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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3Coro - coroutine process abstraction 3Coro - the only real threads in perl
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 use Coro; 7 use Coro;
8 8
9 async { 9 async {
10 # some asynchronous thread of execution 10 # some asynchronous thread of execution
11 print "2\n";
12 cede; # yield back to main
13 print "4\n";
11 }; 14 };
12 15 print "1\n";
13 # alternatively create an async coroutine like this: 16 cede; # yield to coro
14 17 print "3\n";
15 sub some_func : Coro { 18 cede; # and again
16 # some more async code 19
17 } 20 # use locking
18 21 use Coro::Semaphore;
19 cede; 22 my $lock = new Coro::Semaphore;
23 my $locked;
24
25 $lock->down;
26 $locked = 1;
27 $lock->up;
20 28
21=head1 DESCRIPTION 29=head1 DESCRIPTION
22 30
23This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar 31For a tutorial-style introduction, please read the L<Coro::Intro>
24to threads but don't run in parallel at the same time even on SMP 32manpage. This manpage mainly contains reference information.
25machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module also
26guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless
27necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and
28parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much
29safer than threads programming.
30 33
31(Perl, however, does not natively support real threads but instead does a 34This module collection manages continuations in general, most often in
32very slow and memory-intensive emulation of processes using threads. This 35the form of cooperative threads (also called coros, or simply "coro"
33is a performance win on Windows machines, and a loss everywhere else). 36in the documentation). They are similar to kernel threads but don't (in
37general) run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The
38specific flavor of thread offered by this module also guarantees you that
39it will not switch between threads unless necessary, at easily-identified
40points in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an
41issue, making thread programming much safer and easier than using other
42thread models.
34 43
44Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads
45but only the windows process emulation (see section of same name for more
46details) ported to unix, and as such act as processes), Coro provides
47a full shared address space, which makes communication between threads
48very easy. And Coro's threads are fast, too: disabling the Windows
49process emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in
50a two to four times speed increase for your programs. A parallel matrix
51multiplication benchmark runs over 300 times faster on a single core than
52perl's pseudo-threads on a quad core using all 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 common::sense;
45no warnings "uninitialized"; 73
74use Carp ();
75
76use Guard ();
46 77
47use Coro::State; 78use Coro::State;
48 79
49use base qw(Coro::State Exporter); 80use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
50 81
51our $idle; # idle handler 82our $idle; # idle handler
52our $main; # main coroutine 83our $main; # main coro
53our $current; # current coroutine 84our $current; # current coro
54 85
55our $VERSION = '4.01'; 86our $VERSION = 5.21;
56 87
57our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 88our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub rouse_cb rouse_wait);
58our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 89our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
59 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 90 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
60); 91);
61our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 92our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
62 93
63{ 94=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 95
97=over 4 96=over 4
98 97
99=item $main 98=item $Coro::main
100 99
101This coroutine represents the main program. 100This variable stores the Coro object that represents the main
101program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
102coro, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
103whether you are running in the main program or not.
102 104
103=cut 105=cut
104 106
105$main = new Coro; 107# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
106 108
107=item $current (or as function: current) 109=item $Coro::current
108 110
109The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 111The Coro object representing the current coro (the last
112coro that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
110is C<$main> (of course). 113C<$Coro::main> (of course).
111 114
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 115This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essential you are encouraged to use the 116value stored in it and use it as any other Coro object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 117not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 118
116=cut 119=cut
117 120
118$main->{desc} = "[main::]";
119
120# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
121$main->{_specific} = $current->{_specific}
122 if $current;
123
124_set_current $main;
125
126sub current() { $current } 121sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
127 122
128=item $idle 123=item $Coro::idle
129 124
130A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 125This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
126usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or L<Coro::EV>, as this is
127pretty low-level functionality.
128
129This variable stores a Coro object that is put into the ready queue when
130there are no other ready threads (without invoking any ready hooks).
131
131to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 132The default implementation dies with "FATAL: deadlock detected.", followed
132exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 133by a thread listing, because the program has no other way to continue.
133 134
134This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 135This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::EV> and
135C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 136C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
136coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 137coro so the scheduler can run it.
