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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3Coro - coroutine process abstraction 3Coro - 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;
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;
27 $lock->up; 26 $lock->up;
28 27
29=head1 DESCRIPTION 28=head1 DESCRIPTION
30 29
31This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar to 30For a tutorial-style introduction, please read the L<Coro::Intro>
32threads but don't (in general) run in parallel at the same time even 31manpage. This manpage mainly contains reference information.
33on SMP machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module
34also guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless
35necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and
36parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much
37safer and easier than threads programming.
38 32
39Unlike a normal perl program, however, coroutines allow you to have 33This module collection manages continuations in general, most often in
40multiple running interpreters that share data, which is especially useful 34the form of cooperative threads (also called coros, or simply "coro"
41to code pseudo-parallel processes and for event-based programming, such as 35in the documentation). They are similar to kernel threads but don't (in
42multiple HTTP-GET requests running concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to 36general) run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The
43learn more. 37specific flavor of thread offered by this module also guarantees you that
38it will not switch between threads unless necessary, at easily-identified
39points in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an
40issue, making thread programming much safer and easier than using other
41thread models.
44 42
45Coroutines are also useful because Perl has no support for threads (the so 43Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads
46called "threads" that perl offers are nothing more than the (bad) process 44but only the windows process emulation (see section of same name for
47emulation coming from the Windows platform: On standard operating systems 45more details) ported to UNIX, and as such act as processes), Coro
48they serve no purpose whatsoever, except by making your programs slow and 46provides a full shared address space, which makes communication between
49making them use a lot of memory. Best disable them when building perl, or 47threads very easy. And coro threads are fast, too: disabling the Windows
50aks your software vendor/distributor to do it for you). 48process emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in
49a two to four times speed increase for your programs. A parallel matrix
50multiplication benchmark (very communication-intensive) runs over 300
51times faster on a single core than perls pseudo-threads on a quad core
52using all four cores.
51 53
54Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share
55data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and
56for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running
57concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro
58into an event-based environment.
59
52In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables + 60In this module, a thread is defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
53@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain, 61some package variables + C stack), that is, a thread has its own callchain,
54its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global 62its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
55variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration). 63variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background info).
64
65See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro
66module family is quite large.
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
200And yet another way is to C<< ->cancel >> (or C<< ->safe_cancel >>) the
201coro thread from another thread:
202
203 my $coro = async {
204 exit 1;
205 };
206
207 $coro->cancel; # also accepts values for ->join to retrieve
208
209Cancellation I<can> be dangerous - it's a bit like calling C<exit> without
210actually exiting, and might leave C libraries and XS modules in a weird
211state. Unlike other thread implementations, however, Coro is exceptionally
212safe with regards to cancellation, as perl will always be in a consistent
213state, and for those cases where you want to do truly marvellous things
214with your coro while it is being cancelled - that is, make sure all
215cleanup code is executed from the thread being cancelled - there is even a
216C<< ->safe_cancel >> method.
217
218So, cancelling a thread that runs in an XS event loop might not be the
219best idea, but any other combination that deals with perl only (cancelling
220when a thread is in a C<tie> method or an C<AUTOLOAD> for example) is
221safe.
222
223Lastly, a coro thread object that isn't referenced is C<< ->cancel >>'ed
224automatically - just like other objects in Perl. This is not such a common
225case, however - a running thread is referencedy b C<$Coro::current>, a
226thread ready to run is referenced by the ready queue, a thread waiting
227on a lock or semaphore is referenced by being in some wait list and so
228on. But a thread that isn't in any of those queues gets cancelled:
229
230 async {
231 schedule; # cede to other coros, don't go into the ready queue
232 };
233
234 cede;
235 # now the async above is destroyed, as it is not referenced by anything.
236
237=item 5. Cleanup
238
239Threads will allocate various resources. Most but not all will be returned
240when a thread terminates, during clean-up.
241
242Cleanup is quite similar to throwing an uncaught exception: perl will
243work it's way up through all subroutine calls and blocks. On it's way, it
244will release all C<my> variables, undo all C<local>'s and free any other
245resources truly local to the thread.
246
247So, a common way to free resources is to keep them referenced only by my
248variables:
249
250 async {
251 my $big_cache = new Cache ...;
252 };
253
254If there are no other references, then the C<$big_cache> object will be
255freed when the thread terminates, regardless of how it does so.
256
257What it does C<NOT> do is unlock any Coro::Semaphores or similar
258resources, but that's where the C<guard> methods come in handy:
259
260 my $sem = new Coro::Semaphore;
261
262 async {
263 my $lock_guard = $sem->guard;
264 # if we reutrn, or die or get cancelled, here,
265 # then the semaphore will be "up"ed.
