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
62 88
63{ 89=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 90
97=over 4 91=over 4
98 92
99=item $main 93=item $Coro::main
100 94
101This coroutine represents the main program. 95This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
96program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
97coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
98whether you are running in the main program or not.
102 99
103=cut 100=cut
104 101
105$main = new Coro; 102# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
106 103
107=item $current (or as function: current) 104=item $Coro::current
108 105
109The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 106The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
107coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
110is C<$main> (of course). 108C<$Coro::main> (of course).
111 109
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 110This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essentiel you are encouraged to use the 111value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 112not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 113
116=cut 114=cut
117 115
118# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
119$main->{specific} = $current->{specific}
120 if $current;
121
122_set_current $main;
123
124sub current() { $current } 116sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
125 117
126=item $idle 118=item $Coro::idle
127 119
120This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
121usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or L<Coro::EV>, as this is
122pretty low-level functionality.
123
124This variable stores either a coroutine or a callback.
125
128A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 126If it is a callback, the it is called whenever the scheduler finds no
129to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 127ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL:
130exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 128deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way to
129continue.
131 130
131If it is a coroutine object, then this object will be readied (without
132invoking any ready hooks, however) when the scheduler finds no other ready
133coroutines to run.
134
132This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 135This 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 136C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
134coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 137coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
135 138
139Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
140the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
141coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
142readying that coroutine in the idle handler, or by simply placing the idle
143coroutine in this variable.
144
145See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
146technique.
147
136Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 148Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
137handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 149handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
138 150
139=cut 151=cut
140 152
141$idle = sub { 153$idle = sub {
142 require Carp; 154 require Carp;
143 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected"); 155 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected");
144}; 156};
145 157
146sub _cancel {
147 my ($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 158# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
159# cannot destroy itself. 159# cannot destroy itself.
160my @destroy; 160our @destroy;
161my $manager; 161our $manager;
162 162
163$manager = new Coro sub { 163$manager = new Coro sub {
164 while () { 164 while () {
165 (shift @destroy)->_cancel 165 Coro::_cancel shift @destroy
166 while @destroy; 166 while @destroy;
167 167
168 &schedule; 168 &schedule;
169 } 169 }
170}; 170};
171 171$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
172$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 172$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
173 173
174# static methods. not really.
175
176=back 174=back
177 175
178=head2 STATIC METHODS 176=head1 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
179
180Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
181 177
182=over 4 178=over 4
183 179
184=item async { ... } [@args...] 180=item async { ... } [@args...]
185 181
186Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 182Create a new coroutine and return its coroutine object (usually
187(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 183unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so
184it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
185
186The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
187coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically
188terminated. 188terminated.
189 189
190Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 190The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
191 191
192When the coroutine dies, the program will exit, just as in the main 192See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
193program. 193environment in which coroutines are executed.
194 194
195Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
196the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
197just as it would in the main program.
198
199If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
200simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
201
195 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 202Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
203
196 async { 204 async {
197 print "@_\n"; 205 print "@_\n";
198 } 1,2,3,4; 206 } 1,2,3,4;
199 207
200=cut 208=cut
206} 214}
207 215
208=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 216=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
209 217
210Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 218Similar 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 219terminate 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 :). 220coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
221or bad :).
213 222
223On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
224destroying) a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic
225coroutines in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
226
214Also, the block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 227The 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 228issued 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> 229C<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, 230will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
218which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling. 231which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
232exceptional case).
219 233
220The priority will be reset to C<0> after each job, otherwise the coroutine 234The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
221will be re-used "as-is". 235disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
236gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
237be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
238stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
239simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
222 240
223The pool size is limited to 8 idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by 241The 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 242adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
225required. 243coros as required.
