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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3Coro - coroutine process abstraction 3Coro - real threads in perl
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 use Coro; 7 use Coro;
8 8
9 async { 9 async {
10 # some asynchronous thread of execution 10 # some asynchronous thread of execution
11 print "2\n";
12 cede; # yield back to main
13 print "4\n";
11 }; 14 };
12 15 print "1\n";
13 # alternatively create an async 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 to 31For a tutorial-style introduction, please read the L<Coro::Intro>
24threads but don't run in parallel. 32manpage. This manpage mainly contains reference information.
25 33
34This module collection manages coroutines, that is, cooperative
35threads. Coroutines are similar to kernel threads but don't (in general)
36run in parallel at the same time even on SMP machines. The specific flavor
37of coroutine used in this module also guarantees you that it will not
38switch between coroutines unless necessary, at easily-identified points
39in your program, so locking and parallel access are rarely an issue,
40making coroutine programming much safer and easier than using other thread
41models.
42
43Unlike the so-called "Perl threads" (which are not actually real threads
44but only the windows process emulation ported to unix), Coro provides a
45full shared address space, which makes communication between coroutines
46very easy. And coroutines are fast, too: disabling the Windows process
47emulation code in your perl and using Coro can easily result in a two to
48four times speed increase for your programs.
49
50Coro achieves that by supporting multiple running interpreters that share
51data, which is especially useful to code pseudo-parallel processes and
52for event-based programming, such as multiple HTTP-GET requests running
53concurrently. See L<Coro::AnyEvent> to learn more on how to integrate Coro
54into an event-based environment.
55
26In this module, coroutines are defined as "callchain + lexical variables 56In this module, a coroutines is defined as "callchain + lexical variables
27+ @_ + $_ + $@ + $^W + C stack), that is, a coroutine has it's own 57+ @_ + $_ + $@ + $/ + C stack), that is, a coroutine has its own
28callchain, it's own set of lexicals and it's own set of perl's most 58callchain, its own set of lexicals and its own set of perls most important
29important global variables. 59global variables (see L<Coro::State> for more configuration and background
60info).
61
62See also the C<SEE ALSO> section at the end of this document - the Coro
63module family is quite large.
30 64
31=cut 65=cut
32 66
33package Coro; 67package Coro;
34 68
35use strict; 69use strict qw(vars subs);
36no warnings "uninitialized"; 70no warnings "uninitialized";
37 71
38use Coro::State; 72use Coro::State;
39 73
40use base qw(Coro::State Exporter); 74use base qw(Coro::State Exporter);
41 75
42our $idle; # idle handler 76our $idle; # idle handler
43our $main; # main coroutine 77our $main; # main coroutine
44our $current; # current coroutine 78our $current; # current coroutine
45 79
46our $VERSION = '3.0'; 80our $VERSION = "5.0";
47 81
48our @EXPORT = qw(async cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub); 82our @EXPORT = qw(async async_pool cede schedule terminate current unblock_sub);
49our %EXPORT_TAGS = ( 83our %EXPORT_TAGS = (
50 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)], 84 prio => [qw(PRIO_MAX PRIO_HIGH PRIO_NORMAL PRIO_LOW PRIO_IDLE PRIO_MIN)],
51); 85);
52our @EXPORT_OK = @{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}; 86our @EXPORT_OK = (@{$EXPORT_TAGS{prio}}, qw(nready));
53 87
54{ 88=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES
55 my @async;
56 my $init;
57
58 # this way of handling attributes simply is NOT scalable ;()
59 sub import {
60 no strict 'refs';
61
62 Coro->export_to_level (1, @_);
63
64 my $old = *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"}{CODE};
65 *{(caller)[0]."::MODIFY_CODE_ATTRIBUTES"} = sub {
66 my ($package, $ref) = (shift, shift);
67 my @attrs;
68 for (@_) {
69 if ($_ eq "Coro") {
70 push @async, $ref;
71 unless ($init++) {
72 eval q{
73 sub INIT {
74 &async(pop @async) while @async;
75 }
76 };
77 }
78 } else {
79 push @attrs, $_;
80 }
81 }
82 return $old ? $old->($package, $ref, @attrs) : @attrs;
83 };
84 }
85
86}
87 89
88=over 4 90=over 4
89 91
90=item $main 92=item $Coro::main
91 93
92This coroutine represents the main program. 94This variable stores the coroutine object that represents the main
95program. While you cna C<ready> it and do most other things you can do to
96coroutines, it is mainly useful to compare again C<$Coro::current>, to see
97whether you are running in the main program or not.
