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Revision 1.95 by root, Sun Dec 3 22:50:06 2006 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 to 30This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar to
24threads but don't run in parallel. 31threads but don't (in general) run in parallel at the same time even
32on SMP machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module
33also guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless
34necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and
35parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much
36safer and easier than threads programming.
25 37
38Unlike a normal perl program, however, coroutines allow you to have
39multiple running interpreters that share data, which is especially useful
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).
50
26In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables 51In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
27+ @_ + $_ + $@ + $^W + C stack), that is, a coroutine has it's own 52@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain,
28callchain, it's own set of lexicals and it's own set of perl's most 53its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
29important global variables. 54variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration).
30 55
31=cut 56=cut
32 57
33package Coro; 58package Coro;
34 59
41 66
42our $idle; # idle handler 67our $idle; # idle handler
43our $main; # main coroutine 68our $main; # main coroutine
44our $current; # current coroutine 69our $current; # current coroutine
45 70
46our $VERSION = '3.01'; 71our $VERSION = '4.72';
47 72
48our @EXPORT = qw(async cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 73our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
49our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 74our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
50 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 75 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
51); 76);
52our @EXPORT_OK = @{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}; 77our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
53
54{
55 my @async;
56 my $init;
57
58 # this way of handling attributes simply is NOT scalable ;()
59 sub import {
60 no strict 'refs';
61
62 Coro->export_to_level (1, @_);
63
64 my $old = *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"}{CODE};
65 *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"} = sub {
66 my ($package, $ref) = (shift, shift);
67 my @attrs;
68 for (@_) {
69 if ($_ eq "Coro") {
70 push @async, $ref;
71 unless ($init++) {
72 eval q{
73 sub INIT {
74 &async(pop @async) while @async;
75 }
76 };
77 }
78 } else {
79 push @attrs, $_;
80 }
81 }
82 return $old ? $old->($package, $ref, @attrs) : @attrs;
83 };
84 }
85
86}
87 78
88=over 4 79=over 4
89 80
90=item $main 81=item $Coro::main
91 82
92This coroutine represents the main program. 83This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
84program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
85coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
86wether you are running in the main program or not.
93 87
94=cut 88=cut
95 89
96$main = new Coro; 90$main = new Coro;
97 91
98=item $current (or as function: current) 92=item $Coro::current
99 93
100The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 94The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
95coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
101is C<$main> (of course). 96C<$main> (of course).
102 97
103This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 98This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
104reasons. If performance is not essentiel you are encouraged to use the 99value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
105C<Coro::current> function instead. 100not otherwise modify the variable itself.
106 101
107=cut 102=cut
103
104$main->{desc} = "[main::]";
108 105
109# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before... 106# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
110$main->{specific} = $current->{specific} 107$main->{_specific} = $current->{_specific}
111 if $current; 108 if $current;
112 109
113_set_current $main; 110_set_current $main;
114 111
115sub current() { $current } 112sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
116 113
117=item $idle 114=item $Coro::idle
118 115
119A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 116This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
120to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 117usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
121exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 118pretty low-level functionality.
119
120This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
121finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
122"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
123to continue.
122 124
123This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 125This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
124C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 126C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
125coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 127coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
126 128
129Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
130the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
131coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
132readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
133
134See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
135technique.
136
127Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 137Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
128handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 138handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
129 139
130=cut 140=cut
131 141
132$idle = sub { 142$idle = sub {
133 print STDERR "FATAL: deadlock detected\n"; 143 require Carp;
134 exit (51); 144 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected");
135}; 145};
146
147sub _cancel {
148 my ($self) = @_;
149
150 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed
151 $self->_destroy
152 or return;
153
154 # call all destruction callbacks
155 $_->(@{$self->{_status}})
156 for @{(delete $self->{_on_destroy}) || []};
157}
136 158
137# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 159# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
138# cannot destroy itself. 160# cannot destroy itself.
139my @destroy; 161my @destroy;
162my $manager;
163
140my $manager; $manager = new Coro sub { 164$manager = new Coro sub {
141 while () { 165 while () {
142 # by overwriting the state object with the manager we destroy it 166 (shift @destroy)->_cancel
143 # while still being able to schedule this coroutine (in case it has
144 # been readied multiple times. this is harmless since the manager
145 # can be called as many times as neccessary and will always
146 # remove itself from the runqueue
147 while (@destroy) { 167 while @destroy;
148 my $coro = pop @destroy;
149 $coro->{status} ||= [];
150 $_->ready for @{delete $coro->{join} || []};
151 168
152 # the next line destroys the coro state, but keeps the
153 # coroutine itself intact (we basically make it a zombie
154 # coroutine that always runs the manager thread, so it's possible
155 # to transfer() to this coroutine).
