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Revision 1.135 by root, Sat Sep 22 22:39:15 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 used in this module also 33on SMP machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module
26guarantees 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 = '3.7'; 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<$main> (of course).
111 98
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 99This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essential you are encouraged to use the 100value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 101not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 102
116=cut 103=cut
117 104
118$main->{desc} = "[main::]"; 105$main->{desc} = "[main::]";
119 106
120# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before... 107# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
121$main->{specific} = $current->{specific} 108$main->{_specific} = $current->{_specific}
122 if $current; 109 if $current;
123 110
124_set_current $main; 111_set_current $main;
125 112
126sub current() { $current } 113sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
127 114
128=item $idle 115=item $Coro::idle
129 116
130A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 117This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
131to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 118usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
132exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 119pretty low-level functionality.
120
121This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
122finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
123"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
124to continue.
133 125
134This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 126This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
135C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 127C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
136coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 128coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
137 129
130Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
131the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
132coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
133readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
134
135See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
136technique.
137
138Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 138Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
139handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 139handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
140 140
141=cut 141=cut
142 142
143$idle = sub { 143$idle = sub {
144 require Carp; 144 require Carp;
151 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed 151 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed
152 $self->_destroy 152 $self->_destroy
153 or return; 153 or return;
154 154
155 # call all destruction callbacks 155 # call all destruction callbacks
156 $_->(@{$self->{status}}) 156 $_->(@{$self->{_status}})
157 for @{(delete $self->{destroy_cb}) || []}; 157 for @{(delete $self->{_on_destroy}) || []};
158} 158}
159 159
160# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 160# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
161# cannot destroy itself. 161# cannot destroy itself.
162my @destroy; 162my @destroy;
171 } 171 }
172}; 172};
173$manager->desc ("[coro manager]"); 173$manager->desc ("[coro manager]");
174$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 174$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
175 175
176# static methods. not really.
177
178=back 176=back
179 177
180=head2 STATIC METHODS 178=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
181
182Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
183 179
184=over 4 180=over 4
185 181
186=item async { ... } [@args...] 182=item async { ... } [@args...]
187 183
188Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 184Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
189(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
190terminated. 190terminated.
191
192The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
193
194See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
195environment in which coroutines are executed.
191 196
192Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside 197Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
193the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit, 198the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
194just as it would in the main program. 199just as it would in the main program.
195 200
201If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
202simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
203
196 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 204Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
205
197 async { 206 async {
198 print "@_\n"; 207 print "@_\n";
199 } 1,2,3,4; 208 } 1,2,3,4;
200 209
201=cut 210=cut
207} 216}
208 217
209=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 218=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
210 219
211Similar 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
212terminate 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
213that 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 :).
214 224
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
215Also, 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
216issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as 230issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
217C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy> 231C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
218will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel, 232will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
219which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling. 233which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
234exceptional case).
220 235
221The 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
222will 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 $/ >>.
223 242
224The 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
225changing $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
226required. 245coros as required.
227 246
228If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 247If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
229single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool 248single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
230{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In 249{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
231addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb 250addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb
232(adjustable with $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also exit. 251(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
233 252
234=cut 253=cut
235 254
236our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 255our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
237our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024; 256our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024;
241 my $cb; 260 my $cb;
242 261
243 while () { 262 while () {
244 eval { 263 eval {
245 while () { 264 while () {
246# &{&_pool_1 or &terminate}; # crashes, would be ~5% faster
247 $cb = &_pool_1 265 _pool_1 $cb;
248 or &terminate;
249 &$cb; 266 &$cb;
250 undef $cb; 267 _pool_2 $cb;
251 &terminate if &_pool_2;
252 &schedule; 268 &schedule;
253 } 269 }
254 }; 270 };
255 271
272 if ($@) {
273 last if $@ eq "\3async_pool terminate\2\n";
256 warn $@ if $@; 274 warn $@;
275 }
257 } 276 }
258} 277}
259 278
260sub async_pool(&@) { 279sub async_pool(&@) {
261 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler 280 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler
265 $coro->ready; 284 $coro->ready;
266 285
267 $coro 286 $coro
268} 287}
269 288
289=back
290
291=head2 STATIC METHODS
292
293Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine.
294
295=over 4
296
270=item schedule 297=item schedule
271 298
272Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 299Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
300to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
301to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
302in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
303C<$Coro::idle> hook.
304
305Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
273into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 306queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
274never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 307again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
275ready. 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.
276 317
277The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 318The canonical way to wait on external events is this:
278 319
279 { 320 {
280 # remember current coroutine 321 # remember current coroutine
293 Coro::schedule while $current; 334 Coro::schedule while $current;
294 } 335 }
295 336
296=item cede 337=item cede
297 338
298"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the 339"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
299ready 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
300current "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.
