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Revision 1.94 by root, Sat Dec 2 18:01:30 2006 UTC vs.
Revision 1.181 by root, Fri May 9 22:04:37 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 my $lock = new Coro::Semaphore;
19 cede; 22 my $locked;
23
24 $lock->down;
25 $locked = 1;
26 $lock->up;
20 27
21=head1 DESCRIPTION 28=head1 DESCRIPTION
22 29
23This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar to 30This module collection manages coroutines. Coroutines are similar to
24threads but don't run in parallel. 31threads but don't (in general) run in parallel at the same time even
32on SMP machines. The specific flavor of coroutine used in this module
33also guarantees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless
34necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and
35parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much
36safer and easier than threads programming.
25 37
38Unlike a normal perl program, however, coroutines allow you to have
39multiple running interpreters that share data, which is especially useful
40to code pseudo-parallel processes, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests
41running concurrently.
42
43Coroutines are also useful because Perl has no support for threads (the so
44called "threads" that perl offers are nothing more than the (bad) process
45emulation coming from the Windows platform: On standard operating systems
46they serve no purpose whatsoever, except by making your programs slow and
47making them use a lot of memory. Best disable them when building perl, or
48aks your software vendor/distributor to do it for you).
49
26In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables 50In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
27+ @_ + $_ + $@ + $^W + C stack), that is, a coroutine has it's own 51@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain,
28callchain, it's own set of lexicals and it's own set of perl's most 52its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
29important global variables. 53variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration).
30 54
31=cut 55=cut
32 56
33package Coro; 57package Coro;
34 58
41 65
42our $idle; # idle handler 66our $idle; # idle handler
43our $main; # main coroutine 67our $main; # main coroutine
44our $current; # current coroutine 68our $current; # current coroutine
45 69
46our $VERSION = '3.0'; 70our $VERSION = 4.6;
47 71
48our @EXPORT = qw(async cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 72our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
49our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 73our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
50 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 74 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
51); 75);
52our @EXPORT_OK = @{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}; 76our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
53
54{
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 77
88=over 4 78=over 4
89 79
90=item $main 80=item $Coro::main
91 81
92This coroutine represents the main program. 82This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
83program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
84coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
85wether you are running in the main program or not.
93 86
94=cut 87=cut
95 88
96$main = new Coro; 89$main = new Coro;
97 90
98=item $current (or as function: current) 91=item $Coro::current
99 92
100The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 93The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
94coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
101is C<$main> (of course). 95C<$main> (of course).
102 96
103This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 97This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
104reasons. If performance is not essentiel you are encouraged to use the 98value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
105C<Coro::current> function instead. 99not otherwise modify the variable itself.
106 100
107=cut 101=cut
102
103$main->{desc} = "[main::]";
108 104
109# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before... 105# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
110$main->{specific} = $current->{specific} 106$main->{_specific} = $current->{_specific}
111 if $current; 107 if $current;
112 108
113_set_current $main; 109_set_current $main;
114 110
115sub current() { $current } 111sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
116 112
117=item $idle 113=item $Coro::idle
118 114
119A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 115This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
120to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 116usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
121exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 117pretty low-level functionality.
118
119This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
120finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
121"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
122to continue.
122 123
123This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 124This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
124C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 125C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
125coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 126coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
126 127
128Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
129the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
130coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
131readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
132
133See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
134technique.
135
127Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 136Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
128handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 137handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
129 138
130=cut 139=cut
131 140
132$idle = sub { 141$idle = sub {
133 print STDERR "FATAL: deadlock detected\n"; 142 require Carp;
134 exit (51); 143 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected");
135}; 144};
145
146sub _cancel {
147 my ($self) = @_;
148
149 # free coroutine data and mark as destructed
150 $self->_destroy
151 or return;
152
153 # call all destruction callbacks
154 $_->(@{$self->{_status}})
155 for @{(delete $self->{_on_destroy}) || []};
156}
136 157
137# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 158# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
138# cannot destroy itself. 159# cannot destroy itself.
