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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
11 print "2\n"; 11 print "2\n";
12 cede; # yield back to main 12 cede; # yield back to main
13 print "4\n"; 13 print "4\n";
14 }; 14 };
15 print "1\n"; 15 print "1\n";
16 cede; # yield to coroutine 16 cede; # yield to coro
17 print "3\n"; 17 print "3\n";
18 cede; # and again 18 cede; # and again
19 19
20 # use locking 20 # use locking
21 use Coro::Semaphore; 21 use Coro::Semaphore;
26 $locked = 1; 26 $locked = 1;
27 $lock->up; 27 $lock->up;
28 28
29=head1 DESCRIPTION 29=head1 DESCRIPTION
30 30
31This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar to 31For a tutorial-style introduction, please read the L<Coro::Intro>
32threads but don't (in general) run in parallel at the same time even 32manpage. This manpage mainly contains reference information.
33on SMP machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module
34also guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless
35necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and
36parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much
37safer and easier than threads programming.
38 33
39Unlike a normal perl program, however, coroutines allow you to have 34This module collection manages continuations in general, most often in
40multiple running interpreters that share data, which is especially useful 35the form of cooperative threads (also called coros, or simply "coro"
41to code pseudo-parallel processes and for event-based programming, such as 36in the documentation). They are similar to kernel threads but don't (in
42multiple HTTP-GET requests running concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to 37general) run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The
43learn more. 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.
44 43
45Coroutines are also useful because Perl has no support for threads (the so 44Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads
46called "threads" that perl offers are nothing more than the (bad) process 45but only the windows process emulation (see section of same name for
47emulation coming from the Windows platform: On standard operating systems 46more details) ported to UNIX, and as such act as processes), Coro
48they serve no purpose whatsoever, except by making your programs slow and 47provides a full shared address space, which makes communication between
49making them use a lot of memory. Best disable them when building perl, or 48threads very easy. And coro threads are fast, too: disabling the Windows
50aks your software vendor/distributor to do it for you). 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 (very communication-intensive) runs over 300
52times faster on a single core than perls pseudo-threads on a quad core
53using all four cores.
51 54
55Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share
56data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and
57for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running
58concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro
59into an event-based environment.
60
52In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables + 61In this module, a thread is defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
53@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain, 62some package variables + C stack), that is, a thread has its own callchain,
54its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global 63its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
55variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration). 64variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background info).
65
66See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro
67module family is quite large.
68
69=head1 CORO THREAD LIFE CYCLE
70
71During the long and exciting (or not) life of a coro thread, it goes
72through a number of states:
73
74=over 4
75
76=item 1. Creation
77
78The first thing in the life of a coro thread is it's creation -
79obviously. The typical way to create a thread is to call the C<async
80BLOCK> function:
81
82 async {
83 # thread code goes here
84 };
85
86You can also pass arguments, which are put in C<@_>:
87
88 async {
89 print $_[1]; # prints 2
90 } 1, 2, 3;
91
92This creates a new coro thread and puts it into the ready queue, meaning
93it will run as soon as the CPU is free for it.
94
95C<async> will return a coro object - you can store this for future
96reference or ignore it, the thread itself will keep a reference to it's
97thread object - threads are alive on their own.
98
99Another way to create a thread is to call the C<new> constructor with a
100code-reference:
101
102 new Coro sub {
103 # thread code goes here
104 }, @optional_arguments;
105
106This is quite similar to calling C<async>, but the important difference is
107that the new thread is not put into the ready queue, so the thread will
108not run until somebody puts it there. C<async> is, therefore, identical to
109this sequence:
110
111 my $coro = new Coro sub {
112 # thread code goes here
113 };
114 $coro->ready;
115 return $coro;
116
117=item 2. Startup
118
119When a new coro thread is created, only a copy of the code reference
120and the arguments are stored, no extra memory for stacks and so on is
121allocated, keeping the coro thread in a low-memory state.
122
123Only when it actually starts executing will all the resources be finally
124allocated.
125
126The optional arguments specified at coro creation are available in C<@_>,
127similar to function calls.
128
129=item 3. Running / Blocking
130
131A lot can happen after the coro thread has started running. Quite usually,
132it will not run to the end in one go (because you could use a function
133instead), but it will give up the CPU regularly because it waits for
134external events.
135
136As long as a coro thread runs, it's coro object is available in the global
137variable C<$Coro::current>.
138
139The low-level way to give up the CPU is to call the scheduler, which
140selects a new coro thread to run:
141
142 Coro::schedule;
143
144Since running threads are not in the ready queue, calling the scheduler
145without doing anything else will block the coro thread forever - you need
146to arrange either for the coro to put woken up (readied) by some other
147event or some other thread, or you can put it into the ready queue before
148scheduling:
149
150 # this is exactly what Coro::cede does
151 $Coro::current->ready;
152 Coro::schedule;
153
154All the higher-level synchronisation methods (Coro::Semaphore,
155Coro::rouse_*...) are actually implemented via C<< ->ready >> and C<<
156Coro::schedule >>.
