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Revision 1.141 by root, Tue Oct 2 10:38:17 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.186 by root, Sun May 25 01:32:36 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 my $lock = new Coro::Semaphore;
19 cede; 22 my $locked;
23
24 $lock->down;
25 $locked = 1;
26 $lock->up;
20 27
21=head1 DESCRIPTION 28=head1 DESCRIPTION
22 29
23This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar 30This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar to
24to threads but don't run in parallel at the same time even on SMP 31threads but don't (in general) run in parallel at the same time even
25machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module also 32on SMP machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module
26guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless 33also guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless
27necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and 34necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and
28parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much 35parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much
29safer than threads programming. 36safer and easier than threads programming.
30 37
31(Perl, however, does not natively support real threads but instead does a 38Unlike a normal perl program, however, coroutines allow you to have
32very slow and memory-intensive emulation of processes using threads. This 39multiple running interpreters that share data, which is especially useful
33is a performance win on Windows machines, and a loss everywhere else). 40to code pseudo-parallel processes and for event-based programming, such as
41multiple HTTP-GET requests running concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to
42learn more.
43
44Coroutines are also useful because Perl has no support for threads (the so
45called "threads" that perl offers are nothing more than the (bad) process
46emulation coming from the Windows platform: On standard operating systems
47they serve no purpose whatsoever, except by making your programs slow and
48making them use a lot of memory. Best disable them when building perl, or
49aks your software vendor/distributor to do it for you).
34 50
35In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables + 51In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
36@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain, 52@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain,
37its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global 53its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
38variables. 54variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration).
39 55
40=cut 56=cut
41 57
42package Coro; 58package Coro;
43 59
50 66
51our $idle; # idle handler 67our $idle; # idle handler
52our $main; # main coroutine 68our $main; # main coroutine
53our $current; # current coroutine 69our $current; # current coroutine
54 70
55our $VERSION = '3.8'; 71our $VERSION = '4.72';
56 72
57our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 73our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
58our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 74our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
59 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 75 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
60); 76);
61our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 77our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
62 78
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 79=over 4
98 80
99=item $main 81=item $Coro::main
100 82
101This coroutine represents the main program. 83This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
84program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
85coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
86wether you are running in the main program or not.
102 87
103=cut 88=cut
104 89
105$main = new Coro; 90$main = new Coro;
106 91
107=item $current (or as function: current) 92=item $Coro::current
108 93
109The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 94The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
95coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
110is C<$main> (of course). 96C<$main> (of course).
111 97
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 98This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essential you are encouraged to use the 99value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 100not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 101
116=cut 102=cut
117 103
118$main->{desc} = "[main::]"; 104$main->{desc} = "[main::]";
119 105
120# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before... 106# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
121$main->{specific} = $current->{specific} 107$main->{_specific} = $current->{_specific}
122 if $current; 108 if $current;
123 109
124_set_current $main; 110_set_current $main;
125 111
126sub current() { $current } 112sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
127 113
128=item $idle 114=item $Coro::idle
129 115
130A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 116This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
131to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 117usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
132exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 118pretty low-level functionality.
119
120This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
121finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
122"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
123to continue.
133 124
134This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 125This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
135C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 126C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
136coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 127coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
137 128
129Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
130the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
131coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
132readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
133
134See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
135technique.
136
138Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 137Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
139handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 138handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
140 139
141=cut 140=cut
142 141
143$idle = sub { 142$idle = sub {
144 require Carp; 143 require Carp;
151 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed 150 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed
152 $self->_destroy 151 $self->_destroy
153 or return; 152 or return;
154 153
155 # call all destruction callbacks 154 # call all destruction callbacks
156 $_->(@{$self->{status}}) 155 $_->(@{$self->{_status}})
157 for @{(delete $self->{destroy_cb}) || []}; 156 for @{(delete $self->{_on_destroy}) || []};
158} 157}
159 158
160# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 159# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
161# cannot destroy itself. 160# cannot destroy itself.
162my @destroy; 161my @destroy;
171 } 170 }
172}; 171};
173$manager->desc ("[coro manager]"); 172$manager->desc ("[coro manager]");
174$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 173$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
175 174
176# static methods. not really.
