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

Comparing Coro/Coro.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.234 by root, Fri Nov 21 06:52:10 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.287 by root, Sat Feb 19 06:51:22 2011 UTC

…		…
1	=head1 NAME	1	=head1 NAME
2		2
3	Coro - the real perl threads	3	Coro - the only real threads in perl
4		4
5	=head1 SYNOPSIS	5	=head1 SYNOPSIS
6		6
7	use Coro;	7	use Coro;
8		8
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;	21	use Coro::Semaphore;
…		…
26	$locked = 1;	26	$locked = 1;
27	$lock->up;	27	$lock->up;
28		28
29	=head1 DESCRIPTION	29	=head1 DESCRIPTION
30		30
31	This module collection manages coroutines, that is, cooperative	31	For a tutorial-style introduction, please read the L<Coro::Intro>
32	threads. Coroutines are similar to kernel threads but don't (in general)	32	manpage. This manpage mainly contains reference information.
		33
		34	This module collection manages continuations in general, most often in
		35	the form of cooperative threads (also called coros, or simply "coro"
		36	in the documentation). They are similar to kernel threads but don't (in
33	run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The specific flavor	37	general) run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The
34	of coroutine used in this module also guarantees you that it will not	38	specific flavor of thread offered by this module also guarantees you that
35	switch between coroutines unless necessary, at easily-identified points	39	it will not switch between threads unless necessary, at easily-identified
36	in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an issue,	40	points in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an
37	making coroutine programming much safer and easier than using other thread	41	issue, making thread programming much safer and easier than using other
38	models.	42	thread models.
39		43
40	Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads	44	Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads
41	but only the windows process emulation ported to unix), Coro provides a	45	but only the windows process emulation (see section of same name for
		46	more details) ported to UNIX, and as such act as processes), Coro
42	full shared address space, which makes communication between coroutines	47	provides a full shared address space, which makes communication between
43	very easy. And coroutines are fast, too: disabling the Windows process	48	threads very easy. And coro threads are fast, too: disabling the Windows
44	emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in a two to	49	process emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in
45	four times speed increase for your programs.	50	a two to four times speed increase for your programs. A parallel matrix
		51	multiplication benchmark (very communication-intensive) runs over 300
		52	times faster on a single core than perls pseudo-threads on a quad core
		53	using all four cores.
46		54
47	Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share	55	Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share
48	data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and	56	data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and
49	for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running	57	for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running
50	concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro	58	concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro
51	into an event-based environment.	59	into an event-based environment.
52		60
53	In this module, a coroutines is defined as "callchain + lexical variables	61	In this module, a thread is defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
54	+ @_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own	62	some package variables + C stack), that is, a thread has its own callchain,
55	callchain, its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important	63	its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
56	global variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background	64	variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background info).
57	info).
58		65
59	See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro	66	See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro
60	module family is quite large.	67	module family is quite large.
61		68
		69	=head1 CORO THREAD LIFE CYCLE
		70
		71	During the long and exciting (or not) life of a coro thread, it goes
		72	through a number of states:
		73
		74	=over 4
		75
		76	=item 1. Creation
		77
		78	The first thing in the life of a coro thread is it's creation -
		79	obviously. The typical way to create a thread is to call the C<async
		80	BLOCK> function:
		81
		82	async {
		83	# thread code goes here
		84	};
		85
		86	You can also pass arguments, which are put in C<@_>:
		87
		88	async {
		89	print $_[1]; # prints 2
		90	} 1, 2, 3;
		91
		92	This creates a new coro thread and puts it into the ready queue, meaning
		93	it will run as soon as the CPU is free for it.
		94
		95	C<async> will return a coro object - you can store this for future
		96	reference or ignore it, the thread itself will keep a reference to it's
		97	thread object - threads are alive on their own.
		98
		99	Another way to create a thread is to call the C<new> constructor with a
		100	code-reference:
		101
		102	new Coro sub {
		103	# thread code goes here
		104	}, @optional_arguments;
		105
		106	This is quite similar to calling C<async>, but the important difference is
		107	that the new thread is not put into the ready queue, so the thread will
		108	not run until somebody puts it there. C<async> is, therefore, identical to
		109	this sequence:
		110
		111	my $coro = new Coro sub {
		112	# thread code goes here
		113	};
		114	$coro->ready;
		115	return $coro;
		116
		117	=item 2. Startup
		118
		119	When a new coro thread is created, only a copy of the code reference
		120	and the arguments are stored, no extra memory for stacks and so on is
		121	allocated, keeping the coro thread in a low-memory state.
		122
		123	Only when it actually starts executing will all the resources be finally
		124	allocated.
		125
		126	The optional arguments specified at coro creation are available in C<@_>,
		127	similar to function calls.
		128
		129	=item 3. Running / Blocking
		130
		131	A lot can happen after the coro thread has started running. Quite usually,
		132	it will not run to the end in one go (because you could use a function
		133	instead), but it will give up the CPU regularly because it waits for
		134	external events.
		135
		136	As long as a coro thread runs, it's coro object is available in the global
		137	variable C<$Coro::current>.
