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Revision 1.140 by root, Thu Sep 27 16:25:10 2007 UTC vs.
Revision 1.222 by root, Tue Nov 18 08:59:46 2008 UTC

2 2
3Coro - coroutine process abstraction 3Coro - coroutine process abstraction
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 coroutine 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 31This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar to
24to threads but don't run in parallel at the same time even on SMP 32threads but don't (in general) run in parallel at the same time even
25machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module also 33on SMP machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module
26guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless 34also guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless
27necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and 35necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and
28parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much 36parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much
29safer than threads programming. 37safer and easier than threads programming.
30 38
31(Perl, however, does not natively support real threads but instead does a 39Unlike a normal perl program, however, coroutines allow you to have
32very slow and memory-intensive emulation of processes using threads. This 40multiple running interpreters that share data, which is especially useful
33is a performance win on Windows machines, and a loss everywhere else). 41to code pseudo-parallel processes and for event-based programming, such as
42multiple HTTP-GET requests running concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to
43learn more.
44
45Coroutines are also useful because Perl has no support for threads (the so
46called "threads" that perl offers are nothing more than the (bad) process
47emulation coming from the Windows platform: On standard operating systems
48they serve no purpose whatsoever, except by making your programs slow and
49making them use a lot of memory. Best disable them when building perl, or
50aks your software vendor/distributor to do it for you).
34 51
35In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables + 52In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
36@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain, 53@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain,
37its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global 54its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
38variables. 55variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration).
39 56
40=cut 57=cut
41 58
42package Coro; 59package Coro;
43 60
44use strict; 61use strict qw(vars subs);
45no warnings "uninitialized"; 62no warnings "uninitialized";
46 63
47use Coro::State; 64use Coro::State;
48 65
49use base qw(Coro::State Exporter); 66use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
50 67
51our $idle; # idle handler 68our $idle; # idle handler
52our $main; # main coroutine 69our $main; # main coroutine
53our $current; # current coroutine 70our $current; # current coroutine
54 71
55our $VERSION = '3.8'; 72our $VERSION = 5.0;
56 73
57our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 74our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
58our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 75our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
59 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 76 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
60); 77);
61our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 78our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
62 79
63{
64 my @async;
65 my $init;
66
67 # this way of handling attributes simply is NOT scalable ;()
68 sub import {
69 no strict 'refs';
70
71 Coro->export_to_level (1, @_);
72
73 my $old = *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"}{CODE};
74 *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"} = sub {
75 my ($package, $ref) = (shift, shift);
76 my @attrs;
77 for (@_) {
78 if ($_ eq "Coro") {
79 push @async, $ref;
80 unless ($init++) {
81 eval q{
82 sub INIT {
83 &async(pop @async) while @async;
84 }
85 };
86 }
87 } else {
88 push @attrs, $_;
89 }
90 }
91 return $old ? $old->($package, $ref, @attrs) : @attrs;
92 };
93 }
94
95}
96
97=over 4 80=over 4
98 81
99=item $main 82=item $Coro::main
100 83
101This coroutine represents the main program. 84This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
85program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
86coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
87whether you are running in the main program or not.
102 88
103=cut 89=cut
104 90
105$main = new Coro; 91# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
106 92
107=item $current (or as function: current) 93=item $Coro::current
108 94
109The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 95The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
96coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
110is C<$main> (of course). 97C<$Coro::main> (of course).
111 98
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 99This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essential you are encouraged to use the 100value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 101not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 102
116=cut 103=cut
117 104
118$main->{desc} = "[main::]";
119
120# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
121$main->{specific} = $current->{specific}
122 if $current;
123
124_set_current $main;
125
126sub current() { $current } 105sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
127 106
128=item $idle 107=item $Coro::idle
129 108
130A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 109This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
131to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 110usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
132exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 111pretty low-level functionality.
112
113This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
114finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
115"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
116to continue.
133 117
134This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 118This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
135C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 119C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
136coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 120coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
137 121
122Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
123the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
124coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
125readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
126
127See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
128technique.
129
138Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 130Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
139handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 131handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
140 132
141=cut 133=cut
142 134
143$idle = sub { 135$idle = sub {
144 require Carp; 136 require Carp;
151 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed 143 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed
152 $self->_destroy 144 $self->_destroy
153 or return; 145 or return;
154 146
155 # call all destruction callbacks 147 # call all destruction callbacks
156 $_->(@{$self->{status}}) 148 $_->(@{$self->{_status}})
157 for @{(delete $self->{destroy_cb}) || []}; 149 for @{ delete $self->{_on_destroy} || [] };
158} 150}
159 151
160# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 152# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
161# cannot destroy itself. 153# cannot destroy itself.
162my @destroy; 154my @destroy;
168 while @destroy; 160 while @destroy;
169 161
170 &schedule; 162 &schedule;
171 } 163 }
172}; 164};
173$manager->desc ("[coro manager]"); 165$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
174$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX); 166$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
175 167
176# static methods. not really.
