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16 cede; # yield to coro 16 cede; # yield to coro
17 print "3\n"; 17 print "3\n";
18 cede; # and again 18 cede; # and again
19 19
20 # use locking 20 # use locking
21 use Coro::Semaphore;
22 my $lock = new Coro::Semaphore; 21 my $lock = new Coro::Semaphore;
23 my $locked; 22 my $locked;
24 23
25 $lock->down; 24 $lock->down;
26 $locked = 1; 25 $locked = 1;
40points in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an 39points in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an
41issue, making thread programming much safer and easier than using other 40issue, making thread programming much safer and easier than using other
42thread models. 41thread models.
43 42
44Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads 43Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads
45but only the windows process emulation (see section of same name for more 44but only the windows process emulation (see section of same name for
46details) ported to unix, and as such act as processes), Coro provides 45more details) ported to UNIX, and as such act as processes), Coro
47a full shared address space, which makes communication between threads 46provides a full shared address space, which makes communication between
48very easy. And Coro's threads are fast, too: disabling the Windows 47threads very easy. And coro threads are fast, too: disabling the Windows
49process emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in 48process emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in
50a two to four times speed increase for your programs. A parallel matrix 49a two to four times speed increase for your programs. A parallel matrix
51multiplication benchmark runs over 300 times faster on a single core than 50multiplication benchmark (very communication-intensive) runs over 300
52perl's pseudo-threads on a quad core using all four cores. 51times faster on a single core than perls pseudo-threads on a quad core
52using all four cores.
53 53
54Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share 54Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share
55data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and 55data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and
56for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running 56for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running
57concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro 57concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro
63variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background info). 63variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background info).
64 64
65See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro 65See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro
66module family is quite large. 66module family is quite large.
67 67
68=head1 CORO THREAD LIFE CYCLE
69
70During the long and exciting (or not) life of a coro thread, it goes
71through a number of states:
72
73=over 4
74
75=item 1. Creation
76
77The first thing in the life of a coro thread is it's creation -
78obviously. The typical way to create a thread is to call the C<async
79BLOCK> function:
80
81 async {
82 # thread code goes here
83 };
84
85You can also pass arguments, which are put in C<@_>:
86
87 async {
88 print $_[1]; # prints 2
89 } 1, 2, 3;
90
91This creates a new coro thread and puts it into the ready queue, meaning
92it will run as soon as the CPU is free for it.
93
94C<async> will return a Coro object - you can store this for future
95reference or ignore it - a thread that is running, ready to run or waiting
96for some event is alive on it's own.
97
98Another way to create a thread is to call the C<new> constructor with a
99code-reference:
100
101 new Coro sub {
102 # thread code goes here
103 }, @optional_arguments;
104
105This is quite similar to calling C<async>, but the important difference is
106that the new thread is not put into the ready queue, so the thread will
107not run until somebody puts it there. C<async> is, therefore, identical to
108this sequence:
109
110 my $coro = new Coro sub {
111 # thread code goes here
112 };
113 $coro->ready;
114 return $coro;
115
116=item 2. Startup
117
118When a new coro thread is created, only a copy of the code reference
119and the arguments are stored, no extra memory for stacks and so on is
120allocated, keeping the coro thread in a low-memory state.
121
122Only when it actually starts executing will all the resources be finally
123allocated.
124
125The optional arguments specified at coro creation are available in C<@_>,
126similar to function calls.
127
128=item 3. Running / Blocking
129
130A lot can happen after the coro thread has started running. Quite usually,
131it will not run to the end in one go (because you could use a function
132instead), but it will give up the CPU regularly because it waits for
133external events.
134
135As long as a coro thread runs, its Coro object is available in the global
136variable C<$Coro::current>.
137
138The low-level way to give up the CPU is to call the scheduler, which
139selects a new coro thread to run:
140
141 Coro::schedule;
142
143Since running threads are not in the ready queue, calling the scheduler
144without doing anything else will block the coro thread forever - you need
145to arrange either for the coro to put woken up (readied) by some other
146event or some other thread, or you can put it into the ready queue before
147scheduling:
148
149 # this is exactly what Coro::cede does
150 $Coro::current->ready;
151 Coro::schedule;
152
153All the higher-level synchronisation methods (Coro::Semaphore,
154Coro::rouse_*...) are actually implemented via C<< ->ready >> and C<<
155Coro::schedule >>.
