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Revision 1.97 by root, Mon Dec 4 13:47:56 2006 UTC vs.
Revision 1.233 by root, Fri Nov 21 06:02:07 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 to 31This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar to
24threads but don't run in parallel. 32threads but don't (in general) run in parallel at the same time even
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.
25 38
39Unlike a normal perl program, however, coroutines allow you to have
40multiple running interpreters that share data, which is especially useful
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).
51
26In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables 52In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
27+ @_ + $_ + $@ + $^W + C stack), that is, a coroutine has it's own 53@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain,
28callchain, it's own set of lexicals and it's own set of perl's most 54its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
29important global variables. 55variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration).
30 56
31=cut 57=cut
32 58
33package Coro; 59package Coro;
34 60
35use strict; 61use strict qw(vars subs);
36no warnings "uninitialized"; 62no warnings "uninitialized";
37 63
38use Coro::State; 64use Coro::State;
39 65
40use base qw(Coro::State Exporter); 66use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
41 67
42our $idle; # idle handler 68our $idle; # idle handler
43our $main; # main coroutine 69our $main; # main coroutine
44our $current; # current coroutine 70our $current; # current coroutine
45 71
46our $VERSION = '3.01'; 72our $VERSION = "5.0";
47 73
48our @EXPORT = qw(async cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 74our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
49our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 75our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
50 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 76 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
51); 77);
52our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 78our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
53 79
54{
55 my @async;
56 my $init;
57
58 # this way of handling attributes simply is NOT scalable ;()
59 sub import {
60 no strict 'refs';
61
62 Coro->export_to_level (1, @_);
63
64 my $old = *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"}{CODE};
65 *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"} = sub {
66 my ($package, $ref) = (shift, shift);
67 my @attrs;
68 for (@_) {
69 if ($_ eq "Coro") {
70 push @async, $ref;
71 unless ($init++) {
72 eval q{
73 sub INIT {
74 &async(pop @async) while @async;
75 }
76 };
77 }
78 } else {
79 push @attrs, $_;
80 }
81 }
82 return $old ? $old->($package, $ref, @attrs) : @attrs;
83 };
84 }
85
86}
87
88=over 4 80=over 4
89 81
90=item $main 82=item $Coro::main
91 83
92This coroutine represents the main program. 84This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
85program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
86coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
87whether you are running in the main program or not.
93 88
94=cut 89=cut
95 90
96$main = new Coro; 91# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
97 92
98=item $current (or as function: current) 93=item $Coro::current
99 94
100The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 95The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
96coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
101is C<$main> (of course). 97C<$Coro::main> (of course).
102 98
103This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 99This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
104reasons. If performance is not essentiel you are encouraged to use the 100value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
105C<Coro::current> function instead. 101not otherwise modify the variable itself.
106 102
107=cut 103=cut
108 104
109# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
110$main->{specific} = $current->{specific}
111 if $current;
112
113_set_current $main;
114
115sub current() { $current } 105sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
116 106
117=item $idle 107=item $Coro::idle
118 108
119A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 109This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
120to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 110usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
121exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 111pretty low-level functionality.
112
113This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
114finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
115"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
116to continue.
122 117
123This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 118This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
124C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 119C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
125coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 120coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
126 121
122Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
123the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
124coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
125readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
126
127See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
128technique.
129
127Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 130Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
128handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 131handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
129 132
130=cut 133=cut
131 134
132$idle = sub { 135$idle = sub {
133 require Carp; 136 require Carp;
134 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected"); 137 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected");
135}; 138};
136 139
137# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 140# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
138# cannot destroy itself. 141# cannot destroy itself.
139my @destroy; 142our @destroy;
143our $manager;
144
140my $manager; $manager = new Coro sub { 145$manager = new Coro sub {
141 while () { 146 while () {
142 # by overwriting the state object with the manager we destroy it 147 Coro::_cancel shift @destroy
143 # while still being able to schedule this coroutine (in case it has
144 # been readied multiple times. this is harmless since the manager
145 # can be called as many times as neccessary and will always
146 # remove itself from the runqueue
147 while (@destroy) { 148 while @destroy;
148 my $coro = pop @destroy;
149 $coro->{status} ||= [];
150 $_->ready for @{delete $coro->{join} || []};
151 149
152 # the next line destroys the coro state, but keeps the
153 # coroutine itself intact (we basically make it a zombie
154 # coroutine that always runs the manager thread, so it's possible
155 # to transfer() to this coroutine).