177
178=back 168=back
179 169
180=head2 STATIC METHODS 170=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
181
182Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
183 171
184=over 4 172=over 4
185 173
186=item async { ... } [@args...] 174=item async { ... } [@args...]
187 175
188Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 176Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
189(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 177unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so
178it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
179
180The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
181coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically
190terminated. 182terminated.
183
184The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
185
186See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
187environment in which coroutines are executed.
191 188
192Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside 189Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
193the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit, 190the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
194just as it would in the main program. 191just as it would in the main program.
195 192
193If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
194simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
195
196 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 196Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
197
197 async { 198 async {
198 print "@_\n"; 199 print "@_\n";
199 } 1,2,3,4; 200 } 1,2,3,4;
200 201
201=cut 202=cut
207} 208}
208 209
209=item async_pool { ... } [@args...] 210=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
210 211
211Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call 212Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call
212terminate or join (although you are allowed to), and you get a coroutine 213terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
213that might have executed other code already (which can be good or bad :). 214coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
215or bad :).
214 216
217On the plus side, this function is faster than creating (and destroying)
218a completly new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic coroutines in
219quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
220
215Also, the block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be 221The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
216issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as 222issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
217C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy> 223C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
218will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel, 224will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
219which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling. 225which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
226exceptional case).
220 227
221The priority will be reset to C<0> after each job, otherwise the coroutine 228The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
222will be re-used "as-is". 229disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
230gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
231be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
232stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
233simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
223 234
224The pool size is limited to 8 idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by 235The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be
225changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as 236adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
226required. 237coros as required.
227 238
228If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a 239If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
229single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool 240single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
230{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In 241{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
231addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb 242addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb
232(adjustable with $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also exit. 243(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
233 244
234=cut 245=cut
235 246
236our $POOL_SIZE = 8; 247our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
237our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024; 248our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024;
248 _pool_2 $cb; 259 _pool_2 $cb;
249 &schedule; 260 &schedule;
250 } 261 }
251 }; 262 };
252 263
264 if ($@) {
253 last if $@ eq "\3terminate\2\n"; 265 last if $@ eq "\3async_pool terminate\2\n";
254 warn $@ if $@; 266 warn $@;
267 }
255 } 268 }
256} 269}
257 270
258sub async_pool(&@) { 271sub async_pool(&@) {
259 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler 272 # this is also inlined into the unblock_scheduler
260 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler; 273 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
261 274
262 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_]; 275 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_];
263 $coro->ready; 276 $coro->ready;
264 277
265 $coro 278 $coro
266} 279}
267 280
281=back
282
283=head2 STATIC METHODS
284
285Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine.
286
287=over 4
288
268=item schedule 289=item schedule
269 290
270Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 291Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
292to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
293to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
294in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
295C<$Coro::idle> hook.
296
297Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
271into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 298queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
272never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 299again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
273ready. 300thus waking you up.
301
302This 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
304a 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
306yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
307so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
308status in a variable.
274 309
275The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 310The canonical way to wait on external events is this:
276 311
277 { 312 {
278 # remember current coroutine 313 # remember current coroutine
291 Coro::schedule while $current; 326 Coro::schedule while $current;
292 } 327 }
293 328
294=item cede 329=item cede
295 330
296"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the 331"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
297ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the 332the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
298current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority. 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.
299 336
300Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened. 337This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
301 338
302=item Coro::cede_notself 339=item Coro::cede_notself
303 340
304Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to any 341Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
305coroutine, regardless of priority, once. 342coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
306 343progress is made.
307Returns true if at least one coroutine switch has happened.
308 344
309=item terminate [arg...] 345=item terminate [arg...]
310 346
311Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>). 347Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
348
349=item killall
350
351Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
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
355Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
356you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
357program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
312 358
313=cut 359=cut
314 360
315sub terminate { 361sub terminate {
316 $current->cancel (@_); 362 $current->cancel (@_);
317} 363}
318 364
365sub killall {
366 for (Coro::State::list) {
367 $_->cancel
368 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
369 }
370}
371
319=back 372=back
320 373
321# dynamic methods
322
323=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 374=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
324 375
325These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects. 376These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
377them).
326 378
327=over 4 379=over 4
328 380
329=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 381=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
330 382
331Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine 383Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
332automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 384automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
333called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready queue 385called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
334by calling the ready method. 386queue by calling the ready method.
335 387
336See C<async> for additional discussion. 388See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
389coroutine environment.
