[ViewVC] Diff of: cvs/Coro/Coro.pm

Comparing Coro/Coro.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.246 by root, Mon Dec 15 00:30:40 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.305 by root, Thu Aug 4 19:37:58 2011 UTC

…		…
11	print "2\n";	11	print "2\n";
12	cede; # yield back to main	12	cede; # yield back to main
13	print "4\n";	13	print "4\n";
14	};	14	};
15	print "1\n";	15	print "1\n";
16	cede; # yield to coroutine	16	cede; # yield to coro
17	print "3\n";	17	print "3\n";
18	cede; # and again	18	cede; # and again
19		19
20	# use locking	20	# use locking
21	use Coro::Semaphore;
22	my $lock = new Coro::Semaphore;	21	my $lock = new Coro::Semaphore;
23	my $locked;	22	my $locked;
24		23
25	$lock->down;	24	$lock->down;
26	$locked = 1;	25	$locked = 1;
…		…
29	=head1 DESCRIPTION	28	=head1 DESCRIPTION
30		29
31	For a tutorial-style introduction, please read the L<Coro::Intro>	30	For a tutorial-style introduction, please read the L<Coro::Intro>
32	manpage. This manpage mainly contains reference information.	31	manpage. This manpage mainly contains reference information.
33		32
34	This module collection manages continuations in general, most often	33	This module collection manages continuations in general, most often in
35	in the form of cooperative threads (also called coroutines in the	34	the form of cooperative threads (also called coros, or simply "coro"
36	documentation). They are similar to kernel threads but don't (in general)	35	in the documentation). They are similar to kernel threads but don't (in
37	run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The specific flavor	36	general) run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The
38	of thread offered by this module also guarantees you that it will not	37	specific flavor of thread offered by this module also guarantees you that
39	switch between threads unless necessary, at easily-identified points in	38	it will not switch between threads unless necessary, at easily-identified
40	your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an issue, making	39	points in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an
41	thread programming much safer and easier than using other thread models.	40	issue, making thread programming much safer and easier than using other
		41	thread models.
42		42
43	Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads	43	Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads
44	but only the windows process emulation ported to unix), Coro provides a	44	but only the windows process emulation (see section of same name for
		45	more details) ported to UNIX, and as such act as processes), Coro
45	full shared address space, which makes communication between threads	46	provides a full shared address space, which makes communication between
46	very easy. And threads are fast, too: disabling the Windows process	47	threads very easy. And coro threads are fast, too: disabling the Windows
47	emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in a two to	48	process emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in
48	four times speed increase for your programs.	49	a two to four times speed increase for your programs. A parallel matrix
		50	multiplication benchmark (very communication-intensive) runs over 300
		51	times faster on a single core than perls pseudo-threads on a quad core
		52	using all four cores.
49		53
50	Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share	54	Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share
51	data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and	55	data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and
52	for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running	56	for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running
53	concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro	57	concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro
54	into an event-based environment.	58	into an event-based environment.
55		59
56	In this module, a thread is defined as "callchain + lexical variables +	60	In this module, a thread is defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
57	@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a thread has its own callchain,	61	some package variables + C stack), that is, a thread has its own callchain,
58	its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global	62	its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
59	variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background info).	63	variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background info).
60		64
61	See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro	65	See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro
62	module family is quite large.	66	module family is quite large.
63		67
		68	=head1 CORO THREAD LIFE CYCLE
		69
		70	During the long and exciting (or not) life of a coro thread, it goes
		71	through a number of states:
		72
		73	=over 4
		74
		75	=item 1. Creation
		76
		77	The first thing in the life of a coro thread is it's creation -
		78	obviously. The typical way to create a thread is to call the C<async
		79	BLOCK> function:
		80
		81	async {
		82	# thread code goes here
		83	};
		84
		85	You can also pass arguments, which are put in C<@_>:
		86
		87	async {
		88	print $_[1]; # prints 2
		89	} 1, 2, 3;
		90
		91	This creates a new coro thread and puts it into the ready queue, meaning
		92	it will run as soon as the CPU is free for it.
		93
		94	C<async> will return a Coro object - you can store this for future
		95	reference or ignore it - a thread that is running, ready to run or waiting
		96	for some event is alive on it's own.
		97
		98	Another way to create a thread is to call the C<new> constructor with a
		99	code-reference:
		100
		101	new Coro sub {
		102	# thread code goes here
		103	}, @optional_arguments;
		104
		105	This is quite similar to calling C<async>, but the important difference is
		106	that the new thread is not put into the ready queue, so the thread will
		107	not run until somebody puts it there. C<async> is, therefore, identical to
		108	this sequence:
		109
		110	my $coro = new Coro sub {
		111	# thread code goes here
		112	};
		113	$coro->ready;
		114	return $coro;
		115
		116	=item 2. Startup
		117
		118	When a new coro thread is created, only a copy of the code reference
		119	and the arguments are stored, no extra memory for stacks and so on is
		120	allocated, keeping the coro thread in a low-memory state.
		121
		122	Only when it actually starts executing will all the resources be finally
		123	allocated.
		124
		125	The optional arguments specified at coro creation are available in C<@_>,
		126	similar to function calls.
		127
		128	=item 3. Running / Blocking
		129
		130	A lot can happen after the coro thread has started running. Quite usually,
		131	it will not run to the end in one go (because you could use a function
		132	instead), but it will give up the CPU regularly because it waits for
		133	external events.
		134
		135	As long as a coro thread runs, its Coro object is available in the global
		136	variable C<$Coro::current>.