157
158While the coro thread is running it also might get assigned a C-level
159thread, or the C-level thread might be unassigned from it, as the Coro
160runtime wishes. A C-level thread needs to be assigned when your perl
161thread calls into some C-level function and that function in turn calls
162perl and perl then wants to switch coroutines. This happens most often
163when you run an event loop and block in the callback, or when perl
164itself calls some function such as C<AUTOLOAD> or methods via the C<tie>
165mechanism.
166
167=item 4. Termination
168
169Many threads actually terminate after some time. There are a number of
170ways to terminate a coro thread, the simplest is returning from the
171top-level code reference:
172
173 async {
174 # after returning from here, the coro thread is terminated
175 };
176
177 async {
178 return if 0.5 < rand; # terminate a little earlier, maybe
179 print "got a chance to print this\n";
180 # or here
181 };
182
183Any values returned from the coroutine can be recovered using C<< ->join
184>>:
185
186 my $coro = async {
187 "hello, world\n" # return a string
188 };
189
190 my $hello_world = $coro->join;
191
192 print $hello_world;
193
194Another way to terminate is to call C<< Coro::terminate >>, which at any
195subroutine call nesting level:
196
197 async {
198 Coro::terminate "return value 1", "return value 2";
199 };
200
201And yet another way is to C<< ->cancel >> the coro thread from another
202thread:
203
204 my $coro = async {
205 exit 1;
206 };
207
208 $coro->cancel; # an also accept values for ->join to retrieve
209
210Cancellation I<can> be dangerous - it's a bit like calling C<exit> without
211actually exiting, and might leave C libraries and XS modules in a weird
212state. Unlike other thread implementations, however, Coro is exceptionally
213safe with regards to cancellation, as perl will always be in a consistent
214state.
215
216So, cancelling a thread that runs in an XS event loop might not be the
217best idea, but any other combination that deals with perl only (cancelling
218when a thread is in a C<tie> method or an C<AUTOLOAD> for example) is
219safe.
220
221=item 5. Cleanup
222
223Threads will allocate various resources. Most but not all will be returned
224when a thread terminates, during clean-up.
225
226Cleanup is quite similar to throwing an uncaught exception: perl will
227work it's way up through all subroutine calls and blocks. On it's way, it
228will release all C<my> variables, undo all C<local>'s and free any other
229resources truly local to the thread.
230
231So, a common way to free resources is to keep them referenced only by my
232variables:
233
234 async {
235 my $big_cache = new Cache ...;
236 };
237
238If there are no other references, then the C<$big_cache> object will be
239freed when the thread terminates, regardless of how it does so.
240
241What it does C<NOT> do is unlock any Coro::Semaphores or similar
242resources, but that's where the C<guard> methods come in handy:
243
244 my $sem = new Coro::Semaphore;
245
246 async {
247 my $lock_guard = $sem->guard;
248 # if we reutrn, or die or get cancelled, here,
249 # then the semaphore will be "up"ed.
250 };
251
252The C<Guard::guard> function comes in handy for any custom cleanup you
253might want to do:
254
255 async {
256 my $window = new Gtk2::Window "toplevel";
257 # The window will not be cleaned up automatically, even when $window
258 # gets freed, so use a guard to ensure it's destruction
259 # in case of an error:
260 my $window_guard = Guard::guard { $window->destroy };
261
262 # we are safe here
263 };
264
265Last not least, C<local> can often be handy, too, e.g. when temporarily
266replacing the coro thread description:
267
268 sub myfunction {
269 local $Coro::current->{desc} = "inside myfunction(@_)";
270
271 # if we return or die here, the description will be restored
272 }
273
274=item 6. Viva La Zombie Muerte
275
276Even after a thread has terminated and cleaned up it's resources, the coro
277object still is there and stores the return values of the thread. Only in
278this state will the coro object be "reference counted" in the normal perl
279sense: the thread code keeps a reference to it when it is active, but not
280after it has terminated.
281
282The means the coro object gets freed automatically when the thread has
283terminated and cleaned up and there arenot other references.