93 98
94=cut 99=cut
95 100
96$main = new Coro; 101# $main is now being initialised by Coro::State
97 102
98=item $current (or as function: current) 103=item $Coro::current
99 104
100The current coroutine (the last coroutine switched to). The initial value 105The coroutine object representing the current coroutine (the last
106coroutine that the Coro scheduler switched to). The initial value is
101is C<$main> (of course). 107C<$Coro::main> (of course).
102 108
103This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. It is provided for performance 109This variable is B<strictly> I<read-only>. You can take copies of the
104reasons. If performance is not essentiel you are encouraged to use the 110value stored in it and use it as any other coroutine object, but you must
105C<Coro::current> function instead. 111not otherwise modify the variable itself.
106 112
107=cut 113=cut
108 114
109# maybe some other module used Coro::Specific before...
110$main->{specific} = $current->{specific}
111 if $current;
112
113_set_current $main;
114
115sub current() { $current } 115sub current() { $current } # [DEPRECATED]
116 116
117=item $idle 117=item $Coro::idle
118 118
119A callback that is called whenever the scheduler finds no ready coroutines 119This variable is mainly useful to integrate Coro into event loops. It is
120to run. The default implementation prints "FATAL: deadlock detected" and 120usually better to rely on L<Coro::AnyEvent> or LC<Coro::EV>, as this is
121exits, because the program has no other way to continue. 121pretty low-level functionality.
122
123This variable stores a callback that is called whenever the scheduler
124finds no ready coroutines to run. The default implementation prints
125"FATAL: deadlock detected" and exits, because the program has no other way
126to continue.
122 127
123This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and 128This hook is overwritten by modules such as C<Coro::Timer> and
124C<Coro::Event> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a 129C<Coro::AnyEvent> to wait on an external event that hopefully wake up a
125coroutine so the scheduler can run it. 130coroutine so the scheduler can run it.
126 131
132Note that the callback I<must not>, under any circumstances, block
133the current coroutine. Normally, this is achieved by having an "idle
134coroutine" that calls the event loop and then blocks again, and then
135readying that coroutine in the idle handler.
136
137See L<Coro::Event> or L<Coro::AnyEvent> for examples of using this
138technique.
139
127Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event 140Please note that if your callback recursively invokes perl (e.g. for event
128handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively. 141handlers), then it must be prepared to be called recursively itself.
129 142
130=cut 143=cut
131 144
132$idle = sub { 145$idle = sub {
133 print STDERR "FATAL: deadlock detected\n"; 146 require Carp;
134 exit (51); 147 Carp::croak ("FATAL: deadlock detected");
135}; 148};
136 149
137# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine 150# this coroutine is necessary because a coroutine
138# cannot destroy itself. 151# cannot destroy itself.
139my @destroy; 152our @destroy;
153our $manager;
154
140my $manager; $manager = new Coro sub { 155$manager = new Coro sub {
141 while () { 156 while () {
142 # by overwriting the state object with the manager we destroy it 157 Coro::_cancel shift @destroy
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) { 158 while @destroy;
148 my $coro = pop @destroy;
149 $coro->{status} ||= [];
150 $_->ready for @{delete $coro->{join} || []};
151 159
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; 160 &schedule;
159 } 161 }
160}; 162};
161 163$manager->{desc} = "[coro manager]";
162# static methods. not really. 164$manager->prio (PRIO_MAX);
163 165
164=back 166=back
165 167
166=head2 STATIC METHODS 168=head1 SIMPLE COROUTINE CREATION
167
168Static methods are actually functions that operate on the current coroutine only.
169 169
170=over 4 170=over 4
171 171
172=item async { ... } [@args...] 172=item async { ... } [@args...]
173 173
174Create a new asynchronous coroutine and return it's coroutine object 174Create a new coroutine and return it's coroutine object (usually
175(usually unused). When the sub returns the new coroutine is automatically 175unused). The coroutine will be put into the ready queue, so
176it will start running automatically on the next scheduler run.
