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Revision 1.105 by root, Fri Jan 5 16:55:01 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.206 by root, Thu Oct 30 09:57:00 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 use Coro::Semaphore;
19 cede; 22 my $lock = new Coro::Semaphore;
23 my $locked;
24
25 $lock->down;
26 $locked = 1;
27 $lock->up;
20 28
21=head1 DESCRIPTION 29=head1 DESCRIPTION
22 30
23This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar 31This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar to
24to threads but don't run in parallel at the same time even on SMP 32threads but don't (in general) run in parallel at the same time even
25machines. The specific flavor of coroutine use din this module also 33on SMP machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module
26guarentees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless 34also guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless
27necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and 35necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and
28parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much 36parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much
29safer than threads programming. 37safer and easier than threads programming.
30 38
31(Perl, however, does not natively support real threads but instead does a 39Unlike a normal perl program, however, coroutines allow you to have
32very slow and memory-intensive emulation of processes using threads. This 40multiple running interpreters that share data, which is especially useful
33is a performance win on Windows machines, and a loss everywhere else). 41to code pseudo-parallel processes and for event-based programming, such as
42multiple HTTP-GET requests running concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to
43learn more.
44
45Coroutines are also useful because Perl has no support for threads (the so
46called "threads" that perl offers are nothing more than the (bad) process
47emulation coming from the Windows platform: On standard operating systems
48they serve no purpose whatsoever, except by making your programs slow and
49making them use a lot of memory. Best disable them when building perl, or
50aks your software vendor/distributor to do it for you).
34 51
35In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables + 52In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
36@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain, 53@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain,
37its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global 54its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
38variables. 55variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration).
39 56
40=cut 57=cut
41 58
42package Coro; 59package Coro;
43 60
50 67
51our $idle; # idle handler 68our $idle; # idle handler
52our $main; # main coroutine 69our $main; # main coroutine
53our $current; # current coroutine 70our $current; # current coroutine
54 71
55our $VERSION = '3.3'; 72our $VERSION = 4.802;
56 73
57our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 74our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
58our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 75our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
59 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 76 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
60); 77);
61our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 78our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
62 79
63{
64 my @async;
65 my $init;
66
67 # this way of handling attributes simply is NOT scalable ;()
68 sub import {
69 no strict 'refs';
70
71 Coro->export_to_level (1, @_);
72
73 my $old = *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"}{CODE};
74 *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"} = sub {
75 my ($package, $ref) = (shift, shift);
76 my @attrs;
77 for (@_) {
78 if ($_ eq "Coro") {
79 push @async, $ref;
80 unless ($init++) {
81 eval q{
82 sub INIT {
83 &async(pop @async) while @async;
84 }
85 };
86 }
87 } else {
88 push @attrs, $_;
89 }
90 }
91 return $old ? $old->($package, $ref, @attrs) : @attrs;
92 };
93 }
94
95}
96
97=over 4 80=over 4
98 81
99=item $main 82=item $Coro::main
100 83
101This coroutine represents the main program. 84This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
85program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
86coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
87whether you are running in the main program or not.
102 88
103=cut 89=cut
104 90
105$main = new Coro; 91$main = new Coro;
106 92
107=item $current (or as function: current) 93=item $Coro::current
108 94
109The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 95The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
96coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
110is C<$main> (of course). 97C<$main> (of course).
111 98
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 99This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essentiel you are encouraged to use the 100value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 101not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 102
116=cut 103=cut
104
105$main->{desc} = "[main::]";
117 106
118# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before... 107# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
119$main->{specific} = $current->{specific} 108$main->{_specific} = $current->{_specific}
120 if $current; 109 if $current;
121 110
122_set_current $main; 111_set_current $main;
123 112
124sub current() { $current } 113sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
125 114
126=item $idle 115=item $Coro::idle
127 116
128A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 117This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
129to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 118usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
130exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 119pretty low-level functionality.
120
121This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
122finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
123"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
124to continue.
131 125
132This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 126This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
133C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 127C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
134coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 128coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
135 129
130Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
131the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
132coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
133readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
134
135See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
136technique.
137
136Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 138Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
137handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 139handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
138 140
139=cut 141=cut
140 142
141$idle = sub { 143$idle = sub {
142 require Carp; 144 require Carp;
149 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed 151 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed
150 $self->_destroy 152 $self->_destroy
151 or return; 153 or return;
152 154
153 # call all destruction callbacks 155 # call all destruction callbacks
154 $_->(@{$self->{status}}) 156 $_->(@{$self->{_status}})
155 for @{(delete $self->{destroy_cb}) || []}; 157 for @{(delete $self->{_on_destroy}) || []};
156} 158}
157 159
158# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 160# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
159# cannot destroy itself. 161# cannot destroy itself.
160my @destroy; 162my @destroy;
166 while @destroy; 168 while @destroy;
167 169
168 &schedule; 170 &schedule;
169 } 171 }
170}; 172};
171 173$manager->desc ("[coro manager]");
172$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 174$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
173 175
174# static methods. not really.
