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Revision 1.343 by root, Sun Jun 26 21:46:03 2016 UTC

16 cede; # yield to coro 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;
40points in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an 39points in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an
41issue, making thread programming much safer and easier than using other 40issue, making thread programming much safer and easier than using other
42thread models. 41thread models.
43 42
44Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads 43Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads
45but only the windows process emulation (see section of same name for more 44but only the windows process emulation (see section of same name for
46details) ported to unix, and as such act as processes), Coro provides 45more details) ported to UNIX, and as such act as processes), Coro
47a full shared address space, which makes communication between threads 46provides a full shared address space, which makes communication between
48very easy. And Coro's threads are fast, too: disabling the Windows 47threads very easy. And coro threads are fast, too: disabling the Windows
49process emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in 48process emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in
50a two to four times speed increase for your programs. A parallel matrix 49a two to four times speed increase for your programs. A parallel matrix
51multiplication benchmark runs over 300 times faster on a single core than 50multiplication benchmark (very communication-intensive) runs over 300
52perl's pseudo-threads on a quad core using all four cores. 51times faster on a single core than perls pseudo-threads on a quad core
52using all four cores.
53 53
54Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share 54Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share
55data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and 55data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and
56for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running 56for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running
57concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro 57concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro
63variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background info). 63variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background info).
64 64
65See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro 65See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro
66module family is quite large. 66module family is quite large.
67 67
68=head1 CORO THREAD LIFE CYCLE
69
70During the long and exciting (or not) life of a coro thread, it goes
71through a number of states:
72
73=over 4
74
75=item 1. Creation
76
77The first thing in the life of a coro thread is it's creation -
78obviously. The typical way to create a thread is to call the C<async
79BLOCK> function:
80
81 async {
82 # thread code goes here
83 };
84
85You can also pass arguments, which are put in C<@_>:
86
87 async {
88 print $_[1]; # prints 2
89 } 1, 2, 3;
90
91This creates a new coro thread and puts it into the ready queue, meaning
92it will run as soon as the CPU is free for it.
93
94C<async> will return a Coro object - you can store this for future
95reference or ignore it - a thread that is running, ready to run or waiting
96for some event is alive on it's own.
97
98Another way to create a thread is to call the C<new> constructor with a
99code-reference:
100
101 new Coro sub {
102 # thread code goes here
103 }, @optional_arguments;
104
105This is quite similar to calling C<async>, but the important difference is
106that the new thread is not put into the ready queue, so the thread will
107not run until somebody puts it there. C<async> is, therefore, identical to
108this sequence:
109
110 my $coro = new Coro sub {
111 # thread code goes here
112 };
113 $coro->ready;
114 return $coro;
115
116=item 2. Startup
117
118When a new coro thread is created, only a copy of the code reference
119and the arguments are stored, no extra memory for stacks and so on is
120allocated, keeping the coro thread in a low-memory state.
121
122Only when it actually starts executing will all the resources be finally
123allocated.
124
125The optional arguments specified at coro creation are available in C<@_>,
126similar to function calls.
127
128=item 3. Running / Blocking
129
130A lot can happen after the coro thread has started running. Quite usually,
131it will not run to the end in one go (because you could use a function
132instead), but it will give up the CPU regularly because it waits for
133external events.
134
135As long as a coro thread runs, its Coro object is available in the global
136variable C<$Coro::current>.
137
138The low-level way to give up the CPU is to call the scheduler, which
139selects a new coro thread to run:
140
141 Coro::schedule;
142
143Since running threads are not in the ready queue, calling the scheduler
144without doing anything else will block the coro thread forever - you need
145to arrange either for the coro to put woken up (readied) by some other
146event or some other thread, or you can put it into the ready queue before
147scheduling:
148
149 # this is exactly what Coro::cede does
150 $Coro::current->ready;
151 Coro::schedule;
152
153All the higher-level synchronisation methods (Coro::Semaphore,
154Coro::rouse_*...) are actually implemented via C<< ->ready >> and C<<
155Coro::schedule >>.