226 244
227If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 245If 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 { 246single 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. 247{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
248addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb
249(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
230 250
231=cut 251=cut
232 252
233our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 253our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
254our $POOL_RSS = 32 * 1024;
234our @pool; 255our @async_pool;
235 256
236sub pool_handler { 257sub pool_handler {
237 while () { 258 while () {
238 eval { 259 eval {
239 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $current->{_invoke} or return }; 260 &{&_pool_handler} while 1;
240 $cb->(@arg);
241 }; 261 };
262
242 warn $@ if $@; 263 warn $@ if $@;
243
244 last if @pool >= $POOL_SIZE;
245 push @pool, $current;
246
247 $current->prio (0);
248 schedule;
249 } 264 }
250} 265}
251 266
252sub async_pool(&@) { 267=back
253 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler
254 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler);
255 268
256 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_]; 269=head1 STATIC METHODS
257 $coro->ready;
258 270
259 $coro 271Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the
260} 272current coroutine.
273
274=over 4
261 275
262=item schedule 276=item schedule
263 277
264Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 278Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
279to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
280to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
281in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
282C<$Coro::idle> hook.
283
284Please 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 285queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
266never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 286again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
267ready. 287thus waking you up.
268 288
269The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 289This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
290coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
291a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
292>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
293yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
294so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
295status in a variable.
270 296
297See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
298
299=item cede
300
301"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
302the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
303up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
304priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
305resumed.
306
307This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
308
309=item Coro::cede_notself
310
311Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
312coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
313progress is made.
314
315=item terminate [arg...]
316
317Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
318
319=item Coro::on_enter BLOCK, Coro::on_leave BLOCK
320
321These function install enter and leave winders in the current scope. The
322enter block will be executed when on_enter is called and whenever the
323current coroutine is re-entered by the scheduler, while the leave block is
324executed whenever the current coroutine is blocked by the scheduler, and
325also when the containing scope is exited (by whatever means, be it exit,
326die, last etc.).
327
328I<Neither invoking the scheduler, nor exceptions, are allowed within those
329BLOCKs>. That means: do not even think about calling C<die> without an
330eval, and do not even think of entering the scheduler in any way.
331
332Since both BLOCKs are tied to the current scope, they will automatically
333be removed when the current scope exits.
334
335These functions implement the same concept as C<dynamic-wind> in scheme
336does, and are useful when you want to localise some resource to a specific
337coroutine.
338
339They slow down coroutine switching considerably for coroutines that use
340them (But coroutine switching is still reasonably fast if the handlers are
341fast).
342
343These functions are best understood by an example: The following function
344will change the current timezone to "Antarctica/South_Pole", which
345requires a call to C<tzset>, but by using C<on_enter> and C<on_leave>,
346which remember/change the current timezone and restore the previous
347value, respectively, the timezone is only changes for the coroutine that
348installed those handlers.
349
350 use POSIX qw(tzset);
351
352 async {
353 my $old_tz; # store outside TZ value here
354
355 Coro::on_enter {
356 $old_tz = $ENV{TZ}; # remember the old value
357
358 $ENV{TZ} = "Antarctica/South_Pole";
359 tzset; # enable new value
360 };
361
362 Coro::on_leave {
363 $ENV{TZ} = $old_tz;
364 tzset; # restore old value
365 };
366
367 # at this place, the timezone is Antarctica/South_Pole,
368 # without disturbing the TZ of any other coroutine.
369 };
370
371This can be used to localise about any resource (locale, uid, current
372working directory etc.) to a block, despite the existance of other
373coroutines.
374
375=item killall
376
377Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running one.
378
379Note that while this will try to free some of the main interpreter
380resources if the calling coroutine isn't the main coroutine, but one
381cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main coroutine
382calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
383
384=cut
385
386sub killall {
387 for (Coro::State::list) {
388 $_->cancel
389 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
271 { 390 }
272 # remember current coroutine 391}
392
393=back
394
395=head1 COROUTINE OBJECT METHODS
396
397These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
398them).
399
400=over 4
401
402=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
403
404Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
405automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
406called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
407queue by calling the ready method.
408
409See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
410coroutine environment.
411
412=cut
413
414sub _coro_run {
415 terminate &{+shift};
416}
417
418=item $success = $coroutine->ready
419
420Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
421queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
422the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
423
424This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
425once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
426priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
427
428=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
429
430Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
431
432=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
433
434Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
435status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
436current coroutine.