177
178=back 175=back
179 176
180=head2 STATIC METHODS 177=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
181
182Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
183 178
184=over 4 179=over 4
185 180
186=item async { ... } [@args...] 181=item async { ... } [@args...]
187 182
188Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 183Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
189(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 184unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so
185it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
186
187The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
188coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically
190terminated. 189terminated.
190
191The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
192
193See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
194environment in which coroutines are executed.
191 195
192Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside 196Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
193the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit, 197the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
194just as it would in the main program. 198just as it would in the main program.
195 199
200If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
201simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
202
196 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 203Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
204
197 async { 205 async {
198 print "@_\n"; 206 print "@_\n";
199 } 1,2,3,4; 207 } 1,2,3,4;
200 208
201=cut 209=cut
207} 215}
208 216
209=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 217=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
210 218
211Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 219Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call
212terminate or join (although you are allowed to), and you get a coroutine 220terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
213that might have executed other code already (which can be good or bad :). 221coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
222or bad :).
214 223
224On the plus side, this function is faster than creating (and destroying)
225a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic coroutines in
226quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
227
215Also, the block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 228The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
216issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as 229issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
217C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy> 230C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
218will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel, 231will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
219which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling. 232which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
233exceptional case).
220 234
221The priority will be reset to C<0> after each job, otherwise the coroutine 235The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
222will be re-used "as-is". 236disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
237gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
238be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
239stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> to revert that change, which is most
240simply done by using local as in: C< local $/ >.
223 241
224The pool size is limited to 8 idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by 242The pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by
225changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as 243changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as
226required. 244required.
227 245
228If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 246If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
229single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool 247single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
230{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In 248{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
231addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb 249addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb
232(adjustable with $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also exit. 250(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
233 251
234=cut 252=cut
235 253
236our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 254our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
237our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024; 255our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024;
248 _pool_2 $cb; 266 _pool_2 $cb;
249 &schedule; 267 &schedule;
250 } 268 }
251 }; 269 };
252 270
253 last if $@ eq "\3terminate\2\n"; 271 last if $@ eq "\3async_pool terminate\2\n";
254 warn $@ if $@; 272 warn $@ if $@;
255 } 273 }
256} 274}
257 275
258sub async_pool(&@) { 276sub async_pool(&@) {
263 $coro->ready; 281 $coro->ready;
264 282
265 $coro 283 $coro
266} 284}
267 285
286=back
287
288=head2 STATIC METHODS
289
290Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine.
291
292=over 4
293
268=item schedule 294=item schedule
269 295
270Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 296Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
297to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
298to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
299in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
300C<$Coro::idle> hook.
301
302Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
271into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 303queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
272never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 304again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
273ready. 305thus waking you up.
306
307This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
308coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
309a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
310>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
311yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
312so you need to check wether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
313status in a variable.
274 314
275The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 315The canonical way to wait on external events is this:
276 316
277 { 317 {
278 # remember current coroutine 318 # remember current coroutine
291 Coro::schedule while $current; 331 Coro::schedule while $current;
292 } 332 }
293 333
294=item cede 334=item cede
295 335
296"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the 336"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
297ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the 337the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
298current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority. 338up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
339priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
340resumed.
299 341
300Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened. 342This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
301 343
302=item Coro::cede_notself 344=item Coro::cede_notself
303 345
304Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to any 346Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
305coroutine, regardless of priority, once. 347coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
306 348progress is made.
307Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
308 349
309=item terminate [arg...] 350=item terminate [arg...]
310 351
311Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>). 352Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
312 353
313=item killall 354=item killall
314 355
315Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running 356Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
316one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as 357one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
317usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines. 358usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
359
360Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
361you cnanot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
362program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
318 363
319=cut 364=cut
320 365
321sub terminate { 366sub terminate {
322 $current->cancel (@_); 367 $current->cancel (@_);
329 } 374 }
330} 375}
331 376
332=back 377=back
333 378
334# dynamic methods
335
336=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 379=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
337 380
338These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects. 381These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
382them).
339 383
340=over 4 384=over 4
341 385
342=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 386=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
343 387
344Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine 388Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
345automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 389automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
346called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready queue 390called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
347by calling the ready method. 391queue by calling the ready method.
348 392
349See C<async> for additional discussion. 393See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
394coroutine environment.