156
157While the coro thread is running it also might get assigned a C-level
158thread, or the C-level thread might be unassigned from it, as the Coro
159runtime wishes. A C-level thread needs to be assigned when your perl
160thread calls into some C-level function and that function in turn calls
161perl and perl then wants to switch coroutines. This happens most often
162when you run an event loop and block in the callback, or when perl
163itself calls some function such as C<AUTOLOAD> or methods via the C<tie>
164mechanism.
165
166=item 4. Termination
167
168Many threads actually terminate after some time. There are a number of
169ways to terminate a coro thread, the simplest is returning from the
170top-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
182Any 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
193Another way to terminate is to call C<< Coro::terminate >>, which at any
194subroutine call nesting level:
195
196 async {
197 Coro::terminate "return value 1", "return value 2";
198 };
199
200Yet another way is to C<< ->cancel >> (or C<< ->safe_cancel >>) the coro
201thread from another thread:
202
203 my $coro = async {
204 exit 1;
205 };
206
207 $coro->cancel; # also accepts values for ->join to retrieve
208
209Cancellation I<can> be dangerous - it's a bit like calling C<exit> without
210actually exiting, and might leave C libraries and XS modules in a weird
211state. Unlike other thread implementations, however, Coro is exceptionally
212safe with regards to cancellation, as perl will always be in a consistent
213state, and for those cases where you want to do truly marvellous things
214with your coro while it is being cancelled - that is, make sure all
215cleanup code is executed from the thread being cancelled - there is even a
216C<< ->safe_cancel >> method.
217
218So, cancelling a thread that runs in an XS event loop might not be the
219best idea, but any other combination that deals with perl only (cancelling
220when a thread is in a C<tie> method or an C<AUTOLOAD> for example) is
221safe.
222
223Last not least, a coro thread object that isn't referenced is C<<
224->cancel >>'ed automatically - just like other objects in Perl. This
225is not such a common case, however - a running thread is referencedy by
226C<$Coro::current>, a thread ready to run is referenced by the ready queue,
227a thread waiting on a lock or semaphore is referenced by being in some
228wait list and so on. But a thread that isn't in any of those queues gets
229cancelled:
230
231 async {
232 schedule; # cede to other coros, don't go into the ready queue
233 };
234
235 cede;
236 # now the async above is destroyed, as it is not referenced by anything.
237
238A slightly embellished example might make it clearer:
239
240 async {
241 my $guard = Guard::guard { print "destroyed\n" };
242 schedule while 1;
243 };
244
245 cede;
246
247Superficially one might not expect any output - since the C<async>
248implements an endless loop, the C<$guard> will not be cleaned up. However,
249since the thread object returned by C<async> is not stored anywhere, the
250thread is initially referenced because it is in the ready queue, when it
251runs it is referenced by C<$Coro::current>, but when it calls C<schedule>,
252it gets C<cancel>ed causing the guard object to be destroyed (see the next
253section), and printing it's message.
254
255If this seems a bit drastic, remember that this only happens when nothing
256references the thread anymore, which means there is no way to further
257execute it, ever. The only options at this point are leaking the thread,
258or cleaning it up, which brings us to...
259
260=item 5. Cleanup
261
262Threads will allocate various resources. Most but not all will be returned
263when a thread terminates, during clean-up.
264
265Cleanup is quite similar to throwing an uncaught exception: perl will
266work it's way up through all subroutine calls and blocks. On it's way, it
267will release all C<my> variables, undo all C<local>'s and free any other
268resources truly local to the thread.
269
270So, a common way to free resources is to keep them referenced only by my
271variables:
272
273 async {
274 my $big_cache = new Cache ...;
275 };
276
277If there are no other references, then the C<$big_cache> object will be
278freed when the thread terminates, regardless of how it does so.