177
178The first argument is a codeblock/closure that should be executed in the
179coroutine. When it returns argument returns the coroutine is automatically
176terminated. 180terminated.
177 181
178Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that. 182The remaining arguments are passed as arguments to the closure.
179 183
180When the coroutine dies, the program will exit, just as in the main 184See the C<Coro::State::new> constructor for info about the coroutine
181program. 185environment in which coroutines are executed.
182 186
187Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will do the same as calling exit outside
188the coroutine. Likewise, when the coroutine dies, the program will exit,
189just as it would in the main program.
190
191If you do not want that, you can provide a default C<die> handler, or
192simply avoid dieing (by use of C<eval>).
193
183 # create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments 194Example: Create a new coroutine that just prints its arguments.
195
184 async { 196 async {
185 print "@_\n"; 197 print "@_\n";
186 } 1,2,3,4; 198 } 1,2,3,4;
187 199
188=cut 200=cut
189 201
190sub async(&@) { 202sub async(&@) {
191 my $pid = new Coro @_; 203 my $coro = new Coro @_;
192 $pid->ready; 204 $coro->ready;
193 $pid 205 $coro
194} 206}
207
208=item async_pool { ... } [@args...]
209
210Similar to C<async>, but uses a coroutine pool, so you should not call
211terminate or join on it (although you are allowed to), and you get a
212coroutine that might have executed other code already (which can be good
213or bad :).
214
215On the plus side, this function is about twice as fast as creating (and
216destroying) a completely new coroutine, so if you need a lot of generic
217coroutines in quick successsion, use C<async_pool>, not C<async>.
218
219The code block is executed in an C<eval> context and a warning will be
220issued in case of an exception instead of terminating the program, as
221C<async> does. As the coroutine is being reused, stuff like C<on_destroy>
222will not work in the expected way, unless you call terminate or cancel,
223which somehow defeats the purpose of pooling (but is fine in the
224exceptional case).
225
226The priority will be reset to C<0> after each run, tracing will be
227disabled, the description will be reset and the default output filehandle
228gets restored, so you can change all these. Otherwise the coroutine will
229be re-used "as-is": most notably if you change other per-coroutine global
230stuff such as C<$/> you I<must needs> revert that change, which is most
231simply done by using local as in: C<< local $/ >>.
232
233The idle pool size is limited to C<8> idle coroutines (this can be
234adjusted by changing $Coro::POOL_SIZE), but there can be as many non-idle
235coros as required.
236
237If you are concerned about pooled coroutines growing a lot because a
238single C<async_pool> used a lot of stackspace you can e.g. C<async_pool
239{ terminate }> once per second or so to slowly replenish the pool. In
240addition to that, when the stacks used by a handler grows larger than 32kb
241(adjustable via $Coro::POOL_RSS) it will also be destroyed.
242
243=cut
244
245our $POOL_SIZE = 8;
246our $POOL_RSS = 32 * 1024;
247our @async_pool;
248
249sub pool_handler {
250 while () {
251 eval {
252 &{&_pool_handler} while 1;
253 };
254
255 warn $@ if $@;
256 }
257}
258
259=back
260
261=head1 STATIC METHODS
262
263Static methods are actually functions that implicitly operate on the
264current coroutine.
265
266=over 4
195 267
196=item schedule 268=item schedule
197 269
198Calls the scheduler. Please note that the current coroutine will not be put 270Calls the scheduler. The scheduler will find the next coroutine that is
271to be run from the ready queue and switches to it. The next coroutine
272to be run is simply the one with the highest priority that is longest
273in its ready queue. If there is no coroutine ready, it will clal the
274C<$Coro::idle> hook.
275
276Please note that the current coroutine will I<not> be put into the ready
199into the ready queue, so calling this function usually means you will 277queue, so calling this function usually means you will never be called
200never be called again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls 278again unless something else (e.g. an event handler) calls C<< ->ready >>,
201ready. 279thus waking you up.
202 280
203The canonical way to wait on external events is this: 281This makes C<schedule> I<the> generic method to use to block the current
282coroutine and wait for events: first you remember the current coroutine in
283a variable, then arrange for some callback of yours to call C<< ->ready
284>> on that once some event happens, and last you call C<schedule> to put
285yourself to sleep. Note that a lot of things can wake your coroutine up,
286so you need to check whether the event indeed happened, e.g. by storing the
287status in a variable.