175
176=back 176=back
177 177
178=head2 STATIC METHODS 178=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
179
180Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
181 179
182=over 4 180=over 4
183 181
184=item async { ... } [@args...] 182=item async { ... } [@args...]
185 183
186Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 184Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
187(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 185unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so
186it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
187
188The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
189coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically
188terminated. 190terminated.
189 191
190Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 192The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
191 193
192When the coroutine dies, the program will exit, just as in the main 194See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
193program. 195environment in which coroutines are executed.
194 196
197Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
198the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
199just as it would in the main program.
200
201If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
202simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
203
195 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 204Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
205
196 async { 206 async {
197 print "@_\n"; 207 print "@_\n";
198 } 1,2,3,4; 208 } 1,2,3,4;
199 209
200=cut 210=cut
206} 216}
207 217
208=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 218=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
209 219
210Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 220Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call
211terminate or join (although you are allowed to), and you get a coroutine 221terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
212that might have executed other code already (which can be good or bad :). 222coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
223or bad :).
213 224
225On the plus side, this function is faster than creating (and destroying)
226a completly new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic coroutines in
227quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
228
214Also, the block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 229The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
215issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as C<async> does. 230issued 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>
232will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
233which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
234exceptional case).
216 235
217The priority will be reset to C<0> after each job, otherwise the coroutine 236The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
218will be re-used "as-is". 237disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
238gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
239be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
240stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
241simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
219 242
220The pool size is limited to 8 idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by 243The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be
221changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as 244adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
222required. 245coros as required.
223 246
224If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 247If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
225single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool { 248single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
226terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. 249{ 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
251(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
227 252
228=cut 253=cut
229 254
230our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 255our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
256our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024;
231our @pool; 257our @async_pool;
232 258
233sub pool_handler { 259sub pool_handler {
260 my $cb;
261
234 while () { 262 while () {
235 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $current->{_invoke} };
236
237 eval { 263 eval {
238 $cb->(@arg); 264 while () {
265 _pool_1 $cb;
266 &$cb;
267 _pool_2 $cb;
268 &schedule;
269 }
239 }; 270 };
271
272 if ($@) {
273 last if $@ eq "\3async_pool terminate\2\n";
240 warn $@ if $@; 274 warn $@;
241 275 }
242 last if @pool >= $POOL_SIZE; 276 }
243 push @pool, $current; 277}
244
245 $current->prio (0);
246 schedule;
247 }
248}
249 278
250sub async_pool(&@) { 279sub async_pool(&@) {
251 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler 280 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler
252 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler); 281 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
253 282
254 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_]; 283 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_];
255 $coro->ready; 284 $coro->ready;
256 285
257 $coro 286 $coro
258} 287}
259 288
289=back
290
291=head2 STATIC METHODS
292
293Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine.
294
295=over 4
296
260=item schedule 297=item schedule
261 298
262Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 299Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
300to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
301to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
302in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
303C<$Coro::idle> hook.
304
305Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
263into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 306queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
264never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 307again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
265ready. 308thus waking you up.
309
310This 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
312a 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
314yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
315so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
316status in a variable.
266 317
267The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 318The canonical way to wait on external events is this:
268 319
269 { 320 {
270 # remember current coroutine 321 # remember current coroutine
275 # wake up sleeping coroutine 326 # wake up sleeping coroutine
276 $current->ready; 327 $current->ready;
277 undef $current; 328 undef $current;
278 }; 329 };
279 330
280 # call schedule until event occured. 331 # call schedule until event occurred.
281 # in case we are woken up for other reasons 332 # in case we are woken up for other reasons
282 # (current still defined), loop. 333 # (current still defined), loop.
283 Coro::schedule while $current; 334 Coro::schedule while $current;
284 } 335 }
285 336
286=item cede 337=item cede
287 338
288"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the 339"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
289ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the 340the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
290current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority. 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
345This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
291 346
292=item Coro::cede_notself 347=item Coro::cede_notself
293 348
294Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to any 349Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
295coroutine, regardless of priority, once. 350coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
351progress is made.
296 352
297=item terminate [arg...] 353=item terminate [arg...]
298 354
299Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>). 355Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
356
357=item killall
358
359Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
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
363Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
364you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
365program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
300 366
301=cut 367=cut
302 368
303sub terminate { 369sub terminate {
304 $current->cancel (@_); 370 $current->cancel (@_);
305} 371}
306 372
373sub killall {
374 for (Coro::State::list) {
375 $_->cancel
376 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
377 }
378}
379
307=back 380=back
308 381
309# dynamic methods
310
311=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 382=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
312 383
313These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects. 384These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
385them).
314 386
315=over 4 387=over 4
316 388
317=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 389=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
318 390
319Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine 391Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
320automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 392automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
321called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready queue 393called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
322by calling the ready method. 394queue by calling the ready method.
323 395
324Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 396See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
397coroutine environment.