279
280What it does C<NOT> do is unlock any Coro::Semaphores or similar
281resources, but that's where the C<guard> methods come in handy:
282
283 my $sem = new Coro::Semaphore;
284
285 async {
286 my $lock_guard = $sem->guard;
287 # if we return, or die or get cancelled, here,
288 # then the semaphore will be "up"ed.
289 };
290
291The C<Guard::guard> function comes in handy for any custom cleanup you
292might want to do (but you cannot switch to other coroutines from those
293code blocks):
294
295 async {
296 my $window = new Gtk2::Window "toplevel";
297 # The window will not be cleaned up automatically, even when $window
298 # gets freed, so use a guard to ensure it's destruction
299 # in case of an error:
300 my $window_guard = Guard::guard { $window->destroy };
301
302 # we are safe here
303 };
304
305Last not least, C<local> can often be handy, too, e.g. when temporarily
306replacing the coro thread description:
307
308 sub myfunction {
309 local $Coro::current->{desc} = "inside myfunction(@_)";
310
311 # if we return or die here, the description will be restored
312 }
313
314=item 6. Viva La Zombie Muerte
315
316Even after a thread has terminated and cleaned up its resources, the Coro
317object still is there and stores the return values of the thread.
318
319When there are no other references, it will simply be cleaned up and
320freed.
321
322If there areany references, the Coro object will stay around, and you
323can call C<< ->join >> as many times as you wish to retrieve the result
324values:
325
326 async {
327 print "hi\n";
328 1
329 };
330
331 # run the async above, and free everything before returning
332 # from Coro::cede:
333 Coro::cede;
334
335 {
336 my $coro = async {
337 print "hi\n";
338 1
339 };
340
341 # run the async above, and clean up, but do not free the coro
342 # object:
343 Coro::cede;
344
345 # optionally retrieve the result values
346 my @results = $coro->join;
347
348 # now $coro goes out of scope, and presumably gets freed
349 };
350
351=back
352
68=cut 353=cut
69 354
70package Coro; 355package Coro;
71 356
72use common::sense; 357use common::sense;
81 366
82our $idle; # idle handler 367our $idle; # idle handler
83our $main; # main coro 368our $main; # main coro
84our $current; # current coro 369our $current; # current coro
85 370
86our $VERSION = 5.17; 371our $VERSION = 6.511;
87 372
88our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 373our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub rouse_cb rouse_wait);
89our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 374our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
90 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 375 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
91); 376);
92our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 377our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
93 378
96=over 4 381=over 4
97 382
98=item $Coro::main 383=item $Coro::main
99 384
100This variable stores the Coro object that represents the main 385This variable stores the Coro object that represents the main
101program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to 386program. While you can C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
102coro, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see 387coro, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
103whether you are running in the main program or not. 388whether you are running in the main program or not.
104 389
105=cut 390=cut
106 391
124 409
125This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is 410This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
126usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or L<Coro::EV>, as this is 411usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or L<Coro::EV>, as this is
127pretty low-level functionality. 412pretty low-level functionality.
128 413
129This variable stores either a Coro object or a callback. 414This variable stores a Coro object that is put into the ready queue when
415there are no other ready threads (without invoking any ready hooks).
130 416
131If it is a callback, the it is called whenever the scheduler finds no 417The default implementation dies with "FATAL: deadlock detected.", followed
132ready coros to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: 418by a thread listing, because the program has no other way to continue.
133deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way to
134continue.
135
136If it is a coro object, then this object will be readied (without
137invoking any ready hooks, however) when the scheduler finds no other ready
138coros to run.
139 419
140This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::EV> and 420This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::EV> and
141C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 421C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wakes up a
142coro so the scheduler can run it. 422coro so the scheduler can run it.
143 423
144Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
145the current coro. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
146coro" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
147readying that coro in the idle handler, or by simply placing the idle
148coro in this variable.
149
150See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this 424See L<Coro::EV> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this technique.
151technique.
