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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3Coro - coroutine process abstraction 3Coro - the only real threads in perl
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 use Coro; 7 use Coro;
8 8
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 31For a tutorial-style introduction, please read the L<Coro::Intro>
24to threads but don't run in parallel at the same time even on SMP 32manpage. This manpage mainly contains reference information.
25machines. The specific flavor of coroutine use din this module also
26guarentees you that it will not switch between coroutines unless
27necessary, at easily-identified points in your program, so locking and
28parallel access are rarely an issue, making coroutine programming much
29safer than threads programming.
30 33
31(Perl, however, does not natively support real threads but instead does a 34This module collection manages continuations in general, most often
32very slow and memory-intensive emulation of processes using threads. This 35in the form of cooperative threads (also called coroutines in the
33is a performance win on Windows machines, and a loss everywhere else). 36documentation). They are similar to kernel threads but don't (in general)
37run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The specific flavor
38of thread offered by this module also guarantees you that it will not
39switch between threads unless necessary, at easily-identified points in
40your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an issue, making
41thread programming much safer and easier than using other thread models.
34 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 threads
46very easy. And threads 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
35In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables + 56In this module, a thread is defined as "callchain + lexical variables +
36@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own callchain, 57@_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a thread has its own callchain,
37its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global 58its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important global
38variables. 59variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background info).
60
61See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro
62module family is quite large.
39 63
40=cut 64=cut
41 65
42package Coro; 66package Coro;
43 67
44use strict; 68use strict qw(vars subs);
45no warnings "uninitialized"; 69no warnings "uninitialized";
70
71use Guard ();
46 72
47use Coro::State; 73use Coro::State;
48 74
49use base qw(Coro::State Exporter); 75use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
50 76
51our $idle; # idle handler 77our $idle; # idle handler
52our $main; # main coroutine 78our $main; # main coroutine
53our $current; # current coroutine 79our $current; # current coroutine
54 80
55our $VERSION = '3.11'; 81our $VERSION = 5.13;
56 82
57our @EXPORT = qw(async cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 83our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
58our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 84our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
59 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 85 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
60); 86);
61our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready)); 87our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
62 88
63{ 89=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES
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 90
97=over 4 91=over 4
98 92
99=item $main 93=item $Coro::main
100 94
101This coroutine represents the main program. 95This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
96program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
97coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
98whether you are running in the main program or not.
102 99
103=cut 100=cut
104 101
105$main = new Coro; 102# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
106 103
107=item $current (or as function: current) 104=item $Coro::current
108 105
109The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 106The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
107coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
110is C<$main> (of course). 108C<$Coro::main> (of course).
111 109
112This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 110This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
113reasons. If performance is not essentiel you are encouraged to use the 111value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
114C<Coro::current> function instead. 112not otherwise modify the variable itself.
115 113
116=cut 114=cut
117 115
118# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
119$main->{specific} = $current->{specific}
120 if $current;
121
122_set_current $main;
123
124sub current() { $current } 116sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
125 117
126=item $idle 118=item $Coro::idle
127 119
120This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
121usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or L<Coro::EV>, as this is
122pretty low-level functionality.
123
124This variable stores either a coroutine or a callback.
125
128A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 126If it is a callback, the it is called whenever the scheduler finds no
129to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 127ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL:
130exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 128deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way to
129continue.
131 130
131If it is a coroutine object, then this object will be readied (without
132invoking any ready hooks, however) when the scheduler finds no other ready
133coroutines to run.
134
132This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 135This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::EV> and
133C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 136C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
134coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 137coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
135 138
139Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
140the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
141coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
142readying that coroutine in the idle handler, or by simply placing the idle
143coroutine in this variable.
144
145See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
146technique.
147
136Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 148Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
137handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 149handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
138 150
139=cut 151=cut
140 152
141$idle = sub { 153$idle = sub {
142 require Carp; 154 require Carp;
143 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected"); 155 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected");
144}; 156};
145 157
146# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 158# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
147# cannot destroy itself. 159# cannot destroy itself.
148my @destroy; 160our @destroy;
161our $manager;
162
149my $manager; $manager = new Coro sub { 163$manager = new Coro sub {
150 while () { 164 while () {
151 # by overwriting the state object with the manager we destroy it 165 Coro::_cancel shift @destroy
152 # while still being able to schedule this coroutine (in case it has
153 # been readied multiple times. this is harmless since the manager
154 # can be called as many times as neccessary and will always
155 # remove itself from the runqueue
156 while (@destroy) { 166 while @destroy;
157 my $coro = pop @destroy;
158 $coro->{status} ||= [];
159 $_->ready for @{delete $coro->{join} || []};
160 167
161 # the next line destroys the coro state, but keeps the
162 # coroutine itself intact (we basically make it a zombie
163 # coroutine that always runs the manager thread, so it's possible
164 # to transfer() to this coroutine).