437
438=cut
439
440sub cancel {
441 my $self = shift;
442
443 if ($current == $self) {
444 terminate @_;
445 } else {
446 $self->{_status} = [@_];
447 $self->_cancel;
448 }
449}
450
451=item $coroutine->schedule_to
452
453Puts the current coroutine to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
454of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
455the given coroutine object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
456state of that coroutine isn't changed.
457
458This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
459uses for this one.
460
461=item $coroutine->cede_to
462
463Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coroutine into the ready
464queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
465coroutine, and continuing some time later.
466
467This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
468uses for this one.
469
470=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
471
472If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
473inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
474clears the exception object.
475
476Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
477returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
478>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions
479detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending.
480
481The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
482C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
483(unlike with C<die>).
484
485This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
486end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
487termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
488program.
489
490You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
491C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
492
493=item $coroutine->join
494
495Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
496C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
497from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
498return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
499
500=cut
501
502sub join {
503 my $self = shift;
504
505 unless ($self->{_status}) {
273 my $current = $Coro::current; 506 my $current = $current;
274 507
275 # register a hypothetical event handler 508 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
276 on_event_invoke sub {
277 # wake up sleeping coroutine
278 $current->ready; 509 $current->ready;
279 undef $current; 510 undef $current;
280 }; 511 };
281 512
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; 513 &schedule while $current;
395 } 514 }
396 515
397 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 516 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
398} 517}
399 518
400=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 519=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
401 520
402Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 521Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
403but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 522but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
404if any. 523if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
405 524
406=cut 525=cut
407 526
408sub on_destroy { 527sub on_destroy {
409 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 528 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
410 529
411 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 530 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
412} 531}
413 532
414=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 533=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
415 534
416Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 535Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
439higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 558higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
440 559
441=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 560=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
442 561
443Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 562Sets (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. 563coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
564coroutine.
565
566This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given
567string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
445 568
446=cut 569=cut
447 570
448sub desc { 571sub desc {
449 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 572 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
450 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 573 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
451 $old; 574 $old;
452} 575}
453 576
577sub transfer {
578 require Carp;
579 Carp::croak ("You must not call ->transfer on Coro objects. Use Coro::State objects or the ->schedule_to method. Caught");
580}
581
454=back 582=back
455 583
456=head2 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 584=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
457 585
458=over 4 586=over 4
459 587
460=item Coro::nready 588=item Coro::nready
461 589
462Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 590Returns 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 591i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
592indirectly. 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, 593currently 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 594would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
466that wakes up some coroutines. 595coroutines.
467 596
468=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 597=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
469 598
470This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the objetc 599This function still exists, but is deprecated. Please use the
471gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 600C<Guard::guard> function instead.
472executed. 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
474guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
475C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
476 601
477Example: set some flag and clear it again when the coroutine gets canceled
478or the function returns:
479
480 sub do_something {
481 my $guard = Coro::guard { $busy = 0 };
482 $busy = 1;
483
484 # do something that requires $busy to be true
485 }
486
487=cut 602=cut
488 603
489sub guard(&) { 604BEGIN { *guard = \&Guard::guard }
490 bless \(my $cb = $_[0]), "Coro::guard"
491}
492
493sub Coro::guard::cancel {
494 ${$_[0]} = sub { };
495}
496
497sub Coro::guard::DESTROY {
498 ${$_[0]}->();
499}
500
501 605
502=item unblock_sub { ... } 606=item unblock_sub { ... }
503 607
504This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 608This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
505returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 609returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
506immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 610will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
507ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 611original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
612coroutine.
508 613
509The reason this fucntion exists is that many event libraries (such as the 614The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
510venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 615venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
511of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 616of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
512otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 617otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
618currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
513 619
514This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 620This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
515coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 621coroutine 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 622is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
517disk. 623disk, for example.
518 624
519In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 625In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
520creating event callbacks that want to block. 626creating event callbacks that want to block.