		138
		139	The low-level way to give up the CPU is to call the scheduler, which
		140	selects a new coro thread to run:
		141
		142	Coro::schedule;
		143
		144	Since running threads are not in the ready queue, calling the scheduler
		145	without doing anything else will block the coro thread forever - you need
		146	to arrange either for the coro to put woken up (readied) by some other
		147	event or some other thread, or you can put it into the ready queue before
		148	scheduling:
		149
		150	# this is exactly what Coro::cede does
		151	$Coro::current->ready;
		152	Coro::schedule;
		153
		154	All the higher-level synchronisation methods (Coro::Semaphore,
		155	Coro::rouse_*...) are actually implemented via C<< ->ready >> and C<<
		156	Coro::schedule >>.
		157
		158	While the coro thread is running it also might get assigned a C-level
		159	thread, or the C-level thread might be unassigned from it, as the Coro
		160	runtime wishes. A C-level thread needs to be assigned when your perl
		161	thread calls into some C-level function and that function in turn calls
		162	perl and perl then wants to switch coroutines. This happens most often
		163	when you run an event loop and block in the callback, or when perl
		164	itself calls some function such as C<AUTOLOAD> or methods via the C<tie>
		165	mechanism.
		166
		167	=item 4. Termination
		168
		169	Many threads actually terminate after some time. There are a number of
		170	ways to terminate a coro thread, the simplest is returning from the
		171	top-level code reference:
		172
		173	async {
		174	# after returning from here, the coro thread is terminated
		175	};
		176
		177	async {
		178	return if 0.5 < rand; # terminate a little earlier, maybe
		179	print "got a chance to print this\n";
		180	# or here
		181	};
		182
		183	Any values returned from the coroutine can be recovered using C<< ->join
		184	>>:
		185
		186	my $coro = async {
		187	"hello, world\n" # return a string
		188	};
		189
		190	my $hello_world = $coro->join;
		191
		192	print $hello_world;
		193
		194	Another way to terminate is to call C<< Coro::terminate >>, which at any
		195	subroutine call nesting level:
		196
		197	async {
		198	Coro::terminate "return value 1", "return value 2";
		199	};
		200
		201	And yet another way is to C<< ->cancel >> the coro thread from another
		202	thread:
		203
		204	my $coro = async {
		205	exit 1;
		206	};
		207
		208	$coro->cancel; # an also accept values for ->join to retrieve
		209
		210	Cancellation I<can> be dangerous - it's a bit like calling C<exit> without
		211	actually exiting, and might leave C libraries and XS modules in a weird
		212	state. Unlike other thread implementations, however, Coro is exceptionally
		213	safe with regards to cancellation, as perl will always be in a consistent
		214	state.
		215
		216	So, cancelling a thread that runs in an XS event loop might not be the
		217	best idea, but any other combination that deals with perl only (cancelling
		218	when a thread is in a C<tie> method or an C<AUTOLOAD> for example) is
		219	safe.
		220
		221	=item 5. Cleanup
		222
		223	Threads will allocate various resources. Most but not all will be returned
		224	when a thread terminates, during clean-up.
		225
		226	Cleanup is quite similar to throwing an uncaught exception: perl will
		227	work it's way up through all subroutine calls and blocks. On it's way, it
		228	will release all C<my> variables, undo all C<local>'s and free any other
		229	resources truly local to the thread.
		230
		231	So, a common way to free resources is to keep them referenced only by my
		232	variables:
		233
		234	async {
		235	my $big_cache = new Cache ...;
		236	};
		237
		238	If there are no other references, then the C<$big_cache> object will be
		239	freed when the thread terminates, regardless of how it does so.
		240
		241	What it does C<NOT> do is unlock any Coro::Semaphores or similar
		242	resources, but that's where the C<guard> methods come in handy:
		243
		244	my $sem = new Coro::Semaphore;
		245
		246	async {
		247	my $lock_guard = $sem->guard;
		248	# if we reutrn, or die or get cancelled, here,
		249	# then the semaphore will be "up"ed.
		250	};
		251
		252	The C<Guard::guard> function comes in handy for any custom cleanup you
		253	might want to do:
		254
		255	async {
		256	my $window = new Gtk2::Window "toplevel";
		257	# The window will not be cleaned up automatically, even when $window
		258	# gets freed, so use a guard to ensure it's destruction
		259	# in case of an error:
		260	my $window_guard = Guard::guard { $window->destroy };
		261
		262	# we are safe here
		263	};
		264
		265	Last not least, C<local> can often be handy, too, e.g. when temporarily
		266	replacing the coro thread description:
		267
		268	sub myfunction {
		269	local $Coro::current->{desc} = "inside myfunction(@_)";
		270
		271	# if we return or die here, the description will be restored
		272	}
		273
		274	=item 6. Viva La Zombie Muerte
		275
		276	Even after a thread has terminated and cleaned up it's resources, the coro
		277	object still is there and stores the return values of the thread. Only in
		278	this state will the coro object be "reference counted" in the normal perl
		279	sense: the thread code keeps a reference to it when it is active, but not
		280	after it has terminated.
		281
		282	The means the coro object gets freed automatically when the thread has
		283	terminated and cleaned up and there arenot other references.