152
153Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
154handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
155 425
156=cut 426=cut
157 427
158$idle = sub { 428# ||= because other modules could have provided their own by now
159 warn "oi\n";#d# 429$idle ||= new Coro sub {
160 Carp::confess ("FATAL: deadlock detected"); 430 require Coro::Debug;
431 die "FATAL: deadlock detected.\n"
432 . Coro::Debug::ps_listing ();
161}; 433};
162 434
163# this coro is necessary because a coro 435# this coro is necessary because a coro
164# cannot destroy itself. 436# cannot destroy itself.
165our @destroy; 437our @destroy;
166our $manager; 438our $manager;
167 439
168$manager = new Coro sub { 440$manager = new Coro sub {
169 while () { 441 while () {
170 Coro::State::cancel shift @destroy 442 _destroy shift @destroy
171 while @destroy; 443 while @destroy;
172 444
173 &schedule; 445 &schedule;
174 } 446 }
175}; 447};
226C<async> does. As the coro is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy> 498C<async> does. As the coro is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
227will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel, 499will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
228which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the 500which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
229exceptional case). 501exceptional case).
230 502
231The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be 503The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, all C<swap_sv> calls
232disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle 504will be undone, tracing will be disabled, the description will be reset
233gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coro will 505and the default output filehandle gets restored, so you can change all
234be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coro global 506these. Otherwise the coro will be re-used "as-is": most notably if you
235stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most 507change other per-coro global stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert
236simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>. 508that change, which is most simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/
509>>.
237 510
238The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coros (this can be 511The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coros (this can be
239adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle 512adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
240coros as required. 513coros as required.
241 514
273=item schedule 546=item schedule
274 547
275Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coro that is 548Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coro that is
276to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coro 549to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coro
277to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest 550to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
278in its ready queue. If there is no coro ready, it will clal the 551in its ready queue. If there is no coro ready, it will call the
279C<$Coro::idle> hook. 552C<$Coro::idle> hook.
280 553
281Please note that the current coro will I<not> be put into the ready 554Please note that the current coro will I<not> be put into the ready
282queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called 555queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
283again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>, 556again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
309coro, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure 582coro, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
310progress is made. 583progress is made.
311 584
312=item terminate [arg...] 585=item terminate [arg...]
313 586
314Terminates the current coro with the given status values (see L<cancel>). 587Terminates the current coro with the given status values (see
588L<cancel>). The values will not be copied, but referenced directly.
315 589
316=item Coro::on_enter BLOCK, Coro::on_leave BLOCK 590=item Coro::on_enter BLOCK, Coro::on_leave BLOCK
317 591
318These function install enter and leave winders in the current scope. The 592These function install enter and leave winders in the current scope. The
319enter block will be executed when on_enter is called and whenever the 593enter block will be executed when on_enter is called and whenever the
379 Coro::on_enter { 653 Coro::on_enter {
380 # on entering the thread, we set an VTALRM handler to cede 654 # on entering the thread, we set an VTALRM handler to cede
381 $SIG{VTALRM} = sub { cede }; 655 $SIG{VTALRM} = sub { cede };
382 # and then start the interval timer 656 # and then start the interval timer
383 Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0.01, 0.01; 657 Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0.01, 0.01;
384 }; 658 };
385 Coro::on_leave { 659 Coro::on_leave {
386 # on leaving the thread, we stop the interval timer again 660 # on leaving the thread, we stop the interval timer again
387 Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0, 0; 661 Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0, 0;
388 }; 662 };
389 663
390 &{+shift}; 664 &{+shift};
391 } 665 }
392 666
393 # use like this: 667 # use like this:
394 timeslice { 668 timeslice {
395 # The following is an endless loop that would normally 669 # The following is an endless loop that would normally
396 # monopolise the process. Since it runs in a timesliced 670 # monopolise the process. Since it runs in a timesliced
397 # environment, it will regularly cede to other threads. 671 # environment, it will regularly cede to other threads.
398 while () { } 672 while () { }
399 }; 673 };
400 674
401 675
402=item killall 676=item killall
403 677
404Kills/terminates/cancels all coros except the currently running one. 678Kills/terminates/cancels all coros except the currently running one.