266 };
267
268The C<Guard::guard> function comes in handy for any custom cleanup you
269might want to do (but you cannot switch to other coroutines form those
270code blocks):
271
272 async {
273 my $window = new Gtk2::Window "toplevel";
274 # The window will not be cleaned up automatically, even when $window
275 # gets freed, so use a guard to ensure it's destruction
276 # in case of an error:
277 my $window_guard = Guard::guard { $window->destroy };
278
279 # we are safe here
280 };
281
282Last not least, C<local> can often be handy, too, e.g. when temporarily
283replacing the coro thread description:
284
285 sub myfunction {
286 local $Coro::current->{desc} = "inside myfunction(@_)";
287
288 # if we return or die here, the description will be restored
289 }
290
291=item 6. Viva La Zombie Muerte
292
293Even after a thread has terminated and cleaned up its resources, the Coro
294object still is there and stores the return values of the thread.
295
296The means the Coro object gets freed automatically when the thread has
297terminated and cleaned up and there arenot other references.
298
299If there are, the Coro object will stay around, and you can call C<<
300->join >> as many times as you wish to retrieve the result values:
301
302 async {
303 print "hi\n";
304 1
305 };
306
307 # run the async above, and free everything before returning
308 # from Coro::cede:
309 Coro::cede;
310
311 {
312 my $coro = async {
313 print "hi\n";
314 1
315 };
316
317 # run the async above, and clean up, but do not free the coro
318 # object:
319 Coro::cede;
320
321 # optionally retrieve the result values
322 my @results = $coro->join;
323
324 # now $coro goes out of scope, and presumably gets freed
325 };
326
327=back
56 328
57=cut 329=cut
58 330
59package Coro; 331package Coro;
60 332
61use strict qw(vars subs); 333use common::sense;
62no warnings "uninitialized"; 334
335use Carp ();
336
337use Guard ();
63 338
64use Coro::State; 339use Coro::State;
65 340
66use base qw(Coro::State Exporter); 341use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
67 342
68our $idle; # idle handler 343our $idle; # idle handler
69our $main; # main coroutine 344our $main; # main coro
70our $current; # current coroutine 345our $current; # current coro
71 346
72our $VERSION = 5.0; 347our $VERSION = 6.01;
73 348
74our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 349our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub rouse_cb rouse_wait);
75our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 350our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
76 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 351 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
77); 352);
78our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 353our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
79 354
355=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES
356
80=over 4 357=over 4
81 358
82=item $Coro::main 359=item $Coro::main
83 360
84This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main 361This variable stores the Coro object that represents the main
85program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to 362program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
86coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see 363coro, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
87whether you are running in the main program or not. 364whether you are running in the main program or not.
88 365
89=cut 366=cut
90 367
91# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State 368# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
92 369
93=item $Coro::current 370=item $Coro::current
94 371
95The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last 372The Coro object representing the current coro (the last
96coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is 373coro that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
97C<$Coro::main> (of course). 374C<$Coro::main> (of course).
98 375
99This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the 376This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
100value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must 377value stored in it and use it as any other Coro object, but you must
101not otherwise modify the variable itself. 378not otherwise modify the variable itself.
102 379
103=cut 380=cut
104 381
105sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED] 382sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
106 383
107=item $Coro::idle 384=item $Coro::idle
108 385
109This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is 386This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
110usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is 387usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or L<Coro::EV>, as this is
111pretty low-level functionality. 388pretty low-level functionality.
112 389
113This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler 390This variable stores a Coro object that is put into the ready queue when
114finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints 391there are no other ready threads (without invoking any ready hooks).
115"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
116to continue.
117 392
393The default implementation dies with "FATAL: deadlock detected.", followed
394by a thread listing, because the program has no other way to continue.
395
118This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 396This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::EV> and
119C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 397C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wakes up a
120coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 398coro so the scheduler can run it.
121 399
122Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
123the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
124coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
125readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
126
127See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this 400See L<Coro::EV> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this technique.
128technique.
129
130Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
131handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
132 401
133=cut 402=cut
134 403
135$idle = sub { 404# ||= because other modules could have provided their own by now
136 require Carp; 405$idle ||= new Coro sub {
137 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected"); 406 require Coro::Debug;
407 die "FATAL: deadlock detected.\n"
408 . Coro::Debug::ps_listing ();
138}; 409};
139 410
140sub _cancel {
141 my ($self) = @_;
142
143 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed
144 $self->_destroy
145 or return;
146
147 # call all destruction callbacks
148 $_->(@{$self->{_status}})
149 for @{ delete $self->{_on_destroy} || [] };
150}
151
152# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 411# this coro is necessary because a coro
153# cannot destroy itself. 412# cannot destroy itself.
154my @destroy; 413our @destroy;
155my $manager; 414our $manager;
156 415
157$manager = new Coro sub { 416$manager = new Coro sub {
158 while () { 417 while () {
159 (shift @destroy)->_cancel 418 _destroy shift @destroy
160 while @destroy; 419 while @destroy;
161 420
162 &schedule; 421 &schedule;
163 } 422 }
164}; 423};
165$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]"; 424$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
166$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 425$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
167 426
168=back 427=back
169 428
170=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION 429=head1 SIMPLE CORO CREATION
171 430
172=over 4 431=over 4
173 432
174=item async { ... } [@args...] 433=item async { ... } [@args...]