		284
		285	If there are, the coro object will stay around, and you can call C<<
		286	->join >> as many times as you wish to retrieve the result values:
		287
		288	async {
		289	print "hi\n";
		290	1
		291	};
		292
		293	# run the async above, and free everything before returning
		294	# from Coro::cede:
		295	Coro::cede;
		296
		297	{
		298	my $coro = async {
		299	print "hi\n";
		300	1
		301	};
		302
		303	# run the async above, and clean up, but do not free the coro
		304	# object:
		305	Coro::cede;
		306
		307	# optionally retrieve the result values
		308	my @results = $coro->join;
		309
		310	# now $coro goes out of scope, and presumably gets freed
		311	};
		312
		313	=back
		314
62	=cut	315	=cut
63		316
64	package Coro;	317	package Coro;
65		318
66	use strict qw(vars subs);	319	use common::sense;
67	no warnings "uninitialized";	320
		321	use Carp ();
		322
		323	use Guard ();
68		324
69	use Coro::State;	325	use Coro::State;
70		326
71	use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);	327	use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
72		328
73	our $idle; # idle handler	329	our $idle; # idle handler
74	our $main; # main coroutine	330	our $main; # main coro
75	our $current; # current coroutine	331	our $current; # current coro
76		332
77	our $VERSION = "5.0";	333	our $VERSION = 5.37;
78		334
79	our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);	335	our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub rouse_cb rouse_wait);
80	our %EXPORT_TAGS = (	336	our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
81	prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],	337	prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
82	);	338	);
83	our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));	339	our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
84		340
…		…
86		342
87	=over 4	343	=over 4
88		344
89	=item $Coro::main	345	=item $Coro::main
90		346
91	This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main	347	This variable stores the Coro object that represents the main
92	program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to	348	program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
93	coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see	349	coro, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
94	whether you are running in the main program or not.	350	whether you are running in the main program or not.
95		351
96	=cut	352	=cut
97		353
98	# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State	354	# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
99		355
100	=item $Coro::current	356	=item $Coro::current
101		357
102	The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last	358	The Coro object representing the current coro (the last
103	coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is	359	coro that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
104	C<$Coro::main> (of course).	360	C<$Coro::main> (of course).
105		361
106	This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the	362	This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
107	value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must	363	value stored in it and use it as any other Coro object, but you must
108	not otherwise modify the variable itself.	364	not otherwise modify the variable itself.
109		365
110	=cut	366	=cut
111		367
112	sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]	368	sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
113		369
114	=item $Coro::idle	370	=item $Coro::idle
115		371
116	This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is	372	This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
117	usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is	373	usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or L<Coro::EV>, as this is
118	pretty low-level functionality.	374	pretty low-level functionality.
119		375
120	This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler	376	This variable stores a Coro object that is put into the ready queue when
121	finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints	377	there are no other ready threads (without invoking any ready hooks).
122	"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
123	to continue.
124		378
		379	The default implementation dies with "FATAL: deadlock detected.", followed
		380	by a thread listing, because the program has no other way to continue.
		381
125	This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and	382	This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::EV> and
126	C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a	383	C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wakes up a
127	coroutine so the scheduler can run it.	384	coro so the scheduler can run it.
128		385
129	Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
130	the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
131	coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
132	readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
133
134	See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this	386	See L<Coro::EV> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this technique.
135	technique.
136		387
137	Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
138	handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
139
140	=cut	388	=cut
141		389
142	$idle = sub {	390	# \|\|= because other modules could have provided their own by now
143	require Carp;	391	$idle \|\|= new Coro sub {
144	Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected");	392	require Coro::Debug;
		393	die "FATAL: deadlock detected.\n"
		394	. Coro::Debug::ps_listing ();
145	};	395	};
146		396
147	# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine	397	# this coro is necessary because a coro
148	# cannot destroy itself.	398	# cannot destroy itself.
149	our @destroy;	399	our @destroy;
150	our $manager;	400	our $manager;
151		401
152	$manager = new Coro sub {	402	$manager = new Coro sub {
153	while () {	403	while () {
154	Coro::_cancel shift @destroy	404	Coro::State::cancel shift @destroy
155	while @destroy;	405	while @destroy;
156		406
157	&schedule;	407	&schedule;
158	}	408	}
159	};	409	};
160	$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";	410	$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
161	$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);	411	$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
162		412
163	=back	413	=back
164		414
165	=head1 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION	415	=head1 SIMPLE CORO CREATION
166		416
167	=over 4	417	=over 4
168		418
169	=item async { ... } [@args...]	419	=item async { ... } [@args...]
170		420
171	Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually	421	Create a new coro and return its Coro object (usually
172	unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so	422	unused). The coro will be put into the ready queue, so
173	it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.	423	it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
174		424
175	The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the	425	The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
176	coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically	426	coro. When it returns argument returns the coro is automatically
177	terminated.	427	terminated.
178		428
179	The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.	429	The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
180		430
181	See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine	431	See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coro
182	environment in which coroutines are executed.	432	environment in which coro are executed.
183		433
184	Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside	434	Calling C<exit> in a coro will do the same as calling exit outside
185	the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,	435	the coro. Likewise, when the coro dies, the program will exit,
186	just as it would in the main program.	436	just as it would in the main program.
187		437
188	If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or	438	If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
189	simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).	439	simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
190		440
191	Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.	441	Example: Create a new coro that just prints its arguments.
192		442
193	async {	443	async {
194	print "@_\n";	444	print "@_\n";
195	} 1,2,3,4;	445	} 1,2,3,4;
196		446
197	=cut
198
199	sub async(&@) {
200	my $coro = new Coro @_;
201	$coro->ready;
202	$coro
203	}
204
205	=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]	447	=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
206		448
207	Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call	449	Similar to C<async>, but uses a coro pool, so you should not call
208	terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a	450	terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
209	coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good	451	coro that might have executed other code already (which can be good
210	or bad :).	452	or bad :).