325 398
326=cut 399=cut
327 400
328sub _run_coro { 401sub _run_coro {
329 terminate &{+shift}; 402 terminate &{+shift};
335 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_) 408 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
336} 409}
337 410
338=item $success = $coroutine->ready 411=item $success = $coroutine->ready
339 412
340Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority) 413Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
341and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing 414queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
342and return false. 415the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
416
417This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
418once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
419priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
343 420
344=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 421=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
345 422
346Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 423Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
347 424
348=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...) 425=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
349 426
350Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as 427Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
351status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the 428status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
353 430
354=cut 431=cut
355 432
356sub cancel { 433sub cancel {
357 my $self = shift; 434 my $self = shift;
358 $self->{status} = [@_]; 435 $self->{_status} = [@_];
359 436
360 if ($current == $self) { 437 if ($current == $self) {
361 push @destroy, $self; 438 push @destroy, $self;
362 $manager->ready; 439 $manager->ready;
363 &schedule while 1; 440 &schedule while 1;
367} 444}
368 445
369=item $coroutine->join 446=item $coroutine->join
370 447
371Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 448Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
372C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times 449C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
373from multiple coroutine. 450from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
451return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
374 452
375=cut 453=cut
376 454
377sub join { 455sub join {
378 my $self = shift; 456 my $self = shift;
379 457
380 unless ($self->{status}) { 458 unless ($self->{_status}) {
381 my $current = $current; 459 my $current = $current;
382 460
383 push @{$self->{destroy_cb}}, sub { 461 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
384 $current->ready; 462 $current->ready;
385 undef $current; 463 undef $current;
386 }; 464 };
387 465
388 &schedule while $current; 466 &schedule while $current;
389 } 467 }
390 468
391 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 469 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
392} 470}
393 471
394=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 472=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
395 473
396Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 474Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
397but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 475but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
398if any. 476if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
399 477
400=cut 478=cut
401 479
402sub on_destroy { 480sub on_destroy {
403 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 481 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
404 482
405 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 483 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
406} 484}
407 485
408=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 486=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
409 487
410Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 488Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
435=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 513=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
436 514
437Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 515Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
438coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 516coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine.
439 517
518This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given string. You
519can modify this member directly if you wish.
520
521=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
522
523If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
524inside the coroutine at the next convinient point in time (usually after
525it gains control at the next schedule/transfer/cede). Otherwise clears the
526exception object.
527
528The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
529C<$@>, 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
440=cut 537=cut
441 538
442sub desc { 539sub desc {
443 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 540 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
444 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 541 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
452=over 4 549=over 4
453 550
454=item Coro::nready 551=item Coro::nready
455 552
456Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 553Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
457i.e. that can be swicthed to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 554i.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
458coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 556currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
459and C<schedule> would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler 557would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
460that wakes up some coroutines. 558coroutines.
461 559
462=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 560=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
463 561
464This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the objetc 562This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
465gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 563gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
466executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a 564executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
467runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the 565runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
468guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method, 566guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
469C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed. 567C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
494 592
495 593
496=item unblock_sub { ... } 594=item unblock_sub { ... }
497 595
498This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 596This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
499returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 597returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
500immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 598will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
501ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 599original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
600coroutine.
502 601
503The reason this fucntion exists is that many event libraries (such as the 602The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
504venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 603venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
505of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 604of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
506otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 605otherwise 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>.
507 607
508This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 608This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
509coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 609coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
510is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 610is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
511disk. 611disk, for example.
512 612
513In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 613In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
514creating event callbacks that want to block. 614creating event callbacks that want to block.
615
616If 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),
618there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
619
620Note 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
622use 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
624must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
515 625
516=cut 626=cut
517 627
518our @unblock_queue; 628our @unblock_queue;
519 629
520# we create a special coro because we want to cede, 630# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
521# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks 631# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
522# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede 632# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
523# inside an event callback. 633# inside an event callback.
524our $unblock_scheduler = async { 634our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
525 while () { 635 while () {
526 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 636 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
527 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool 637 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool
528 my $coro = (pop @pool or new Coro \&pool_handler); 638 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
529 639
530 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb; 640 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
531 $coro->ready; 641 $coro->ready;
532 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 642 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
533 } 643 }
534 schedule; # sleep well 644 schedule; # sleep well
535 } 645 }
536}; 646};
647$unblock_scheduler->desc ("[unblock_sub scheduler]");
537 648
538sub unblock_sub(&) { 649sub unblock_sub(&) {
539 my $cb = shift; 650 my $cb = shift;
540 651
541 sub { 652 sub {
550 661
5511; 6621;
552 663
553=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 664=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
554 665
555 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global
556 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
557
558 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 666This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
559 from the same thread (this requirement might be losened in the future 667module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
560 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 668future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
561 this). 669this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as this
670is much faster and uses less memory.
562 671
563=head1 SEE ALSO 672=head1 SEE ALSO
564 673
674Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
675
676Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
677
565Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 678Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
566 679
567Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 680Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
568 681
569Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 682IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
570 683
571Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 684Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>.
685
686XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
687
688Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
572 689
573=head1 AUTHOR 690=head1 AUTHOR
574 691
575 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 692 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
576 http://home.schmorp.de/ 693 http://home.schmorp.de/

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