175 434
176Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually 435Create a new coro and return its Coro object (usually
177unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so 436unused). The coro will be put into the ready queue, so
178it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run. 437it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
179 438
180The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the 439The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
181coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically 440coro. When it returns argument returns the coro is automatically
182terminated. 441terminated.
183 442
184The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure. 443The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
185 444
186See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine 445See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coro
187environment in which coroutines are executed. 446environment in which coro are executed.
188 447
189Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside 448Calling C<exit> in a coro will do the same as calling exit outside
190the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit, 449the coro. Likewise, when the coro dies, the program will exit,
191just as it would in the main program. 450just as it would in the main program.
192 451
193If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or 452If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
194simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>). 453simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
195 454
196Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments. 455Example: Create a new coro that just prints its arguments.
197 456
198 async { 457 async {
199 print "@_\n"; 458 print "@_\n";
200 } 1,2,3,4; 459 } 1,2,3,4;
201 460
202=cut
203
204sub async(&@) {
205 my $coro = new Coro @_;
206 $coro->ready;
207 $coro
208}
209
210=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 461=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
211 462
212Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 463Similar to C<async>, but uses a coro pool, so you should not call
213terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a 464terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
214coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good 465coro that might have executed other code already (which can be good
215or bad :). 466or bad :).
216 467
217On the plus side, this function is faster than creating (and destroying) 468On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
218a completly new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic coroutines in 469destroying) a completely new coro, so if you need a lot of generic
219quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>. 470coros in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
220 471
221The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 472The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
222issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as 473issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
223C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy> 474C<async> does. As the coro is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
224will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel, 475will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
225which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the 476which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
226exceptional case). 477exceptional case).
227 478
228The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be 479The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
229disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle 480disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
230gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will 481gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coro will
231be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global 482be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coro global
232stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most 483stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
233simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>. 484simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
234 485
235The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be 486The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coros (this can be
236adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle 487adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
237coros as required. 488coros as required.
238 489
239If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 490If you are concerned about pooled coros growing a lot because a
240single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool 491single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
241{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In 492{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
242addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb 493addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb
243(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed. 494(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
244 495
245=cut 496=cut
246 497
247our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 498our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
248our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024; 499our $POOL_RSS = 32 * 1024;
249our @async_pool; 500our @async_pool;
250 501
251sub pool_handler { 502sub pool_handler {
252 my $cb;
253
254 while () { 503 while () {
255 eval { 504 eval {
256 while () { 505 &{&_pool_handler} while 1;
257 _pool_1 $cb;
258 &$cb;
259 _pool_2 $cb;
260 &schedule;
261 }
262 }; 506 };
263 507
264 if ($@) {
265 last if $@ eq "\3async_pool terminate\2\n";
266 warn $@; 508 warn $@ if $@;
267 }
268 } 509 }
269} 510}
270 511
271sub async_pool(&@) {
272 # this is also inlined into the unblock_scheduler
273 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
274
275 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_];
276 $coro->ready;
277
278 $coro
279}
280
281=back 512=back
282 513
283=head2 STATIC METHODS 514=head1 STATIC METHODS
284 515
285Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine. 516Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the
517current coro.
286 518
287=over 4 519=over 4
288 520
289=item schedule 521=item schedule
290 522
291Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is 523Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coro that is
292to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine 524to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coro
293to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest 525to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
294in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the 526in its ready queue. If there is no coro ready, it will call the
295C<$Coro::idle> hook. 527C<$Coro::idle> hook.
296 528
297Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready 529Please note that the current coro will I<not> be put into the ready
298queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called 530queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
299again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>, 531again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
300thus waking you up. 532thus waking you up.
301 533
302This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current 534This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
303coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in 535coro and wait for events: first you remember the current coro in
304a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready 536a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
305>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put 537>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
306yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up, 538yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coro up,
307so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the 539so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
308status in a variable. 540status in a variable.
309 541
310The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 542See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
311 543
312 { 544=item cede
313 # remember current coroutine
314 my $current = $Coro::current;
315 545
316 # register a hypothetical event handler 546"Cede" to other coros. This function puts the current coro into
317 on_event_invoke sub { 547the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
318 # wake up sleeping coroutine 548up the current "timeslice" to other coros of the same or higher
319 $current->ready; 549priority. Once your coro gets its turn again it will automatically be
320 undef $current; 550resumed.
551
552This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
553
554=item Coro::cede_notself
555
556Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
557coro, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
558progress is made.
559
560=item terminate [arg...]
561
562Terminates the current coro with the given status values (see
563L<cancel>). The values will not be copied, but referenced directly.
564
565=item Coro::on_enter BLOCK, Coro::on_leave BLOCK
566
567These function install enter and leave winders in the current scope. The
568enter block will be executed when on_enter is called and whenever the
569current coro is re-entered by the scheduler, while the leave block is
570executed whenever the current coro is blocked by the scheduler, and
571also when the containing scope is exited (by whatever means, be it exit,
572die, last etc.).