284
285If there are, the coro object will stay around, and you can call C<<
286->join >> as many times as you wish to retrieve the result values:
287
288 async {
289 print "hi\n";
290 1
291 };
292
293 # run the async above, and free everything before returning
294 # from Coro::cede:
295 Coro::cede;
296
297 {
298 my $coro = async {
299 print "hi\n";
300 1
301 };
302
303 # run the async above, and clean up, but do not free the coro
304 # object:
305 Coro::cede;
306
307 # optionally retrieve the result values
308 my @results = $coro->join;
309
310 # now $coro goes out of scope, and presumably gets freed
311 };
312
313=back
56 314
57=cut 315=cut
58 316
59package Coro; 317package Coro;
60 318
61use strict; 319use common::sense;
62no warnings "uninitialized"; 320
321use Carp ();
322
323use Guard ();
63 324
64use Coro::State; 325use Coro::State;
65 326
66use base qw(Coro::State Exporter); 327use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
67 328
68our $idle; # idle handler 329our $idle; # idle handler
69our $main; # main coroutine 330our $main; # main coro
70our $current; # current coroutine 331our $current; # current coro
71 332
72our $VERSION = 4.8; 333our $VERSION = 5.372;
73 334
74our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 335our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub rouse_cb rouse_wait);
75our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 336our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
76 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 337 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
77); 338);
78our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 339our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
79 340
341=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES
342
80=over 4 343=over 4
81 344
82=item $Coro::main 345=item $Coro::main
83 346
84This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main 347This variable stores the Coro object that represents the main
85program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to 348program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
86coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see 349coro, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
87whether you are running in the main program or not. 350whether you are running in the main program or not.
88 351
89=cut 352=cut
90 353
91$main = new Coro; 354# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
92 355
93=item $Coro::current 356=item $Coro::current
94 357
95The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last 358The Coro object representing the current coro (the last
96coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is 359coro that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
97C<$main> (of course). 360C<$Coro::main> (of course).
98 361
99This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the 362This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
100value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must 363value stored in it and use it as any other Coro object, but you must
101not otherwise modify the variable itself. 364not otherwise modify the variable itself.
102 365
103=cut 366=cut
104 367
105$main->{desc} = "[main::]";
106
107# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
108$main->{_specific} = $current->{_specific}
109 if $current;
110
111_set_current $main;
112
113sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED] 368sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
114 369
115=item $Coro::idle 370=item $Coro::idle
116 371
117This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is 372This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
118usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is 373usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or L<Coro::EV>, as this is
119pretty low-level functionality. 374pretty low-level functionality.
120 375
121This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler 376This variable stores a Coro object that is put into the ready queue when
122finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints 377there are no other ready threads (without invoking any ready hooks).
123"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
124to continue.
125 378
379The default implementation dies with "FATAL: deadlock detected.", followed
380by a thread listing, because the program has no other way to continue.
381
126This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 382This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::EV> and
127C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 383C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wakes up a
128coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 384coro so the scheduler can run it.
129 385
130Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
131the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
132coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
133readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
134
135See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this 386See L<Coro::EV> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this technique.
136technique.
137 387
138Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
139handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
140
141=cut 388=cut
142 389
143$idle = sub { 390# ||= because other modules could have provided their own by now
144 require Carp; 391$idle ||= new Coro sub {
145 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected"); 392 require Coro::Debug;
393 die "FATAL: deadlock detected.\n"
394 . Coro::Debug::ps_listing ();
146}; 395};
147 396
148sub _cancel {
149 my ($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 397# this coro is necessary because a coro
161# cannot destroy itself. 398# cannot destroy itself.
162my @destroy; 399our @destroy;
163my $manager; 400our $manager;
164 401
165$manager = new Coro sub { 402$manager = new Coro sub {
166 while () { 403 while () {
167 (shift @destroy)->_cancel 404 Coro::State::cancel shift @destroy
168 while @destroy; 405 while @destroy;
169 406
170 &schedule; 407 &schedule;
171 } 408 }
172}; 409};
173$manager->desc ("[coro manager]"); 410$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
174$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 411$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
175 412
176=back 413=back
177 414
178=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION 415=head1 SIMPLE CORO CREATION
179 416
180=over 4 417=over 4
181 418
182=item async { ... } [@args...] 419=item async { ... } [@args...]
183 420
184Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually 421Create a new coro and return its Coro object (usually
185unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so 422unused). The coro will be put into the ready queue, so
186it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run. 423it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
187 424
188The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the 425The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
189coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically 426coro. When it returns argument returns the coro is automatically
190terminated. 427terminated.
191 428
192The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure. 429The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
193 430
194See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine 431See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coro
195environment in which coroutines are executed. 432environment in which coro are executed.
196 433
197Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside 434Calling C<exit> in a coro will do the same as calling exit outside
198the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit, 435the coro. Likewise, when the coro dies, the program will exit,
199just as it would in the main program. 436just as it would in the main program.
200 437
201If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or 438If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
202simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>). 439simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
203 440
204Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments. 441Example: Create a new coro that just prints its arguments.
205 442
206 async { 443 async {
207 print "@_\n"; 444 print "@_\n";
208 } 1,2,3,4; 445 } 1,2,3,4;
209 446
210=cut
211
212sub async(&@) {
213 my $coro = new Coro @_;
214 $coro->ready;
215 $coro
216}
217
218=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 447=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
219 448
220Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 449Similar to C<async>, but uses a coro pool, so you should not call
221terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a 450terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
222coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good 451coro that might have executed other code already (which can be good
223or bad :). 452or bad :).