211		453
212	On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and	454	On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
213	destroying) a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic	455	destroying) a completely new coro, so if you need a lot of generic
214	coroutines in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.	456	coros in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
215		457
216	The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be	458	The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
217	issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as	459	issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
218	C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>	460	C<async> does. As the coro is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
219	will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,	461	will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
220	which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the	462	which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
221	exceptional case).	463	exceptional case).
222		464
223	The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be	465	The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
224	disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle	466	disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
225	gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will	467	gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coro will
226	be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global	468	be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coro global
227	stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most	469	stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
228	simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.	470	simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
229		471
230	The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be	472	The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coros (this can be
231	adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle	473	adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
232	coros as required.	474	coros as required.
233		475
234	If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a	476	If you are concerned about pooled coros growing a lot because a
235	single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool	477	single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
236	{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In	478	{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
237	addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb	479	addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb
238	(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.	480	(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
239		481
…		…
256	=back	498	=back
257		499
258	=head1 STATIC METHODS	500	=head1 STATIC METHODS
259		501
260	Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the	502	Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the
261	current coroutine.	503	current coro.
262		504
263	=over 4	505	=over 4
264		506
265	=item schedule	507	=item schedule
266		508
267	Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is	509	Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coro that is
268	to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine	510	to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coro
269	to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest	511	to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
270	in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the	512	in its ready queue. If there is no coro ready, it will call the
271	C<$Coro::idle> hook.	513	C<$Coro::idle> hook.
272		514
273	Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready	515	Please note that the current coro will I<not> be put into the ready
274	queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called	516	queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
275	again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,	517	again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
276	thus waking you up.	518	thus waking you up.
277		519
278	This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current	520	This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
279	coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in	521	coro and wait for events: first you remember the current coro in
280	a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready	522	a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
281	>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put	523	>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
282	yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,	524	yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coro up,
283	so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the	525	so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
284	status in a variable.	526	status in a variable.
285		527
286	See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.	528	See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
287		529
288	=item cede	530	=item cede
289		531
290	"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into	532	"Cede" to other coros. This function puts the current coro into
291	the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving	533	the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
292	up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher	534	up the current "timeslice" to other coros of the same or higher
293	priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be	535	priority. Once your coro gets its turn again it will automatically be
294	resumed.	536	resumed.
295		537
296	This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.	538	This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
297		539
298	=item Coro::cede_notself	540	=item Coro::cede_notself
299		541
300	Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>	542	Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
301	coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure	543	coro, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
302	progress is made.	544	progress is made.
303		545
304	=item terminate [arg...]	546	=item terminate [arg...]
305		547
306	Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).	548	Terminates the current coro with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
		549
		550	=item Coro::on_enter BLOCK, Coro::on_leave BLOCK
		551
		552	These function install enter and leave winders in the current scope. The
		553	enter block will be executed when on_enter is called and whenever the
		554	current coro is re-entered by the scheduler, while the leave block is
		555	executed whenever the current coro is blocked by the scheduler, and
		556	also when the containing scope is exited (by whatever means, be it exit,
		557	die, last etc.).
		558
		559	I<Neither invoking the scheduler, nor exceptions, are allowed within those
		560	BLOCKs>. That means: do not even think about calling C<die> without an
		561	eval, and do not even think of entering the scheduler in any way.
		562
		563	Since both BLOCKs are tied to the current scope, they will automatically
		564	be removed when the current scope exits.
		565
		566	These functions implement the same concept as C<dynamic-wind> in scheme
		567	does, and are useful when you want to localise some resource to a specific
		568	coro.
		569
		570	They slow down thread switching considerably for coros that use them
		571	(about 40% for a BLOCK with a single assignment, so thread switching is
		572	still reasonably fast if the handlers are fast).
		573
		574	These functions are best understood by an example: The following function
		575	will change the current timezone to "Antarctica/South_Pole", which
		576	requires a call to C<tzset>, but by using C<on_enter> and C<on_leave>,
		577	which remember/change the current timezone and restore the previous
		578	value, respectively, the timezone is only changed for the coro that
		579	installed those handlers.
		580
		581	use POSIX qw(tzset);
		582
		583	async {
		584	my $old_tz; # store outside TZ value here
		585
		586	Coro::on_enter {
		587	$old_tz = $ENV{TZ}; # remember the old value
		588
		589	$ENV{TZ} = "Antarctica/South_Pole";
		590	tzset; # enable new value
		591	};
		592
		593	Coro::on_leave {
		594	$ENV{TZ} = $old_tz;
		595	tzset; # restore old value
		596	};
		597
		598	# at this place, the timezone is Antarctica/South_Pole,
		599	# without disturbing the TZ of any other coro.
		600	};
		601
		602	This can be used to localise about any resource (locale, uid, current
		603	working directory etc.) to a block, despite the existance of other
		604	coros.