573
574I<Neither invoking the scheduler, nor exceptions, are allowed within those
575BLOCKs>. That means: do not even think about calling C<die> without an
576eval, and do not even think of entering the scheduler in any way.
577
578Since both BLOCKs are tied to the current scope, they will automatically
579be removed when the current scope exits.
580
581These functions implement the same concept as C<dynamic-wind> in scheme
582does, and are useful when you want to localise some resource to a specific
583coro.
584
585They slow down thread switching considerably for coros that use them
586(about 40% for a BLOCK with a single assignment, so thread switching is
587still reasonably fast if the handlers are fast).
588
589These functions are best understood by an example: The following function
590will change the current timezone to "Antarctica/South_Pole", which
591requires a call to C<tzset>, but by using C<on_enter> and C<on_leave>,
592which remember/change the current timezone and restore the previous
593value, respectively, the timezone is only changed for the coro that
594installed those handlers.
595
596 use POSIX qw(tzset);
597
598 async {
599 my $old_tz; # store outside TZ value here
600
601 Coro::on_enter {
602 $old_tz = $ENV{TZ}; # remember the old value
603
604 $ENV{TZ} = "Antarctica/South_Pole";
605 tzset; # enable new value
321 }; 606 };
322 607
323 # call schedule until event occurred. 608 Coro::on_leave {
324 # in case we are woken up for other reasons 609 $ENV{TZ} = $old_tz;
325 # (current still defined), loop. 610 tzset; # restore old value
326 Coro::schedule while $current; 611 };
612
613 # at this place, the timezone is Antarctica/South_Pole,
614 # without disturbing the TZ of any other coro.
327 } 615 };
328 616
329=item cede 617This can be used to localise about any resource (locale, uid, current
618working directory etc.) to a block, despite the existance of other
619coros.
330 620
331"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into 621Another interesting example implements time-sliced multitasking using
332the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving 622interval timers (this could obviously be optimised, but does the job):
333up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
334priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
335resumed.
336 623
337This function is often called C<yield> in other languages. 624 # "timeslice" the given block
625 sub timeslice(&) {
626 use Time::HiRes ();
338 627
339=item Coro::cede_notself 628 Coro::on_enter {
629 # on entering the thread, we set an VTALRM handler to cede
630 $SIG{VTALRM} = sub { cede };
631 # and then start the interval timer
632 Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0.01, 0.01;
633 };
634 Coro::on_leave {
635 # on leaving the thread, we stop the interval timer again
636 Time::HiRes::setitimer &Time::HiRes::ITIMER_VIRTUAL, 0, 0;
637 };
340 638
341Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any> 639 &{+shift};
342coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure 640 }
343progress is made.
344 641
345=item terminate [arg...] 642 # use like this:
643 timeslice {
644 # The following is an endless loop that would normally
645 # monopolise the process. Since it runs in a timesliced
646 # environment, it will regularly cede to other threads.
647 while () { }
648 };
346 649
347Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
348 650
349=item killall 651=item killall
350 652
351Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running 653Kills/terminates/cancels all coros except the currently running one.
352one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
353usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
354 654
355Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources, 655Note that while this will try to free some of the main interpreter
656resources if the calling coro isn't the main coro, but one
356you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main 657cannot free all of them, so if a coro that is not the main coro
357program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak. 658calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
358 659
359=cut 660=cut
360
361sub terminate {
362 $current->cancel (@_);
363}
364 661
365sub killall { 662sub killall {
366 for (Coro::State::list) { 663 for (Coro::State::list) {
367 $_->cancel 664 $_->cancel
368 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro"; 665 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
369 } 666 }
370} 667}
371 668
372=back 669=back
373 670
374=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 671=head1 CORO OBJECT METHODS
375 672
376These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create 673These are the methods you can call on coro objects (or to create
377them). 674them).
378 675
379=over 4 676=over 4
380 677
381=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 678=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
382 679
383Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine 680Create a new coro and return it. When the sub returns, the coro
384automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 681automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
385called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready 682called. To make the coro run you must first put it into the ready
386queue by calling the ready method. 683queue by calling the ready method.
387 684
388See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the 685See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
389coroutine environment. 686coro environment.
390 687
391=cut 688=cut
392 689
393sub _run_coro { 690sub _coro_run {
394 terminate &{+shift}; 691 terminate &{+shift};
395} 692}
396 693
397sub new {
398 my $class = shift;
399
400 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
401}
402
403=item $success = $coroutine->ready 694=item $success = $coro->ready
404 695
405Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one 696Put the given coro into the end of its ready queue (there is one
406queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in 697queue for each priority) and return true. If the coro is already in
407the ready queue, do nothing and return false. 698the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
408 699
409This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically 700This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coro automatically
410once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same 701once all the coro of higher priority and all coro of the same
411priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed. 702priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
412 703
704=item $coro->suspend
705
706Suspends the specified coro. A suspended coro works just like any other
707coro, except that the scheduler will not select a suspended coro for
708execution.
709
710Suspending a coro can be useful when you want to keep the coro from
711running, but you don't want to destroy it, or when you want to temporarily
712freeze a coro (e.g. for debugging) to resume it later.