		137
		138	The low-level way to give up the CPU is to call the scheduler, which
		139	selects a new coro thread to run:
		140
		141	Coro::schedule;
		142
		143	Since running threads are not in the ready queue, calling the scheduler
		144	without doing anything else will block the coro thread forever - you need
		145	to arrange either for the coro to put woken up (readied) by some other
		146	event or some other thread, or you can put it into the ready queue before
		147	scheduling:
		148
		149	# this is exactly what Coro::cede does
		150	$Coro::current->ready;
		151	Coro::schedule;
		152
		153	All the higher-level synchronisation methods (Coro::Semaphore,
		154	Coro::rouse_*...) are actually implemented via C<< ->ready >> and C<<
		155	Coro::schedule >>.
		156
		157	While the coro thread is running it also might get assigned a C-level
		158	thread, or the C-level thread might be unassigned from it, as the Coro
		159	runtime wishes. A C-level thread needs to be assigned when your perl
		160	thread calls into some C-level function and that function in turn calls
		161	perl and perl then wants to switch coroutines. This happens most often
		162	when you run an event loop and block in the callback, or when perl
		163	itself calls some function such as C<AUTOLOAD> or methods via the C<tie>
		164	mechanism.
		165
		166	=item 4. Termination
		167
		168	Many threads actually terminate after some time. There are a number of
		169	ways to terminate a coro thread, the simplest is returning from the
		170	top-level code reference:
		171
		172	async {
		173	# after returning from here, the coro thread is terminated
		174	};
		175
		176	async {
		177	return if 0.5 < rand; # terminate a little earlier, maybe
		178	print "got a chance to print this\n";
		179	# or here
		180	};
		181
		182	Any values returned from the coroutine can be recovered using C<< ->join
		183	>>:
		184
		185	my $coro = async {
		186	"hello, world\n" # return a string
		187	};
		188
		189	my $hello_world = $coro->join;
		190
		191	print $hello_world;
		192
		193	Another way to terminate is to call C<< Coro::terminate >>, which at any
		194	subroutine call nesting level:
		195
		196	async {
		197	Coro::terminate "return value 1", "return value 2";
		198	};
		199
		200	And yet another way is to C<< ->cancel >> (or C<< ->safe_cancel >>) the
		201	coro thread from another thread:
		202
		203	my $coro = async {
		204	exit 1;
		205	};
		206
		207	$coro->cancel; # also accepts values for ->join to retrieve
		208
		209	Cancellation I<can> be dangerous - it's a bit like calling C<exit> without
		210	actually exiting, and might leave C libraries and XS modules in a weird
		211	state. Unlike other thread implementations, however, Coro is exceptionally
		212	safe with regards to cancellation, as perl will always be in a consistent
		213	state, and for those cases where you want to do truly marvellous things
		214	with your coro while it is being cancelled - that is, make sure all
		215	cleanup code is executed from the thread being cancelled - there is even a
		216	C<< ->safe_cancel >> method.
		217
		218	So, cancelling a thread that runs in an XS event loop might not be the
		219	best idea, but any other combination that deals with perl only (cancelling
		220	when a thread is in a C<tie> method or an C<AUTOLOAD> for example) is
		221	safe.
		222
		223	Lastly, a coro thread object that isn't referenced is C<< ->cancel >>'ed
		224	automatically - just like other objects in Perl. This is not such a common
		225	case, however - a running thread is referencedy b C<$Coro::current>, a
		226	thread ready to run is referenced by the ready queue, a thread waiting
		227	on a lock or semaphore is referenced by being in some wait list and so
		228	on. But a thread that isn't in any of those queues gets cancelled:
		229
		230	async {
		231	schedule; # cede to other coros, don't go into the ready queue
		232	};
		233
		234	cede;
		235	# now the async above is destroyed, as it is not referenced by anything.
		236
		237	=item 5. Cleanup
		238
		239	Threads will allocate various resources. Most but not all will be returned
		240	when a thread terminates, during clean-up.
		241
		242	Cleanup is quite similar to throwing an uncaught exception: perl will
		243	work it's way up through all subroutine calls and blocks. On it's way, it
		244	will release all C<my> variables, undo all C<local>'s and free any other
		245	resources truly local to the thread.
		246
		247	So, a common way to free resources is to keep them referenced only by my
		248	variables:
		249
		250	async {
		251	my $big_cache = new Cache ...;
		252	};
		253
		254	If there are no other references, then the C<$big_cache> object will be
		255	freed when the thread terminates, regardless of how it does so.
		256
		257	What it does C<NOT> do is unlock any Coro::Semaphores or similar
		258	resources, but that's where the C<guard> methods come in handy:
		259
		260	my $sem = new Coro::Semaphore;
		261
		262	async {
		263	my $lock_guard = $sem->guard;
		264	# if we reutrn, or die or get cancelled, here,
		265	# then the semaphore will be "up"ed.
		266	};
		267
		268	The C<Guard::guard> function comes in handy for any custom cleanup you
		269	might want to do (but you cannot switch to other coroutines form those
		270	code blocks):
		271
		272	async {
		273	my $window = new Gtk2::Window "toplevel";
		274	# The window will not be cleaned up automatically, even when $window
		275	# gets freed, so use a guard to ensure it's destruction
		276	# in case of an error:
		277	my $window_guard = Guard::guard { $window->destroy };
		278
		279	# we are safe here
		280	};
		281
		282	Last not least, C<local> can often be handy, too, e.g. when temporarily
		283	replacing the coro thread description:
		284
		285	sub myfunction {
		286	local $Coro::current->{desc} = "inside myfunction(@_)";
		287
		288	# if we return or die here, the description will be restored
		289	}
		290
		291	=item 6. Viva La Zombie Muerte
		292
		293	Even after a thread has terminated and cleaned up its resources, the Coro
		294	object still is there and stores the return values of the thread.
		295
		296	The means the Coro object gets freed automatically when the thread has
		297	terminated and cleaned up and there arenot other references.