137 138
138Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 139See L<Coro::EV> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this technique.
139handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively.
140 140
141=cut 141=cut
142 142
143$idle = sub { 143$idle = new Coro sub {
144 require Carp; 144 require Coro::Debug;
145 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected"); 145 die "FATAL: deadlock detected.\n"
146 . Coro::Debug::ps_listing ();
146}; 147};
147 148
148sub _cancel {
149 my ($self) = @_;
150
151 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed
152 $self->_destroy
153 or return;
154
155 # call all destruction callbacks
156 $_->(@{$self->{_status}})
157 for @{(delete $self->{_on_destroy}) || []};
158}
159
160# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 149# this coro is necessary because a coro
161# cannot destroy itself. 150# cannot destroy itself.
162my @destroy; 151our @destroy;
163my $manager; 152our $manager;
164 153
165$manager = new Coro sub { 154$manager = new Coro sub {
166 while () { 155 while () {
167 (shift @destroy)->_cancel 156 Coro::State::cancel shift @destroy
168 while @destroy; 157 while @destroy;
169 158
170 &schedule; 159 &schedule;
171 } 160 }
172}; 161};
173$manager->desc ("[coro manager]"); 162$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
174$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 163$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
175 164
176# static methods. not really.
177
178=back 165=back
179 166
180=head2 STATIC METHODS 167=head1 SIMPLE CORO CREATION
181
182Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
183 168
184=over 4 169=over 4
185 170
186=item async { ... } [@args...] 171=item async { ... } [@args...]
187 172
188Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 173Create a new coro and return its Coro object (usually
189(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 174unused). The coro will be put into the ready queue, so
175it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
176
177The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
178coro. When it returns argument returns the coro is automatically
190terminated. 179terminated.
191 180
181The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
182
192See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine 183See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coro
193environment. 184environment in which coro are executed.
194 185
195Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside 186Calling C<exit> in a coro will do the same as calling exit outside
196the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit, 187the coro. Likewise, when the coro dies, the program will exit,
197just as it would in the main program. 188just as it would in the main program.
198 189
190If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
191simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
192
199 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 193Example: Create a new coro that just prints its arguments.
194
200 async { 195 async {
201 print "@_\n"; 196 print "@_\n";
202 } 1,2,3,4; 197 } 1,2,3,4;
203 198
204=cut
205
206sub async(&@) {
207 my $coro = new Coro @_;
208 $coro->ready;
209 $coro
210}
211
212=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 199=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
213 200
214Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 201Similar to C<async>, but uses a coro pool, so you should not call
215terminate or join (although you are allowed to), and you get a coroutine 202terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
216that might have executed other code already (which can be good or bad :). 203coro that might have executed other code already (which can be good
204or bad :).
217 205
206On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
207destroying) a completely new coro, so if you need a lot of generic
208coros in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
209
218Also, the block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 210The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
219issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as 211issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
220C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy> 212C<async> does. As the coro is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
221will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel, 213will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
222which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling. 214which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
215exceptional case).
223 216
224The priority will be reset to C<0> after each job, tracing will be 217The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
225disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle 218disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
226gets restored, so you can change alkl these. Otherwise the coroutine will 219gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coro will
227be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global 220be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coro global
228stuff such as C<$/> you need to revert that change, which is most simply 221stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
229done by using local as in C< local $/ >. 222simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
230 223
231The pool size is limited to 8 idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by 224The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coros (this can be
232changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as 225adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
233required. 226coros as required.
234 227
235If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 228If you are concerned about pooled coros growing a lot because a
236single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool 229single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
237{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In 230{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
238addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb 231addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb
239(adjustable with $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also exit. 232(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
240 233
241=cut 234=cut
242 235
243our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 236our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
244our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024; 237our $POOL_RSS = 32 * 1024;
245our @async_pool; 238our @async_pool;
246 239
247sub pool_handler { 240sub pool_handler {
248 my $cb;
249
250 while () { 241 while () {
251 eval { 242 eval {
252 while () { 243 &{&_pool_handler} while 1;
253 _pool_1 $cb;
254 &$cb;
255 _pool_2 $cb;
256 &schedule;
257 }
258 }; 244 };
259 245
260 last if $@ eq "\3terminate\2\n";
261 warn $@ if $@; 246 warn $@ if $@;
262 } 247 }
263} 248}
264 249
265sub async_pool(&@) { 250=back
266 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler
267 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
268 251
269 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_]; 252=head1 STATIC METHODS
270 $coro->ready;
271 253
272 $coro 254Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the
273} 255current coro.