		605
		606	Another interesting example implements time-sliced multitasking using
		607	interval timers (this could obviously be optimised, but does the job):
		608
		609	# "timeslice" the given block
		610	sub timeslice(&) {
		611	use Time::HiRes ();
		612
		613	Coro::on_enter {
		614	# on entering the thread, we set an VTALRM handler to cede
		615	$SIG{VTALRM} = sub { cede };
		616	# and then start the interval timer
		617	Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0.01, 0.01;
		618	};
		619	Coro::on_leave {
		620	# on leaving the thread, we stop the interval timer again
		621	Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0, 0;
		622	};
		623
		624	&{+shift};
		625	}
		626
		627	# use like this:
		628	timeslice {
		629	# The following is an endless loop that would normally
		630	# monopolise the process. Since it runs in a timesliced
		631	# environment, it will regularly cede to other threads.
		632	while () { }
		633	};
		634
307		635
308	=item killall	636	=item killall
309		637
310	Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running	638	Kills/terminates/cancels all coros except the currently running one.
311	one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
312	usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
313		639
314	Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,	640	Note that while this will try to free some of the main interpreter
		641	resources if the calling coro isn't the main coro, but one
315	you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main	642	cannot free all of them, so if a coro that is not the main coro
316	program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.	643	calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
317		644
318	=cut	645	=cut
319		646
320	sub killall {	647	sub killall {
321	for (Coro::State::list) {	648	for (Coro::State::list) {
…		…
324	}	651	}
325	}	652	}
326		653
327	=back	654	=back
328		655
329	=head1 COROUTINE OBJECT METHODS	656	=head1 CORO OBJECT METHODS
330		657
331	These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create	658	These are the methods you can call on coro objects (or to create
332	them).	659	them).
333		660
334	=over 4	661	=over 4
335		662
336	=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]	663	=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
337		664
338	Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine	665	Create a new coro and return it. When the sub returns, the coro
339	automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were	666	automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
340	called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready	667	called. To make the coro run you must first put it into the ready
341	queue by calling the ready method.	668	queue by calling the ready method.
342		669
343	See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the	670	See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
344	coroutine environment.	671	coro environment.
345		672
346	=cut	673	=cut
347		674
348	sub _terminate {	675	sub _coro_run {
349	terminate &{+shift};	676	terminate &{+shift};
350	}	677	}
351		678
352	=item $success = $coroutine->ready	679	=item $success = $coro->ready
353		680
354	Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one	681	Put the given coro into the end of its ready queue (there is one
355	queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in	682	queue for each priority) and return true. If the coro is already in
356	the ready queue, do nothing and return false.	683	the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
357		684
358	This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically	685	This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coro automatically
359	once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same	686	once all the coro of higher priority and all coro of the same
360	priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.	687	priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
361		688
		689	=item $coro->suspend
		690
		691	Suspends the specified coro. A suspended coro works just like any other
		692	coro, except that the scheduler will not select a suspended coro for
		693	execution.
		694
		695	Suspending a coro can be useful when you want to keep the coro from
		696	running, but you don't want to destroy it, or when you want to temporarily
		697	freeze a coro (e.g. for debugging) to resume it later.
		698
		699	A scenario for the former would be to suspend all (other) coros after a
		700	fork and keep them alive, so their destructors aren't called, but new
		701	coros can be created.
		702
		703	=item $coro->resume
		704
		705	If the specified coro was suspended, it will be resumed. Note that when
		706	the coro was in the ready queue when it was suspended, it might have been
		707	unreadied by the scheduler, so an activation might have been lost.
		708
		709	To avoid this, it is best to put a suspended coro into the ready queue
		710	unconditionally, as every synchronisation mechanism must protect itself
		711	against spurious wakeups, and the one in the Coro family certainly do
		712	that.
		713
362	=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready	714	=item $is_ready = $coro->is_ready
363		715
364	Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,	716	Returns true iff the Coro object is in the ready queue. Unless the Coro
		717	object gets destroyed, it will eventually be scheduled by the scheduler.
365		718
		719	=item $is_running = $coro->is_running
		720
		721	Returns true iff the Coro object is currently running. Only one Coro object
		722	can ever be in the running state (but it currently is possible to have
		723	multiple running Coro::States).
		724
		725	=item $is_suspended = $coro->is_suspended
		726
		727	Returns true iff this Coro object has been suspended. Suspended Coros will
		728	not ever be scheduled.
		729
366	=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)	730	=item $coro->cancel (arg...)
367		731
368	Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as	732	Terminates the given Coro and makes it return the given arguments as
369	status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the	733	status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the Coro is the
370	current coroutine.	734	current Coro.
371		735
372	=cut	736	=cut
373		737
374	sub cancel {	738	sub cancel {
375	my $self = shift;	739	my $self = shift;
376		740
377	if ($current == $self) {	741	if ($current == $self) {
378	terminate @_;	742	terminate @_;
379	} else {	743	} else {
380	$self->{_status} = [@_];	744	$self->{_status} = [@_];
381	$self->_cancel;	745	Coro::State::cancel $self;
382	}	746	}
383	}	747	}
384		748
385	=item $coroutine->schedule_to	749	=item $coro->schedule_to
386		750
387	Puts the current coroutine to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead	751	Puts the current coro to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
388	of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to	752	of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
389	the given coroutine object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness	753	the given coro object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
390	state of that coroutine isn't changed.	754	state of that coro isn't changed.
391		755
392	This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any	756	This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
393	uses for this one.	757	uses for this one.