475To avoid this, it is best to put a suspended coro into the ready queue 749To avoid this, it is best to put a suspended coro into the ready queue
476unconditionally, as every synchronisation mechanism must protect itself 750unconditionally, as every synchronisation mechanism must protect itself
477against spurious wakeups, and the one in the Coro family certainly do 751against spurious wakeups, and the one in the Coro family certainly do
478that. 752that.
479 753
754=item $state->is_new
755
756Returns true iff this Coro object is "new", i.e. has never been run
757yet. Those states basically consist of only the code reference to call and
758the arguments, but consumes very little other resources. New states will
759automatically get assigned a perl interpreter when they are transfered to.
760
761=item $state->is_zombie
762
763Returns true iff the Coro object has been cancelled, i.e.
764it's resources freed because they were C<cancel>'ed, C<terminate>'d,
765C<safe_cancel>'ed or simply went out of scope.
766
767The name "zombie" stems from UNIX culture, where a process that has
768exited and only stores and exit status and no other resources is called a
769"zombie".
770
480=item $is_ready = $coro->is_ready 771=item $is_ready = $coro->is_ready
481 772
482Returns true iff the Coro object is in the ready queue. Unless the Coro 773Returns true iff the Coro object is in the ready queue. Unless the Coro
483object gets destroyed, it will eventually be scheduled by the scheduler. 774object gets destroyed, it will eventually be scheduled by the scheduler.
484 775
493Returns true iff this Coro object has been suspended. Suspended Coros will 784Returns true iff this Coro object has been suspended. Suspended Coros will
494not ever be scheduled. 785not ever be scheduled.
495 786
496=item $coro->cancel (arg...) 787=item $coro->cancel (arg...)
497 788
498Terminates the given Coro and makes it return the given arguments as 789Terminates the given Coro thread and makes it return the given arguments as
499status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the Coro is the 790status (default: an empty list). Never returns if the Coro is the
500current Coro. 791current Coro.
501 792
502=cut 793This is a rather brutal way to free a coro, with some limitations - if
794the thread is inside a C callback that doesn't expect to be canceled,
795bad things can happen, or if the cancelled thread insists on running
796complicated cleanup handlers that rely on its thread context, things will
797not work.
503 798
504sub cancel { 799Any cleanup code being run (e.g. from C<guard> blocks, destructors and so
505 my $self = shift; 800on) will be run without a thread context, and is not allowed to switch
801to other threads. A common mistake is to call C<< ->cancel >> from a
802destructor called by die'ing inside the thread to be cancelled for
803example.
506 804
507 if ($current == $self) { 805On the plus side, C<< ->cancel >> will always clean up the thread, no
508 terminate @_; 806matter what. If your cleanup code is complex or you want to avoid
509 } else { 807cancelling a C-thread that doesn't know how to clean up itself, it can be
510 $self->{_status} = [@_]; 808better to C<< ->throw >> an exception, or use C<< ->safe_cancel >>.
511 Coro::State::cancel $self; 809
810The arguments to C<< ->cancel >> are not copied, but instead will
811be referenced directly (e.g. if you pass C<$var> and after the call
812change that variable, then you might change the return values passed to
813e.g. C<join>, so don't do that).
814
815The resources of the Coro are usually freed (or destructed) before this
816call returns, but this can be delayed for an indefinite amount of time, as
817in some cases the manager thread has to run first to actually destruct the
818Coro object.
819
820=item $coro->safe_cancel ($arg...)
821
822Works mostly like C<< ->cancel >>, but is inherently "safer", and
823consequently, can fail with an exception in cases the thread is not in a
824cancellable state. Essentially, C<< ->safe_cancel >> is a C<< ->cancel >>
825with extra checks before canceling.