224 453
225On the plus side, this function is faster than creating (and destroying) 454On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
226a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic coroutines in 455destroying) a completely new coro, so if you need a lot of generic
227quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>. 456coros in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
228 457
229The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 458The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
230issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as 459issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
231C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy> 460C<async> does. As the coro is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
232will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel, 461will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
233which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the 462which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
234exceptional case). 463exceptional case).
235 464
236The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be 465The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
237disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle 466disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
238gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will 467gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coro will
239be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global 468be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coro global
240stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> to revert that change, which is most 469stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
241simply done by using local as in: C< local $/ >. 470simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
242 471
243The pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by 472The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coros (this can be
244changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as 473adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
245required. 474coros as required.
246 475
247If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 476If you are concerned about pooled coros growing a lot because a
248single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool 477single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
249{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In 478{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
250addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb 479addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb
251(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed. 480(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
252 481
253=cut 482=cut
254 483
255our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 484our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
256our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024; 485our $POOL_RSS = 32 * 1024;
257our @async_pool; 486our @async_pool;
258 487
259sub pool_handler { 488sub pool_handler {
260 my $cb;
261
262 while () { 489 while () {
263 eval { 490 eval {
264 while () { 491 &{&_pool_handler} while 1;
265 _pool_1 $cb;
266 &$cb;
267 _pool_2 $cb;
268 &schedule;
269 }
270 }; 492 };
271 493
272 if ($@) {
273 last if $@ eq "\3async_pool terminate\2\n";
274 warn $@; 494 warn $@ if $@;
275 }
276 } 495 }
277} 496}
278 497
279sub async_pool(&@) {
280 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler
281 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
282
283 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_];
284 $coro->ready;
285
286 $coro
287}
288
289=back 498=back
290 499
291=head2 STATIC METHODS 500=head1 STATIC METHODS
292 501
293Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine. 502Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the
503current coro.
294 504
295=over 4 505=over 4
296 506
297=item schedule 507=item schedule
298 508
299Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is 509Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coro that is
300to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine 510to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coro
301to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest 511to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
302in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the 512in its ready queue. If there is no coro ready, it will call the
303C<$Coro::idle> hook. 513C<$Coro::idle> hook.
304 514
305Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready 515Please note that the current coro will I<not> be put into the ready
306queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called 516queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
307again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>, 517again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
308thus waking you up. 518thus waking you up.
309 519
310This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current 520This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
311coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in 521coro and wait for events: first you remember the current coro in
312a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready 522a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
313>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put 523>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
314yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up, 524yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coro up,
315so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the 525so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
316status in a variable. 526status in a variable.
317 527
318The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 528See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
319 529
320 { 530=item cede
321 # remember current coroutine
322 my $current = $Coro::current;
323 531
324 # register a hypothetical event handler 532"Cede" to other coros. This function puts the current coro into
325 on_event_invoke sub { 533the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
326 # wake up sleeping coroutine 534up the current "timeslice" to other coros of the same or higher
327 $current->ready; 535priority. Once your coro gets its turn again it will automatically be
328 undef $current; 536resumed.
537
538This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
539
540=item Coro::cede_notself
541
542Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
543coro, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
544progress is made.
545
546=item terminate [arg...]
547
548Terminates the current coro with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
549
550=item Coro::on_enter BLOCK, Coro::on_leave BLOCK
551
552These function install enter and leave winders in the current scope. The
553enter block will be executed when on_enter is called and whenever the
554current coro is re-entered by the scheduler, while the leave block is
555executed whenever the current coro is blocked by the scheduler, and
556also when the containing scope is exited (by whatever means, be it exit,
557die, last etc.).
558
559I<Neither invoking the scheduler, nor exceptions, are allowed within those
560BLOCKs>. That means: do not even think about calling C<die> without an
561eval, and do not even think of entering the scheduler in any way.
562
563Since both BLOCKs are tied to the current scope, they will automatically
564be removed when the current scope exits.
565
566These functions implement the same concept as C<dynamic-wind> in scheme
567does, and are useful when you want to localise some resource to a specific
568coro.
569
570They slow down thread switching considerably for coros that use them
571(about 40% for a BLOCK with a single assignment, so thread switching is
572still reasonably fast if the handlers are fast).
573
574These functions are best understood by an example: The following function
575will change the current timezone to "Antarctica/South_Pole", which
576requires a call to C<tzset>, but by using C<on_enter> and C<on_leave>,
577which remember/change the current timezone and restore the previous
578value, respectively, the timezone is only changed for the coro that
579installed those handlers.
580
581 use POSIX qw(tzset);
582
583 async {
584 my $old_tz; # store outside TZ value here
585
586 Coro::on_enter {
587 $old_tz = $ENV{TZ}; # remember the old value
588
589 $ENV{TZ} = "Antarctica/South_Pole";
590 tzset; # enable new value
329 }; 591 };
330 592
331 # call schedule until event occurred. 593 Coro::on_leave {
332 # in case we are woken up for other reasons 594 $ENV{TZ} = $old_tz;
333 # (current still defined), loop. 595 tzset; # restore old value
334 Coro::schedule while $current; 596 };
597
598 # at this place, the timezone is Antarctica/South_Pole,
599 # without disturbing the TZ of any other coro.