301 344
302Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened. 345This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
303 346
304=item Coro::cede_notself 347=item Coro::cede_notself
305 348
306Works 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>
307coroutine, regardless of priority, once. 350coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
308 351progress is made.
309Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
310 352
311=item terminate [arg...] 353=item terminate [arg...]
312 354
313Terminates 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.
314 366
315=cut 367=cut
316 368
317sub terminate { 369sub terminate {
318 $current->cancel (@_); 370 $current->cancel (@_);
319} 371}
320 372
373sub killall {
374 for (Coro::State::list) {
375 $_->cancel
376 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
377 }
378}
379
321=back 380=back
322 381
323# dynamic methods
324
325=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 382=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
326 383
327These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects. 384These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
385them).
328 386
329=over 4 387=over 4
330 388
331=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 389=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
332 390
333Create 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
334automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 392automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
335called. 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
336by calling the ready method. 394queue by calling the ready method.
337 395
338See C<async> for additional discussion. 396See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
397coroutine environment.
339 398
340=cut 399=cut
341 400
342sub _run_coro { 401sub _run_coro {
343 terminate &{+shift}; 402 terminate &{+shift};
349 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_) 408 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
350} 409}
351 410
352=item $success = $coroutine->ready 411=item $success = $coroutine->ready
353 412
354Put 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
355and 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
356and 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.
357 420
358=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 421=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
359 422
360Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 423Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
361 424
362=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...) 425=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
363 426
364Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as 427Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
365status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the 428status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
367 430
368=cut 431=cut
369 432
370sub cancel { 433sub cancel {
371 my $self = shift; 434 my $self = shift;
372 $self->{status} = [@_]; 435 $self->{_status} = [@_];
373 436
374 if ($current == $self) { 437 if ($current == $self) {
375 push @destroy, $self; 438 push @destroy, $self;
376 $manager->ready; 439 $manager->ready;
377 &schedule while 1; 440 &schedule while 1;
381} 444}
382 445
383=item $coroutine->join 446=item $coroutine->join
384 447
385Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 448Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
386C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times 449C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
387from multiple coroutine. 450from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
451return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
388 452
389=cut 453=cut
390 454
391sub join { 455sub join {
392 my $self = shift; 456 my $self = shift;
393 457
394 unless ($self->{status}) { 458 unless ($self->{_status}) {
395 my $current = $current; 459 my $current = $current;
396 460
397 push @{$self->{destroy_cb}}, sub { 461 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
398 $current->ready; 462 $current->ready;
399 undef $current; 463 undef $current;
400 }; 464 };
401 465
402 &schedule while $current; 466 &schedule while $current;
403 } 467 }
404 468
405 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 469 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
406} 470}
407 471
408=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 472=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
409 473
410Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 474Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
411but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 475but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
412if any. 476if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
413 477
414=cut 478=cut
415 479
416sub on_destroy { 480sub on_destroy {
417 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 481 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
418 482
419 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 483 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
420} 484}
421 485
422=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 486=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
423 487
424Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 488Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
449=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 513=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
450 514
451Sets (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
452coroutine. 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.
453 517
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
454=cut 537=cut
455 538
456sub desc { 539sub desc {
457 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 540 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
458 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 541 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
466=over 4 549=over 4
467 550
468=item Coro::nready 551=item Coro::nready
469 552
470Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 553Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
471i.e. that can be switched 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
472coroutine 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>
473and 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
474that wakes up some coroutines. 558coroutines.
475 559
476=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 560=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
477 561
478This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object 562This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
479gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 563gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
508 592
509 593
510=item unblock_sub { ... } 594=item unblock_sub { ... }
511 595
512This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 596This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
513returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 597returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
514immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 598will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
515ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 599original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
600coroutine.
516 601
517The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 602The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
518venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 603venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
519of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 604of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
520otherwise 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>.
521 607
522This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 608This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
523coroutine 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
524is 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
525disk. 611disk, for example.
526 612
527In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 613In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
528creating 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>.
529 625
530=cut 626=cut
531 627
532our @unblock_queue; 628our @unblock_queue;
533 629
565 661
5661; 6621;
567 663
568=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 664=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
569 665
570 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global
571 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
572
573 - 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
574 from the same thread (this requirement might be loosened in the future 667module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
575 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
576 this). 669this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as this
670is much faster and uses less memory.
577 671
578=head1 SEE ALSO 672=head1 SEE ALSO
579 673
674Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
675
676Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
677
580Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 678Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
581 679
582Locking/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>.
583 681
584Event/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>.
585 683
586Embedding: 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>.
587 689
588=head1 AUTHOR 690=head1 AUTHOR
589 691
590 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 692 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
591 http://home.schmorp.de/ 693 http://home.schmorp.de/

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