204 288
289See B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK>, below, for some ways to wait for callbacks.
290
291=item cede
292
293"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into
294the ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving
295up the current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher
296priority. Once your coroutine gets its turn again it will automatically be
297resumed.
298
299This function is often called C<yield> in other languages.
300
301=item Coro::cede_notself
302
303Works like cede, but is not exported by default and will cede to I<any>
304coroutine, regardless of priority. This is useful sometimes to ensure
305progress is made.
306
307=item terminate [arg...]
308
309Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
310
311=item killall
312
313Kills/terminates/cancels all coroutines except the currently running
314one. This is useful after a fork, either in the child or the parent, as
315usually only one of them should inherit the running coroutines.
316
317Note that while this will try to free some of the main programs resources,
318you cannot free all of them, so if a coroutine that is not the main
319program calls this function, there will be some one-time resource leak.
320
321=cut
322
323sub killall {
324 for (Coro::State::list) {
325 $_->cancel
326 if $_ != $current && UNIVERSAL::isa $_, "Coro";
205 { 327 }
206 # remember current coroutine 328}
329
330=back
331
332=head1 COROUTINE OBJECT METHODS
333
334These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects (or to create
335them).
336
337=over 4
338
339=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
340
341Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns, the coroutine
342automatically terminates as if C<terminate> with the returned values were
343called. To make the coroutine run you must first put it into the ready
344queue by calling the ready method.
345
346See C<async> and C<Coro::State::new> for additional info about the
347coroutine environment.
348
349=cut
350
351sub _terminate {
352 terminate &{+shift};
353}
354
355=item $success = $coroutine->ready
356
357Put the given coroutine into the end of its ready queue (there is one
358queue for each priority) and return true. If the coroutine is already in
359the ready queue, do nothing and return false.
360
361This ensures that the scheduler will resume this coroutine automatically
362once all the coroutines of higher priority and all coroutines of the same
363priority that were put into the ready queue earlier have been resumed.
364
365=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
366
367Return whether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
368
369=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
370
371Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
372status (default: the empty list). Never returns if the coroutine is the
373current coroutine.
374
375=cut
376
377sub cancel {
378 my $self = shift;
379
380 if ($current == $self) {
381 terminate @_;
382 } else {
383 $self->{_status} = [@_];
384 $self->_cancel;
385 }
386}
387
388=item $coroutine->schedule_to
389
390Puts the current coroutine to sleep (like C<Coro::schedule>), but instead
391of continuing with the next coro from the ready queue, always switch to
392the given coroutine object (regardless of priority etc.). The readyness
393state of that coroutine isn't changed.
394
395This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
396uses for this one.
397
398=item $coroutine->cede_to
399
400Like C<schedule_to>, but puts the current coroutine into the ready
401queue. This has the effect of temporarily switching to the given
402coroutine, and continuing some time later.
403
404This is an advanced method for special cases - I'd love to hear about any
405uses for this one.
406
407=item $coroutine->throw ([$scalar])
408
409If C<$throw> is specified and defined, it will be thrown as an exception
410inside the coroutine at the next convenient point in time. Otherwise
411clears the exception object.
412
413Coro will check for the exception each time a schedule-like-function
414returns, i.e. after each C<schedule>, C<cede>, C<< Coro::Semaphore->down
415>>, C<< Coro::Handle->readable >> and so on. Most of these functions
416detect this case and return early in case an exception is pending.
417
418The exception object will be thrown "as is" with the specified scalar in
419C<$@>, i.e. if it is a string, no line number or newline will be appended
420(unlike with C<die>).
421
422This can be used as a softer means than C<cancel> to ask a coroutine to
423end itself, although there is no guarantee that the exception will lead to
424termination, and if the exception isn't caught it might well end the whole
425program.
426
427You might also think of C<throw> as being the moral equivalent of
428C<kill>ing a coroutine with a signal (in this case, a scalar).
429
430=item $coroutine->join
431
432Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
433C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called concurrently
434from multiple coroutines, and all will be resumed and given the status
435return once the C<$coroutine> terminates.