713
714A scenario for the former would be to suspend all (other) coros after a
715fork and keep them alive, so their destructors aren't called, but new
716coros can be created.
717
718=item $coro->resume
719
720If the specified coro was suspended, it will be resumed. Note that when
721the coro was in the ready queue when it was suspended, it might have been
722unreadied by the scheduler, so an activation might have been lost.
723
724To avoid this, it is best to put a suspended coro into the ready queue
725unconditionally, as every synchronisation mechanism must protect itself
726against spurious wakeups, and the one in the Coro family certainly do
727that.
728
729=item $state->is_new
730
731Returns true iff this Coro object is "new", i.e. has never been run
732yet. Those states basically consist of only the code reference to call and
733the arguments, but consumes very little other resources. New states will
734automatically get assigned a perl interpreter when they are transfered to.
735
736=item $state->is_zombie
737
738Returns true iff the Coro object has been cancelled, i.e.
739it's resources freed because they were C<cancel>'ed, C<terminate>'d,
740C<safe_cancel>'ed or simply went out of scope.
741
742The name "zombie" stems from UNIX culture, where a process that has
743exited and only stores and exit status and no other resources is called a
744"zombie".
745
413=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 746=item $is_ready = $coro->is_ready
414 747
415Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 748Returns true iff the Coro object is in the ready queue. Unless the Coro
749object gets destroyed, it will eventually be scheduled by the scheduler.
416 750
751=item $is_running = $coro->is_running
752
753Returns true iff the Coro object is currently running. Only one Coro object
754can ever be in the running state (but it currently is possible to have
755multiple running Coro::States).
756
757=item $is_suspended = $coro->is_suspended
758
759Returns true iff this Coro object has been suspended. Suspended Coros will
760not ever be scheduled.
761
417=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...) 762=item $coro->cancel (arg...)
418 763
419Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as 764Terminates the given Coro thread and makes it return the given arguments as
420status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the 765status (default: an empty list). Never returns if the Coro is the
421current coroutine. 766current Coro.
422 767
423=cut 768This is a rather brutal way to free a coro, with some limitations - if
769the thread is inside a C callback that doesn't expect to be canceled,
770bad things can happen, or if the cancelled thread insists on running
771complicated cleanup handlers that rely on its thread context, things will
772not work.
424 773
425sub cancel { 774Any cleanup code being run (e.g. from C<guard> blocks) will be run without
426 my $self = shift; 775a thread context, and is not allowed to switch to other threads. On the
427 $self->{_status} = [@_]; 776plus side, C<< ->cancel >> will always clean up the thread, no matter
777what. If your cleanup code is complex or you want to avoid cancelling a
778C-thread that doesn't know how to clean up itself, it can be better to C<<
779->throw >> an exception, or use C<< ->safe_cancel >>.
428 780
429 if ($current == $self) { 781The arguments to C<< ->cancel >> are not copied, but instead will
430 push @destroy, $self; 782be referenced directly (e.g. if you pass C<$var> and after the call
431 $manager->ready; 783change that variable, then you might change the return values passed to
432 &schedule while 1; 784e.g. C<join>, so don't do that).
433 } else { 785
434 $self->_cancel; 786The resources of the Coro are usually freed (or destructed) before this
787call returns, but this can be delayed for an indefinite amount of time, as
788in some cases the manager thread has to run first to actually destruct the
789Coro object.
790
791=item $coro->safe_cancel ($arg...)
792
793Works mostly like C<< ->cancel >>, but is inherently "safer", and
794consequently, can fail with an exception in cases the thread is not in a
795cancellable state.
796
797This method works a bit like throwing an exception that cannot be caught
798- specifically, it will clean up the thread from within itself, so
799all cleanup handlers (e.g. C<guard> blocks) are run with full thread
800context and can block if they wish. The downside is that there is no
801guarantee that the thread can be cancelled when you call this method, and
802therefore, it might fail. It is also considerably slower than C<cancel> or
803C<terminate>.
804
805A thread is in a safe-cancellable state if it either hasn't been run yet,
806or it has no C context attached and is inside an SLF function.
807
808The latter two basically mean that the thread isn't currently inside a
809perl callback called from some C function (usually via some XS modules)
810and isn't currently executing inside some C function itself (via Coro's XS
811API).
812
813This call returns true when it could cancel the thread, or croaks with an
814error otherwise (i.e. it either returns true or doesn't return at all).
815
816Why the weird interface? Well, there are two common models on how and
817when to cancel things. In the first, you have the expectation that your
818coro thread can be cancelled when you want to cancel it - if the thread
819isn't cancellable, this would be a bug somewhere, so C<< ->safe_cancel >>
820croaks to notify of the bug.
821
822In the second model you sometimes want to ask nicely to cancel a thread,
823but if it's not a good time, well, then don't cancel. This can be done
824relatively easy like this:
825
826 if (! eval { $coro->safe_cancel }) {
827 warn "unable to cancel thread: $@";
435 } 828 }
436}
437 829
830However, what you never should do is first try to cancel "safely" and
831if that fails, cancel the "hard" way with C<< ->cancel >>. That makes
832no sense: either you rely on being able to execute cleanup code in your
833thread context, or you don't. If you do, then C<< ->safe_cancel >> is the
834only way, and if you don't, then C<< ->cancel >> is always faster and more
835direct.