		298
		299	If there are, the Coro object will stay around, and you can call C<<
		300	->join >> as many times as you wish to retrieve the result values:
		301
		302	async {
		303	print "hi\n";
		304	1
		305	};
		306
		307	# run the async above, and free everything before returning
		308	# from Coro::cede:
		309	Coro::cede;
		310
		311	{
		312	my $coro = async {
		313	print "hi\n";
		314	1
		315	};
		316
		317	# run the async above, and clean up, but do not free the coro
		318	# object:
		319	Coro::cede;
		320
		321	# optionally retrieve the result values
		322	my @results = $coro->join;
		323
		324	# now $coro goes out of scope, and presumably gets freed
		325	};
		326
		327	=back
		328
64	=cut	329	=cut
65		330
66	package Coro;	331	package Coro;
67		332
68	use strict qw(vars subs);	333	use common::sense;
69	no warnings "uninitialized";	334
		335	use Carp ();
70		336
71	use Guard ();	337	use Guard ();
72		338
73	use Coro::State;	339	use Coro::State;
74		340
75	use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);	341	use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
76		342
77	our $idle; # idle handler	343	our $idle; # idle handler
78	our $main; # main coroutine	344	our $main; # main coro
79	our $current; # current coroutine	345	our $current; # current coro
80		346
81	our $VERSION = 5.13;	347	our $VERSION = 6.05;
82		348
83	our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);	349	our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub rouse_cb rouse_wait);
84	our %EXPORT_TAGS = (	350	our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
85	prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],	351	prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
86	);	352	);
87	our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));	353	our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
88		354
…		…
90		356
91	=over 4	357	=over 4
92		358
93	=item $Coro::main	359	=item $Coro::main
94		360
95	This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main	361	This variable stores the Coro object that represents the main
96	program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to	362	program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
97	coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see	363	coro, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
98	whether you are running in the main program or not.	364	whether you are running in the main program or not.
99		365
100	=cut	366	=cut
101		367
102	# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State	368	# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
103		369
104	=item $Coro::current	370	=item $Coro::current
105		371
106	The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last	372	The Coro object representing the current coro (the last
107	coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is	373	coro that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
108	C<$Coro::main> (of course).	374	C<$Coro::main> (of course).
109		375
110	This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the	376	This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
111	value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must	377	value stored in it and use it as any other Coro object, but you must
112	not otherwise modify the variable itself.	378	not otherwise modify the variable itself.
113		379
114	=cut	380	=cut
115		381
116	sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]	382	sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
…		…
119		385
120	This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is	386	This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
121	usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or L<Coro::EV>, as this is	387	usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or L<Coro::EV>, as this is
122	pretty low-level functionality.	388	pretty low-level functionality.
123		389
124	This variable stores either a coroutine or a callback.	390	This variable stores a Coro object that is put into the ready queue when
		391	there are no other ready threads (without invoking any ready hooks).
125		392
126	If it is a callback, the it is called whenever the scheduler finds no	393	The default implementation dies with "FATAL: deadlock detected.", followed
127	ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL:	394	by a thread listing, because the program has no other way to continue.
128	deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way to
129	continue.
130
131	If it is a coroutine object, then this object will be readied (without
132	invoking any ready hooks, however) when the scheduler finds no other ready
133	coroutines to run.
134		395
135	This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::EV> and	396	This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::EV> and
136	C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a	397	C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wakes up a
137	coroutine so the scheduler can run it.	398	coro so the scheduler can run it.
138		399
139	Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
140	the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
141	coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
142	readying that coroutine in the idle handler, or by simply placing the idle
143	coroutine in this variable.
144
145	See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this	400	See L<Coro::EV> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this technique.
146	technique.
147
148	Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
149	handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
150		401
151	=cut	402	=cut
152		403
153	$idle = sub {	404	# \|\|= because other modules could have provided their own by now
154	require Carp;	405	$idle \|\|= new Coro sub {
155	Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected");	406	require Coro::Debug;
		407	die "FATAL: deadlock detected.\n"
		408	. Coro::Debug::ps_listing ();
156	};	409	};
157		410
158	# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine	411	# this coro is necessary because a coro
159	# cannot destroy itself.	412	# cannot destroy itself.
160	our @destroy;	413	our @destroy;
161	our $manager;	414	our $manager;
162		415
163	$manager = new Coro sub {	416	$manager = new Coro sub {
164	while () {	417	while () {
165	Coro::_cancel shift @destroy	418	_destroy shift @destroy
166	while @destroy;	419	while @destroy;
167		420
168	&schedule;	421	&schedule;
169	}	422	}
170	};	423	};
171	$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";	424	$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
172	$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);	425	$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
173		426
174	=back	427	=back
175		428
176	=head1 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION	429	=head1 SIMPLE CORO CREATION
177		430
178	=over 4	431	=over 4
179		432
180	=item async { ... } [@args...]	433	=item async { ... } [@args...]
181		434
182	Create a new coroutine and return its coroutine object (usually	435	Create a new coro and return its Coro object (usually
183	unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so	436	unused). The coro will be put into the ready queue, so
184	it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.	437	it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
185		438
186	The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the	439	The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
187	coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically	440	coro. When it returns argument returns the coro is automatically
188	terminated.	441	terminated.
189		442
190	The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.	443	The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
191		444
192	See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine	445	See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coro
193	environment in which coroutines are executed.	446	environment in which coro are executed.
194		447
195	Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside	448	Calling C<exit> in a coro will do the same as calling exit outside
196	the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,	449	the coro. Likewise, when the coro dies, the program will exit,
197	just as it would in the main program.	450	just as it would in the main program.
198		451
199	If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or	452	If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
200	simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).	453	simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
201		454
202	Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.	455	Example: Create a new coro that just prints its arguments.
203		456
204	async {	457	async {
205	print "@_\n";	458	print "@_\n";
206	} 1,2,3,4;	459	} 1,2,3,4;
207		460
208	=cut
209
210	sub async(&@) {
211	my $coro = new Coro @_;
212	$coro->ready;
213	$coro
214	}
215
216	=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]	461	=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
217		462
218	Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call	463	Similar to C<async>, but uses a coro pool, so you should not call
219	terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a	464	terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
220	coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good	465	coro that might have executed other code already (which can be good
221	or bad :).	466	or bad :).