156 $coro->_clone_state_from ($manager);
157 }
158 &schedule; 169 &schedule;
159 } 170 }
160}; 171};
161 172$manager->desc ("[coro manager]");
162# static methods. not really. 173$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
163 174
164=back 175=back
165 176
166=head2 STATIC METHODS 177=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
167
168Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
169 178
170=over 4 179=over 4
171 180
172=item async { ... } [@args...] 181=item async { ... } [@args...]
173 182
174Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 183Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
175(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
176terminated. 189terminated.
177 190
178Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 191The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
179 192
180When the coroutine dies, the program will exit, just as in the main 193See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
181program. 194environment in which coroutines are executed.
182 195
196Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
197the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
198just as it would in the main program.
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
183 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 203Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
204
184 async { 205 async {
185 print "@_\n"; 206 print "@_\n";
186 } 1,2,3,4; 207 } 1,2,3,4;
187 208
188=cut 209=cut
189 210
190sub async(&@) { 211sub async(&@) {
191 my $pid = new Coro @_; 212 my $coro = new Coro @_;
192 $pid->ready; 213 $coro->ready;
193 $pid 214 $coro
194} 215}
216
217=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
218
219Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call
220terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
221coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
222or bad :).
223
224On the plus side, this function is faster than creating (and destroying)
225a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic coroutines in
226quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
227
228The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
229issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
230C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
231will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
232which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
233exceptional case).
234
235The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
236disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
237gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
238be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
239stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> to revert that change, which is most
240simply done by using local as in: C< local $/ >.
241
242The pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by
243changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as
244required.
245
246If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
247single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
248{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
249addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb
250(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
251
252=cut
253
254our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
255our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024;
256our @async_pool;
257
258sub pool_handler {
259 my $cb;
260
261 while () {
262 eval {
263 while () {
264 _pool_1 $cb;
265 &$cb;
266 _pool_2 $cb;
267 &schedule;
268 }
269 };
270
271 last if $@ eq "\3async_pool terminate\2\n";
272 warn $@ if $@;
273 }
274}
275
276sub async_pool(&@) {
277 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler
278 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
279
280 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_];
281 $coro->ready;
282
283 $coro
284}
285
286=back
287
288=head2 STATIC METHODS
289
290Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine.
291
292=over 4
195 293
196=item schedule 294=item schedule
197 295
198Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 296Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
297to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
298to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
299in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
300C<$Coro::idle> hook.
301
302Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
199into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 303queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
200never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 304again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
201ready. 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.
202 314
203The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 315The canonical way to wait on external events is this:
204 316
205 { 317 {
206 # remember current coroutine 318 # remember current coroutine
211 # wake up sleeping coroutine 323 # wake up sleeping coroutine
212 $current->ready; 324 $current->ready;
213 undef $current; 325 undef $current;
214 }; 326 };
215 327
216 # call schedule until event occured. 328 # call schedule until event occurred.
217 # in case we are woken up for other reasons 329 # in case we are woken up for other reasons
218 # (current still defined), loop. 330 # (current still defined), loop.
219 Coro::schedule while $current; 331 Coro::schedule while $current;
220 } 332 }
221 333
222=item cede 334=item cede
223 335
224"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the 336"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
225ready 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
226current "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.
341
342This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
343
344=item Coro::cede_notself
345
346Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
347coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
348progress is made.
227 349
228=item terminate [arg...] 350=item terminate [arg...]
229 351
230Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>). 352Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
353
354=item killall
355
356Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
357one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
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.
231 363
232=cut 364=cut
233 365
234sub terminate { 366sub terminate {
235 $current->cancel (@_); 367 $current->cancel (@_);
236} 368}
237 369
370sub killall {
371 for (Coro::State::list) {
372 $_->cancel
373 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
374 }
375}
376
238=back 377=back
239 378
240# dynamic methods
241
242=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 379=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
243 380
244These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects. 381These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
382them).
245 383
246=over 4 384=over 4
247 385
248=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 386=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
249 387
250Create 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
251automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 389automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
252called. 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
253by calling the ready method. 391queue by calling the ready method.
254 392
255Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 393See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
394coroutine environment.
256 395
257=cut 396=cut
258 397
259sub _run_coro { 398sub _run_coro {
260 terminate &{+shift}; 399 terminate &{+shift};
266 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_) 405 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
267} 406}
268 407
269=item $success = $coroutine->ready 408=item $success = $coroutine->ready
270 409
271Put 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
272and 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
273and 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.
274 417
275=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 418=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
276 419
277Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 420Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
278 421
279=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...) 422=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
280 423
281Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as 424Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
282status (default: the empty list). 425status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
426current coroutine.
