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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3Coro - coroutine process abstraction 3Coro - real threads in perl
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 use Coro; 7 use Coro;
8 8
9 async { 9 async {
10 # some asynchronous thread of execution 10 # some asynchronous thread of execution
11 print "2\n";
12 cede; # yield back to main
13 print "4\n";
11 }; 14 };
12 15 print "1\n";
13 # alternatively create an async process like this: 16 cede; # yield to coroutine
14 17 print "3\n";
15 sub some_func : Coro { 18 cede; # and again
16 # some more async code 19
17 } 20 # use locking
18 21 use Coro::Semaphore;
19 cede; 22 my $lock = new Coro::Semaphore;
23 my $locked;
24
25 $lock->down;
26 $locked = 1;
27 $lock->up;
20 28
21=head1 DESCRIPTION 29=head1 DESCRIPTION
22 30
23This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar to 31For a tutorial-style introduction, please read the L<Coro::Intro>
24threads but don't run in parallel. 32manpage. This manpage mainly contains reference information.
25 33
34This module collection manages coroutines, that is, cooperative
35threads. Coroutines are similar to kernel threads but don't (in general)
36run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The specific flavor
37of coroutine used in this module also guarantees you that it will not
38switch between coroutines unless necessary, at easily-identified points
39in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an issue,
40making coroutine programming much safer and easier than using other thread
41models.
42
43Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads
44but only the windows process emulation ported to unix), Coro provides a
45full shared address space, which makes communication between coroutines
46very easy. And coroutines are fast, too: disabling the Windows process
47emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in a two to
48four times speed increase for your programs.
49
50Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share
51data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and
52for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running
53concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro
54into an event-based environment.
55
26In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables 56In this module, a coroutines is defined as "callchain + lexical variables
27+ @_ + $_ + $@ + $^W + C stack), that is, a coroutine has it's own 57+ @_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own
28callchain, it's own set of lexicals and it's own set of perl's most 58callchain, its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important
29important global variables. 59global variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background
60info).
61
62See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro
63module family is quite large.
30 64
31=cut 65=cut
32 66
33package Coro; 67package Coro;
34 68
35use strict; 69use strict qw(vars subs);
36no warnings "uninitialized"; 70no warnings "uninitialized";
37 71
38use Coro::State; 72use Coro::State;
39 73
40use base Exporter::; 74use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
41 75
42our $idle; # idle coroutine 76our $idle; # idle handler
43our $main; # main coroutine 77our $main; # main coroutine
44our $current; # current coroutine 78our $current; # current coroutine
45 79
46our $VERSION = '2.5'; 80our $VERSION = "5.0";
47 81
48our @EXPORT = qw(async cede schedule terminate current); 82our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
49our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 83our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
50 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 84 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
51); 85);
52our @EXPORT_OK = @{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}; 86our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
53 87
54{ 88=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES
55 my @async;
56 my $init;
57
58 # this way of handling attributes simply is NOT scalable ;()
59 sub import {
60 no strict 'refs';
61
62 Coro->export_to_level(1, @_);
63
64 my $old = *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"}{CODE};
65 *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"} = sub {
66 my ($package, $ref) = (shift, shift);
67 my @attrs;
68 for (@_) {
69 if ($_ eq "Coro") {
70 push @async, $ref;
71 unless ($init++) {
72 eval q{
73 sub INIT {
74 &async(pop @async) while @async;
75 }
76 };
77 }
78 } else {
79 push @attrs, $_;
80 }
81 }
82 return $old ? $old->($package, $ref, @attrs) : @attrs;
83 };
84 }
85
86}
87 89
88=over 4 90=over 4
89 91
90=item $main 92=item $Coro::main
91 93
92This coroutine represents the main program. 94This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
95program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
96coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
97whether you are running in the main program or not.
93 98
94=cut 99=cut
95 100
96$main = new Coro; 101# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
97 102
98=item $current (or as function: current) 103=item $Coro::current
99 104
100The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value is C<$main> (of course). 105The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
106coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
107C<$Coro::main> (of course).
101 108
102=cut 109This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
110value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
111not otherwise modify the variable itself.
103 112
104# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before... 113=cut
105if ($current) {
106 $main->{specific} = $current->{specific};
107}
108 114
109$current = $main;
110
111sub current() { $current } 115sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
112 116
113=item $idle 117=item $Coro::idle
114 118
115The coroutine to switch to when no other coroutine is running. The default 119This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
116implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits. 120usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
121pretty low-level functionality.
117 122
118=cut 123This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
124finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
125"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
126to continue.
119 127
120# should be done using priorities :( 128This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
121$idle = new Coro sub { 129C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
122 print STDERR "FATAL: deadlock detected\n"; 130coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
123 exit(51); 131
132Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
133the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
134coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
135readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
136
137See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
138technique.