222		467
223	On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and	468	On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
224	destroying) a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic	469	destroying) a completely new coro, so if you need a lot of generic
225	coroutines in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.	470	coros in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
226		471
227	The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be	472	The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
228	issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as	473	issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
229	C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>	474	C<async> does. As the coro is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
230	will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,	475	will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
231	which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the	476	which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
232	exceptional case).	477	exceptional case).
233		478
234	The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be	479	The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
235	disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle	480	disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
236	gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will	481	gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coro will
237	be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global	482	be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coro global
238	stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most	483	stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
239	simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.	484	simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
240		485
241	The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be	486	The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coros (this can be
242	adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle	487	adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
243	coros as required.	488	coros as required.
244		489
245	If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a	490	If you are concerned about pooled coros growing a lot because a
246	single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool	491	single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
247	{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In	492	{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
248	addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb	493	addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb
249	(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.	494	(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
250		495
…		…
267	=back	512	=back
268		513
269	=head1 STATIC METHODS	514	=head1 STATIC METHODS
270		515
271	Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the	516	Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the
272	current coroutine.	517	current coro.
273		518
274	=over 4	519	=over 4
275		520
276	=item schedule	521	=item schedule
277		522
278	Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is	523	Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coro that is
279	to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine	524	to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coro
280	to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest	525	to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
281	in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the	526	in its ready queue. If there is no coro ready, it will call the
282	C<$Coro::idle> hook.	527	C<$Coro::idle> hook.
283		528
284	Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready	529	Please note that the current coro will I<not> be put into the ready
285	queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called	530	queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
286	again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,	531	again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
287	thus waking you up.	532	thus waking you up.
288		533
289	This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current	534	This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
290	coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in	535	coro and wait for events: first you remember the current coro in
291	a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready	536	a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
292	>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put	537	>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
293	yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,	538	yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coro up,
294	so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the	539	so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
295	status in a variable.	540	status in a variable.
296		541
297	See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.	542	See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
298		543
299	=item cede	544	=item cede
300		545
301	"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into	546	"Cede" to other coros. This function puts the current coro into
302	the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving	547	the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
303	up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher	548	up the current "timeslice" to other coros of the same or higher
304	priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be	549	priority. Once your coro gets its turn again it will automatically be
305	resumed.	550	resumed.
306		551
307	This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.	552	This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
308		553
309	=item Coro::cede_notself	554	=item Coro::cede_notself
310		555
311	Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>	556	Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
312	coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure	557	coro, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
313	progress is made.	558	progress is made.
314		559
315	=item terminate [arg...]	560	=item terminate [arg...]
316		561
317	Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).	562	Terminates the current coro with the given status values (see
		563	L<cancel>). The values will not be copied, but referenced directly.
		564
		565	=item Coro::on_enter BLOCK, Coro::on_leave BLOCK
		566
		567	These function install enter and leave winders in the current scope. The
		568	enter block will be executed when on_enter is called and whenever the
		569	current coro is re-entered by the scheduler, while the leave block is
		570	executed whenever the current coro is blocked by the scheduler, and
		571	also when the containing scope is exited (by whatever means, be it exit,
		572	die, last etc.).
		573
		574	I<Neither invoking the scheduler, nor exceptions, are allowed within those
		575	BLOCKs>. That means: do not even think about calling C<die> without an
		576	eval, and do not even think of entering the scheduler in any way.
		577
		578	Since both BLOCKs are tied to the current scope, they will automatically
		579	be removed when the current scope exits.
		580
		581	These functions implement the same concept as C<dynamic-wind> in scheme
		582	does, and are useful when you want to localise some resource to a specific
		583	coro.
		584
		585	They slow down thread switching considerably for coros that use them
		586	(about 40% for a BLOCK with a single assignment, so thread switching is
		587	still reasonably fast if the handlers are fast).
		588
		589	These functions are best understood by an example: The following function
		590	will change the current timezone to "Antarctica/South_Pole", which
		591	requires a call to C<tzset>, but by using C<on_enter> and C<on_leave>,
		592	which remember/change the current timezone and restore the previous
		593	value, respectively, the timezone is only changed for the coro that
		594	installed those handlers.
		595
		596	use POSIX qw(tzset);
		597
		598	async {
		599	my $old_tz; # store outside TZ value here
		600
		601	Coro::on_enter {
		602	$old_tz = $ENV{TZ}; # remember the old value
		603
		604	$ENV{TZ} = "Antarctica/South_Pole";
		605	tzset; # enable new value
		606	};
		607
		608	Coro::on_leave {
		609	$ENV{TZ} = $old_tz;
		610	tzset; # restore old value
		611	};
		612
		613	# at this place, the timezone is Antarctica/South_Pole,
		614	# without disturbing the TZ of any other coro.
		615	};
		616
		617	This can be used to localise about any resource (locale, uid, current
		618	working directory etc.) to a block, despite the existance of other
		619	coros.
		620
		621	Another interesting example implements time-sliced multitasking using
		622	interval timers (this could obviously be optimised, but does the job):
		623
		624	# "timeslice" the given block
		625	sub timeslice(&) {
		626	use Time::HiRes ();
		627
		628	Coro::on_enter {
		629	# on entering the thread, we set an VTALRM handler to cede
		630	$SIG{VTALRM} = sub { cede };
		631	# and then start the interval timer
		632	Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0.01, 0.01;
		633	};
		634	Coro::on_leave {
		635	# on leaving the thread, we stop the interval timer again
		636	Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0, 0;
		637	};
		638
		639	&{+shift};
		640	}
		641
		642	# use like this:
		643	timeslice {
		644	# The following is an endless loop that would normally
		645	# monopolise the process. Since it runs in a timesliced
		646	# environment, it will regularly cede to other threads.