156
157While the coro thread is running it also might get assigned a C-level
158thread, or the C-level thread might be unassigned from it, as the Coro
159runtime wishes. A C-level thread needs to be assigned when your perl
160thread calls into some C-level function and that function in turn calls
161perl and perl then wants to switch coroutines. This happens most often
162when you run an event loop and block in the callback, or when perl
163itself calls some function such as C<AUTOLOAD> or methods via the C<tie>
164mechanism.
165
166=item 4. Termination
167
168Many threads actually terminate after some time. There are a number of
169ways to terminate a coro thread, the simplest is returning from the
170top-level code reference:
171
172 async {
173 # after returning from here, the coro thread is terminated
174 };
175
176 async {
177 return if 0.5 < rand; # terminate a little earlier, maybe
178 print "got a chance to print this\n";
179 # or here
180 };
181
182Any values returned from the coroutine can be recovered using C<< ->join
183>>:
184
185 my $coro = async {
186 "hello, world\n" # return a string
187 };
188
189 my $hello_world = $coro->join;
190
191 print $hello_world;
192
193Another way to terminate is to call C<< Coro::terminate >>, which at any
194subroutine call nesting level:
195
196 async {
197 Coro::terminate "return value 1", "return value 2";
198 };
199
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
328
68=cut 329=cut
69 330
70package Coro; 331package Coro;
71 332
72use common::sense; 333use common::sense;
81 342
82our $idle; # idle handler 343our $idle; # idle handler
83our $main; # main coro 344our $main; # main coro
84our $current; # current coro 345our $current; # current coro
85 346
86our $VERSION = 5.2; 347our $VERSION = 6.09;
87 348
88our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub rouse_cb rouse_wait); 349our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub rouse_cb rouse_wait);
89our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 350our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
90 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 351 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
91); 352);
131 392
132The default implementation dies with "FATAL: deadlock detected.", followed 393The default implementation dies with "FATAL: deadlock detected.", followed
133by a thread listing, because the program has no other way to continue. 394by a thread listing, because the program has no other way to continue.
134 395
135This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::EV> and 396This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::EV> and
136C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 397C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wakes up a
137coro so the scheduler can run it. 398coro so the scheduler can run it.
138 399
139See L<Coro::EV> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this technique. 400See L<Coro::EV> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this technique.
140 401
141=cut 402=cut
142 403
404# ||= because other modules could have provided their own by now
143$idle = new Coro sub { 405$idle ||= new Coro sub {
144 require Coro::Debug; 406 require Coro::Debug;
145 die "FATAL: deadlock detected.\n" 407 die "FATAL: deadlock detected.\n"
146 . Coro::Debug::ps_listing (); 408 . Coro::Debug::ps_listing ();
147}; 409};
148 410
151our @destroy; 413our @destroy;
152our $manager; 414our $manager;
153 415
154$manager = new Coro sub { 416$manager = new Coro sub {
155 while () { 417 while () {
156 Coro::State::cancel shift @destroy 418 _destroy shift @destroy
157 while @destroy; 419 while @destroy;
158 420
159 &schedule; 421 &schedule;
160 } 422 }
161}; 423};
295coro, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure 557coro, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
296progress is made. 558progress is made.
297 559
298=item terminate [arg...] 560=item terminate [arg...]
299 561
300Terminates the current coro with the given status values (see L<cancel>). 562Terminates the current coro with the given status values (see
563L<cancel>). The values will not be copied, but referenced directly.
301 564
302=item Coro::on_enter BLOCK, Coro::on_leave BLOCK 565=item Coro::on_enter BLOCK, Coro::on_leave BLOCK
303 566
304These function install enter and leave winders in the current scope. The 567These function install enter and leave winders in the current scope. The
305enter block will be executed when on_enter is called and whenever the 568enter block will be executed when on_enter is called and whenever the
461To avoid this, it is best to put a suspended coro into the ready queue 724To avoid this, it is best to put a suspended coro into the ready queue
462unconditionally, as every synchronisation mechanism must protect itself 725unconditionally, as every synchronisation mechanism must protect itself
463against spurious wakeups, and the one in the Coro family certainly do 726against spurious wakeups, and the one in the Coro family certainly do
464that. 727that.