156 $coro->_clone_state_from ($manager);
157 }
158 &schedule; 150 &schedule;
159 } 151 }
160}; 152};
161 153$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
162# static methods. not really. 154$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
163 155
164=back 156=back
165 157
166=head2 STATIC METHODS 158=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
167
168Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
169 159
170=over 4 160=over 4
171 161
172=item async { ... } [@args...] 162=item async { ... } [@args...]
173 163
174Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 164Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
175(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 165unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so
166it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
167
168The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
169coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically
176terminated. 170terminated.
177 171
178Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 172The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
179 173
180When the coroutine dies, the program will exit, just as in the main 174See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
181program. 175environment in which coroutines are executed.
182 176
177Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
178the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
179just as it would in the main program.
180
181If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
182simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
183
183 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 184Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
185
184 async { 186 async {
185 print "@_\n"; 187 print "@_\n";
186 } 1,2,3,4; 188 } 1,2,3,4;
187 189
188=cut 190=cut
189 191
190sub async(&@) { 192sub async(&@) {
191 my $pid = new Coro @_; 193 my $coro = new Coro @_;
192 $pid->ready; 194 $coro->ready;
193 $pid 195 $coro
194} 196}
197
198=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
199
200Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call
201terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
202coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
203or bad :).
204
205On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
206destroying) a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic
207coroutines in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
208
209The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
210issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
211C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
212will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
213which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
214exceptional case).
215
216The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
217disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
218gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
219be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
220stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
221simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
222
223The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be
224adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
225coros as required.
226
227If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
228single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
229{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
230addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb
231(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
232
233=cut
234
235our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
236our $POOL_RSS = 32 * 1024;
237our @async_pool;
238
239sub pool_handler {
240 while () {
241 eval {
242 &{&_pool_handler} while 1;
243 };
244
245 warn $@ if $@;
246 }
247}
248
249=back
250
251=head2 STATIC METHODS
252
253Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine.
254
255=over 4
195 256
196=item schedule 257=item schedule
197 258
198Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 259Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
260to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
261to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
262in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
263C<$Coro::idle> hook.
264
265Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
199into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 266queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
200never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 267again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
201ready. 268thus waking you up.
202 269
203The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 270This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
271coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
272a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
273>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
274yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
275so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
276status in a variable.
204 277
278See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
279
280=item cede
281
282"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
283the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
284up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
285priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
286resumed.
287
288This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
289
290=item Coro::cede_notself
291
292Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
293coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
294progress is made.
295
296=item terminate [arg...]
297
298Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
299
300=item killall
301
302Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
303one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
304usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
305
306Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
307you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
308program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
309
310=cut
311
312sub killall {
313 for (Coro::State::list) {
314 $_->cancel
315 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
205 { 316 }
206 # remember current coroutine 317}
318
319=back
320
321=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
322
323These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
324them).
325
326=over 4
327
328=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
329
330Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
331automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
332called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
333queue by calling the ready method.
334
335See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
336coroutine environment.
337
338=cut
339
340sub _terminate {
341 terminate &{+shift};
342}
343
344=item $success = $coroutine->ready
345
346Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
347queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
348the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
349
350This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
351once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
352priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
353
354=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
355
356Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
357
358=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
359
360Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
361status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
362current coroutine.
363
364=cut
365
366sub cancel {
367 my $self = shift;
368
369 if ($current == $self) {
370 terminate @_;
371 } else {
372 $self->{_status} = [@_];
373 $self->_cancel;
374 }
375}
376
377=item $coroutine->schedule_to
378
379Puts the current coroutine to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
380of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
381the given coroutine object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
382state of that coroutine isn't changed.
383
384This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
385uses for this one.
386
387=item $coroutine->cede_to
388
389Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coroutine into the ready
390queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
391coroutine, and continuing some time later.
392
393This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
394uses for this one.
395
396=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
397
398If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
399inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
400clears the exception object.
401
402Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
403returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
404>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions
405detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending.