		647	while () { }
		648	};
		649
318		650
319	=item killall	651	=item killall
320		652
321	Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running	653	Kills/terminates/cancels all coros except the currently running one.
322	one. This can be useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent,
323	as usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
324		654
325	Note that in the implementation, destructors run as normal, making this
326	function not so useful after a fork. Future versions of this function
327	might try to free resources without running any code.
328
329	Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,	655	Note that while this will try to free some of the main interpreter
		656	resources if the calling coro isn't the main coro, but one
330	you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main	657	cannot free all of them, so if a coro that is not the main coro
331	program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.	658	calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
332		659
333	=cut	660	=cut
334		661
335	sub killall {	662	sub killall {
336	for (Coro::State::list) {	663	for (Coro::State::list) {
…		…
339	}	666	}
340	}	667	}
341		668
342	=back	669	=back
343		670
344	=head1 COROUTINE OBJECT METHODS	671	=head1 CORO OBJECT METHODS
345		672
346	These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create	673	These are the methods you can call on coro objects (or to create
347	them).	674	them).
348		675
349	=over 4	676	=over 4
350		677
351	=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]	678	=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
352		679
353	Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine	680	Create a new coro and return it. When the sub returns, the coro
354	automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were	681	automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
355	called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready	682	called. To make the coro run you must first put it into the ready
356	queue by calling the ready method.	683	queue by calling the ready method.
357		684
358	See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the	685	See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
359	coroutine environment.	686	coro environment.
360		687
361	=cut	688	=cut
362		689
363	sub _coro_run {	690	sub _coro_run {
364	terminate &{+shift};	691	terminate &{+shift};
365	}	692	}
366		693
367	=item $success = $coroutine->ready	694	=item $success = $coro->ready
368		695
369	Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one	696	Put the given coro into the end of its ready queue (there is one
370	queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in	697	queue for each priority) and return true. If the coro is already in
371	the ready queue, do nothing and return false.	698	the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
372		699
373	This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically	700	This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coro automatically
374	once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same	701	once all the coro of higher priority and all coro of the same
375	priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.	702	priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
376		703
		704	=item $coro->suspend
		705
		706	Suspends the specified coro. A suspended coro works just like any other
		707	coro, except that the scheduler will not select a suspended coro for
		708	execution.
		709
		710	Suspending a coro can be useful when you want to keep the coro from
		711	running, but you don't want to destroy it, or when you want to temporarily
		712	freeze a coro (e.g. for debugging) to resume it later.
		713
		714	A scenario for the former would be to suspend all (other) coros after a
		715	fork and keep them alive, so their destructors aren't called, but new
		716	coros can be created.
		717
		718	=item $coro->resume
		719
		720	If the specified coro was suspended, it will be resumed. Note that when
		721	the coro was in the ready queue when it was suspended, it might have been
		722	unreadied by the scheduler, so an activation might have been lost.
		723
		724	To avoid this, it is best to put a suspended coro into the ready queue
		725	unconditionally, as every synchronisation mechanism must protect itself
		726	against spurious wakeups, and the one in the Coro family certainly do
		727	that.
		728
		729	=item $state->is_new
		730
		731	Returns true iff this Coro object is "new", i.e. has never been run
		732	yet. Those states basically consist of only the code reference to call and
		733	the arguments, but consumes very little other resources. New states will
		734	automatically get assigned a perl interpreter when they are transfered to.
		735
		736	=item $state->is_zombie
		737
		738	Returns true iff the Coro object has been cancelled, i.e.
		739	it's resources freed because they were C<cancel>'ed, C<terminate>'d,
		740	C<safe_cancel>'ed or simply went out of scope.
		741
		742	The name "zombie" stems from UNIX culture, where a process that has
		743	exited and only stores and exit status and no other resources is called a
		744	"zombie".
		745
377	=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready	746	=item $is_ready = $coro->is_ready
378		747
379	Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,	748	Returns true iff the Coro object is in the ready queue. Unless the Coro
		749	object gets destroyed, it will eventually be scheduled by the scheduler.
380		750
		751	=item $is_running = $coro->is_running
		752
		753	Returns true iff the Coro object is currently running. Only one Coro object
		754	can ever be in the running state (but it currently is possible to have
		755	multiple running Coro::States).
		756
		757	=item $is_suspended = $coro->is_suspended
		758
		759	Returns true iff this Coro object has been suspended. Suspended Coros will
		760	not ever be scheduled.
		761
381	=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)	762	=item $coro->cancel (arg...)
382		763
383	Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as	764	Terminates the given Coro thread and makes it return the given arguments as
384	status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the	765	status (default: an empty list). Never returns if the Coro is the
385	current coroutine.	766	current Coro.
386		767
387	=cut	768	This is a rather brutal way to free a coro, with some limitations - if
		769	the thread is inside a C callback that doesn't expect to be canceled,
		770	bad things can happen, or if the cancelled thread insists on running
		771	complicated cleanup handlers that rely on its thread context, things will
		772	not work.
388		773
389	sub cancel {	774	Any cleanup code being run (e.g. from C<guard> blocks) will be run without
390	my $self = shift;	775	a thread context, and is not allowed to switch to other threads. On the
		776	plus side, C<< ->cancel >> will always clean up the thread, no matter
		777	what. If your cleanup code is complex or you want to avoid cancelling a
		778	C-thread that doesn't know how to clean up itself, it can be better to C<<
		779	->throw >> an exception, or use C<< ->safe_cancel >>.
391		780
392	if ($current == $self) {	781	The arguments to C<< ->cancel >> are not copied, but instead will
393	terminate @_;	782	be referenced directly (e.g. if you pass C<$var> and after the call
394	} else {	783	change that variable, then you might change the return values passed to
395	$self->{_status} = [@_];	784	e.g. C<join>, so don't do that).
396	$self->_cancel;	785
		786	The resources of the Coro are usually freed (or destructed) before this
		787	call returns, but this can be delayed for an indefinite amount of time, as
		788	in some cases the manager thread has to run first to actually destruct the
		789	Coro object.
		790
		791	=item $coro->safe_cancel ($arg...)