394		758
395	=item $coroutine->cede_to	759	=item $coro->cede_to
396		760
397	Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coroutine into the ready	761	Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coro into the ready
398	queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given	762	queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
399	coroutine, and continuing some time later.	763	coro, and continuing some time later.
400		764
401	This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any	765	This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
402	uses for this one.	766	uses for this one.
403		767
404	=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])	768	=item $coro->throw ([$scalar])
405		769
406	If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception	770	If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
407	inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise	771	inside the coro at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
408	clears the exception object.	772	clears the exception object.
409		773
410	Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function	774	Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
411	returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down	775	returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
412	>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions	776	>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions
…		…
414		778
415	The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in	779	The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
416	C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended	780	C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
417	(unlike with C<die>).	781	(unlike with C<die>).
418		782
419	This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to	783	This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coro to
420	end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to	784	end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
421	termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole	785	termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
422	program.	786	program.
423		787
424	You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of	788	You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
425	C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar).	789	C<kill>ing a coro with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
426		790
427	=item $coroutine->join	791	=item $coro->join
428		792
429	Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the	793	Wait until the coro terminates and return any values given to the
430	C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently	794	C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
431	from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status	795	from multiple coro, and all will be resumed and given the status
432	return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.	796	return once the C<$coro> terminates.
433		797
434	=cut	798	=cut
435		799
436	sub join {	800	sub join {
437	my $self = shift;	801	my $self = shift;
…		…
448	}	812	}
449		813
450	wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];	814	wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
451	}	815	}
452		816
453	=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)	817	=item $coro->on_destroy (\&cb)
454		818
455	Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,	819	Registers a callback that is called when this coro thread gets destroyed,
456	but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,	820	but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
457	if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.	821	if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
458		822
		823	There can be any number of C<on_destroy> callbacks per coro.
		824
459	=cut	825	=cut
460		826
461	sub on_destroy {	827	sub on_destroy {
462	my ($self, $cb) = @_;	828	my ($self, $cb) = @_;
463		829
464	push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;	830	push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
465	}	831	}
466		832
467	=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)	833	=item $oldprio = $coro->prio ($newprio)
468		834
469	Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the	835	Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
470	coroutine. Higher priority coroutines get run before lower priority	836	coro thread. Higher priority coro get run before lower priority
471	coroutines. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3),	837	coros. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3),
472	that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio	838	that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio
473	to get then):	839	to get then):
474		840
475	PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN	841	PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN
476	3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4	842	3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4
477		843
478	# set priority to HIGH	844	# set priority to HIGH
479	current->prio(PRIO_HIGH);	845	current->prio (PRIO_HIGH);
480		846
481	The idle coroutine ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any	847	The idle coro thread ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any
482	existing coroutine.	848	existing coro.
483		849
484	Changing the priority of the current coroutine will take effect immediately,	850	Changing the priority of the current coro will take effect immediately,
485	but changing the priority of coroutines in the ready queue (but not	851	but changing the priority of a coro in the ready queue (but not running)
486	running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that	852	will only take effect after the next schedule (of that coro). This is a
487	coroutine). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version.	853	bug that will be fixed in some future version.
488		854
489	=item $newprio = $coroutine->nice ($change)	855	=item $newprio = $coro->nice ($change)
490		856
491	Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e.	857	Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e.
492	higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).	858	higher values mean lower priority, just as in UNIX's nice command).
493		859
494	=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)	860	=item $olddesc = $coro->desc ($newdesc)
495		861
496	Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this	862	Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
497	coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a	863	coro thread. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
498	coroutine.	864	coro.
499		865
500	This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given	866	This method simply sets the C<< $coro->{desc} >> member to the given
501	string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.	867	string. You can modify this member directly if you wish, and in fact, this
		868	is often preferred to indicate major processing states that cna then be
		869	seen for example in a L<Coro::Debug> session:
		870
		871	sub my_long_function {
		872	local $Coro::current->{desc} = "now in my_long_function";
		873	...
		874	$Coro::current->{desc} = "my_long_function: phase 1";
		875	...
		876	$Coro::current->{desc} = "my_long_function: phase 2";
		877	...
		878	}
502		879
503	=cut	880	=cut
504		881
505	sub desc {	882	sub desc {
506	my $old = $_[0]{desc};	883	my $old = $_[0]{desc};
…		…
519		896
520	=over 4	897	=over 4
521		898
522	=item Coro::nready	899	=item Coro::nready
523		900
524	Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,	901	Returns the number of coro that are currently in the ready state,
525	i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or	902	i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
526	indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the	903	indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coro is the
527	currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>	904	currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
528	would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some	905	would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
529	coroutines.	906	coro.
530		907
531	=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }	908	=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
532		909
533	This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object	910	This function still exists, but is deprecated. Please use the
534	gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be	911	C<Guard::guard> function instead.
535	executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
536	runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
537	guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
538	C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
539		912
540	Example: set some flag and clear it again when the coroutine gets canceled
541	or the function returns:
542
543	sub do_something {
544	my $guard = Coro::guard { $busy = 0 };
545	$busy = 1;
546
547	# do something that requires $busy to be true
548	}
549
550	=cut	913	=cut
551		914
552	sub guard(&) {	915	BEGIN { *guard = \&Guard::guard }
553	bless \(my $cb = $_[0]), "Coro::guard"
554	}
555
556	sub Coro::guard::cancel {
557	${$_[0]} = sub { };
558	}
559
560	sub Coro::guard::DESTROY {
561	${$_[0]}->();
562	}
563
564		916
565	=item unblock_sub { ... }	917	=item unblock_sub { ... }
566		918
567	This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,	919	This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
568	returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef	920	returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
569	will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the	921	will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
570	original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another	922	original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
571	coroutine.	923	coro.