139my @destroy; 160my @destroy;
161my $manager;
162
140my $manager; $manager = new Coro sub { 163$manager = new Coro sub {
141 while () { 164 while () {
142 # by overwriting the state object with the manager we destroy it 165 (shift @destroy)->_cancel
143 # while still being able to schedule this coroutine (in case it has
144 # been readied multiple times. this is harmless since the manager
145 # can be called as many times as neccessary and will always
146 # remove itself from the runqueue
147 while (@destroy) { 166 while @destroy;
148 my $coro = pop @destroy;
149 $coro->{status} ||= [];
150 $_->ready for @{delete $coro->{join} || []};
151 167
152 # the next line destroys the coro state, but keeps the
153 # coroutine itself intact (we basically make it a zombie
154 # coroutine that always runs the manager thread, so it's possible
155 # to transfer() to this coroutine).
156 $coro->_clone_state_from ($manager);
157 }
158 &schedule; 168 &schedule;
159 } 169 }
160}; 170};
161 171$manager->desc ("[coro manager]");
162# static methods. not really. 172$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
163 173
164=back 174=back
165 175
166=head2 STATIC METHODS 176=head2 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
167
168Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
169 177
170=over 4 178=over 4
171 179
172=item async { ... } [@args...] 180=item async { ... } [@args...]
173 181
174Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 182Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
175(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 183unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so
184it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
185
186The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
187coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically
176terminated. 188terminated.
177 189
178Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 190The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
179 191
180When the coroutine dies, the program will exit, just as in the main 192See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
181program. 193environment in which coroutines are executed.
182 194
195Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
196the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
197just as it would in the main program.
198
199If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
200simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
201
183 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 202Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
203
184 async { 204 async {
185 print "@_\n"; 205 print "@_\n";
186 } 1,2,3,4; 206 } 1,2,3,4;
187 207
188=cut 208=cut
189 209
190sub async(&@) { 210sub async(&@) {
191 my $pid = new Coro @_; 211 my $coro = new Coro @_;
192 $pid->ready; 212 $coro->ready;
193 $pid 213 $coro
194} 214}
215
216=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
217
218Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call
219terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
220coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
221or bad :).
222
223On the plus side, this function is faster than creating (and destroying)
224a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic coroutines in
225quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
226
227The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
228issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
229C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
230will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
231which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
232exceptional case).
233
234The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
235disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
236gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
237be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
238stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> to revert that change, which is most
239simply done by using local as in: C< local $/ >.
240
241The pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be adjusted by
242changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), and there can be as many non-idle coros as
243required.
244
245If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
246single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
247{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
248addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 16kb
249(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
250
251=cut
252
253our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
254our $POOL_RSS = 16 * 1024;
255our @async_pool;
256
257sub pool_handler {
258 my $cb;
259
260 while () {
261 eval {
262 while () {
263 _pool_1 $cb;
264 &$cb;
265 _pool_2 $cb;
266 &schedule;
267 }
268 };
269
270 last if $@ eq "\3async_pool terminate\2\n";
271 warn $@ if $@;
272 }
273}
274
275sub async_pool(&@) {
276 # this is also inlined into the unlock_scheduler
277 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
278
279 $coro->{_invoke} = [@_];
280 $coro->ready;
281
282 $coro
283}
284
285=back
286
287=head2 STATIC METHODS
288
289Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine.
290
291=over 4
195 292
196=item schedule 293=item schedule
197 294
198Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 295Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
296to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
297to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
298in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
299C<$Coro::idle> hook.
300
301Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
199into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 302queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
200never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 303again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
201ready. 304thus waking you up.
305
306This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
307coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
308a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
309>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
310yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
311so you need to check wether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
312status in a variable.