		792
		793	Works mostly like C<< ->cancel >>, but is inherently "safer", and
		794	consequently, can fail with an exception in cases the thread is not in a
		795	cancellable state.
		796
		797	This method works a bit like throwing an exception that cannot be caught
		798	- specifically, it will clean up the thread from within itself, so
		799	all cleanup handlers (e.g. C<guard> blocks) are run with full thread
		800	context and can block if they wish. The downside is that there is no
		801	guarantee that the thread can be cancelled when you call this method, and
		802	therefore, it might fail. It is also considerably slower than C<cancel> or
		803	C<terminate>.
		804
		805	A thread is in a safe-cancellable state if it either hasn't been run yet,
		806	or it has no C context attached and is inside an SLF function.
		807
		808	The latter two basically mean that the thread isn't currently inside a
		809	perl callback called from some C function (usually via some XS modules)
		810	and isn't currently executing inside some C function itself (via Coro's XS
		811	API).
		812
		813	This call returns true when it could cancel the thread, or croaks with an
		814	error otherwise (i.e. it either returns true or doesn't return at all).
		815
		816	Why the weird interface? Well, there are two common models on how and
		817	when to cancel things. In the first, you have the expectation that your
		818	coro thread can be cancelled when you want to cancel it - if the thread
		819	isn't cancellable, this would be a bug somewhere, so C<< ->safe_cancel >>
		820	croaks to notify of the bug.
		821
		822	In the second model you sometimes want to ask nicely to cancel a thread,
		823	but if it's not a good time, well, then don't cancel. This can be done
		824	relatively easy like this:
		825
		826	if (! eval { $coro->safe_cancel }) {
		827	warn "unable to cancel thread: $@";
397	}	828	}
398	}
399		829
		830	However, what you never should do is first try to cancel "safely" and
		831	if that fails, cancel the "hard" way with C<< ->cancel >>. That makes
		832	no sense: either you rely on being able to execute cleanup code in your
		833	thread context, or you don't. If you do, then C<< ->safe_cancel >> is the
		834	only way, and if you don't, then C<< ->cancel >> is always faster and more
		835	direct.
		836
400	=item $coroutine->schedule_to	837	=item $coro->schedule_to
401		838
402	Puts the current coroutine to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead	839	Puts the current coro to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
403	of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to	840	of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
404	the given coroutine object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness	841	the given coro object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
405	state of that coroutine isn't changed.	842	state of that coro isn't changed.
406		843
407	This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any	844	This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
408	uses for this one.	845	uses for this one.
409		846
410	=item $coroutine->cede_to	847	=item $coro->cede_to
411		848
412	Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coroutine into the ready	849	Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coro into the ready
413	queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given	850	queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
414	coroutine, and continuing some time later.	851	coro, and continuing some time later.
415		852
416	This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any	853	This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
417	uses for this one.	854	uses for this one.
418		855
419	=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])	856	=item $coro->throw ([$scalar])
420		857
421	If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception	858	If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
422	inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise	859	inside the coro at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
423	clears the exception object.	860	clears the exception object.
424		861
425	Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function	862	Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
426	returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down	863	returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
427	>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions	864	>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of those functions (all
428	detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending.	865	that are part of Coro itself) detect this case and return early in case an
		866	exception is pending.
429		867
430	The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in	868	The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
431	C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended	869	C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
432	(unlike with C<die>).	870	(unlike with C<die>).
433		871
434	This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to	872	This can be used as a softer means than either C<cancel> or C<safe_cancel
435	end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to	873	>to ask a coro to end itself, although there is no guarantee that the
436	termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole	874	exception will lead to termination, and if the exception isn't caught it
437	program.	875	might well end the whole program.
438		876
439	You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of	877	You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
440	C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar).	878	C<kill>ing a coro with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
441		879
442	=item $coroutine->join	880	=item $coro->join
443		881
444	Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the	882	Wait until the coro terminates and return any values given to the
445	C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently	883	C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
446	from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status	884	from multiple threads, and all will be resumed and given the status
447	return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.	885	return once the C<$coro> terminates.
448		886
449	=cut
450
451	sub join {
452	my $self = shift;
453
454	unless ($self->{_status}) {
455	my $current = $current;
456
457	push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
458	$current->ready;
459	undef $current;
460	};
461
462	&schedule while $current;
463	}
464
465	wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
466	}
467
468	=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)	887	=item $coro->on_destroy (\&cb)
469		888
470	Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,	889	Registers a callback that is called when this coro thread gets destroyed,
471	but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,	890	that is, after it's resources have been freed but before it is joined. The
		891	callback gets passed the terminate/cancel arguments, if any, and I<must
472	if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.	892	not> die, under any circumstances.
473		893
474	=cut	894	There can be any number of C<on_destroy> callbacks per coro, and there is
		895	no way currently to remove a callback once added.
475		896
476	sub on_destroy {
477	my ($self, $cb) = @_;
478
479	push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
480	}
481
482	=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)	897	=item $oldprio = $coro->prio ($newprio)
483		898
484	Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the	899	Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
485	coroutine. Higher priority coroutines get run before lower priority	900	coro thread. Higher priority coro get run before lower priority
486	coroutines. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3),	901	coros. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3),
487	that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio	902	that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio
488	to get then):	903	to get then):
489		904
490	PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN	905	PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN
491	3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4	906	3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4
492		907
493	# set priority to HIGH	908	# set priority to HIGH
494	current->prio(PRIO_HIGH);	909	current->prio (PRIO_HIGH);
495		910
496	The idle coroutine ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any	911	The idle coro thread ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any
497	existing coroutine.	912	existing coro.