256
257=over 4
274 258
275=item schedule 259=item schedule
276 260
277Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 261Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coro that is
262to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coro
263to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
264in its ready queue. If there is no coro ready, it will call the
265C<$Coro::idle> hook.
266
267Please note that the current coro will I<not> be put into the ready
278into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 268queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
279never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 269again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
280ready. 270thus waking you up.
281 271
282The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 272This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
273coro and wait for events: first you remember the current coro in
274a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
275>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
276yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coro up,
277so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
278status in a variable.
283 279
284 { 280See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
285 # remember current coroutine
286 my $current = $Coro::current;
287 281
288 # register a hypothetical event handler 282=item cede
289 on_event_invoke sub { 283
290 # wake up sleeping coroutine 284"Cede" to other coros. This function puts the current coro into
291 $current->ready; 285the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
292 undef $current; 286up the current "timeslice" to other coros of the same or higher
287priority. Once your coro gets its turn again it will automatically be
288resumed.
289
290This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
291
292=item Coro::cede_notself
293
294Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
295coro, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
296progress is made.
297
298=item terminate [arg...]
299
300Terminates the current coro with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
301
302=item Coro::on_enter BLOCK, Coro::on_leave BLOCK
303
304These function install enter and leave winders in the current scope. The
305enter block will be executed when on_enter is called and whenever the
306current coro is re-entered by the scheduler, while the leave block is
307executed whenever the current coro is blocked by the scheduler, and
308also when the containing scope is exited (by whatever means, be it exit,
309die, last etc.).
310
311I<Neither invoking the scheduler, nor exceptions, are allowed within those
312BLOCKs>. That means: do not even think about calling C<die> without an
313eval, and do not even think of entering the scheduler in any way.
314
315Since both BLOCKs are tied to the current scope, they will automatically
316be removed when the current scope exits.
317
318These functions implement the same concept as C<dynamic-wind> in scheme
319does, and are useful when you want to localise some resource to a specific
320coro.
321
322They slow down thread switching considerably for coros that use them
323(about 40% for a BLOCK with a single assignment, so thread switching is
324still reasonably fast if the handlers are fast).
325
326These functions are best understood by an example: The following function
327will change the current timezone to "Antarctica/South_Pole", which
328requires a call to C<tzset>, but by using C<on_enter> and C<on_leave>,
329which remember/change the current timezone and restore the previous
330value, respectively, the timezone is only changed for the coro that
331installed those handlers.
332
333 use POSIX qw(tzset);
334
335 async {
336 my $old_tz; # store outside TZ value here
337
338 Coro::on_enter {
339 $old_tz = $ENV{TZ}; # remember the old value
340
341 $ENV{TZ} = "Antarctica/South_Pole";
342 tzset; # enable new value
293 }; 343 };
294 344
295 # call schedule until event occurred. 345 Coro::on_leave {
296 # in case we are woken up for other reasons 346 $ENV{TZ} = $old_tz;
297 # (current still defined), loop. 347 tzset; # restore old value
298 Coro::schedule while $current; 348 };
349
350 # at this place, the timezone is Antarctica/South_Pole,
351 # without disturbing the TZ of any other coro.
299 } 352 };
300 353
301=item cede 354This can be used to localise about any resource (locale, uid, current
355working directory etc.) to a block, despite the existance of other
356coros.
302 357
303"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the 358Another interesting example implements time-sliced multitasking using
304ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the 359interval timers (this could obviously be optimised, but does the job):
305current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority.