836
837=item $coro->schedule_to
838
839Puts the current coro to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
840of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
841the given coro object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
842state of that coro isn't changed.
843
844This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
845uses for this one.
846
847=item $coro->cede_to
848
849Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coro into the ready
850queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
851coro, and continuing some time later.
852
853This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
854uses for this one.
855
438=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar]) 856=item $coro->throw ([$scalar])
439 857
440If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception 858If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
441inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise 859inside the coro at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
442clears the exception object. 860clears the exception object.
443 861
444Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function 862Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
445returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down 863returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
446>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions 864>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of those functions (all
447detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending. 865that are part of Coro itself) detect this case and return early in case an
866exception is pending.
448 867
449The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in 868The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
450C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended 869C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
451(unlike with C<die>). 870(unlike with C<die>).
452 871
453This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to 872This can be used as a softer means than either C<cancel> or C<safe_cancel
454end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to 873>to ask a coro to end itself, although there is no guarantee that the
455termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole 874exception will lead to termination, and if the exception isn't caught it
456program. 875might well end the whole program.
457 876
458You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of 877You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
459C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar). 878C<kill>ing a coro with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
460 879
461=item $coroutine->join 880=item $coro->join
462 881
463Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 882Wait until the coro terminates and return any values given to the
464C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently 883C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
465from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status 884from multiple threads, and all will be resumed and given the status
466return once the C<$coroutine> terminates. 885return once the C<$coro> terminates.
467 886
468=cut
469
470sub join {
471 my $self = shift;
472
473 unless ($self->{_status}) {
474 my $current = $current;
475
476 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
477 $current->ready;
478 undef $current;
479 };
480
481 &schedule while $current;
482 }
483
484 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
485}
486
487=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 887=item $coro->on_destroy (\&cb)
488 888
489Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 889Registers a callback that is called when this coro thread gets destroyed,
490but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 890that is, after it's resources have been freed but before it is joined. The
891callback gets passed the terminate/cancel arguments, if any, and I<must
491if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances. 892not> die, under any circumstances.
492 893
493=cut 894There can be any number of C<on_destroy> callbacks per coro, and there is
895no way currently to remove a callback once added.
494 896
495sub on_destroy {
496 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
497
498 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
499}
500
501=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 897=item $oldprio = $coro->prio ($newprio)
502 898
503Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 899Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
504coroutine. Higher priority coroutines get run before lower priority 900coro thread. Higher priority coro get run before lower priority
505coroutines. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3), 901coros. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3),
506that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio 902that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio
507to get then): 903to get then):
508 904
509 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN 905 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN
510 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4 906 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4
511 907
512 # set priority to HIGH 908 # set priority to HIGH
513 current->prio(PRIO_HIGH); 909 current->prio (PRIO_HIGH);
514 910
515The idle coroutine ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any 911The idle coro thread ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any
516existing coroutine. 912existing coro.
517 913
518Changing the priority of the current coroutine will take effect immediately, 914Changing the priority of the current coro will take effect immediately,
519but changing the priority of coroutines in the ready queue (but not 915but changing the priority of a coro in the ready queue (but not running)
520running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that 916will only take effect after the next schedule (of that coro). This is a
521coroutine). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version. 917bug that will be fixed in some future version.
522 918
523=item $newprio = $coroutine->nice ($change) 919=item $newprio = $coro->nice ($change)
524 920
525Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e. 921Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e.
526higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 922higher values mean lower priority, just as in UNIX's nice command).
527 923
528=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 924=item $olddesc = $coro->desc ($newdesc)
529 925
530Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 926Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
531coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a 927coro thread. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
532coroutine. 928coro.
533 929
534This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given 930This method simply sets the C<< $coro->{desc} >> member to the given
535string. You can modify this member directly if you wish. 931string. You can modify this member directly if you wish, and in fact, this
932is often preferred to indicate major processing states that cna then be
933seen for example in a L<Coro::Debug> session:
934
935 sub my_long_function {
936 local $Coro::current->{desc} = "now in my_long_function";
937 ...
938 $Coro::current->{desc} = "my_long_function: phase 1";
939 ...
940 $Coro::current->{desc} = "my_long_function: phase 2";
941 ...
942 }
536 943
537=cut 944=cut
538 945
539sub desc { 946sub desc {
540 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 947 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
541 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 948 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
542 $old; 949 $old;
543} 950}
544 951
952sub transfer {
953 require Carp;
954 Carp::croak ("You must not call ->transfer on Coro objects. Use Coro::State objects or the ->schedule_to method. Caught");
955}
956
545=back 957=back
546 958
547=head2 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 959=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
548 960
549=over 4 961=over 4
550 962
551=item Coro::nready 963=item Coro::nready
552 964
553Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 965Returns the number of coro that are currently in the ready state,
554i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or 966i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
555indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the 967indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coro is the
556currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule> 968currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
557would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some 969would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
558coroutines. 970coro.