465 728
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
466=item $is_ready = $coro->is_ready 746=item $is_ready = $coro->is_ready
467 747
468Returns true iff the Coro object is in the ready queue. Unless the Coro 748Returns true iff the Coro object is in the ready queue. Unless the Coro
469object gets destroyed, it will eventually be scheduled by the scheduler. 749object gets destroyed, it will eventually be scheduled by the scheduler.
470 750
479Returns true iff this Coro object has been suspended. Suspended Coros will 759Returns true iff this Coro object has been suspended. Suspended Coros will
480not ever be scheduled. 760not ever be scheduled.
481 761
482=item $coro->cancel (arg...) 762=item $coro->cancel (arg...)
483 763
484Terminates the given Coro and makes it return the given arguments as 764Terminates the given Coro thread and makes it return the given arguments as
485status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the Coro is the 765status (default: an empty list). Never returns if the Coro is the
486current Coro. 766current Coro.
487 767
488=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.
489 773
490sub cancel { 774Any cleanup code being run (e.g. from C<guard> blocks) will be run without
491 my $self = shift; 775a thread context, and is not allowed to switch to other threads. On the
776plus side, C<< ->cancel >> will always clean up the thread, no matter
777what. If your cleanup code is complex or you want to avoid cancelling a
778C-thread that doesn't know how to clean up itself, it can be better to C<<
779->throw >> an exception, or use C<< ->safe_cancel >>.
492 780
493 if ($current == $self) { 781The arguments to C<< ->cancel >> are not copied, but instead will
494 terminate @_; 782be referenced directly (e.g. if you pass C<$var> and after the call
495 } else { 783change that variable, then you might change the return values passed to
496 $self->{_status} = [@_]; 784e.g. C<join>, so don't do that).
497 Coro::State::cancel $self; 785
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: $@";
498 } 828 }
499} 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.
500 836
501=item $coro->schedule_to 837=item $coro->schedule_to
502 838
503Puts the current coro to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead 839Puts the current coro to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
504of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to 840of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
523inside the coro at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise 859inside the coro at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
524clears the exception object. 860clears the exception object.
525 861
526Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function 862Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
527returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down 863returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
528>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions 864>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of those functions (all
529detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending. 865that are part of Coro itself) detect this case and return early in case an
866exception is pending.
530 867
531The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in 868The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
532C<$@>, 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
533(unlike with C<die>). 870(unlike with C<die>).
534 871
535This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coro to 872This can be used as a softer means than either C<cancel> or C<safe_cancel
536end 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
537termination, 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
538program. 875might well end the whole program.
539 876
540You 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
541C<kill>ing a coro with a signal (in this case, a scalar). 878C<kill>ing a coro with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
542 879
543=item $coro->join 880=item $coro->join
544 881
545Wait until the coro terminates and return any values given to the 882Wait until the coro terminates and return any values given to the
546C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently 883C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
547from multiple coro, and all will be resumed and given the status 884from multiple threads, and all will be resumed and given the status
548return once the C<$coro> terminates. 885return once the C<$coro> terminates.
549 886
550=cut
551
552sub join {
553 my $self = shift;
554
555 unless ($self->{_status}) {
556 my $current = $current;
557
558 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
559 $current->ready;
560 undef $current;
561 };
562
563 &schedule while $current;
564 }
565
566 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
567}
568
569=item $coro->on_destroy (\&cb) 887=item $coro->on_destroy (\&cb)
570 888
571Registers a callback that is called when this coro gets destroyed, 889Registers a callback that is called when this coro thread gets destroyed,
572but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 890that is, after it's resources have been freed but before it is joined. The
891callback gets passed the terminate/cancel arguments, if any, and I<must
573if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances. 892not> die, under any circumstances.
574 893
575=cut 894There can be any number of C<on_destroy> callbacks per coro, and there is
576 895no way currently to remove a callback once added.