436
437=cut
438
439sub join {
440 my $self = shift;
441
442 unless ($self->{_status}) {
207 my $current = $Coro::current; 443 my $current = $current;
208 444
209 # register a hypothetical event handler 445 push @{$self->{_on_destroy}}, sub {
210 on_event_invoke sub {
211 # wake up sleeping coroutine
212 $current->ready; 446 $current->ready;
213 undef $current; 447 undef $current;
214 }; 448 };
215 449
216 # call schedule until event occured.
217 # in case we are woken up for other reasons
218 # (current still defined), loop.
219 Coro::schedule while $current; 450 &schedule while $current;
220 } 451 }
221 452
222=item cede
223
224"Cede" to other coroutines. This function puts the current coroutine into the
225ready queue and calls C<schedule>, which has the effect of giving up the
226current "timeslice" to other coroutines of the same or higher priority.
227
228=item terminate [arg...]
229
230Terminates the current coroutine with the given status values (see L<cancel>).
231
232=cut
233
234sub terminate {
235 $current->cancel (@_);
236}
237
238=back
239
240# dynamic methods
241
242=head2 COROUTINE METHODS
243
244These are the methods you can call on coroutine objects.
245
246=over 4
247
248=item new Coro \&sub [, @args...]
249
250Create a new coroutine and return it. When the sub returns the coroutine
251automatically 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
253by calling the ready method.
254
255Calling C<exit> in a coroutine will not work correctly, so do not do that.
256
257=cut
258
259sub _run_coro {
260 terminate &{+shift};
261}
262
263sub new {
264 my $class = shift;
265
266 $class->SUPER::new (\&_run_coro, @_)
267}
268
269=item $success = $coroutine->ready
270
271Put the given coroutine into the ready queue (according to it's priority)
272and return true. If the coroutine is already in the ready queue, do nothing
273and return false.
274
275=item $is_ready = $coroutine->is_ready
276
277Return wether the coroutine is currently the ready queue or not,
278
279=item $coroutine->cancel (arg...)
280
281Terminates the given coroutine and makes it return the given arguments as
282status (default: the empty list).
283
284=cut
285
286sub cancel {
287 my $self = shift;
288 $self->{status} = [@_];
289 push @destroy, $self;
290 $manager->ready;
291 &schedule if $current == $self;
292}
293
294=item $coroutine->join
295
296Wait until the coroutine terminates and return any values given to the
297C<terminate> or C<cancel> functions. C<join> can be called multiple times
298from multiple coroutine.
299
300=cut
301
302sub join {
303 my $self = shift;
304 unless ($self->{status}) {
305 push @{$self->{join}}, $current;
306 &schedule;
307 }
308 wantarray ? @{$self->{status}} : $self->{status}[0]; 453 wantarray ? @{$self->{_status}} : $self->{_status}[0];
454}
455
456=item $coroutine->on_destroy (\&cb)
457
458Registers a callback that is called when this coroutine gets destroyed,
459but before it is joined. The callback gets passed the terminate arguments,
460if any, and I<must not> die, under any circumstances.
461
462=cut
463
464sub on_destroy {
465 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
466
467 push @{ $self->{_on_destroy} }, $cb;
309} 468}
310 469
311=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio) 470=item $oldprio = $coroutine->prio ($newprio)
312 471
313Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the 472Sets (or gets, if the argument is missing) the priority of the
336higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix). 495higher values mean lower priority, just as in unix).
337 496
338=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc) 497=item $olddesc = $coroutine->desc ($newdesc)
339 498
340Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this 499Sets (or gets in case the argument is missing) the description for this
341coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a coroutine. 500coroutine. This is just a free-form string you can associate with a
501coroutine.
502
503This method simply sets the C<< $coroutine->{desc} >> member to the given
504string. You can modify this member directly if you wish.