283 427
284=cut 428=cut
285 429
286sub cancel { 430sub cancel {
287 my $self = shift; 431 my $self = shift;
288 $self->{status} = [@_]; 432 $self->{_status} = [@_];
433
434 if ($current == $self) {
289 push @destroy, $self; 435 push @destroy, $self;
290 $manager->ready; 436 $manager->ready;
291 &schedule if $current == $self; 437 &schedule while 1;
438 } else {
439 $self->_cancel;
440 }
292} 441}
293 442
294=item $coroutine->join 443=item $coroutine->join
295 444
296Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 445Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
297C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times 446C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
298from multiple coroutine. 447from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
448return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
299 449
300=cut 450=cut
301 451
302sub join { 452sub join {
303 my $self = shift; 453 my $self = shift;
454
304 unless ($self->{status}) { 455 unless ($self->{_status}) {
305 push @{$self->{join}}, $current; 456 my $current = $current;
306 &schedule; 457
458 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
459 $current->ready;
460 undef $current;
461 };
462
463 &schedule while $current;
307 } 464 }
465
308 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 466 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
467}
468
469=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
470
471Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
472but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
473if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
474
475=cut
476
477sub on_destroy {
478 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
479
480 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
309} 481}
310 482
311=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 483=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
312 484
313Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 485Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
338=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 510=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
339 511
340Sets (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
341coroutine. 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.
342 514
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
343=cut 534=cut
344 535
345sub desc { 536sub desc {
346 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 537 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
347 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 538 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
348 $old; 539 $old;
349} 540}
350 541
351=back 542=back
352 543
353=head2 UTILITY FUNCTIONS 544=head2 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
354 545
355=over 4 546=over 4
356 547
548=item Coro::nready
549
550Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
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
553currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
554would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
555coroutines.
556
557=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
558
559This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
560gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
561executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
562runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
563guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
564C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
565
566Example: set some flag and clear it again when the coroutine gets canceled
567or the function returns:
568
569 sub do_something {
570 my $guard = Coro::guard { $busy = 0 };
571 $busy = 1;
572
573 # do something that requires $busy to be true
574 }
575
576=cut
577
578sub guard(&) {
579 bless \(my $cb = $_[0]), "Coro::guard"
580}
581
582sub Coro::guard::cancel {
583 ${$_[0]} = sub { };
584}
585
586sub Coro::guard::DESTROY {
587 ${$_[0]}->();
588}
589
590
357=item unblock_sub { ... } 591=item unblock_sub { ... }
358 592
359This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 593This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
360returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 594returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
361immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 595will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
362ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 596original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
597coroutine.
363 598
364The reason this fucntion exists is that many event libraries (such as the 599The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
365venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 600venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
366of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 601of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
367otherwise 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>.
368 604
369This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 605This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
370coroutine 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
371is 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
372disk. 608disk, for example.
373 609
374In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 610In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
375creating event callbacks that want to block. 611creating event callbacks that want to block.
376 612
377=cut 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>.
378 616
379our @unblock_pool; 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>.
622
623=cut
624
380our @unblock_queue; 625our @unblock_queue;
381our $UNBLOCK_POOL_SIZE = 2;
382 626
383sub unblock_handler_ { 627# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
384 while () { 628# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
385 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $Coro::current->{arg} }; 629# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
386 $cb->(@arg); 630# inside an event callback.
387
388 last if @unblock_pool >= $UNBLOCK_POOL_SIZE;
389 push @unblock_pool, $Coro::current;
390 schedule;
391 }
392}
393
394our $unblock_scheduler = async { 631our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
395 while () { 632 while () {
396 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 633 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
397 my $handler = (pop @unblock_pool or new Coro \&unblock_handler_); 634 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool
398 $handler->{arg} = $cb; 635 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
636
637 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
399 $handler->ready; 638 $coro->ready;
400 cede; 639 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
401 } 640 }
402 641 schedule; # sleep well
403 schedule;
404 } 642 }
405}; 643};
644$unblock_scheduler->desc ("[unblock_sub scheduler]");
406 645
407sub unblock_sub(&) { 646sub unblock_sub(&) {
408 my $cb = shift; 647 my $cb = shift;
409 648
410 sub { 649 sub {
411 push @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 650 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
412 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 651 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
413 } 652 }
414} 653}
415 654
416=back 655=back
419 658
4201; 6591;
421 660
422=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 661=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
423 662
424 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global
425 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
426
427 - 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
428 from the same thread (this requirement might be losened in the future 664module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
429 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
430 this). 666this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as this
667is much faster and uses less memory.
431 668
432=head1 SEE ALSO 669=head1 SEE ALSO
433 670
671Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
672
673Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
674
434Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 675Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
435 676
436Locking/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>.
437 678
438Event/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>.
439 680
440Embedding: 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>.
441 686
442=head1 AUTHOR 687=head1 AUTHOR
443 688
444 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 689 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
445 http://home.schmorp.de/ 690 http://home.schmorp.de/

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