406
407The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
408C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
409(unlike with C<die>).
410
411This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
412end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
413termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
414program.
415
416You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
417C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
418
419=item $coroutine->join
420
421Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
422C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
423from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
424return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
425
426=cut
427
428sub join {
429 my $self = shift;
430
431 unless ($self->{_status}) {
207 my $current = $Coro::current; 432 my $current = $current;
208 433
209 # register a hypothetical event handler 434 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
210 on_event_invoke sub {
211 # wake up sleeping coroutine
212 $current->ready; 435 $current->ready;
213 undef $current; 436 undef $current;
214 }; 437 };
215 438
216 # call schedule until event occured.
217 # in case we are woken up for other reasons
218 # (current still defined), loop.
219 Coro::schedule while $current; 439 &schedule while $current;
220 } 440 }
221 441
222=item cede
223
224"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the
225ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the
226current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority.
227
228=item terminate [arg...]
229
230Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
231
232=cut
233
234sub terminate {
235 $current->cancel (@_);
236}
237
238=back
239
240# dynamic methods
241
242=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
243
244These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects.
245
246=over 4
247
248=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
249
250Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine
251automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
252called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready queue
253by calling the ready method.
254
255Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that.
256
257=cut
258
259sub _run_coro {
260 terminate &{+shift};
261}
262
263sub new {
264 my $class = shift;
265
266 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
267}
268
269=item $success = $coroutine->ready
270
271Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority)
272and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing
273and return false.
274
275=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
276
277Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
278
279=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
280
281Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
282status (default: the empty list).
283
284=cut
285
286sub cancel {
287 my $self = shift;
288 $self->{status} = [@_];
289 push @destroy, $self;
290 $manager->ready;
291 &schedule if $current == $self;
292}
293
294=item $coroutine->join
295
296Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
297C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times
298from multiple coroutine.
299
300=cut
301
302sub join {
303 my $self = shift;
304 unless ($self->{status}) {
305 push @{$self->{join}}, $current;
306 &schedule;
307 }
308 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 442 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
443}
444
445=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
446
447Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
448but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
449if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
450
451=cut
452
453sub on_destroy {
454 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
455
456 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
309} 457}
310 458
311=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 459=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
312 460
313Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 461Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
336higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 484higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
337 485
338=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 486=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
339 487
340Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 488Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
341coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 489coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
490coroutine.
491
492This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given
493string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
342 494
343=cut 495=cut
344 496
345sub desc { 497sub desc {
346 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 498 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
347 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 499 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
348 $old; 500 $old;
349} 501}
350 502
503sub transfer {
504 require Carp;
505 Carp::croak ("You must not call ->transfer on Coro objects. Use Coro::State objects or the ->schedule_to method. Caught");
506}
507
351=back 508=back
352 509
353=head2 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 510=head2 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
354 511
355=over 4 512=over 4
356 513
357=item Coro::nready 514=item Coro::nready
358 515
359Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 516Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
360i.e. that can be swicthed to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 517i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
518indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the
361coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 519currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
362and C<schedule> would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler 520would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
363that wakes up some coroutines. 521coroutines.
522
523=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
524
525This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
526gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
527executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
528runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
529guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
530C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
531
532Example: set some flag and clear it again when the coroutine gets canceled
533or the function returns:
534
535 sub do_something {
536 my $guard = Coro::guard { $busy = 0 };
537 $busy = 1;
538
539 # do something that requires $busy to be true
540 }
541
542=cut
543
544sub guard(&) {
545 bless \(my $cb = $_[0]), "Coro::guard"
546}
547
548sub Coro::guard::cancel {
549 ${$_[0]} = sub { };
550}
551
552sub Coro::guard::DESTROY {
553 ${$_[0]}->();
554}
555
364 556
365=item unblock_sub { ... } 557=item unblock_sub { ... }
366 558
367This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 559This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
368returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 560returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
369immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 561will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
370ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 562original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
563coroutine.
371 564
372The reason this fucntion exists is that many event libraries (such as the 565The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
373venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 566venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
374of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 567of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
375otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 568otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
569currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
376 570
377This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 571This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
378coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 572coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
379is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 573is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
380disk. 574disk, for example.