165 $coro->_clone_state_from ($manager);
166 }
167 &schedule; 168 &schedule;
168 } 169 }
169}; 170};
170 171$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
171# static methods. not really. 172$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
172 173
173=back 174=back
174 175
175=head2 STATIC METHODS 176=head1 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
176
177Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
178 177
179=over 4 178=over 4
180 179
181=item async { ... } [@args...] 180=item async { ... } [@args...]
182 181
183Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 182Create a new coroutine and return its coroutine object (usually
184(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
185terminated. 188terminated.
186 189
187Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 190The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
188 191
189When the coroutine dies, the program will exit, just as in the main 192See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
190program. 193environment in which coroutines are executed.
191 194
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
192 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 202Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
203
193 async { 204 async {
194 print "@_\n"; 205 print "@_\n";
195 } 1,2,3,4; 206 } 1,2,3,4;
196 207
197=cut 208=cut
198 209
199sub async(&@) { 210sub async(&@) {
200 my $pid = new Coro @_; 211 my $coro = new Coro @_;
201 $pid->ready; 212 $coro->ready;
202 $pid 213 $coro
203} 214}
215
216=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
217
218Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call
219terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
220coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
221or bad :).
222
223On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
224destroying) a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic
225coroutines in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
226
227The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
228issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
229C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
230will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
231which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
232exceptional case).
233
234The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
235disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
236gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
237be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
238stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
239simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
240
241The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be
242adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
243coros as required.
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 32kb
249(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
250
251=cut
252
253our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
254our $POOL_RSS = 32 * 1024;
255our @async_pool;
256
257sub pool_handler {
258 while () {
259 eval {
260 &{&_pool_handler} while 1;
261 };
262
263 warn $@ if $@;
264 }
265}
266
267=back
268
269=head1 STATIC METHODS
270
271Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the
272current coroutine.
273
274=over 4
204 275
205=item schedule 276=item schedule
206 277
207Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 278Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
279to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
280to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
281in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
282C<$Coro::idle> hook.
283
284Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
208into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 285queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
209never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 286again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
210ready. 287thus waking you up.
211 288
212The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 289This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
290coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
291a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
292>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
293yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
294so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
295status in a variable.
213 296
297See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
298
299=item cede
300
301"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
302the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
303up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
304priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
305resumed.
306
307This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
308
309=item Coro::cede_notself
310
311Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
312coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
313progress is made.
314
315=item terminate [arg...]
316
317Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
318
319=item Coro::on_enter BLOCK, Coro::on_leave BLOCK
320
321These function install enter and leave winders in the current scope. The
322enter block will be executed when on_enter is called and whenever the
323current coroutine is re-entered by the scheduler, while the leave block is
324executed whenever the current coroutine is blocked by the scheduler, and
325also when the containing scope is exited (by whatever means, be it exit,
326die, last etc.).
327
328I<Neither invoking the scheduler, nor exceptions, are allowed within those
329BLOCKs>. That means: do not even think about calling C<die> without an
330eval, and do not even think of entering the scheduler in any way.
331
332Since both BLOCKs are tied to the current scope, they will automatically
333be removed when the current scope exits.
334
335These functions implement the same concept as C<dynamic-wind> in scheme
336does, and are useful when you want to localise some resource to a specific
337coroutine.
338
339They slow down coroutine switching considerably for coroutines that use
340them (But coroutine switching is still reasonably fast if the handlers are
341fast).
342
343These functions are best understood by an example: The following function
344will change the current timezone to "Antarctica/South_Pole", which
345requires a call to C<tzset>, but by using C<on_enter> and C<on_leave>,
346which remember/change the current timezone and restore the previous
347value, respectively, the timezone is only changes for the coroutine that
348installed those handlers.
349
350 use POSIX qw(tzset);
351
352 async {
353 my $old_tz; # store outside TZ value here
354
355 Coro::on_enter {
356 $old_tz = $ENV{TZ}; # remember the old value
357
358 $ENV{TZ} = "Antarctica/South_Pole";
359 tzset; # enable new value
360 };
361
362 Coro::on_leave {
363 $ENV{TZ} = $old_tz;
364 tzset; # restore old value
365 };
366
367 # at this place, the timezone is Antarctica/South_Pole,
368 # without disturbing the TZ of any other coroutine.
369 };
370
371This can be used to localise about any resource (locale, uid, current
372working directory etc.) to a block, despite the existance of other
373coroutines.
374
375=item killall
376
377Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running one.
378
379Note that while this will try to free some of the main interpreter
380resources if the calling coroutine isn't the main coroutine, but one
381cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main coroutine
382calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
383
384=cut
385
386sub killall {
387 for (Coro::State::list) {
388 $_->cancel
389 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
214 { 390 }
215 # remember current coroutine 391}
392
393=back
394
395=head1 COROUTINE OBJECT METHODS
396
397These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
398them).