337 390
338=cut 391=cut
339 392
340sub _run_coro { 393sub _run_coro {
341 terminate &{+shift}; 394 terminate &{+shift};
347 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_) 400 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
348} 401}
349 402
350=item $success = $coroutine->ready 403=item $success = $coroutine->ready
351 404
352Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority) 405Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
353and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing 406queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
354and return false. 407the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
408
409This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
410once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
411priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
355 412
356=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 413=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
357 414
358Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 415Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
359 416
360=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...) 417=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
361 418
362Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as 419Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
363status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the 420status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
365 422
366=cut 423=cut
367 424
368sub cancel { 425sub cancel {
369 my $self = shift; 426 my $self = shift;
370 $self->{status} = [@_]; 427 $self->{_status} = [@_];
371 428
372 if ($current == $self) { 429 if ($current == $self) {
373 push @destroy, $self; 430 push @destroy, $self;
374 $manager->ready; 431 $manager->ready;
375 &schedule while 1; 432 &schedule while 1;
376 } else { 433 } else {
377 $self->_cancel; 434 $self->_cancel;
378 } 435 }
379} 436}
380 437
438=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
439
440If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
441inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
442clears the exception object.
443
444Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
445returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
446>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Note that this means that
447when a coroutine is acquiring a lock, it might only throw after it has
448sucessfully acquired it.
449
450The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
451C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
452(unlike with C<die>).
453
454This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
455end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
456termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
457program.
458
459You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
460C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
461
381=item $coroutine->join 462=item $coroutine->join
382 463
383Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 464Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
384C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times 465C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
385from multiple coroutine. 466from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
467return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
386 468
387=cut 469=cut
388 470
389sub join { 471sub join {
390 my $self = shift; 472 my $self = shift;
391 473
392 unless ($self->{status}) { 474 unless ($self->{_status}) {
393 my $current = $current; 475 my $current = $current;
394 476
395 push @{$self->{destroy_cb}}, sub { 477 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
396 $current->ready; 478 $current->ready;
397 undef $current; 479 undef $current;
398 }; 480 };
399 481
400 &schedule while $current; 482 &schedule while $current;
401 } 483 }
402 484
403 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 485 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
404} 486}
405 487
406=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb) 488=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
407 489
408Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed, 490Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
409but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments, 491but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
410if any. 492if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
411 493
412=cut 494=cut
413 495
414sub on_destroy { 496sub on_destroy {
415 my ($self, $cb) = @_; 497 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
416 498
417 push @{ $self->{destroy_cb} }, $cb; 499 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
418} 500}
419 501
420=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 502=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
421 503
422Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 504Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
445higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 527higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
446 528
447=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 529=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
448 530
449Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 531Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
450coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 532coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
533coroutine.
534
535This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given
536string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
451 537
452=cut 538=cut
453 539
454sub desc { 540sub desc {
455 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 541 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
464=over 4 550=over 4
465 551
466=item Coro::nready 552=item Coro::nready
467 553
468Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 554Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
469i.e. that can be switched to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 555i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
556indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the
470coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 557currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
471and C<schedule> would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler 558would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
472that wakes up some coroutines. 559coroutines.
473 560
474=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... } 561=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
475 562
476This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object 563This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
477gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be 564gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
506 593
507 594
508=item unblock_sub { ... } 595=item unblock_sub { ... }
509 596
510This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 597This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
511returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 598returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
512immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 599will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
513ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 600original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
601coroutine.
514 602
515The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the 603The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
516venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 604venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
517of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 605of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
518otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 606otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
607currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
519 608
520This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 609This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
521coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 610coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
522is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 611is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
523disk. 612disk, for example.
524 613
525In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 614In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
526creating event callbacks that want to block. 615creating event callbacks that want to block.
616
617If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
618another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
619there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
620
621Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
622are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
623use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
624provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
625must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
527 626
528=cut 627=cut
529 628
530our @unblock_queue; 629our @unblock_queue;
531 630
544 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool 643 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
545 } 644 }
546 schedule; # sleep well 645 schedule; # sleep well
547 } 646 }
548}; 647};
549$unblock_scheduler->desc ("[unblock_sub scheduler]"); 648$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
550 649
551sub unblock_sub(&) { 650sub unblock_sub(&) {
552 my $cb = shift; 651 my $cb = shift;
553 652
554 sub { 653 sub {
563 662
5641; 6631;
565 664
566=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 665=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
567 666
568 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 667=over 4
569 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
570 668
669=item fork with pthread backend
670
671When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
672but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
673coroutines will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
674fix your libc and use a saner backend.
675
676=item perl process emulation ("threads")
677
571 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 678This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
572 from the same thread (this requirement might be loosened in the future 679module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
573 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 680future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
574 this). 681this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
682the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
683performance, even when not used.
684
685=item coroutine switching not signal safe
686
687You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler
688(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).
689
690That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
691current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
692anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
693works.
694
695=back
696
575 697
576=head1 SEE ALSO 698=head1 SEE ALSO
577 699
700Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
701
702Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
703
578Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 704Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
579 705
580Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 706Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
581 707
582Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 708IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
583 709
584Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 710Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>.
711
712XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
713
714Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
585 715
586=head1 AUTHOR 716=head1 AUTHOR
587 717
588 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 718 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
589 http://home.schmorp.de/ 719 http://home.schmorp.de/

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