572		924
573	The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the	925	The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as
574	venerable L<Event\|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form	926	the venerable L<Event\|Event> module) are not thread-safe (a weaker form
575	of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,	927	of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
576	otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library	928	otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
577	currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.	929	currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV> (but
		930	you might still run into deadlocks if all event loops are blocked).
		931
		932	Coro will try to catch you when you block in the event loop
		933	("FATAL:$Coro::IDLE blocked itself"), but this is just best effort and
		934	only works when you do not run your own event loop.
578		935
579	This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another	936	This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
580	coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy	937	coro where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
581	is when you use the L<Coro::AIO\|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to	938	is when you use the L<Coro::AIO\|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
582	disk, for example.	939	disk, for example.
583		940
584	In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when	941	In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
585	creating event callbacks that want to block.	942	creating event callbacks that want to block.
586		943
587	If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to	944	If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
588	another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),	945	another coro, or puts some other coro into the ready queue), there is
589	there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.	946	no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
590		947
591	Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that	948	Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
592	are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you	949	are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
593	use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it	950	use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
594	provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you	951	provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
…		…
624	unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];	981	unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
625	$unblock_scheduler->ready;	982	$unblock_scheduler->ready;
626	}	983	}
627	}	984	}
628		985
629	=item $cb = Coro::rouse_cb	986	=item $cb = rouse_cb
630		987
631	Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that, when	988	Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that,
632	called, will save its arguments and notify the owner coroutine of the	989	when called, will remember a copy of its arguments and notify the owner
633	callback.	990	coro of the callback.
634		991
635	See the next function.	992	See the next function.
636		993
637	=item @args = Coro::rouse_wait [$cb]	994	=item @args = rouse_wait [$cb]
638		995
639	Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one tht was created in	996	Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one that was created in
640	this coroutine).	997	this coro).
641		998
642	As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the calback was invoked before	999	As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the callback was invoked
643	C<rouse_wait>), it will return a copy of the arguments originally passed	1000	before C<rouse_wait>), it will return the arguments originally passed to
644	to the rouse callback.	1001	the rouse callback. In scalar context, that means you get the I<last>
		1002	argument, just as if C<rouse_wait> had a C<return ($a1, $a2, $a3...)>
		1003	statement at the end.
645		1004
646	See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.	1005	See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
647		1006
648	=back	1007	=back
649		1008
650	=cut	1009	=cut
651		1010
		1011	for my $module (qw(Channel RWLock Semaphore SemaphoreSet Signal Specific)) {
		1012	my $old = defined &{"Coro::$module\::new"} && \&{"Coro::$module\::new"};
		1013
		1014	*{"Coro::$module\::new"} = sub {
		1015	require "Coro/$module.pm";
		1016
		1017	# some modules have their new predefined in State.xs, some don't
		1018	*{"Coro::$module\::new"} = $old
		1019	if $old;
		1020
		1021	goto &{"Coro::$module\::new"};
		1022	};
		1023	}
		1024
652	1;	1025	1;
653		1026
654	=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK	1027	=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
655		1028
656	It is very common for a coroutine to wait for some callback to be	1029	It is very common for a coro to wait for some callback to be
657	called. This occurs naturally when you use coroutines in an otherwise	1030	called. This occurs naturally when you use coro in an otherwise
658	event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.	1031	event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
659		1032
660	These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback	1033	These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
661	when the event occured. In a coroutine, however, you typically want to	1034	when the event occured. In a coro, however, you typically want to
662	just wait for the event, simplyifying things.	1035	just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
663		1036
664	For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when	1037	For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
665	a specific child has exited:	1038	a specific child has exited:
666		1039
667	my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });	1040	my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
668		1041
669	But from withina coroutine, you often just want to write this:	1042	But from within a coro, you often just want to write this:
670		1043
671	my $status = wait_for_child $pid;	1044	my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
672		1045
673	Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,	1046	Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
674	C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.	1047	C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
675		1048
676	The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,	1049	The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
677	when invoked, will save it's arguments and notify the coroutine that	1050	when invoked, will save its arguments and notify the coro that
678	created the callback.	1051	created the callback.
679		1052
680	The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called	1053	The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
681	(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments	1054	(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
682	originally passed to the callback.	1055	originally passed to the callback.
…		…
697	you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:	1070	you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
698		1071
699	sub wait_for_child($) {	1072	sub wait_for_child($) {
700	my ($pid) = @_;	1073	my ($pid) = @_;
701		1074
702	# store the current coroutine in $current,	1075	# store the current coro in $current,
703	# and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child	1076	# and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
704	my $current = $Coro::current;	1077	my $current = $Coro::current;
705	my ($done, $rstatus);	1078	my ($done, $rstatus);
706		1079
707	# pass a closure to ->child	1080	# pass a closure to ->child
…		…
723		1096
724	=item fork with pthread backend	1097	=item fork with pthread backend
725		1098
726	When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended	1099	When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
727	but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then	1100	but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
728	coroutines will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to	1101	coro will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
729	fix your libc and use a saner backend.	1102	fix your libc and use a saner backend.