335 } 600 };
336 601
337=item cede 602This can be used to localise about any resource (locale, uid, current
603working directory etc.) to a block, despite the existance of other
604coros.
338 605
339"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into 606Another interesting example implements time-sliced multitasking using
340the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving 607interval timers (this could obviously be optimised, but does the job):
341up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
342priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
343resumed.
344 608
345This function is often called C<yield> in other languages. 609 # "timeslice" the given block
610 sub timeslice(&) {
611 use Time::HiRes ();
346 612
347=item Coro::cede_notself 613 Coro::on_enter {
614 # on entering the thread, we set an VTALRM handler to cede
615 $SIG{VTALRM} = sub { cede };
616 # and then start the interval timer
617 Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0.01, 0.01;
618 };
619 Coro::on_leave {
620 # on leaving the thread, we stop the interval timer again
621 Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0, 0;
622 };
348 623
349Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any> 624 &{+shift};
350coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure 625 }
351progress is made.
352 626
353=item terminate [arg...] 627 # use like this:
628 timeslice {
629 # The following is an endless loop that would normally
630 # monopolise the process. Since it runs in a timesliced
631 # environment, it will regularly cede to other threads.
632 while () { }
633 };
354 634
355Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
356 635
357=item killall 636=item killall
358 637
359Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running 638Kills/terminates/cancels all coros except the currently running one.
360one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
361usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
362 639
363Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources, 640Note that while this will try to free some of the main interpreter
641resources if the calling coro isn't the main coro, but one
364you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main 642cannot free all of them, so if a coro that is not the main coro
365program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak. 643calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
366 644
367=cut 645=cut
368
369sub terminate {
370 $current->cancel (@_);
371}
372 646
373sub killall { 647sub killall {
374 for (Coro::State::list) { 648 for (Coro::State::list) {
375 $_->cancel 649 $_->cancel
376 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro"; 650 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
377 } 651 }
378} 652}
379 653
380=back 654=back
381 655
382=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 656=head1 CORO OBJECT METHODS
383 657
384These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create 658These are the methods you can call on coro objects (or to create
385them). 659them).
386 660
387=over 4 661=over 4
388 662
389=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 663=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
390 664
391Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine 665Create a new coro and return it. When the sub returns, the coro
392automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 666automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
393called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready 667called. To make the coro run you must first put it into the ready
394queue by calling the ready method. 668queue by calling the ready method.
395 669
396See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the 670See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
397coroutine environment. 671coro environment.
398 672
399=cut 673=cut
400 674
401sub _run_coro { 675sub _coro_run {
402 terminate &{+shift}; 676 terminate &{+shift};
403} 677}
404 678
405sub new {
406 my $class = shift;
407
408 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
409}
410
411=item $success = $coroutine->ready 679=item $success = $coro->ready
412 680
413Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one 681Put the given coro into the end of its ready queue (there is one
414queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in 682queue for each priority) and return true. If the coro is already in
415the ready queue, do nothing and return false. 683the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
416 684
417This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically 685This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coro automatically
418once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same 686once all the coro of higher priority and all coro of the same
419priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed. 687priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
420 688
689=item $coro->suspend
690
691Suspends the specified coro. A suspended coro works just like any other
692coro, except that the scheduler will not select a suspended coro for
693execution.
694
695Suspending a coro can be useful when you want to keep the coro from
696running, but you don't want to destroy it, or when you want to temporarily
697freeze a coro (e.g. for debugging) to resume it later.
698
699A scenario for the former would be to suspend all (other) coros after a
700fork and keep them alive, so their destructors aren't called, but new
701coros can be created.
702
703=item $coro->resume
704
705If the specified coro was suspended, it will be resumed. Note that when
706the coro was in the ready queue when it was suspended, it might have been
707unreadied by the scheduler, so an activation might have been lost.
708
709To avoid this, it is best to put a suspended coro into the ready queue
710unconditionally, as every synchronisation mechanism must protect itself
711against spurious wakeups, and the one in the Coro family certainly do
712that.
713
421=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 714=item $is_ready = $coro->is_ready
422 715
423Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 716Returns true iff the Coro object is in the ready queue. Unless the Coro
717object gets destroyed, it will eventually be scheduled by the scheduler.
424 718
719=item $is_running = $coro->is_running
720
721Returns true iff the Coro object is currently running. Only one Coro object
722can ever be in the running state (but it currently is possible to have
723multiple running Coro::States).
724
725=item $is_suspended = $coro->is_suspended
726
727Returns true iff this Coro object has been suspended. Suspended Coros will
728not ever be scheduled.
729
425=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...) 730=item $coro->cancel (arg...)