202 313
203The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 314The canonical way to wait on external events is this:
204 315
205 { 316 {
206 # remember current coroutine 317 # remember current coroutine
211 # wake up sleeping coroutine 322 # wake up sleeping coroutine
212 $current->ready; 323 $current->ready;
213 undef $current; 324 undef $current;
214 }; 325 };
215 326
216 # call schedule until event occured. 327 # call schedule until event occurred.
217 # in case we are woken up for other reasons 328 # in case we are woken up for other reasons
218 # (current still defined), loop. 329 # (current still defined), loop.
219 Coro::schedule while $current; 330 Coro::schedule while $current;
220 } 331 }
221 332
222=item cede 333=item cede
223 334
224"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the 335"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
225ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the 336the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
226current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority. 337up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
338priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
339resumed.
340
341This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
342
343=item Coro::cede_notself
344
345Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
346coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
347progress is made.
227 348
228=item terminate [arg...] 349=item terminate [arg...]
229 350
230Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>). 351Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
352
353=item killall
354
355Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
356one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
357usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
358
359Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
360you cnanot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
361program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
231 362
232=cut 363=cut
233 364
234sub terminate { 365sub terminate {
235 $current->cancel (@_); 366 $current->cancel (@_);
236} 367}
237 368
369sub killall {
370 for (Coro::State::list) {
371 $_->cancel
372 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
373 }
374}
375
238=back 376=back
239 377
240# dynamic methods
241
242=head2 COROUTINE METHODS 378=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
243 379
244These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects. 380These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
381them).
245 382
246=over 4 383=over 4
247 384
248=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...] 385=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
249 386
250Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine 387Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
251automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were 388automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
252called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready queue 389called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
253by calling the ready method. 390queue by calling the ready method.
254 391
255Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 392See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
393coroutine environment.
256 394
257=cut 395=cut
258 396
259sub _run_coro { 397sub _run_coro {
260 terminate &{+shift}; 398 terminate &{+shift};
266 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_) 404 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
267} 405}
268 406
269=item $success = $coroutine->ready 407=item $success = $coroutine->ready
270 408
271Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority) 409Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
272and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing 410queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
273and return false. 411the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
412
413This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
414once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
415priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
274 416
275=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready 417=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
276 418
277Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not, 419Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
278 420
279=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...) 421=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
280 422
281Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as 423Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
282status (default: the empty list). 424status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
425current coroutine.
283 426
284=cut 427=cut
285 428
286sub cancel { 429sub cancel {
287 my $self = shift; 430 my $self = shift;
288 $self->{status} = [@_]; 431 $self->{_status} = [@_];
432
433 if ($current == $self) {
289 push @destroy, $self; 434 push @destroy, $self;
290 $manager->ready; 435 $manager->ready;
291 &schedule if $current == $self; 436 &schedule while 1;
437 } else {
438 $self->_cancel;
439 }
292} 440}
293 441
294=item $coroutine->join 442=item $coroutine->join
295 443
296Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the 444Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
297C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times 445C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
298from multiple coroutine. 446from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
447return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
299 448
300=cut 449=cut
301 450
302sub join { 451sub join {
303 my $self = shift; 452 my $self = shift;
453
304 unless ($self->{status}) { 454 unless ($self->{_status}) {
305 push @{$self->{join}}, $current; 455 my $current = $current;
306 &schedule; 456
457 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
458 $current->ready;
459 undef $current;
460 };
461
462 &schedule while $current;
307 } 463 }
464
308 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 465 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
466}
467
468=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
469
470Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
471but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
472if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
473
474=cut
475
476sub on_destroy {
477 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
478
479 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
309} 480}
310 481
311=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 482=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
312 483
313Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 484Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
338=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 509=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
339 510
340Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 511Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
341coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 512coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine.
342 513
514This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given string. You
515can modify this member directly if you wish.
516
517=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
518
519If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
520inside the coroutine at the next convinient point in time (usually after
521it gains control at the next schedule/transfer/cede). Otherwise clears the
522exception object.
523
524The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
525C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
526(unlike with C<die>).