559 971
560=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 972=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
561 973
562This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object 974This function still exists, but is deprecated. Please use the
563gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 975C<Guard::guard> function instead.
564executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
565runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
566guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
567C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
568
569Example: set some flag and clear it again when the coroutine gets canceled
570or the function returns:
571
572 sub do_something {
573 my $guard = Coro::guard { $busy = 0 };
574 $busy = 1;
575
576 # do something that requires $busy to be true
577 }
578 976
579=cut 977=cut
580 978
581sub guard(&) { 979BEGIN { *guard = \&Guard::guard }
582 bless \(my $cb = $_[0]), "Coro::guard"
583}
584
585sub Coro::guard::cancel {
586 ${$_[0]} = sub { };
587}
588
589sub Coro::guard::DESTROY {
590 ${$_[0]}->();
591}
592
593 980
594=item unblock_sub { ... } 981=item unblock_sub { ... }
595 982
596This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 983This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
597returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef 984returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
598will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the 985will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
599original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another 986original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
600coroutine. 987coro.
601 988
602The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 989The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as
603venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 990the venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not thread-safe (a weaker form
604of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 991of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
605otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library 992otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
606currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>. 993currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV> (but
994you might still run into deadlocks if all event loops are blocked).
995
996Coro will try to catch you when you block in the event loop
997("FATAL:$Coro::IDLE blocked itself"), but this is just best effort and
998only works when you do not run your own event loop.
607 999
608This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 1000This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
609coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 1001coro where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
610is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 1002is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
611disk, for example. 1003disk, for example.
612 1004
613In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 1005In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
614creating event callbacks that want to block. 1006creating event callbacks that want to block.
615 1007
616If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to 1008If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
617another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue), 1009another coro, or puts some other coro into the ready queue), there is
618there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>. 1010no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
619 1011
620Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that 1012Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
621are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you 1013are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
622use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it 1014use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
623provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you 1015provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
632# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede 1024# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
633# inside an event callback. 1025# inside an event callback.
634our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub { 1026our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
635 while () { 1027 while () {
636 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 1028 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
637 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool 1029 &async_pool (@$cb);
638 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
639 1030
640 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
641 $coro->ready;
642 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 1031 # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
1032 # as the chance is very high that the async_poll coro will be back
1033 # in the idle state when cede returns
1034 cede;
643 } 1035 }
644 schedule; # sleep well 1036 schedule; # sleep well
645 } 1037 }
646}; 1038};
647$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]"; 1039$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
653 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 1045 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
654 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 1046 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
655 } 1047 }
656} 1048}
657 1049
1050=item $cb = rouse_cb
1051
1052Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that,
1053when called, will remember a copy of its arguments and notify the owner
1054coro of the callback.
1055
1056See the next function.
1057
1058=item @args = rouse_wait [$cb]
1059
1060Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one that was created in
1061this coro).
1062
1063As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the callback was invoked
1064before C<rouse_wait>), it will return the arguments originally passed to
1065the rouse callback. In scalar context, that means you get the I<last>
1066argument, just as if C<rouse_wait> had a C<return ($a1, $a2, $a3...)>
1067statement at the end.
1068
1069See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
1070
658=back 1071=back
659 1072
660=cut 1073=cut
661 1074
1075for my $module (qw(Channel RWLock Semaphore SemaphoreSet Signal Specific)) {
1076 my $old = defined &{"Coro::$module\::new"} && \&{"Coro::$module\::new"};
1077
1078 *{"Coro::$module\::new"} = sub {
1079 require "Coro/$module.pm";
1080
1081 # some modules have their new predefined in State.xs, some don't
1082 *{"Coro::$module\::new"} = $old
1083 if $old;
1084
1085 goto &{"Coro::$module\::new"};
1086 };
1087}
1088
6621; 10891;
1090
1091=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
1092
1093It is very common for a coro to wait for some callback to be
1094called. This occurs naturally when you use coro in an otherwise
1095event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
1096
1097These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
1098when the event occured. In a coro, however, you typically want to
1099just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
1100
1101For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
1102a specific child has exited:
1103
1104 my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
1105
1106But from within a coro, you often just want to write this:
1107
1108 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
1109
1110Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
1111C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
1112
1113The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
1114when invoked, will save its arguments and notify the coro that
1115created the callback.
1116
1117The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
1118(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
1119originally passed to the callback.
1120
1121Using these functions, it becomes easy to write the C<wait_for_child>
1122function mentioned above:
1123
1124 sub wait_for_child($) {
1125 my ($pid) = @_;
1126
1127 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb);
1128
1129 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait;
1130 $rstatus
1131 }
1132
1133In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
1134you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
1135
1136 sub wait_for_child($) {
1137 my ($pid) = @_;
1138
1139 # store the current coro in $current,
1140 # and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
1141 my $current = $Coro::current;
1142 my ($done, $rstatus);
1143
1144 # pass a closure to ->child
1145 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
1146 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
1147 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud
1148 });
1149
1150 # wait until the closure has been called
1151 schedule while !$done;
1152
1153 $rstatus
1154 }
1155
663 1156
664=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 1157=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
665 1158
666=over 4 1159=over 4
667 1160
668=item fork with pthread backend 1161=item fork with pthread backend
669 1162
670When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended 1163When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
671but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then 1164but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
672coroutines will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to 1165coro will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
673fix your libc and use a saner backend. 1166fix your libc and use a saner backend.