826
827It works a bit like throwing an exception that cannot be caught -
828specifically, it will clean up the thread from within itself, so all
829cleanup handlers (e.g. C<guard> blocks) are run with full thread
830context and can block if they wish. The downside is that there is no
831guarantee that the thread can be cancelled when you call this method, and
832therefore, it might fail. It is also considerably slower than C<cancel> or
833C<terminate>.
834
835A thread is in a safe-cancellable state if it either hasn't been run yet,
836or it has no C context attached and is inside an SLF function.
837
838The latter two basically mean that the thread isn't currently inside a
839perl callback called from some C function (usually via some XS modules)
840and isn't currently executing inside some C function itself (via Coro's XS
841API).
842
843This call returns true when it could cancel the thread, or croaks with an
844error otherwise (i.e. it either returns true or doesn't return at all).
845
846Why the weird interface? Well, there are two common models on how and
847when to cancel things. In the first, you have the expectation that your
848coro thread can be cancelled when you want to cancel it - if the thread
849isn't cancellable, this would be a bug somewhere, so C<< ->safe_cancel >>
850croaks to notify of the bug.
851
852In the second model you sometimes want to ask nicely to cancel a thread,
853but if it's not a good time, well, then don't cancel. This can be done
854relatively easy like this:
855
856 if (! eval { $coro->safe_cancel }) {
857 warn "unable to cancel thread: $@";
512 } 858 }
513} 859
860However, what you never should do is first try to cancel "safely" and
861if that fails, cancel the "hard" way with C<< ->cancel >>. That makes
862no sense: either you rely on being able to execute cleanup code in your
863thread context, or you don't. If you do, then C<< ->safe_cancel >> is the
864only way, and if you don't, then C<< ->cancel >> is always faster and more
865direct.
514 866
515=item $coro->schedule_to 867=item $coro->schedule_to
516 868
517Puts the current coro to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead 869Puts the current coro to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
518of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to 870of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
537inside the coro at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise 889inside the coro at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
538clears the exception object. 890clears the exception object.
539 891
540Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function 892Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
541returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down 893returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
542>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions 894>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of those functions (all
543detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending. 895that are part of Coro itself) detect this case and return early in case an
896exception is pending.
544 897
545The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in 898The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
546C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended 899C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
547(unlike with C<die>). 900(unlike with C<die>).
548 901
549This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coro to 902This can be used as a softer means than either C<cancel> or C<safe_cancel
550end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to 903>to ask a coro to end itself, although there is no guarantee that the
551termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole 904exception will lead to termination, and if the exception isn't caught it
552program. 905might well end the whole program.
553 906
554You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of 907You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
555C<kill>ing a coro with a signal (in this case, a scalar). 908C<kill>ing a coro with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
556 909
557=item $coro->join 910=item $coro->join
558 911
559Wait until the coro terminates and return any values given to the 912Wait until the coro terminates and return any values given to the
560C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently 913C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
561from multiple coro, and all will be resumed and given the status 914from multiple threads, and all will be resumed and given the status
562return once the C<$coro> terminates. 915return once the C<$coro> terminates.
563 916
564=cut
565
566sub join {
567 my $self = shift;
568
569 unless ($self->{_status}) {
570 my $current = $current;
571
572 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
573 $current->ready;
574 undef $current;
575 };
576
577 &schedule while $current;
578 }
579
580 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
581}
582
583=item $coro->on_destroy (\&cb) 917=item $coro->on_destroy (\&cb)
584 918
585Registers a callback that is called when this coro gets destroyed, 919Registers a callback that is called when this coro thread gets destroyed,
586but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 920that is, after it's resources have been freed but before it is joined. The
921callback gets passed the terminate/cancel arguments, if any, and I<must
587if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances. 922not> die, under any circumstances.
588 923
589=cut 924There can be any number of C<on_destroy> callbacks per coro, and there is
590 925currently no way to remove a callback once added.