426 731
427Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as 732Terminates the given Coro and makes it return the given arguments as
428status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the 733status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the Coro is the
429current coroutine. 734current Coro.
430 735
431=cut 736=cut
432 737
433sub cancel { 738sub cancel {
434 my $self = shift; 739 my $self = shift;
435 $self->{_status} = [@_];
436 740
437 if ($current == $self) { 741 if ($current == $self) {
438 push @destroy, $self; 742 terminate @_;
439 $manager->ready;
440 &schedule while 1;
441 } else { 743 } else {
442 $self->_cancel; 744 $self->{_status} = [@_];
745 Coro::State::cancel $self;
443 } 746 }
444} 747}
445 748
749=item $coro->schedule_to
750
751Puts the current coro to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
752of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
753the given coro object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
754state of that coro isn't changed.
755
756This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
757uses for this one.
758
759=item $coro->cede_to
760
761Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coro into the ready
762queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
763coro, and continuing some time later.
764
765This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
766uses for this one.
767
768=item $coro->throw ([$scalar])
769
770If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
771inside the coro at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
772clears the exception object.
773
774Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
775returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
776>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions
777detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending.
778
779The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
780C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
781(unlike with C<die>).
782
783This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coro to
784end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
785termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
786program.
787
788You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
789C<kill>ing a coro with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
790
446=item $coroutine->join 791=item $coro->join
447 792
448Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 793Wait until the coro terminates and return any values given to the
449C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently 794C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
450from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status 795from multiple coro, and all will be resumed and given the status
451return once the C<$coroutine> terminates. 796return once the C<$coro> terminates.
452 797
453=cut 798=cut
454 799
455sub join { 800sub join {
456 my $self = shift; 801 my $self = shift;
467 } 812 }
468 813
469 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0]; 814 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
470} 815}
471 816
472=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 817=item $coro->on_destroy (\&cb)
473 818
474Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 819Registers a callback that is called when this coro thread gets destroyed,
475but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 820but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
476if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances. 821if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
477 822
823There can be any number of C<on_destroy> callbacks per coro.
824
478=cut 825=cut
479 826
480sub on_destroy { 827sub on_destroy {
481 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 828 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
482 829
483 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb; 830 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
484} 831}
485 832
486=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 833=item $oldprio = $coro->prio ($newprio)
487 834
488Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 835Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
489coroutine. Higher priority coroutines get run before lower priority 836coro thread. Higher priority coro get run before lower priority
490coroutines. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3), 837coros. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3),
491that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio 838that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio
492to get then): 839to get then):
493 840
494 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN 841 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN
495 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4 842 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4
496 843
497 # set priority to HIGH 844 # set priority to HIGH
498 current->prio(PRIO_HIGH); 845 current->prio (PRIO_HIGH);
499 846
500The idle coroutine ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any 847The idle coro thread ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any
501existing coroutine. 848existing coro.
502 849
503Changing the priority of the current coroutine will take effect immediately, 850Changing the priority of the current coro will take effect immediately,
504but changing the priority of coroutines in the ready queue (but not 851but changing the priority of a coro in the ready queue (but not running)
505running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that 852will only take effect after the next schedule (of that coro). This is a
506coroutine). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version. 853bug that will be fixed in some future version.
507 854
508=item $newprio = $coroutine->nice ($change) 855=item $newprio = $coro->nice ($change)
509 856
510Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e. 857Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e.
511higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 858higher values mean lower priority, just as in UNIX's nice command).
512 859
513=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 860=item $olddesc = $coro->desc ($newdesc)
514 861
515Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 862Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
516coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 863coro thread. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
864coro.
517 865
518This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given string. You 866This method simply sets the C<< $coro->{desc} >> member to the given
519can modify this member directly if you wish. 867string. You can modify this member directly if you wish, and in fact, this
868is often preferred to indicate major processing states that cna then be
869seen for example in a L<Coro::Debug> session:
520 870
521=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar]) 871 sub my_long_function {
522 872 local $Coro::current->{desc} = "now in my_long_function";
523If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception 873 ...
524inside the coroutine at the next convinient point in time (usually after 874 $Coro::current->{desc} = "my_long_function: phase 1";
525it gains control at the next schedule/transfer/cede). Otherwise clears the 875 ...
526exception object. 876 $Coro::current->{desc} = "my_long_function: phase 2";
527 877 ...
528The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in 878 }
529C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
530(unlike with C<die>).
531
532This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
533end itself, although there is no guarentee that the exception will lead to
534termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
535program.
536 879
537=cut 880=cut
538 881
539sub desc { 882sub desc {
540 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 883 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
541 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 884 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
542 $old; 885 $old;
543} 886}
544 887
888sub transfer {
889 require Carp;
890 Carp::croak ("You must not call ->transfer on Coro objects. Use Coro::State objects or the ->schedule_to method. Caught");
891}
892
545=back 893=back
546 894
547=head2 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 895=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
548 896
549=over 4 897=over 4
550 898
551=item Coro::nready 899=item Coro::nready
552 900
553Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 901Returns the number of coro that are currently in the ready state,
554i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or 902i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
555indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the 903indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coro is the
556currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule> 904currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
557would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some 905would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
558coroutines. 906coro.