577sub on_destroy {
578 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
579
580 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
581}
582 896
583=item $oldprio = $coro->prio ($newprio) 897=item $oldprio = $coro->prio ($newprio)
584 898
585Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 899Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
586coro. Higher priority coro get run before lower priority 900coro thread. Higher priority coro get run before lower priority
587coro. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3), 901coros. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3),
588that 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
589to get then): 903to get then):
590 904
591 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
592 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4 906 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4
593 907
594 # set priority to HIGH 908 # set priority to HIGH
595 current->prio (PRIO_HIGH); 909 current->prio (PRIO_HIGH);
596 910
597The idle coro ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any 911The idle coro thread ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any
598existing coro. 912existing coro.
599 913
600Changing the priority of the current coro will take effect immediately, 914Changing the priority of the current coro will take effect immediately,
601but changing the priority of coro in the ready queue (but not 915but changing the priority of a coro in the ready queue (but not running)
602running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that 916will only take effect after the next schedule (of that coro). This is a
603coro). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version. 917bug that will be fixed in some future version.
604 918
605=item $newprio = $coro->nice ($change) 919=item $newprio = $coro->nice ($change)
606 920
607Similar 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.
608higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 922higher values mean lower priority, just as in UNIX's nice command).
609 923
610=item $olddesc = $coro->desc ($newdesc) 924=item $olddesc = $coro->desc ($newdesc)
611 925
612Sets (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
613coro. 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
614coro. 928coro.
615 929
616This method simply sets the C<< $coro->{desc} >> member to the given 930This method simply sets the C<< $coro->{desc} >> member to the given
617string. 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 }
618 943
619=cut 944=cut
620 945
621sub desc { 946sub desc {
622 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 947 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
659returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef 984returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
660will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the 985will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
661original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another 986original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
662coro. 987coro.
663 988
664The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 989The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as
665venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not thread-safe (a weaker form 990the venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not thread-safe (a weaker form
666of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 991of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
667otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library 992otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
668currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>. 993currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV> (but
994you might still run into deadlocks if all event loops are blocked).
995
996Coro will try to catch you when you block in the event loop
997("FATAL:$Coro::IDLE blocked itself"), but this is just best effort and
998only works when you do not run your own event loop.
669 999
670This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 1000This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
671coro 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
672is 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
673disk, for example. 1003disk, for example.
740 1070
741=back 1071=back
742 1072
743=cut 1073=cut
744 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
7451; 10891;
746 1090
747=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK 1091=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
748 1092
749It is very common for a coro to wait for some callback to be 1093It is very common for a coro to wait for some callback to be
828future 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
829this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having 1173this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
830the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl 1174the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
831performance, even when not used. 1175performance, even when not used.
832 1176
1177Attempts to use threads created in another emulated process will crash
1178("cleanly", with a null pointer exception).
1179
833=item coro switching is not signal safe 1180=item coro switching is not signal safe
834 1181
835You must not switch to another coro from within a signal handler (only 1182You must not switch to another coro from within a signal handler (only
836relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals), I<unless> 1183relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals), I<unless>
837you are sure you are not interrupting a Coro function. 1184you are sure you are not interrupting a Coro function.
852ithreads (for example, that memory or files would be shared), showing his 1199ithreads (for example, that memory or files would be shared), showing his
853lack of understanding of this area - if it is hard to understand for Chip, 1200lack of understanding of this area - if it is hard to understand for Chip,
854it is probably not obvious to everybody). 1201it is probably not obvious to everybody).
855 1202
856What follows is an ultra-condensed version of my talk about threads in 1203What follows is an ultra-condensed version of my talk about threads in
857scripting languages given onthe perl workshop 2009: 1204scripting languages given on the perl workshop 2009:
858 1205
859The so-called "ithreads" were originally implemented for two reasons: 1206The so-called "ithreads" were originally implemented for two reasons:
860first, to (badly) emulate unix processes on native win32 perls, and 1207first, to (badly) emulate unix processes on native win32 perls, and
861secondly, to replace the older, real thread model ("5.005-threads"). 1208secondly, to replace the older, real thread model ("5.005-threads").
862 1209

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