627
628If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
629another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
630there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
631
632Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
633are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
634use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
635provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
636must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
521 637
522=cut 638=cut
523 639
524our @unblock_queue; 640our @unblock_queue;
525 641
526# we create a special coro because we want to cede, 642# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
527# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks 643# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
528# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede 644# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
529# inside an event callback. 645# inside an event callback.
530our $unblock_scheduler = async { 646our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
531 while () { 647 while () {
532 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 648 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
533 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool 649 &async_pool (@$cb);
534 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler);
535 650
536 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
537 $coro->ready;
538 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 651 # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
652 # as the chance is very high that the async_poll coro will be back
653 # in the idle state when cede returns
654 cede;
539 } 655 }
540 schedule; # sleep well 656 schedule; # sleep well
541 } 657 }
542}; 658};
659$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
543 660
544sub unblock_sub(&) { 661sub unblock_sub(&) {
545 my $cb = shift; 662 my $cb = shift;
546 663
547 sub { 664 sub {
548 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 665 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
549 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 666 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
550 } 667 }
551} 668}
552 669
670=item $cb = Coro::rouse_cb
671
672Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that,
673when called, will remember a copy of its arguments and notify the owner
674coroutine of the callback.
675
676See the next function.
677
678=item @args = Coro::rouse_wait [$cb]
679
680Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one that was created in
681this coroutine).
682
683As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the callback was invoked
684before C<rouse_wait>), it will return the arguments originally passed to
685the rouse callback.
686
687See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
688
553=back 689=back
554 690
555=cut 691=cut
556 692
5571; 6931;
558 694
695=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
696
697It is very common for a coroutine to wait for some callback to be
698called. This occurs naturally when you use coroutines in an otherwise
699event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
700
701These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
702when the event occured. In a coroutine, however, you typically want to
703just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
704
705For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
706a specific child has exited:
707
708 my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
709
710But from withina coroutine, you often just want to write this:
711
712 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
713
714Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
715C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
716
717The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
718when invoked, will save its arguments and notify the coroutine that
719created the callback.
720
721The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
722(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
723originally passed to the callback.
724
725Using these functions, it becomes easy to write the C<wait_for_child>
726function mentioned above:
727
728 sub wait_for_child($) {
729 my ($pid) = @_;
730
731 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb);
732
733 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait;
734 $rstatus
735 }
736
737In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
738you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
739
740 sub wait_for_child($) {
741 my ($pid) = @_;
742
743 # store the current coroutine in $current,
744 # and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
745 my $current = $Coro::current;
746 my ($done, $rstatus);
747
748 # pass a closure to ->child
749 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
750 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
751 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud
752 });
753
754 # wait until the closure has been called
755 schedule while !$done;
756
757 $rstatus
758 }
759
760
559=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 761=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
560 762
561 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 763=over 4
562 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
563 764
765=item fork with pthread backend
766
767When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
768but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
769coroutines will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
770fix your libc and use a saner backend.
771
772=item perl process emulation ("threads")
773
564 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 774This 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 775module from the first thread (this requirement might be removed in the
566 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 776future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
567 this). 777this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
778the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
779performance, even when not used.
780
781=item coroutine switching not signal safe
782
783You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler
784(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).
785
786That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
787current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
788anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
789works.
790
791=back
792
568 793
569=head1 SEE ALSO 794=head1 SEE ALSO
570 795
796Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
797
798Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
799
571Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 800Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
572 801
573Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 802Locking and IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>,
803L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
574 804
575Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 805I/O and Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
576 806
577Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 807Compatibility with other modules: L<Coro::LWP> (but see also L<AnyEvent::HTTP> for
808a better-working alternative), L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>,
809L<Coro::Select>.
810
811XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
812
813Low level Configuration, Thread Environment, Continuations: L<Coro::State>.
578 814
579=head1 AUTHOR 815=head1 AUTHOR
580 816
581 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 817 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
582 http://home.schmorp.de/ 818 http://home.schmorp.de/

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