350 395
351=cut 396=cut
352 397
353sub _run_coro { 398sub _run_coro {
354 terminate &{+shift}; 399 terminate &{+shift};
360 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_) 405 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
361} 406}
362 407
363=item $success = $coroutine->ready 408=item $success = $coroutine->ready
364 409
365Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority) 410Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
366and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing 411queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
367and return false. 412the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
413
414This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
415once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
416priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
368 417
369=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 418=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
370 419
371Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 420Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
372 421
378 427
379=cut 428=cut
380 429
381sub cancel { 430sub cancel {
382 my $self = shift; 431 my $self = shift;
383 $self->{status} = [@_]; 432 $self->{_status} = [@_];
384 433
385 if ($current == $self) { 434 if ($current == $self) {
386 push @destroy, $self; 435 push @destroy, $self;
387 $manager->ready; 436 $manager->ready;
388 &schedule while 1; 437 &schedule while 1;
392} 441}
393 442
394=item $coroutine->join 443=item $coroutine->join
395 444
396Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 445Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
397C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times 446C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
398from multiple coroutine. 447from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
448return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
399 449
400=cut 450=cut
401 451
402sub join { 452sub join {
403 my $self = shift; 453 my $self = shift;
404 454
405 unless ($self->{status}) { 455 unless ($self->{_status}) {
406 my $current = $current; 456 my $current = $current;
407 457
408 push @{$self->{destroy_cb}}, sub { 458 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
409 $current->ready; 459 $current->ready;
410 undef $current; 460 undef $current;
411 }; 461 };
412 462
413 &schedule while $current; 463 &schedule while $current;
414 } 464 }
415 465
416 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 466 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
417} 467}
418 468
419=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 469=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
420 470
421Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 471Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
422but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 472but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
423if any. 473if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
424 474
425=cut 475=cut
426 476
427sub on_destroy { 477sub on_destroy {
428 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 478 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
429 479
430 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 480 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
431} 481}
432 482
433=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 483=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
434 484
435Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 485Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
460=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 510=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
461 511
462Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 512Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
463coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 513coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine.
464 514
515This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given string. You
516can modify this member directly if you wish.
517
518=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
519
520If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
521inside the coroutine at the next convinient point in time (usually after
522it gains control at the next schedule/transfer/cede). Otherwise clears the
523exception object.
524
525The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
526C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
527(unlike with C<die>).
528
529This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
530end itself, although there is no guarentee that the exception will lead to
531termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
532program.
533
465=cut 534=cut
466 535
467sub desc { 536sub desc {
468 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 537 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
469 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 538 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
477=over 4 546=over 4
478 547
479=item Coro::nready 548=item Coro::nready
480 549
481Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 550Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
482i.e. that can be switched to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 551i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
552indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the
483coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 553currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
484and C<schedule> would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler 554would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
485that wakes up some coroutines. 555coroutines.
486 556
487=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 557=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
488 558
489This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object 559This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
490gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 560gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
519 589
520 590
521=item unblock_sub { ... } 591=item unblock_sub { ... }
522 592
523This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 593This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
524returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 594returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
525immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 595will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
526ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 596original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
597coroutine.
527 598
528The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 599The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
529venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 600venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
530of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 601of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
531otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 602otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
603currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
532 604
533This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 605This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
534coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 606coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
535is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 607is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
536disk. 608disk, for example.
537 609
538In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 610In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
539creating event callbacks that want to block. 611creating event callbacks that want to block.
612
613If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
614another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
615there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
616
617Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
618are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
619use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
620provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
621must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
540 622
541=cut 623=cut
542 624
543our @unblock_queue; 625our @unblock_queue;
544 626
576 658
5771; 6591;
578 660
579=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 661=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
580 662
581 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global
582 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
583
584 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 663This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
585 from the same thread (this requirement might be loosened in the future 664module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
586 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 665future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
587 this). 666this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as this
667is much faster and uses less memory.
588 668
589=head1 SEE ALSO 669=head1 SEE ALSO
590 670
671Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
672
673Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
674
591Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 675Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
592 676
593Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 677Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
594 678
595Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 679IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
596 680
597Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 681Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>.
682
683XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
684
685Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
598 686
599=head1 AUTHOR 687=head1 AUTHOR
600 688
601 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 689 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
602 http://home.schmorp.de/ 690 http://home.schmorp.de/

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