591sub on_destroy {
592 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
593
594 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
595}
596 926
597=item $oldprio = $coro->prio ($newprio) 927=item $oldprio = $coro->prio ($newprio)
598 928
599Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 929Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
600coro. Higher priority coro get run before lower priority 930coro thread. Higher priority coro get run before lower priority
601coro. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3), 931coros. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3),
602that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio 932that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio
603to get then): 933to get then):
604 934
605 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN 935 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN
606 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4 936 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4
607 937
608 # set priority to HIGH 938 # set priority to HIGH
609 current->prio (PRIO_HIGH); 939 current->prio (PRIO_HIGH);
610 940
611The idle coro ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any 941The idle coro thread ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any
612existing coro. 942existing coro.
613 943
614Changing the priority of the current coro will take effect immediately, 944Changing the priority of the current coro will take effect immediately,
615but changing the priority of coro in the ready queue (but not 945but changing the priority of a coro in the ready queue (but not running)
616running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that 946will only take effect after the next schedule (of that coro). This is a
617coro). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version. 947bug that will be fixed in some future version.
618 948
619=item $newprio = $coro->nice ($change) 949=item $newprio = $coro->nice ($change)
620 950
621Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e. 951Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e.
622higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 952higher values mean lower priority, just as in UNIX's nice command).
623 953
624=item $olddesc = $coro->desc ($newdesc) 954=item $olddesc = $coro->desc ($newdesc)
625 955
626Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 956Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
627coro. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a 957coro thread. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
628coro. 958coro.
629 959
630This method simply sets the C<< $coro->{desc} >> member to the given 960This method simply sets the C<< $coro->{desc} >> member to the given
631string. You can modify this member directly if you wish. 961string. You can modify this member directly if you wish, and in fact, this
962is often preferred to indicate major processing states that can then be
963seen for example in a L<Coro::Debug> session:
964
965 sub my_long_function {
966 local $Coro::current->{desc} = "now in my_long_function";
967 ...
968 $Coro::current->{desc} = "my_long_function: phase 1";
969 ...
970 $Coro::current->{desc} = "my_long_function: phase 2";
971 ...
972 }
632 973
633=cut 974=cut
634 975
635sub desc { 976sub desc {
636 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 977 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
673returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef 1014returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
674will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the 1015will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
675original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another 1016original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
676coro. 1017coro.
677 1018
678The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 1019The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as
679venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not thread-safe (a weaker form 1020the venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not thread-safe (a weaker form
680of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 1021of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
681otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library 1022otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
682currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>. 1023currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV> (but
1024you might still run into deadlocks if all event loops are blocked).
1025
1026Coro will try to catch you when you block in the event loop
1027("FATAL: $Coro::idle blocked itself"), but this is just best effort and
1028only works when you do not run your own event loop.
683 1029
684This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 1030This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
685coro where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 1031coro where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
686is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 1032is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
687disk, for example. 1033disk, for example.
729 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 1075 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
730 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 1076 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
731 } 1077 }
732} 1078}
733 1079
734=item $cb = Coro::rouse_cb 1080=item $cb = rouse_cb
735 1081
736Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that, 1082Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that,
737when called, will remember a copy of its arguments and notify the owner 1083when called, will remember a copy of its arguments and notify the owner
738coro of the callback. 1084coro of the callback.
739 1085
740See the next function. 1086See the next function.
741 1087
742=item @args = Coro::rouse_wait [$cb] 1088=item @args = rouse_wait [$cb]
743 1089
744Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one that was created in 1090Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one that was created in
745this coro). 1091this coro).
746 1092
747As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the callback was invoked 1093As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the callback was invoked
754 1100
755=back 1101=back
756 1102
757=cut 1103=cut
758 1104
1105for my $module (qw(Channel RWLock Semaphore SemaphoreSet Signal Specific)) {
1106 my $old = defined &{"Coro::$module\::new"} && \&{"Coro::$module\::new"};
1107
1108 *{"Coro::$module\::new"} = sub {
1109 require "Coro/$module.pm";
1110
1111 # some modules have their new predefined in State.xs, some don't
1112 *{"Coro::$module\::new"} = $old
1113 if $old;
1114
1115 goto &{"Coro::$module\::new"};
1116 };
1117}
1118
7591; 11191;
760 1120
761=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK 1121=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
762 1122
763It is very common for a coro to wait for some callback to be 1123It is very common for a coro to wait for some callback to be
776But from within a coro, you often just want to write this: 1136But from within a coro, you often just want to write this:
777 1137
778 my $status = wait_for_child $pid; 1138 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
779 1139
780Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy, 1140Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
781C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>. 1141C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait>.