306 360
307Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened. 361 # "timeslice" the given block
362 sub timeslice(&) {
363 use Time::HiRes ();
308 364
309=item Coro::cede_notself 365 Coro::on_enter {
366 # on entering the thread, we set an VTALRM handler to cede
367 $SIG{VTALRM} = sub { cede };
368 # and then start the interval timer
369 Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0.01, 0.01;
370 };
371 Coro::on_leave {
372 # on leaving the thread, we stop the interval timer again
373 Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0, 0;
374 };
310 375
311Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to any 376 &{+shift};
312coroutine, regardless of priority, once. 377 }
313 378
314Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened. 379 # use like this:
380 timeslice {
381 # The following is an endless loop that would normally
382 # monopolise the process. Since it runs in a timesliced
383 # environment, it will regularly cede to other threads.
384 while () { }
385 };
315 386
316=item terminate [arg...]
317
318Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
319 387
320=item killall 388=item killall
321 389
322Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running 390Kills/terminates/cancels all coros except the currently running one.
323one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
324usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
325 391
326=cut 392Note that while this will try to free some of the main interpreter
393resources if the calling coro isn't the main coro, but one
394cannot free all of them, so if a coro that is not the main coro
395calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
327 396
328sub terminate { 397=cut
329 $current->cancel (@_);
330}
331 398
332sub killall { 399sub killall {
333 for (Coro::State::list) { 400 for (Coro::State::list) {
334 $_->cancel 401 $_->cancel
335 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro"; 402 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
336 } 403 }
337} 404}
338 405
339=back 406=back
340 407
341# dynamic methods
342
343=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 408=head1 CORO OBJECT METHODS
344 409
345These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects. 410These are the methods you can call on coro objects (or to create
411them).
346 412
347=over 4 413=over 4
348 414
349=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 415=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
350 416
351Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine 417Create a new coro and return it. When the sub returns, the coro
352automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 418automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
353called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready queue 419called. To make the coro run you must first put it into the ready
354by calling the ready method. 420queue by calling the ready method.
355 421
356See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the 422See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
357coroutine environment. 423coro environment.
358 424
359=cut 425=cut
360 426
361sub _run_coro { 427sub _coro_run {
362 terminate &{+shift}; 428 terminate &{+shift};
363} 429}
364 430
365sub new {
366 my $class = shift;
367
368 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
369}
370
371=item $success = $coroutine->ready 431=item $success = $coro->ready
372 432
373Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority) 433Put the given coro into the end of its ready queue (there is one
374and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing 434queue for each priority) and return true. If the coro is already in
375and return false. 435the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
376 436
437This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coro automatically
438once all the coro of higher priority and all coro of the same
439priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
440
441=item $coro->suspend
442
443Suspends the specified coro. A suspended coro works just like any other
444coro, except that the scheduler will not select a suspended coro for
445execution.
446
447Suspending a coro can be useful when you want to keep the coro from
448running, but you don't want to destroy it, or when you want to temporarily
449freeze a coro (e.g. for debugging) to resume it later.
450
451A scenario for the former would be to suspend all (other) coros after a
452fork and keep them alive, so their destructors aren't called, but new
453coros can be created.
454
455=item $coro->resume
456
457If the specified coro was suspended, it will be resumed. Note that when
458the coro was in the ready queue when it was suspended, it might have been
459unreadied by the scheduler, so an activation might have been lost.
460
461To avoid this, it is best to put a suspended coro into the ready queue
462unconditionally, as every synchronisation mechanism must protect itself
463against spurious wakeups, and the one in the Coro family certainly do
464that.
465
377=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 466=item $is_ready = $coro->is_ready
378 467
379Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 468Returns true iff the Coro object is in the ready queue. Unless the Coro
469object gets destroyed, it will eventually be scheduled by the scheduler.
380 470
471=item $is_running = $coro->is_running
472
473Returns true iff the Coro object is currently running. Only one Coro object
474can ever be in the running state (but it currently is possible to have
475multiple running Coro::States).
476
477=item $is_suspended = $coro->is_suspended
478
479Returns true iff this Coro object has been suspended. Suspended Coros will
480not ever be scheduled.
481
381=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...) 482=item $coro->cancel (arg...)
382 483
383Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as 484Terminates the given Coro and makes it return the given arguments as
384status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the 485status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the Coro is the
385current coroutine. 486current Coro.