559 907
560=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 908=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
561 909
562This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object 910This function still exists, but is deprecated. Please use the
563gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 911C<Guard::guard> function instead.
564executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
565runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
566guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
567C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
568 912
569Example: set some flag and clear it again when the coroutine gets canceled
570or the function returns:
571
572 sub do_something {
573 my $guard = Coro::guard { $busy = 0 };
574 $busy = 1;
575
576 # do something that requires $busy to be true
577 }
578
579=cut 913=cut
580 914
581sub guard(&) { 915BEGIN { *guard = \&Guard::guard }
582 bless \(my $cb = $_[0]), "Coro::guard"
583}
584
585sub Coro::guard::cancel {
586 ${$_[0]} = sub { };
587}
588
589sub Coro::guard::DESTROY {
590 ${$_[0]}->();
591}
592
593 916
594=item unblock_sub { ... } 917=item unblock_sub { ... }
595 918
596This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 919This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
597returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef 920returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
598will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the 921will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
599original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another 922original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
600coroutine. 923coro.
601 924
602The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 925The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as
603venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 926the venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not thread-safe (a weaker form
604of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 927of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
605otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library 928otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
606currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>. 929currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV> (but
930you might still run into deadlocks if all event loops are blocked).
931
932Coro will try to catch you when you block in the event loop
933("FATAL:$Coro::IDLE blocked itself"), but this is just best effort and
934only works when you do not run your own event loop.
607 935
608This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 936This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
609coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 937coro where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
610is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 938is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
611disk, for example. 939disk, for example.
612 940
613In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 941In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
614creating event callbacks that want to block. 942creating event callbacks that want to block.
615 943
616If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to 944If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
617another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue), 945another coro, or puts some other coro into the ready queue), there is
618there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>. 946no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
619 947
620Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that 948Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
621are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you 949are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
622use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it 950use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
623provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you 951provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
632# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede 960# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
633# inside an event callback. 961# inside an event callback.
634our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub { 962our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
635 while () { 963 while () {
636 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 964 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
637 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool 965 &async_pool (@$cb);
638 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
639 966
640 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
641 $coro->ready;
642 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 967 # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
968 # as the chance is very high that the async_poll coro will be back
969 # in the idle state when cede returns
970 cede;
643 } 971 }
644 schedule; # sleep well 972 schedule; # sleep well
645 } 973 }
646}; 974};
647$unblock_scheduler->desc ("[unblock_sub scheduler]"); 975$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
648 976
649sub unblock_sub(&) { 977sub unblock_sub(&) {
650 my $cb = shift; 978 my $cb = shift;
651 979
652 sub { 980 sub {
653 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 981 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
654 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 982 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
655 } 983 }
656} 984}
657 985
986=item $cb = rouse_cb
987
988Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that,
989when called, will remember a copy of its arguments and notify the owner
990coro of the callback.
991
992See the next function.
993
994=item @args = rouse_wait [$cb]
995
996Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one that was created in
997this coro).
998
999As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the callback was invoked
1000before C<rouse_wait>), it will return the arguments originally passed to
1001the rouse callback. In scalar context, that means you get the I<last>
1002argument, just as if C<rouse_wait> had a C<return ($a1, $a2, $a3...)>
1003statement at the end.
1004
1005See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
1006
658=back 1007=back
659 1008
660=cut 1009=cut
661 1010
1011for my $module (qw(Channel RWLock Semaphore SemaphoreSet Signal Specific)) {
1012 my $old = defined &{"Coro::$module\::new"} && \&{"Coro::$module\::new"};
1013
1014 *{"Coro::$module\::new"} = sub {
1015 require "Coro/$module.pm";
1016
1017 # some modules have their new predefined in State.xs, some don't
1018 *{"Coro::$module\::new"} = $old
1019 if $old;
1020
1021 goto &{"Coro::$module\::new"};
1022 };
1023}
1024
6621; 10251;
663 1026
1027=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
1028
1029It is very common for a coro to wait for some callback to be
1030called. This occurs naturally when you use coro in an otherwise
1031event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
1032
1033These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
1034when the event occured. In a coro, however, you typically want to
1035just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
1036
1037For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
1038a specific child has exited:
1039
1040 my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
1041
1042But from within a coro, you often just want to write this:
1043
1044 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
1045
1046Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
1047C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
1048
1049The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
1050when invoked, will save its arguments and notify the coro that
1051created the callback.
1052
1053The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
1054(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
1055originally passed to the callback.