381 575
382In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 576In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
383creating event callbacks that want to block. 577creating event callbacks that want to block.
384 578
385=cut 579If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
580another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
581there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
386 582
387our @unblock_pool; 583Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
584are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
585use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
586provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
587must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
588
589=cut
590
388our @unblock_queue; 591our @unblock_queue;
389our $UNBLOCK_POOL_SIZE = 2;
390 592
391sub unblock_handler_ { 593# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
392 while () { 594# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
393 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $Coro::current->{arg} }; 595# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
394 $cb->(@arg); 596# inside an event callback.
395
396 last if @unblock_pool >= $UNBLOCK_POOL_SIZE;
397 push @unblock_pool, $Coro::current;
398 schedule;
399 }
400}
401
402our $unblock_scheduler = async { 597our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
403 while () { 598 while () {
404 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 599 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
405 my $handler = (pop @unblock_pool or new Coro \&unblock_handler_); 600 &async_pool (@$cb);
406 $handler->{arg} = $cb; 601
407 $handler->ready; 602 # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
603 # as the chance is very high that the async_poll coro will be back
604 # in the idle state when cede returns
408 cede; 605 cede;
409 } 606 }
410 607 schedule; # sleep well
411 schedule;
412 } 608 }
413}; 609};
610$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
414 611
415sub unblock_sub(&) { 612sub unblock_sub(&) {
416 my $cb = shift; 613 my $cb = shift;
417 614
418 sub { 615 sub {
419 push @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 616 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
420 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 617 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
421 } 618 }
422} 619}
423 620
621=item $cb = Coro::rouse_cb
622
623Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that, when
624called, will save its arguments and notify the owner coroutine of the
625callback.
626
627See the next function.
628
629=item @args = Coro::rouse_wait [$cb]
630
631Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one tht was created in
632this coroutine).
633
634As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the calback was invoked before
635C<rouse_wait>), it will return a copy of the arguments originally passed
636to the rouse callback.
637
638See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
639
424=back 640=back
425 641
426=cut 642=cut
427 643
4281; 6441;
429 645
646=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
647
648It is very common for a coroutine to wait for some callback to be
649called. This occurs naturally when you use coroutines in an otherwise
650event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
651
652These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
653when the event occured. In a coroutine, however, you typically want to
654just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
655
656For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
657a specific child has exited:
658
659 my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
660
661But from withina coroutine, you often just want to write this:
662
663 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
664
665Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
666C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
667
668The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
669when invoked, will save it's arguments and notify the coroutine that
670created the callback.
671
672The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
673(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
674originally passed to the callback.
675
676Using these functions, it becomes easy to write the C<wait_for_child>
677function mentioned above:
678
679 sub wait_for_child($) {
680 my ($pid) = @_;
681
682 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb);
683
684 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait;
685 $rstatus
686 }
687
688In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
689you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
690
691 sub wait_for_child($) {
692 my ($pid) = @_;
693
694 # store the current coroutine in $current,
695 # and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
696 my $current = $Coro::current;
697 my ($done, $rstatus);
698
699 # pass a closure to ->child
700 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
701 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
702 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud
703 });
704
705 # wait until the closure has been called
706 schedule while !$done;
707
708 $rstatus
709 }
710
711
430=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 712=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
431 713
432 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 714=over 4
433 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
434 715
716=item fork with pthread backend
717
718When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
719but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
720coroutines will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
721fix your libc and use a saner backend.
722
723=item perl process emulation ("threads")
724
435 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 725This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
436 from the same thread (this requirement might be losened in the future 726module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
437 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 727future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
438 this). 728this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
729the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
730performance, even when not used.
731
732=item coroutine switching not signal safe
733
734You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler
735(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).
736
737That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
738current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
739anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
740works.
741
742=back
743
439 744
440=head1 SEE ALSO 745=head1 SEE ALSO
441 746
747Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
748
749Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
750
442Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 751Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
443 752
444Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 753Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
445 754
446Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 755IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
447 756
448Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 757Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>.
758
759XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
760
761Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
449 762
450=head1 AUTHOR 763=head1 AUTHOR
451 764
452 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 765 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
453 http://home.schmorp.de/ 766 http://home.schmorp.de/

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