730		1103
731	=item perl process emulation ("threads")	1104	=item perl process emulation ("threads")
732		1105
733	This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this	1106	This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
734	module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the	1107	module from the first thread (this requirement might be removed in the
735	future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow	1108	future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
736	this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having	1109	this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
737	the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl	1110	the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
738	performance, even when not used.	1111	performance, even when not used.
739		1112
740	=item coroutine switching not signal safe	1113	=item coro switching is not signal safe
741		1114
742	You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler	1115	You must not switch to another coro from within a signal handler (only
743	(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).	1116	relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals), I<unless>
		1117	you are sure you are not interrupting a Coro function.
744		1118
745	That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the	1119	That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
746	current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or	1120	current coro - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
747	anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,	1121	anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
748	works.	1122	works.
749		1123
750	=back	1124	=back
751		1125
752		1126
		1127	=head1 WINDOWS PROCESS EMULATION
		1128
		1129	A great many people seem to be confused about ithreads (for example, Chip
		1130	Salzenberg called me unintelligent, incapable, stupid and gullible,
		1131	while in the same mail making rather confused statements about perl
		1132	ithreads (for example, that memory or files would be shared), showing his
		1133	lack of understanding of this area - if it is hard to understand for Chip,
		1134	it is probably not obvious to everybody).
		1135
		1136	What follows is an ultra-condensed version of my talk about threads in
		1137	scripting languages given on the perl workshop 2009:
		1138
		1139	The so-called "ithreads" were originally implemented for two reasons:
		1140	first, to (badly) emulate unix processes on native win32 perls, and
		1141	secondly, to replace the older, real thread model ("5.005-threads").
		1142
		1143	It does that by using threads instead of OS processes. The difference
		1144	between processes and threads is that threads share memory (and other
		1145	state, such as files) between threads within a single process, while
		1146	processes do not share anything (at least not semantically). That
		1147	means that modifications done by one thread are seen by others, while
		1148	modifications by one process are not seen by other processes.
		1149
		1150	The "ithreads" work exactly like that: when creating a new ithreads
		1151	process, all state is copied (memory is copied physically, files and code
		1152	is copied logically). Afterwards, it isolates all modifications. On UNIX,
		1153	the same behaviour can be achieved by using operating system processes,
		1154	except that UNIX typically uses hardware built into the system to do this
		1155	efficiently, while the windows process emulation emulates this hardware in
		1156	software (rather efficiently, but of course it is still much slower than
		1157	dedicated hardware).
		1158
		1159	As mentioned before, loading code, modifying code, modifying data
		1160	structures and so on is only visible in the ithreads process doing the
		1161	modification, not in other ithread processes within the same OS process.
		1162
		1163	This is why "ithreads" do not implement threads for perl at all, only
		1164	processes. What makes it so bad is that on non-windows platforms, you can
		1165	actually take advantage of custom hardware for this purpose (as evidenced
		1166	by the forks module, which gives you the (i-) threads API, just much
		1167	faster).
		1168
		1169	Sharing data is in the i-threads model is done by transfering data
		1170	structures between threads using copying semantics, which is very slow -
		1171	shared data simply does not exist. Benchmarks using i-threads which are
		1172	communication-intensive show extremely bad behaviour with i-threads (in
		1173	fact, so bad that Coro, which cannot take direct advantage of multiple
		1174	CPUs, is often orders of magnitude faster because it shares data using
		1175	real threads, refer to my talk for details).
		1176
		1177	As summary, i-threads use threads to implement processes, while
		1178	the compatible forks module uses processes to emulate, uhm,
		1179	processes. I-threads slow down every perl program when enabled, and
		1180	outside of windows, serve no (or little) practical purpose, but
		1181	disadvantages every single-threaded Perl program.
		1182
		1183	This is the reason that I try to avoid the name "ithreads", as it is
		1184	misleading as it implies that it implements some kind of thread model for
		1185	perl, and prefer the name "windows process emulation", which describes the
		1186	actual use and behaviour of it much better.
		1187
753	=head1 SEE ALSO	1188	=head1 SEE ALSO
754		1189
755	Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.	1190	Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
756		1191
757	Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.	1192	Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
758		1193
759	Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.	1194	Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
760		1195
761	Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.	1196	Locking and IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>,
		1197	L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
762		1198
763	IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.	1199	I/O and Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
764		1200
765	Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>.	1201	Compatibility with other modules: L<Coro::LWP> (but see also L<AnyEvent::HTTP> for
		1202	a better-working alternative), L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>,
		1203	L<Coro::Select>.
766		1204
767	XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.	1205	XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
768		1206
769	Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.	1207	Low level Configuration, Thread Environment, Continuations: L<Coro::State>.
770		1208
771	=head1 AUTHOR	1209	=head1 AUTHOR
772		1210
773	Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>	1211	Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
774	http://home.schmorp.de/	1212	http://home.schmorp.de/

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Comparing Coro/Coro.pm (file contents): Revision 1.234 by root, Fri Nov 21 06:52:10 2008 UTC vs. Revision 1.287 by root, Sat Feb 19 06:51:22 2011 UTC

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Comparing Coro/Coro.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.234 by root, Fri Nov 21 06:52:10 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.287 by root, Sat Feb 19 06:51:22 2011 UTC