1056
1057Using these functions, it becomes easy to write the C<wait_for_child>
1058function mentioned above:
1059
1060 sub wait_for_child($) {
1061 my ($pid) = @_;
1062
1063 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb);
1064
1065 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait;
1066 $rstatus
1067 }
1068
1069In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
1070you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
1071
1072 sub wait_for_child($) {
1073 my ($pid) = @_;
1074
1075 # store the current coro in $current,
1076 # and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
1077 my $current = $Coro::current;
1078 my ($done, $rstatus);
1079
1080 # pass a closure to ->child
1081 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
1082 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
1083 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud
1084 });
1085
1086 # wait until the closure has been called
1087 schedule while !$done;
1088
1089 $rstatus
1090 }
1091
1092
664=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 1093=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
665 1094
1095=over 4
1096
1097=item fork with pthread backend
1098
1099When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
1100but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
1101coro will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
1102fix your libc and use a saner backend.
1103
1104=item perl process emulation ("threads")
1105
666This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this 1106This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
667module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the 1107module from the first thread (this requirement might be removed in the
668future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 1108future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
669this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as this 1109this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
670is much faster and uses less memory. 1110the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
1111performance, even when not used.
1112
1113=item coro switching is not signal safe
1114
1115You must not switch to another coro from within a signal handler (only
1116relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals), I<unless>
1117you are sure you are not interrupting a Coro function.
1118
1119That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
1120current coro - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
1121anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
1122works.
1123
1124=back
1125
1126
1127=head1 WINDOWS PROCESS EMULATION
1128
1129A great many people seem to be confused about ithreads (for example, Chip
1130Salzenberg called me unintelligent, incapable, stupid and gullible,
1131while in the same mail making rather confused statements about perl
1132ithreads (for example, that memory or files would be shared), showing his
1133lack of understanding of this area - if it is hard to understand for Chip,
1134it is probably not obvious to everybody).
1135
1136What follows is an ultra-condensed version of my talk about threads in
1137scripting languages given on the perl workshop 2009:
1138
1139The so-called "ithreads" were originally implemented for two reasons:
1140first, to (badly) emulate unix processes on native win32 perls, and
1141secondly, to replace the older, real thread model ("5.005-threads").
1142
1143It does that by using threads instead of OS processes. The difference
1144between processes and threads is that threads share memory (and other
1145state, such as files) between threads within a single process, while
1146processes do not share anything (at least not semantically). That
1147means that modifications done by one thread are seen by others, while
1148modifications by one process are not seen by other processes.
1149
1150The "ithreads" work exactly like that: when creating a new ithreads
1151process, all state is copied (memory is copied physically, files and code
1152is copied logically). Afterwards, it isolates all modifications. On UNIX,
1153the same behaviour can be achieved by using operating system processes,
1154except that UNIX typically uses hardware built into the system to do this
1155efficiently, while the windows process emulation emulates this hardware in
1156software (rather efficiently, but of course it is still much slower than
1157dedicated hardware).
1158
1159As mentioned before, loading code, modifying code, modifying data
1160structures and so on is only visible in the ithreads process doing the
1161modification, not in other ithread processes within the same OS process.
1162
1163This is why "ithreads" do not implement threads for perl at all, only
1164processes. What makes it so bad is that on non-windows platforms, you can
1165actually take advantage of custom hardware for this purpose (as evidenced
1166by the forks module, which gives you the (i-) threads API, just much
1167faster).
1168
1169Sharing data is in the i-threads model is done by transfering data
1170structures between threads using copying semantics, which is very slow -
1171shared data simply does not exist. Benchmarks using i-threads which are
1172communication-intensive show extremely bad behaviour with i-threads (in
1173fact, so bad that Coro, which cannot take direct advantage of multiple
1174CPUs, is often orders of magnitude faster because it shares data using
1175real threads, refer to my talk for details).
1176
1177As summary, i-threads *use* threads to implement processes, while
1178the compatible forks module *uses* processes to emulate, uhm,
1179processes. I-threads slow down every perl program when enabled, and
1180outside of windows, serve no (or little) practical purpose, but
1181disadvantages every single-threaded Perl program.
1182
1183This is the reason that I try to avoid the name "ithreads", as it is
1184misleading as it implies that it implements some kind of thread model for
1185perl, and prefer the name "windows process emulation", which describes the
1186actual use and behaviour of it much better.
671 1187
672=head1 SEE ALSO 1188=head1 SEE ALSO
673 1189
674Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>. 1190Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
675 1191
676Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>. 1192Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
677 1193
678Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>. 1194Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
679 1195
680Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 1196Locking and IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>,
1197L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
681 1198
682IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>. 1199I/O and Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
683 1200
684Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>. 1201Compatibility with other modules: L<Coro::LWP> (but see also L<AnyEvent::HTTP> for
1202a better-working alternative), L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>,
1203L<Coro::Select>.
685 1204
686XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>. 1205XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
687 1206
688Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>. 1207Low level Configuration, Thread Environment, Continuations: L<Coro::State>.
689 1208
690=head1 AUTHOR 1209=head1 AUTHOR
691 1210
692 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1211 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
693 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1212 http://home.schmorp.de/

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