498		913
499	Changing the priority of the current coroutine will take effect immediately,	914	Changing the priority of the current coro will take effect immediately,
500	but changing the priority of coroutines in the ready queue (but not	915	but changing the priority of a coro in the ready queue (but not running)
501	running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that	916	will only take effect after the next schedule (of that coro). This is a
502	coroutine). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version.	917	bug that will be fixed in some future version.
503		918
504	=item $newprio = $coroutine->nice ($change)	919	=item $newprio = $coro->nice ($change)
505		920
506	Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e.	921	Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e.
507	higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).	922	higher values mean lower priority, just as in UNIX's nice command).
508		923
509	=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)	924	=item $olddesc = $coro->desc ($newdesc)
510		925
511	Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this	926	Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
512	coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a	927	coro thread. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
513	coroutine.	928	coro.
514		929
515	This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given	930	This method simply sets the C<< $coro->{desc} >> member to the given
516	string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.	931	string. You can modify this member directly if you wish, and in fact, this
		932	is often preferred to indicate major processing states that cna then be
		933	seen for example in a L<Coro::Debug> session:
		934
		935	sub my_long_function {
		936	local $Coro::current->{desc} = "now in my_long_function";
		937	...
		938	$Coro::current->{desc} = "my_long_function: phase 1";
		939	...
		940	$Coro::current->{desc} = "my_long_function: phase 2";
		941	...
		942	}
517		943
518	=cut	944	=cut
519		945
520	sub desc {	946	sub desc {
521	my $old = $_[0]{desc};	947	my $old = $_[0]{desc};
…		…
534		960
535	=over 4	961	=over 4
536		962
537	=item Coro::nready	963	=item Coro::nready
538		964
539	Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,	965	Returns the number of coro that are currently in the ready state,
540	i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or	966	i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
541	indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the	967	indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coro is the
542	currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>	968	currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
543	would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some	969	would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
544	coroutines.	970	coro.
545		971
546	=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }	972	=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
547		973
548	This function still exists, but is deprecated. Please use the	974	This function still exists, but is deprecated. Please use the
549	C<Guard::guard> function instead.	975	C<Guard::guard> function instead.
…		…
556		982
557	This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,	983	This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
558	returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef	984	returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
559	will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the	985	will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
560	original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another	986	original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
561	coroutine.	987	coro.
562		988
563	The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the	989	The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as
564	venerable L<Event\|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form	990	the venerable L<Event\|Event> module) are not thread-safe (a weaker form
565	of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks,	991	of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
566	otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library	992	otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
567	currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.	993	currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV> (but
		994	you might still run into deadlocks if all event loops are blocked).
		995
		996	Coro will try to catch you when you block in the event loop
		997	("FATAL:$Coro::IDLE blocked itself"), but this is just best effort and
		998	only works when you do not run your own event loop.
568		999
569	This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another	1000	This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
570	coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy	1001	coro where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
571	is when you use the L<Coro::AIO\|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to	1002	is when you use the L<Coro::AIO\|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
572	disk, for example.	1003	disk, for example.
573		1004
574	In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when	1005	In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
575	creating event callbacks that want to block.	1006	creating event callbacks that want to block.
576		1007
577	If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to	1008	If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
578	another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),	1009	another coro, or puts some other coro into the ready queue), there is
579	there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.	1010	no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
580		1011
581	Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that	1012	Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
582	are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you	1013	are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
583	use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it	1014	use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
584	provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you	1015	provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
…		…
614	unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];	1045	unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
615	$unblock_scheduler->ready;	1046	$unblock_scheduler->ready;
616	}	1047	}
617	}	1048	}
618		1049
619	=item $cb = Coro::rouse_cb	1050	=item $cb = rouse_cb
620		1051
621	Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that,	1052	Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that,
622	when called, will remember a copy of its arguments and notify the owner	1053	when called, will remember a copy of its arguments and notify the owner
623	coroutine of the callback.	1054	coro of the callback.
624		1055
625	See the next function.	1056	See the next function.
626		1057
627	=item @args = Coro::rouse_wait [$cb]	1058	=item @args = rouse_wait [$cb]
628		1059
629	Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one that was created in	1060	Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one that was created in
630	this coroutine).	1061	this coro).
631		1062
632	As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the callback was invoked	1063	As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the callback was invoked
633	before C<rouse_wait>), it will return the arguments originally passed to	1064	before C<rouse_wait>), it will return the arguments originally passed to
634	the rouse callback.	1065	the rouse callback. In scalar context, that means you get the I<last>
		1066	argument, just as if C<rouse_wait> had a C<return ($a1, $a2, $a3...)>
		1067	statement at the end.
635		1068
636	See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.	1069	See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
637		1070
638	=back	1071	=back
639		1072
640	=cut	1073	=cut
641		1074
		1075	for my $module (qw(Channel RWLock Semaphore SemaphoreSet Signal Specific)) {
		1076	my $old = defined &{"Coro::$module\::new"} && \&{"Coro::$module\::new"};
		1077
		1078	*{"Coro::$module\::new"} = sub {
		1079	require "Coro/$module.pm";
		1080
		1081	# some modules have their new predefined in State.xs, some don't
		1082	*{"Coro::$module\::new"} = $old
		1083	if $old;
		1084
		1085	goto &{"Coro::$module\::new"};
		1086	};
		1087	}
		1088
642	1;	1089	1;
643		1090
644	=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK	1091	=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
645		1092
646	It is very common for a coroutine to wait for some callback to be	1093	It is very common for a coro to wait for some callback to be
647	called. This occurs naturally when you use coroutines in an otherwise	1094	called. This occurs naturally when you use coro in an otherwise
648	event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.	1095	event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
649		1096
650	These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback	1097	These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
651	when the event occured. In a coroutine, however, you typically want to	1098	when the event occured. In a coro, however, you typically want to
652	just wait for the event, simplyifying things.	1099	just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
653		1100
654	For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when	1101	For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
655	a specific child has exited:	1102	a specific child has exited:
656		1103
657	my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });	1104	my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
658		1105
659	But from withina coroutine, you often just want to write this:	1106	But from within a coro, you often just want to write this:
660		1107
661	my $status = wait_for_child $pid;	1108	my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
662		1109
663	Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,	1110	Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
664	C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.	1111	C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
665		1112
666	The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,	1113	The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
667	when invoked, will save its arguments and notify the coroutine that	1114	when invoked, will save its arguments and notify the coro that
668	created the callback.	1115	created the callback.