399
400=over 4
401
402=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
403
404Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
405automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
406called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
407queue by calling the ready method.
408
409See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
410coroutine environment.
411
412=cut
413
414sub _coro_run {
415 terminate &{+shift};
416}
417
418=item $success = $coroutine->ready
419
420Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
421queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
422the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
423
424This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
425once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
426priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
427
428=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
429
430Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
431
432=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
433
434Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
435status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
436current coroutine.
437
438=cut
439
440sub cancel {
441 my $self = shift;
442
443 if ($current == $self) {
444 terminate @_;
445 } else {
446 $self->{_status} = [@_];
447 $self->_cancel;
448 }
449}
450
451=item $coroutine->schedule_to
452
453Puts the current coroutine to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
454of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
455the given coroutine object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
456state of that coroutine isn't changed.
457
458This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
459uses for this one.
460
461=item $coroutine->cede_to
462
463Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coroutine into the ready
464queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
465coroutine, and continuing some time later.
466
467This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
468uses for this one.
469
470=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
471
472If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
473inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
474clears the exception object.
475
476Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
477returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
478>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions
479detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending.
480
481The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
482C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
483(unlike with C<die>).
484
485This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
486end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
487termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
488program.
489
490You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
491C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
492
493=item $coroutine->join
494
495Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
496C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
497from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
498return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
499
500=cut
501
502sub join {
503 my $self = shift;
504
505 unless ($self->{_status}) {
216 my $current = $Coro::current; 506 my $current = $current;
217 507
218 # register a hypothetical event handler 508 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
219 on_event_invoke sub {
220 # wake up sleeping coroutine
221 $current->ready; 509 $current->ready;
222 undef $current; 510 undef $current;
223 }; 511 };
224 512
225 # call schedule until event occured.
226 # in case we are woken up for other reasons
227 # (current still defined), loop.
228 Coro::schedule while $current; 513 &schedule while $current;
229 } 514 }
230 515
231=item cede
232
233"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the
234ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the
235current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority.
236
237=item terminate [arg...]
238
239Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
240
241=cut
242
243sub terminate {
244 $current->cancel (@_);
245}
246
247=back
248
249# dynamic methods
250
251=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
252
253These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects.
254
255=over 4
256
257=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
258
259Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine
260automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
261called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready queue
262by calling the ready method.
263
264Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that.
265
266=cut
267
268sub _run_coro {
269 terminate &{+shift};
270}
271
272sub new {
273 my $class = shift;
274
275 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
276}
277
278=item $success = $coroutine->ready
279
280Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority)
281and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing
282and return false.
283
284=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
285
286Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
287
288=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
289
290Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
291status (default: the empty list).
292
293=cut
294
295sub cancel {
296 my $self = shift;
297 $self->{status} = [@_];
298 push @destroy, $self;
299 $manager->ready;
300 &schedule if $current == $self;
301}
302
303=item $coroutine->join
304
305Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
306C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times
307from multiple coroutine.
308
309=cut
310
311sub join {
312 my $self = shift;
313 unless ($self->{status}) {
314 push @{$self->{join}}, $current;
315 &schedule;
316 }
317 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 516 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
517}
518
519=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
520
521Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
522but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
523if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
524
525=cut
526
527sub on_destroy {
528 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
529
530 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
318} 531}
319 532
320=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 533=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
321 534
322Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 535Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
345higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 558higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
346 559
347=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 560=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
348 561
349Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 562Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
350coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 563coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
564coroutine.
565
566This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given
567string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
351 568
352=cut 569=cut
353 570
354sub desc { 571sub desc {
355 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 572 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
356 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 573 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
357 $old; 574 $old;
358} 575}
359 576
577sub transfer {
578 require Carp;
579 Carp::croak ("You must not call ->transfer on Coro objects. Use Coro::State objects or the ->schedule_to method. Caught");
580}
581
360=back 582=back
361 583
362=head2 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS 584=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
363 585
364=over 4 586=over 4
365 587
366=item Coro::nready 588=item Coro::nready
367 589
368Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state, 590Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
369i.e. that can be swicthed to. The value C<0> means that the only runnable 591i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
592indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the
370coroutine is the currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, 593currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
371and C<schedule> would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler 594would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
372that wakes up some coroutines. 595coroutines.
596
597=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
598
599This function still exists, but is deprecated. Please use the
600C<Guard::guard> function instead.
601
602=cut
603
604BEGIN { *guard = \&Guard::guard }
373 605
374=item unblock_sub { ... } 606=item unblock_sub { ... }
375 607
376This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 608This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
377returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 609returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
378immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 610will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
379ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 611original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
612coroutine.