386 487
387=cut 488=cut
388 489
389sub cancel { 490sub cancel {
390 my $self = shift; 491 my $self = shift;
391 $self->{_status} = [@_];
392 492
393 if ($current == $self) { 493 if ($current == $self) {
394 push @destroy, $self; 494 terminate @_;
395 $manager->ready;
396 &schedule while 1;
397 } else { 495 } else {
398 $self->_cancel; 496 $self->{_status} = [@_];
497 Coro::State::cancel $self;
399 } 498 }
400} 499}
401 500
501=item $coro->schedule_to
502
503Puts the current coro to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
504of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
505the given coro object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
506state of that coro isn't changed.
507
508This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
509uses for this one.
510
511=item $coro->cede_to
512
513Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coro into the ready
514queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
515coro, and continuing some time later.
516
517This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
518uses for this one.
519
520=item $coro->throw ([$scalar])
521
522If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
523inside the coro at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
524clears the exception object.
525
526Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
527returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
528>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions
529detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending.
530
531The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
532C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
533(unlike with C<die>).
534
535This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coro to
536end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
537termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
538program.
539
540You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
541C<kill>ing a coro with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
542
402=item $coroutine->join 543=item $coro->join
403 544
404Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 545Wait until the coro terminates and return any values given to the
405C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently 546C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
406from multiple coroutines. 547from multiple coro, and all will be resumed and given the status
548return once the C<$coro> terminates.
407 549
408=cut 550=cut
409 551
410sub join { 552sub join {
411 my $self = shift; 553 my $self = shift;
422 } 564 }
423 565
424 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0]; 566 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
425} 567}
426 568
427=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 569=item $coro->on_destroy (\&cb)
428 570
429Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 571Registers a callback that is called when this coro gets destroyed,
430but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 572but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
431if any. 573if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
432 574
433=cut 575=cut
434 576
435sub on_destroy { 577sub on_destroy {
436 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 578 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
437 579
438 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb; 580 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
439} 581}
440 582
441=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 583=item $oldprio = $coro->prio ($newprio)
442 584
443Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 585Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
444coroutine. Higher priority coroutines get run before lower priority 586coro. Higher priority coro get run before lower priority
445coroutines. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3), 587coro. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3),
446that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio 588that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio
447to get then): 589to get then):
448 590
449 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN 591 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN
450 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4 592 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4
451 593
452 # set priority to HIGH 594 # set priority to HIGH
453 current->prio(PRIO_HIGH); 595 current->prio (PRIO_HIGH);
454 596
455The idle coroutine ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any 597The idle coro ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any
456existing coroutine. 598existing coro.
457 599
458Changing the priority of the current coroutine will take effect immediately, 600Changing the priority of the current coro will take effect immediately,
459but changing the priority of coroutines in the ready queue (but not 601but changing the priority of coro in the ready queue (but not
460running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that 602running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that
461coroutine). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version. 603coro). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version.
462 604
463=item $newprio = $coroutine->nice ($change) 605=item $newprio = $coro->nice ($change)
464 606
465Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e. 607Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e.
466higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 608higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
467 609
468=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 610=item $olddesc = $coro->desc ($newdesc)
469 611
470Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 612Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
471coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 613coro. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
614coro.
472 615
473This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given string. You 616This method simply sets the C<< $coro->{desc} >> member to the given
474can modify this member directly if you wish. 617string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
475 618
476=cut 619=cut
477 620
478sub desc { 621sub desc {
479 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 622 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
480 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 623 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
481 $old; 624 $old;
482} 625}
483 626
627sub transfer {
628 require Carp;
629 Carp::croak ("You must not call ->transfer on Coro objects. Use Coro::State objects or the ->schedule_to method. Caught");
630}
631
484=back 632=back
485 633
486=head2 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 634=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
487 635
488=over 4 636=over 4
489 637
490=item Coro::nready 638=item Coro::nready
491 639
492Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 640Returns the number of coro that are currently in the ready state,
493i.e. that can be switched to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 641i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
642indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coro is the
494coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 643currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
495and C<schedule> would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler 644would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
496that wakes up some coroutines. 645coro.
497 646
498=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 647=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
499 648
500This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object 649This function still exists, but is deprecated. Please use the
501gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 650C<Guard::guard> function instead.
502executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
503runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
504guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
505C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
506 651
507Example: set some flag and clear it again when the coroutine gets canceled
508or the function returns:
509
510 sub do_something {
511 my $guard = Coro::guard { $busy = 0 };
512 $busy = 1;
513
514 # do something that requires $busy to be true
515 }
516
517=cut 652=cut
518 653
519sub guard(&) { 654BEGIN { *guard = \&Guard::guard }
520 bless \(my $cb = $_[0]), "Coro::guard"
521}
522
523sub Coro::guard::cancel {
524 ${$_[0]} = sub { };
525}
526
527sub Coro::guard::DESTROY {
528 ${$_[0]}->();
529}
530
531 655
532=item unblock_sub { ... } 656=item unblock_sub { ... }
533 657
534This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 658This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
535returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 659returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
536immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 660will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
537ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 661original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
662coro.
538 663
539The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 664The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
540venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 665venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not thread-safe (a weaker form
541of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 666of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
542otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 667otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
668currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
669
670Coro will try to catch you when you block in the event loop
671("FATAL:$Coro::IDLE blocked itself"), but this is just best effort and
672only works when you do not run your own event loop.
543 673
544This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 674This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
545coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 675coro where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
546is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 676is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
547disk. 677disk, for example.
548 678
549In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 679In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
550creating event callbacks that want to block. 680creating event callbacks that want to block.
681
682If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
683another coro, or puts some other coro into the ready queue), there is
684no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
685
686Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
687are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
688use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
689provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
690must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
551 691
552=cut 692=cut
553 693
554our @unblock_queue; 694our @unblock_queue;
555 695
558# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede 698# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
559# inside an event callback. 699# inside an event callback.
560our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub { 700our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
561 while () { 701 while () {
562 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 702 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
563 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool 703 &async_pool (@$cb);
564 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
565 704
566 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
567 $coro->ready;
568 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 705 # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
706 # as the chance is very high that the async_poll coro will be back
707 # in the idle state when cede returns
708 cede;
569 } 709 }
570 schedule; # sleep well 710 schedule; # sleep well
571 } 711 }
572}; 712};
573$unblock_scheduler->desc ("[unblock_sub scheduler]"); 713$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
574 714
575sub unblock_sub(&) { 715sub unblock_sub(&) {
576 my $cb = shift; 716 my $cb = shift;
577 717
578 sub { 718 sub {
579 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 719 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
580 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 720 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
581 } 721 }
582} 722}
583 723
724=item $cb = rouse_cb
725
726Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that,
727when called, will remember a copy of its arguments and notify the owner
728coro of the callback.
729
730See the next function.
731
732=item @args = rouse_wait [$cb]
733
734Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one that was created in
735this coro).
736
737As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the callback was invoked
738before C<rouse_wait>), it will return the arguments originally passed to
739the rouse callback. In scalar context, that means you get the I<last>
740argument, just as if C<rouse_wait> had a C<return ($a1, $a2, $a3...)>
741statement at the end.
742
743See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
744
584=back 745=back
585 746
586=cut 747=cut
587 748
5881; 7491;
589 750
751=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
752
753It is very common for a coro to wait for some callback to be
754called. This occurs naturally when you use coro in an otherwise
755event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
756
757These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
758when the event occured. In a coro, however, you typically want to
759just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
760
761For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
762a specific child has exited:
763
764 my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
765
766But from within a coro, you often just want to write this:
767
768 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
769
770Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
771C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
772
773The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
774when invoked, will save its arguments and notify the coro that
775created the callback.
776
777The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
778(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
779originally passed to the callback.
780
781Using these functions, it becomes easy to write the C<wait_for_child>
782function mentioned above:
783
784 sub wait_for_child($) {
785 my ($pid) = @_;
786
787 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb);
788
789 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait;
790 $rstatus
791 }
792
793In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
794you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
795
796 sub wait_for_child($) {
797 my ($pid) = @_;
798
799 # store the current coro in $current,
800 # and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
801 my $current = $Coro::current;
802 my ($done, $rstatus);
803
804 # pass a closure to ->child
805 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
806 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
807 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud
808 });
809
810 # wait until the closure has been called
811 schedule while !$done;
812
813 $rstatus
814 }
815
816
590=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 817=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
591 818
592 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 819=over 4
593 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
594 820
821=item fork with pthread backend
822
823When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
824but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
825coro will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
826fix your libc and use a saner backend.