527
528This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
529end itself, although there is no guarentee that the exception will lead to
530termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
531program.
532
343=cut 533=cut
344 534
345sub desc { 535sub desc {
346 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 536 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
347 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 537 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
348 $old; 538 $old;
349} 539}
350 540
351=back 541=back
352 542
353=head2 UTILITY FUNCTIONS 543=head2 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
354 544
355=over 4 545=over 4
356 546
547=item Coro::nready
548
549Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
550i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
551indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the
552currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
553would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
554coroutines.
555
556=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
557
558This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
559gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
560executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
561runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
562guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
563C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
564
565Example: set some flag and clear it again when the coroutine gets canceled
566or the function returns:
567
568 sub do_something {
569 my $guard = Coro::guard { $busy = 0 };
570 $busy = 1;
571
572 # do something that requires $busy to be true
573 }
574
575=cut
576
577sub guard(&) {
578 bless \(my $cb = $_[0]), "Coro::guard"
579}
580
581sub Coro::guard::cancel {
582 ${$_[0]} = sub { };
583}
584
585sub Coro::guard::DESTROY {
586 ${$_[0]}->();
587}
588
589
357=item unblock_sub { ... } 590=item unblock_sub { ... }
358 591
359This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 592This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
360returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 593returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
361immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 594will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
362ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 595original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
596coroutine.
363 597
364The reason this fucntion exists is that many event libraries (such as the 598The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
365venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 599venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
366of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 600of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
367otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 601otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
602currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
368 603
369This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 604This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
370coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 605coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
371is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 606is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
372disk. 607disk, for example.
373 608
374In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 609In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
375creating event callbacks that want to block. 610creating event callbacks that want to block.
376 611
377=cut 612If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
613another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
614there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
378 615
379our @unblock_pool; 616=cut
617
380our @unblock_queue; 618our @unblock_queue;
381our $UNBLOCK_POOL_SIZE = 2;
382 619
383sub unblock_handler_ { 620# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
384 while () { 621# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
385 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $Coro::current->{arg} }; 622# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
386 $cb->(@arg); 623# inside an event callback.
387
388 last if @unblock_pool >= $UNBLOCK_POOL_SIZE;
389 push @unblock_pool, $Coro::current;
390 schedule;
391 }
392}
393
394our $unblock_scheduler = async { 624our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
395 while () { 625 while () {
396 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 626 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
397 my $handler = (pop @unblock_pool or new Coro \&unblock_handler_); 627 # this is an inlined copy of async_pool
398 $handler->{arg} = $cb; 628 my $coro = (pop @async_pool) || new Coro \&pool_handler;
629
630 $coro->{_invoke} = $cb;
399 $handler->ready; 631 $coro->ready;
400 cede; 632 cede; # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
401 } 633 }
402 634 schedule; # sleep well
403 schedule;
404 } 635 }
405}; 636};
637$unblock_scheduler->desc ("[unblock_sub scheduler]");
406 638
407sub unblock_sub(&) { 639sub unblock_sub(&) {
408 my $cb = shift; 640 my $cb = shift;
409 641
410 sub { 642 sub {
411 push @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 643 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
412 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 644 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
413 } 645 }
414} 646}
415 647
416=back 648=back
419 651
4201; 6521;
421 653
422=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 654=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
423 655
424 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global
425 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
426
427 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 656This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
428 from the same thread (this requirement might be losened in the future 657module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
429 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 658future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
430 this). 659this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as this
660is much faster and uses less memory.
431 661
432=head1 SEE ALSO 662=head1 SEE ALSO
433 663
664Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
665
666Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
667
434Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 668Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
435 669
436Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 670Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
437 671
438Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 672IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
439 673
440Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 674Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP>, L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>, L<Coro::Select>.
675
676XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
677
678Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
441 679
442=head1 AUTHOR 680=head1 AUTHOR
443 681
444 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 682 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
445 http://home.schmorp.de/ 683 http://home.schmorp.de/

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