380 613
381The reason this fucntion exists is that many event libraries (such as the 614The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
382venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 615venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
383of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 616of reentrancy). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
384otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 617otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
618currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
385 619
386This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 620This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
387coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 621coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy
388is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to 622is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
389disk. 623disk, for example.
390 624
391In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 625In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
392creating event callbacks that want to block. 626creating event callbacks that want to block.
393 627
394=cut 628If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
629another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
630there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
395 631
396our @unblock_pool; 632Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
633are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
634use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
635provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
636must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
637
638=cut
639
397our @unblock_queue; 640our @unblock_queue;
398our $UNBLOCK_POOL_SIZE = 2;
399 641
400sub unblock_handler_ { 642# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
401 while () { 643# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
402 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $Coro::current->{arg} }; 644# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
403 $cb->(@arg); 645# inside an event callback.
404
405 last if @unblock_pool >= $UNBLOCK_POOL_SIZE;
406 push @unblock_pool, $Coro::current;
407 schedule;
408 }
409}
410
411our $unblock_scheduler = async { 646our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
412 while () { 647 while () {
413 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 648 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
414 my $handler = (pop @unblock_pool or new Coro \&unblock_handler_); 649 &async_pool (@$cb);
415 $handler->{arg} = $cb; 650
416 $handler->ready; 651 # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
652 # as the chance is very high that the async_poll coro will be back
653 # in the idle state when cede returns
417 cede; 654 cede;
418 } 655 }
419 656 schedule; # sleep well
420 schedule;
421 } 657 }
422}; 658};
659$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
423 660
424sub unblock_sub(&) { 661sub unblock_sub(&) {
425 my $cb = shift; 662 my $cb = shift;
426 663
427 sub { 664 sub {
428 push @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 665 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
429 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 666 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
430 } 667 }
431} 668}
432 669
670=item $cb = Coro::rouse_cb
671
672Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that,
673when called, will remember a copy of its arguments and notify the owner
674coroutine of the callback.
675
676See the next function.
677
678=item @args = Coro::rouse_wait [$cb]
679
680Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one that was created in
681this coroutine).
682
683As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the callback was invoked
684before C<rouse_wait>), it will return the arguments originally passed to
685the rouse callback.
686
687See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
688
433=back 689=back
434 690
435=cut 691=cut
436 692
4371; 6931;
438 694
695=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
696
697It is very common for a coroutine to wait for some callback to be
698called. This occurs naturally when you use coroutines in an otherwise
699event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
700
701These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
702when the event occured. In a coroutine, however, you typically want to
703just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
704
705For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
706a specific child has exited:
707
708 my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
709
710But from withina coroutine, you often just want to write this:
711
712 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
713
714Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
715C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
716
717The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
718when invoked, will save its arguments and notify the coroutine that
719created the callback.
720
721The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
722(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
723originally passed to the callback.
724
725Using these functions, it becomes easy to write the C<wait_for_child>
726function mentioned above:
727
728 sub wait_for_child($) {
729 my ($pid) = @_;
730
731 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb);
732
733 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait;
734 $rstatus
735 }
736
737In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
738you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
739
740 sub wait_for_child($) {
741 my ($pid) = @_;
742
743 # store the current coroutine in $current,
744 # and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
745 my $current = $Coro::current;
746 my ($done, $rstatus);
747
748 # pass a closure to ->child
749 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
750 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
751 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud
752 });
753
754 # wait until the closure has been called
755 schedule while !$done;
756
757 $rstatus
758 }
759
760
439=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 761=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
440 762
441 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 763=over 4
442 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
443 764
765=item fork with pthread backend
766
767When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
768but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
769coroutines will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
770fix your libc and use a saner backend.
771
772=item perl process emulation ("threads")
773
444 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 774This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
445 from the same thread (this requirement might be losened in the future 775module from the first thread (this requirement might be removed in the
446 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 776future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
447 this). 777this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
778the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
779performance, even when not used.
780
781=item coroutine switching not signal safe
782
783You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler
784(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).
785
786That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
787current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
788anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
789works.
790
791=back
792
448 793
449=head1 SEE ALSO 794=head1 SEE ALSO
450 795
796Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
797
798Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
799
451Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 800Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
452 801
453Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 802Locking and IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>,
803L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
454 804
455Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 805I/O and Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
456 806
457Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 807Compatibility with other modules: L<Coro::LWP> (but see also L<AnyEvent::HTTP> for
808a better-working alternative), L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>,
809L<Coro::Select>.
810
811XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
812
813Low level Configuration, Thread Environment, Continuations: L<Coro::State>.
458 814
459=head1 AUTHOR 815=head1 AUTHOR
460 816
461 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 817 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
462 http://home.schmorp.de/ 818 http://home.schmorp.de/

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