139
140Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
141handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
142
143=cut
144
145$idle = sub {
146 require Carp;
147 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected");
124}; 148};
125 149
126# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 150# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
127# cannot destroy itself. 151# cannot destroy itself.
128my @destroy; 152our @destroy;
129my $manager; 153our $manager;
154
130$manager = new Coro sub { 155$manager = new Coro sub {
131 while () { 156 while () {
132 # by overwriting the state object with the manager we destroy it 157 Coro::_cancel shift @destroy
133 # while still being able to schedule this coroutine (in case it has
134 # been readied multiple times. this is harmless since the manager
135 # can be called as many times as neccessary and will always
136 # remove itself from the runqueue
137 while (@destroy) { 158 while @destroy;
138 my $coro = pop @destroy;
139 $coro->{status} ||= [];
140 $_->ready for @{delete $coro->{join} || []};
141 159
142 # the next line destroys the _coro_state, but keeps the
143 # process itself intact (we basically make it a zombie
144 # process that always runs the manager thread, so it's possible
145 # to transfer() to this process).
146 $coro->{_coro_state} = $manager->{_coro_state};
147 }
148 &schedule; 160 &schedule;
149 } 161 }
150}; 162};
151 163$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
152# static methods. not really. 164$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
153 165
154=back 166=back
155 167
156=head2 STATIC METHODS 168=head1 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
157
158Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current process only.
159 169
160=over 4 170=over 4
161 171
162=item async { ... } [@args...] 172=item async { ... } [@args...]
163 173
164Create a new asynchronous process and return it's process object 174Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
165(usually unused). When the sub returns the new process is automatically 175unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so
176it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
177
178The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
179coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically
166terminated. 180terminated.
167 181
168When the coroutine dies, the program will exit, just as in the main 182The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
169program.
170 183
184See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
185environment in which coroutines are executed.
186
187Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
188the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
189just as it would in the main program.
190
191If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
192simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
193
171 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 194Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
195
172 async { 196 async {
173 print "@_\n"; 197 print "@_\n";
174 } 1,2,3,4; 198 } 1,2,3,4;
175 199
176=cut 200=cut
177 201
178sub async(&@) { 202sub async(&@) {
179 my $pid = new Coro @_; 203 my $coro = new Coro @_;
180 $manager->ready; # this ensures that the stack is cloned from the manager
181 $pid->ready; 204 $coro->ready;
182 $pid; 205 $coro
183} 206}
207
208=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
209
210Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call
211terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
212coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
213or bad :).
214
215On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
216destroying) a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic
217coroutines in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
218
219The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
220issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
221C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
222will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
223which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
224exceptional case).
225
226The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
227disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
228gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
229be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
230stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
231simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
232
233The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be
234adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
235coros as required.
236
237If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
238single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
239{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
240addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb
241(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
242
243=cut
244
245our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
246our $POOL_RSS = 32 * 1024;
247our @async_pool;
248
249sub pool_handler {
250 while () {
251 eval {
252 &{&_pool_handler} while 1;
253 };
254
255 warn $@ if $@;
256 }
257}
258
259=back
260
261=head1 STATIC METHODS
262
263Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the
264current coroutine.
265
266=over 4
184 267
185=item schedule 268=item schedule
186 269
187Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current process will not be put 270Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
271to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
272to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
273in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
274C<$Coro::idle> hook.
275
276Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
188into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 277queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
189never be called again. 278again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
279thus waking you up.
190 280
191=cut 281This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
282coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
283a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
284>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
285yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
286so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
287status in a variable.
288
289See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
192 290
193=item cede 291=item cede
194 292
195"Cede" to other processes. This function puts the current process into the 293"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
196ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the 294the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
197current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority. 295up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
296priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
297resumed.
198 298
199=cut 299This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
300
301=item Coro::cede_notself
302
303Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
304coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
305progress is made.
200 306
201=item terminate [arg...] 307=item terminate [arg...]
202 308
203Terminates the current process with the given status values (see L<cancel>). 309Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
204 310
205=cut 311=item killall
206 312
207sub terminate { 313Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
208 $current->cancel (@_); 314one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
315usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
316
317Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
318you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
319program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
320
321=cut
322
323sub killall {
324 for (Coro::State::list) {
325 $_->cancel
326 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
327 }
209} 328}
210 329
211=back 330=back
212 331
213# dynamic methods 332=head1 COROUTINE OBJECT METHODS
214 333
215=head2 PROCESS METHODS
216
217These are the methods you can call on process objects. 334These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
335them).