669		1116
670	The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called	1117	The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
671	(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments	1118	(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
672	originally passed to the callback.	1119	originally passed to the callback.
…		…
687	you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:	1134	you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
688		1135
689	sub wait_for_child($) {	1136	sub wait_for_child($) {
690	my ($pid) = @_;	1137	my ($pid) = @_;
691		1138
692	# store the current coroutine in $current,	1139	# store the current coro in $current,
693	# and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child	1140	# and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
694	my $current = $Coro::current;	1141	my $current = $Coro::current;
695	my ($done, $rstatus);	1142	my ($done, $rstatus);
696		1143
697	# pass a closure to ->child	1144	# pass a closure to ->child
…		…
713		1160
714	=item fork with pthread backend	1161	=item fork with pthread backend
715		1162
716	When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended	1163	When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
717	but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then	1164	but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
718	coroutines will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to	1165	coro will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
719	fix your libc and use a saner backend.	1166	fix your libc and use a saner backend.
720		1167
721	=item perl process emulation ("threads")	1168	=item perl process emulation ("threads")
722		1169
723	This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this	1170	This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
…		…
725	future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow	1172	future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
726	this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having	1173	this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
727	the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl	1174	the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
728	performance, even when not used.	1175	performance, even when not used.
729		1176
		1177	Attempts to use threads created in another emulated process will crash
		1178	("cleanly", with a null pointer exception).
		1179
730	=item coroutine switching not signal safe	1180	=item coro switching is not signal safe
731		1181
732	You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler	1182	You must not switch to another coro from within a signal handler (only
733	(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).	1183	relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals), I<unless>
		1184	you are sure you are not interrupting a Coro function.
734		1185
735	That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the	1186	That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
736	current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or	1187	current coro - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
737	anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,	1188	anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
738	works.	1189	works.
739		1190
740	=back	1191	=back
741		1192
		1193
		1194	=head1 WINDOWS PROCESS EMULATION
		1195
		1196	A great many people seem to be confused about ithreads (for example, Chip
		1197	Salzenberg called me unintelligent, incapable, stupid and gullible,
		1198	while in the same mail making rather confused statements about perl
		1199	ithreads (for example, that memory or files would be shared), showing his
		1200	lack of understanding of this area - if it is hard to understand for Chip,
		1201	it is probably not obvious to everybody).
		1202
		1203	What follows is an ultra-condensed version of my talk about threads in
		1204	scripting languages given on the perl workshop 2009:
		1205
		1206	The so-called "ithreads" were originally implemented for two reasons:
		1207	first, to (badly) emulate unix processes on native win32 perls, and
		1208	secondly, to replace the older, real thread model ("5.005-threads").
		1209
		1210	It does that by using threads instead of OS processes. The difference
		1211	between processes and threads is that threads share memory (and other
		1212	state, such as files) between threads within a single process, while
		1213	processes do not share anything (at least not semantically). That
		1214	means that modifications done by one thread are seen by others, while
		1215	modifications by one process are not seen by other processes.
		1216
		1217	The "ithreads" work exactly like that: when creating a new ithreads
		1218	process, all state is copied (memory is copied physically, files and code
		1219	is copied logically). Afterwards, it isolates all modifications. On UNIX,
		1220	the same behaviour can be achieved by using operating system processes,
		1221	except that UNIX typically uses hardware built into the system to do this
		1222	efficiently, while the windows process emulation emulates this hardware in
		1223	software (rather efficiently, but of course it is still much slower than
		1224	dedicated hardware).
		1225
		1226	As mentioned before, loading code, modifying code, modifying data
		1227	structures and so on is only visible in the ithreads process doing the
		1228	modification, not in other ithread processes within the same OS process.
		1229
		1230	This is why "ithreads" do not implement threads for perl at all, only
		1231	processes. What makes it so bad is that on non-windows platforms, you can
		1232	actually take advantage of custom hardware for this purpose (as evidenced
		1233	by the forks module, which gives you the (i-) threads API, just much
		1234	faster).
		1235
		1236	Sharing data is in the i-threads model is done by transfering data
		1237	structures between threads using copying semantics, which is very slow -
		1238	shared data simply does not exist. Benchmarks using i-threads which are
		1239	communication-intensive show extremely bad behaviour with i-threads (in
		1240	fact, so bad that Coro, which cannot take direct advantage of multiple
		1241	CPUs, is often orders of magnitude faster because it shares data using
		1242	real threads, refer to my talk for details).
		1243
		1244	As summary, i-threads use threads to implement processes, while
		1245	the compatible forks module uses processes to emulate, uhm,
		1246	processes. I-threads slow down every perl program when enabled, and
		1247	outside of windows, serve no (or little) practical purpose, but
		1248	disadvantages every single-threaded Perl program.
		1249
		1250	This is the reason that I try to avoid the name "ithreads", as it is
		1251	misleading as it implies that it implements some kind of thread model for
		1252	perl, and prefer the name "windows process emulation", which describes the
		1253	actual use and behaviour of it much better.
742		1254
743	=head1 SEE ALSO	1255	=head1 SEE ALSO
744		1256
745	Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.	1257	Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
746		1258

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Comparing Coro/Coro.pm (file contents): Revision 1.246 by root, Mon Dec 15 00:30:40 2008 UTC vs. Revision 1.305 by root, Thu Aug 4 19:37:58 2011 UTC

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Comparing Coro/Coro.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.246 by root, Mon Dec 15 00:30:40 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.305 by root, Thu Aug 4 19:37:58 2011 UTC