674 1167
675=item perl process emulation ("threads") 1168=item perl process emulation ("threads")
676 1169
677This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this 1170This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
678module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the 1171module from the first thread (this requirement might be removed in the
679future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 1172future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
680this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having 1173this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
681the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl 1174the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
682performance, even when not used. 1175performance, even when not used.
683 1176
1177Attempts to use threads created in another emulated process will crash
1178("cleanly", with a null pointer exception).
1179
684=item coroutine switching not signal safe 1180=item coro switching is not signal safe
685 1181
686You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler 1182You must not switch to another coro from within a signal handler (only
687(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals). 1183relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals), I<unless>
1184you are sure you are not interrupting a Coro function.
688 1185
689That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the 1186That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
690current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or 1187current coro - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
691anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>, 1188anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
692works. 1189works.
693 1190
694=back 1191=back
695 1192
696 1193
1194=head1 WINDOWS PROCESS EMULATION
1195
1196A great many people seem to be confused about ithreads (for example, Chip
1197Salzenberg called me unintelligent, incapable, stupid and gullible,
1198while in the same mail making rather confused statements about perl
1199ithreads (for example, that memory or files would be shared), showing his
1200lack of understanding of this area - if it is hard to understand for Chip,
1201it is probably not obvious to everybody).
1202
1203What follows is an ultra-condensed version of my talk about threads in
1204scripting languages given on the perl workshop 2009:
1205
1206The so-called "ithreads" were originally implemented for two reasons:
1207first, to (badly) emulate unix processes on native win32 perls, and
1208secondly, to replace the older, real thread model ("5.005-threads").
1209
1210It does that by using threads instead of OS processes. The difference
1211between processes and threads is that threads share memory (and other
1212state, such as files) between threads within a single process, while
1213processes do not share anything (at least not semantically). That
1214means that modifications done by one thread are seen by others, while
1215modifications by one process are not seen by other processes.
1216
1217The "ithreads" work exactly like that: when creating a new ithreads
1218process, all state is copied (memory is copied physically, files and code
1219is copied logically). Afterwards, it isolates all modifications. On UNIX,
1220the same behaviour can be achieved by using operating system processes,
1221except that UNIX typically uses hardware built into the system to do this
1222efficiently, while the windows process emulation emulates this hardware in
1223software (rather efficiently, but of course it is still much slower than
1224dedicated hardware).
1225
1226As mentioned before, loading code, modifying code, modifying data
1227structures and so on is only visible in the ithreads process doing the
1228modification, not in other ithread processes within the same OS process.
1229
1230This is why "ithreads" do not implement threads for perl at all, only
1231processes. What makes it so bad is that on non-windows platforms, you can
1232actually take advantage of custom hardware for this purpose (as evidenced
1233by the forks module, which gives you the (i-) threads API, just much
1234faster).
1235
1236Sharing data is in the i-threads model is done by transfering data
1237structures between threads using copying semantics, which is very slow -
1238shared data simply does not exist. Benchmarks using i-threads which are
1239communication-intensive show extremely bad behaviour with i-threads (in
1240fact, so bad that Coro, which cannot take direct advantage of multiple
1241CPUs, is often orders of magnitude faster because it shares data using
1242real threads, refer to my talk for details).
1243
1244As summary, i-threads *use* threads to implement processes, while
1245the compatible forks module *uses* processes to emulate, uhm,
1246processes. I-threads slow down every perl program when enabled, and
1247outside of windows, serve no (or little) practical purpose, but
1248disadvantages every single-threaded Perl program.
1249
1250This is the reason that I try to avoid the name "ithreads", as it is
1251misleading as it implies that it implements some kind of thread model for
1252perl, and prefer the name "windows process emulation", which describes the
1253actual use and behaviour of it much better.
1254
697=head1 SEE ALSO 1255=head1 SEE ALSO
698 1256
699Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>. 1257Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
700 1258
701Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>. 1259Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
702 1260
703Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>. 1261Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
704 1262
705Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 1263Locking and IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>,
1264L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
706 1265
707IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>. 1266I/O and Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
708 1267
709Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>. 1268Compatibility with other modules: L<Coro::LWP> (but see also L<AnyEvent::HTTP> for
1269a better-working alternative), L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>,
1270L<Coro::Select>.
710 1271
711XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>. 1272XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
712 1273
713Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>. 1274Low level Configuration, Thread Environment, Continuations: L<Coro::State>.
714 1275
715=head1 AUTHOR 1276=head1 AUTHOR
716 1277
717 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1278 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
718 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1279 http://home.schmorp.de/

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