218 336
219=over 4 337=over 4
220 338
221=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 339=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
222 340
223Create a new process and return it. When the sub returns the process 341Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
224automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 342automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
225called. To make the process run you must first put it into the ready queue 343called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
226by calling the ready method. 344queue by calling the ready method.
227 345
228=cut 346See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
347coroutine environment.
229 348
230sub _newcoro { 349=cut
350
351sub _terminate {
231 terminate &{+shift}; 352 terminate &{+shift};
232} 353}
233 354
234sub new { 355=item $success = $coroutine->ready
235 my $class = shift;
236 bless {
237 _coro_state => (new Coro::State $_[0] && \&_newcoro, @_),
238 }, $class;
239}
240 356
241=item $process->ready 357Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
358queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
359the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
242 360
243Put the given process into the ready queue. 361This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
362once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
363priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
244 364
245=cut 365=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
246 366
367Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
368
247=item $process->cancel (arg...) 369=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
248 370
249Terminates the given process and makes it return the given arguments as 371Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
250status (default: the empty list). 372status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
373current coroutine.
251 374
252=cut 375=cut
253 376
254sub cancel { 377sub cancel {
255 my $self = shift; 378 my $self = shift;
379
380 if ($current == $self) {
381 terminate @_;
382 } else {
256 $self->{status} = [@_]; 383 $self->{_status} = [@_];
257 push @destroy, $self; 384 $self->_cancel;
258 $manager->ready; 385 }
259 &schedule if $current == $self;
260} 386}
261 387
388=item $coroutine->schedule_to
389
390Puts the current coroutine to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
391of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
392the given coroutine object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
393state of that coroutine isn't changed.
394
395This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
396uses for this one.
397
398=item $coroutine->cede_to
399
400Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coroutine into the ready
401queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
402coroutine, and continuing some time later.
403
404This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
405uses for this one.
406
407=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
408
409If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
410inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
411clears the exception object.
412
413Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
414returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
415>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions
416detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending.
417
418The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
419C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
420(unlike with C<die>).
421
422This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
423end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
424termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
425program.
426
427You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
428C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
429
262=item $process->join 430=item $coroutine->join
263 431
264Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 432Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
265C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times 433C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
266from multiple processes. 434from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
435return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
267 436
268=cut 437=cut
269 438
270sub join { 439sub join {
271 my $self = shift; 440 my $self = shift;
441
272 unless ($self->{status}) { 442 unless ($self->{_status}) {
273 push @{$self->{join}}, $current; 443 my $current = $current;
274 &schedule; 444
445 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
446 $current->ready;
447 undef $current;
448 };
449
450 &schedule while $current;
275 } 451 }
452
276 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 453 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
277} 454}
278 455
456=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
457
458Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
459but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
460if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
461
462=cut
463
464sub on_destroy {
465 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
466
467 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
468}
469
279=item $oldprio = $process->prio($newprio) 470=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
280 471
281Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 472Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
282process. Higher priority processes get run before lower priority 473coroutine. Higher priority coroutines get run before lower priority
283processes. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3), 474coroutines. Priorities are small signed integers (currently -4 .. +3),
284that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio 475that you can refer to using PRIO_xxx constants (use the import tag :prio
285to get then): 476to get then):
286 477
287 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN 478 PRIO_MAX > PRIO_HIGH > PRIO_NORMAL > PRIO_LOW > PRIO_IDLE > PRIO_MIN
288 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4 479 3 > 1 > 0 > -1 > -3 > -4
291 current->prio(PRIO_HIGH); 482 current->prio(PRIO_HIGH);
292 483
293The idle coroutine ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any 484The idle coroutine ($Coro::idle) always has a lower priority than any
294existing coroutine. 485existing coroutine.
295 486
296Changing the priority of the current process will take effect immediately, 487Changing the priority of the current coroutine will take effect immediately,
297but changing the priority of processes in the ready queue (but not 488but changing the priority of coroutines in the ready queue (but not
298running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that 489running) will only take effect after the next schedule (of that
299process). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version. 490coroutine). This is a bug that will be fixed in some future version.
300 491
301=cut
302
303sub prio {
304 my $old = $_[0]{prio};
305 $_[0]{prio} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
306 $old;
307}
308
309=item $newprio = $process->nice($change) 492=item $newprio = $coroutine->nice ($change)
310 493
311Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e. 494Similar to C<prio>, but subtract the given value from the priority (i.e.
312higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 495higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
313 496
314=cut
315
316sub nice {
317 $_[0]{prio} -= $_[1];
318}
319
320=item $olddesc = $process->desc($newdesc) 497=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
321 498
322Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 499Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
323process. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a process. 500coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
501coroutine.