782 1142
783The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that, 1143The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
784when invoked, will save its arguments and notify the coro that 1144when invoked, will save its arguments and notify the coro that
785created the callback. 1145created the callback.
786 1146
792function mentioned above: 1152function mentioned above:
793 1153
794 sub wait_for_child($) { 1154 sub wait_for_child($) {
795 my ($pid) = @_; 1155 my ($pid) = @_;
796 1156
797 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb); 1157 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => rouse_cb);
798 1158
799 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait; 1159 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = rouse_wait;
800 $rstatus 1160 $rstatus
801 } 1161 }
802 1162
803In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough, 1163In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
804you can roll your own, using C<schedule>: 1164you can roll your own, using C<schedule> and C<ready>:
805 1165
806 sub wait_for_child($) { 1166 sub wait_for_child($) {
807 my ($pid) = @_; 1167 my ($pid) = @_;
808 1168
809 # store the current coro in $current, 1169 # store the current coro in $current,
812 my ($done, $rstatus); 1172 my ($done, $rstatus);
813 1173
814 # pass a closure to ->child 1174 # pass a closure to ->child
815 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { 1175 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
816 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus 1176 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
817 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud 1177 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valid
1178 $current->ready; # wake up the waiting thread
818 }); 1179 });
819 1180
820 # wait until the closure has been called 1181 # wait until the closure has been called
821 schedule while !$done; 1182 schedule while !$done;
822 1183
842future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 1203future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
843this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having 1204this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
844the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl 1205the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
845performance, even when not used. 1206performance, even when not used.
846 1207
1208Attempts to use threads created in another emulated process will crash
1209("cleanly", with a null pointer exception).
1210
847=item coro switching is not signal safe 1211=item coro switching is not signal safe
848 1212
849You must not switch to another coro from within a signal handler 1213You must not switch to another coro from within a signal handler (only
850(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals). 1214relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals), I<unless>
1215you are sure you are not interrupting a Coro function.
851 1216
852That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the 1217That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
853current coro - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or 1218current coro - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
854anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>, 1219anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
855works. 1220works.
865ithreads (for example, that memory or files would be shared), showing his 1230ithreads (for example, that memory or files would be shared), showing his
866lack of understanding of this area - if it is hard to understand for Chip, 1231lack of understanding of this area - if it is hard to understand for Chip,
867it is probably not obvious to everybody). 1232it is probably not obvious to everybody).
868 1233
869What follows is an ultra-condensed version of my talk about threads in 1234What follows is an ultra-condensed version of my talk about threads in
870scripting languages given onthe perl workshop 2009: 1235scripting languages given on the perl workshop 2009:
871 1236
872The so-called "ithreads" were originally implemented for two reasons: 1237The so-called "ithreads" were originally implemented for two reasons:
873first, to (badly) emulate unix processes on native win32 perls, and 1238first, to (badly) emulate unix processes on native win32 perls, and
874secondly, to replace the older, real thread model ("5.005-threads"). 1239secondly, to replace the older, real thread model ("5.005-threads").
875 1240
937 1302
938XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>. 1303XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
939 1304
940Low level Configuration, Thread Environment, Continuations: L<Coro::State>. 1305Low level Configuration, Thread Environment, Continuations: L<Coro::State>.
941 1306
942=head1 AUTHOR 1307=head1 AUTHOR/SUPPORT/CONTACT
943 1308
944 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1309 Marc A. Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
945 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1310 http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/Coro.html
946 1311
947=cut 1312=cut
948 1313

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