827
828=item perl process emulation ("threads")
829
595 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 830This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
596 from the same thread (this requirement might be loosened in the future 831module from the first thread (this requirement might be removed in the
597 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 832future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
598 this). 833this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
834the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
835performance, even when not used.
836
837=item coro switching is not signal safe
838
839You must not switch to another coro from within a signal handler (only
840relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals), I<unless>
841you are sure you are not interrupting a Coro function.
842
843That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
844current coro - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
845anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
846works.
847
848=back
849
850
851=head1 WINDOWS PROCESS EMULATION
852
853A great many people seem to be confused about ithreads (for example, Chip
854Salzenberg called me unintelligent, incapable, stupid and gullible,
855while in the same mail making rather confused statements about perl
856ithreads (for example, that memory or files would be shared), showing his
857lack of understanding of this area - if it is hard to understand for Chip,
858it is probably not obvious to everybody).
859
860What follows is an ultra-condensed version of my talk about threads in
861scripting languages given onthe perl workshop 2009:
862
863The so-called "ithreads" were originally implemented for two reasons:
864first, to (badly) emulate unix processes on native win32 perls, and
865secondly, to replace the older, real thread model ("5.005-threads").
866
867It does that by using threads instead of OS processes. The difference
868between processes and threads is that threads share memory (and other
869state, such as files) between threads within a single process, while
870processes do not share anything (at least not semantically). That
871means that modifications done by one thread are seen by others, while
872modifications by one process are not seen by other processes.
873
874The "ithreads" work exactly like that: when creating a new ithreads
875process, all state is copied (memory is copied physically, files and code
876is copied logically). Afterwards, it isolates all modifications. On UNIX,
877the same behaviour can be achieved by using operating system processes,
878except that UNIX typically uses hardware built into the system to do this
879efficiently, while the windows process emulation emulates this hardware in
880software (rather efficiently, but of course it is still much slower than
881dedicated hardware).
882
883As mentioned before, loading code, modifying code, modifying data
884structures and so on is only visible in the ithreads process doing the
885modification, not in other ithread processes within the same OS process.
886
887This is why "ithreads" do not implement threads for perl at all, only
888processes. What makes it so bad is that on non-windows platforms, you can
889actually take advantage of custom hardware for this purpose (as evidenced
890by the forks module, which gives you the (i-) threads API, just much
891faster).
892
893Sharing data is in the i-threads model is done by transfering data
894structures between threads using copying semantics, which is very slow -
895shared data simply does not exist. Benchmarks using i-threads which are
896communication-intensive show extremely bad behaviour with i-threads (in
897fact, so bad that Coro, which cannot take direct advantage of multiple
898CPUs, is often orders of magnitude faster because it shares data using
899real threads, refer to my talk for details).
900
901As summary, i-threads *use* threads to implement processes, while
902the compatible forks module *uses* processes to emulate, uhm,
903processes. I-threads slow down every perl program when enabled, and
904outside of windows, serve no (or little) practical purpose, but
905disadvantages every single-threaded Perl program.
906
907This is the reason that I try to avoid the name "ithreads", as it is
908misleading as it implies that it implements some kind of thread model for
909perl, and prefer the name "windows process emulation", which describes the
910actual use and behaviour of it much better.
599 911
600=head1 SEE ALSO 912=head1 SEE ALSO
601 913
914Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
915
916Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
917
602Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 918Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
603 919
604Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 920Locking and IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>,
921L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
605 922
606Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 923I/O and Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
607 924
608Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 925Compatibility with other modules: L<Coro::LWP> (but see also L<AnyEvent::HTTP> for
926a better-working alternative), L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>,
927L<Coro::Select>.
928
929XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
930
931Low level Configuration, Thread Environment, Continuations: L<Coro::State>.
609 932
610=head1 AUTHOR 933=head1 AUTHOR
611 934
612 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 935 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
613 http://home.schmorp.de/ 936 http://home.schmorp.de/

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