502
503This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given
504string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
324 505
325=cut 506=cut
326 507
327sub desc { 508sub desc {
328 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 509 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
329 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 510 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
330 $old; 511 $old;
331} 512}
332 513
514sub transfer {
515 require Carp;
516 Carp::croak ("You must not call ->transfer on Coro objects. Use Coro::State objects or the ->schedule_to method. Caught");
517}
518
333=back 519=back
334 520
521=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
522
523=over 4
524
525=item Coro::nready
526
527Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
528i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
529indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the
530currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
531would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
532coroutines.
533
534=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
535
536This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
537gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
538executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
539runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
540guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
541C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
542
543Example: set some flag and clear it again when the coroutine gets canceled
544or the function returns:
545
546 sub do_something {
547 my $guard = Coro::guard { $busy = 0 };
548 $busy = 1;
549
550 # do something that requires $busy to be true
551 }
552
553=cut
554
555sub guard(&) {
556 bless \(my $cb = $_[0]), "Coro::guard"
557}
558
559sub Coro::guard::cancel {
560 ${$_[0]} = sub { };
561}
562
563sub Coro::guard::DESTROY {
564 ${$_[0]}->();
565}
566
567
568=item unblock_sub { ... }
569
570This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
571returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
572will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
573original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
574coroutine.
575
576The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
577venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
578of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
579otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
580currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
581
582This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
583coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
584is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
585disk, for example.
586
587In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
588creating event callbacks that want to block.
589
590If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
591another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
592there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
593
594Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
595are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
596use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
597provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
598must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
599
600=cut
601
602our @unblock_queue;
603
604# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
605# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
606# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
607# inside an event callback.
608our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
609 while () {
610 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
611 &async_pool (@$cb);
612
613 # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
614 # as the chance is very high that the async_poll coro will be back
615 # in the idle state when cede returns
616 cede;
617 }
618 schedule; # sleep well
619 }
620};
621$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
622
623sub unblock_sub(&) {
624 my $cb = shift;
625
626 sub {
627 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
628 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
629 }
630}
631
632=item $cb = Coro::rouse_cb
633
634Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that, when
635called, will save its arguments and notify the owner coroutine of the
636callback.
637
638See the next function.
639
640=item @args = Coro::rouse_wait [$cb]
641
642Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one tht was created in
643this coroutine).
644
645As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the calback was invoked before
646C<rouse_wait>), it will return a copy of the arguments originally passed
647to the rouse callback.
648
649See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
650
651=back
652
335=cut 653=cut
336 654
3371; 6551;
338 656
657=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
658
659It is very common for a coroutine to wait for some callback to be
660called. This occurs naturally when you use coroutines in an otherwise
661event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
662
663These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
664when the event occured. In a coroutine, however, you typically want to
665just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
666
667For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
668a specific child has exited:
669
670 my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
671
672But from withina coroutine, you often just want to write this:
673
674 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
675
676Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
677C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
678
679The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
680when invoked, will save it's arguments and notify the coroutine that
681created the callback.
682
683The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
684(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
685originally passed to the callback.
686
687Using these functions, it becomes easy to write the C<wait_for_child>
688function mentioned above:
689
690 sub wait_for_child($) {
691 my ($pid) = @_;
692
693 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb);
694
695 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait;
696 $rstatus
697 }
698
699In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
700you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
701
702 sub wait_for_child($) {
703 my ($pid) = @_;
704
705 # store the current coroutine in $current,
706 # and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
707 my $current = $Coro::current;
708 my ($done, $rstatus);
709
710 # pass a closure to ->child
711 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
712 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
713 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud
714 });
715
716 # wait until the closure has been called
717 schedule while !$done;
718
719 $rstatus
720 }
721
722
339=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 723=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
340 724
341 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 725=over 4
342 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
343 726
727=item fork with pthread backend
728
729When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
730but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
731coroutines will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
732fix your libc and use a saner backend.
733
734=item perl process emulation ("threads")
735
344 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 736This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
345 from the same thread (this requirement might be losened in the future 737module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
346 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 738future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
347 this). 739this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
740the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
741performance, even when not used.
742
743=item coroutine switching not signal safe
744
745You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler
746(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).
747
748That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
749current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
750anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
751works.
752
753=back
754
348 755
349=head1 SEE ALSO 756=head1 SEE ALSO
350 757
758Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
759
760Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
761
351Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 762Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
352 763
353Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 764Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>,
765L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
354 766
355Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 767IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
356 768
357Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 769Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP> (but see also L<AnyEvent::HTTP> for
770a better-working alternative), L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>,
771L<Coro::Select>.
772
773XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
774
775Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
358 776
359=head1 AUTHOR 777=head1 AUTHOR
360 778
361 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 779 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
362 http://home.schmorp.de/ 780 http://home.schmorp.de/

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