342 505
343=cut 506=cut
344 507
345sub desc { 508sub desc {
346 my $old = $_[0]{desc}; 509 my $old = $_[0]{desc};
347 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 510 $_[0]{desc} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
348 $old; 511 $old;
349} 512}
350 513
514sub transfer {
515 require Carp;
516 Carp::croak ("You must not call ->transfer on Coro objects. Use Coro::State objects or the ->schedule_to method. Caught");
517}
518
351=back 519=back
352 520
353=head2 UTILITY FUNCTIONS 521=head1 GLOBAL FUNCTIONS
354 522
355=over 4 523=over 4
356 524
525=item Coro::nready
526
527Returns the number of coroutines that are currently in the ready state,
528i.e. that can be switched to by calling C<schedule> directory or
529indirectly. The value C<0> means that the only runnable coroutine is the
530currently running one, so C<cede> would have no effect, and C<schedule>
531would cause a deadlock unless there is an idle handler that wakes up some
532coroutines.
533
534=item my $guard = Coro::guard { ... }
535
536This creates and returns a guard object. Nothing happens until the object
537gets destroyed, in which case the codeblock given as argument will be
538executed. This is useful to free locks or other resources in case of a
539runtime error or when the coroutine gets canceled, as in both cases the
540guard block will be executed. The guard object supports only one method,
541C<< ->cancel >>, which will keep the codeblock from being executed.
542
543Example: set some flag and clear it again when the coroutine gets canceled
544or the function returns:
545
546 sub do_something {
547 my $guard = Coro::guard { $busy = 0 };
548 $busy = 1;
549
550 # do something that requires $busy to be true
551 }
552
553=cut
554
555sub guard(&) {
556 bless \(my $cb = $_[0]), "Coro::guard"
557}
558
559sub Coro::guard::cancel {
560 ${$_[0]} = sub { };
561}
562
563sub Coro::guard::DESTROY {
564 ${$_[0]}->();
565}
566
567
357=item unblock_sub { ... } 568=item unblock_sub { ... }
358 569
359This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it, 570This utility function takes a BLOCK or code reference and "unblocks" it,
360returning the new coderef. This means that the new coderef will return 571returning a new coderef. Unblocking means that calling the new coderef
361immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the original code 572will return immediately without blocking, returning nothing, while the
362ref will be called (with parameters) from within its own coroutine. 573original code ref will be called (with parameters) from within another
574coroutine.
363 575
364The reason this fucntion exists is that many event libraries (such as the 576The reason this function exists is that many event libraries (such as the
365venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form 577venerable L<Event|Event> module) are not coroutine-safe (a weaker form
366of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks, 578of thread-safety). This means you must not block within event callbacks,
367otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. 579otherwise you might suffer from crashes or worse. The only event library
580currently known that is safe to use without C<unblock_sub> is L<EV>.
368 581
369This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another 582This function allows your callbacks to block by executing them in another
370coroutine where it is safe to block. One example where blocking is handy 583coroutine 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 584is when you use the L<Coro::AIO|Coro::AIO> functions to save results to
372disk. 585disk, for example.
373 586
374In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when 587In short: simply use C<unblock_sub { ... }> instead of C<sub { ... }> when
375creating event callbacks that want to block. 588creating event callbacks that want to block.
376 589
377=cut 590If your handler does not plan to block (e.g. simply sends a message to
591another coroutine, or puts some other coroutine into the ready queue),
592there is no reason to use C<unblock_sub>.
378 593
379our @unblock_pool; 594Note that you also need to use C<unblock_sub> for any other callbacks that
595are indirectly executed by any C-based event loop. For example, when you
596use a module that uses L<AnyEvent> (and you use L<Coro::AnyEvent>) and it
597provides callbacks that are the result of some event callback, then you
598must not block either, or use C<unblock_sub>.
599
600=cut
601
380our @unblock_queue; 602our @unblock_queue;
381our $UNBLOCK_POOL_SIZE = 2;
382 603
383sub unblock_handler_ { 604# we create a special coro because we want to cede,
384 while () { 605# to reduce pressure on the coro pool (because most callbacks
385 my ($cb, @arg) = @{ delete $Coro::current->{arg} }; 606# return immediately and can be reused) and because we cannot cede
386 $cb->(@arg); 607# 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 { 608our $unblock_scheduler = new Coro sub {
395 while () { 609 while () {
396 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) { 610 while (my $cb = pop @unblock_queue) {
397 my $handler = (pop @unblock_pool or new Coro \&unblock_handler_); 611 &async_pool (@$cb);
398 $handler->{arg} = $cb; 612
399 $handler->ready; 613 # for short-lived callbacks, this reduces pressure on the coro pool
614 # as the chance is very high that the async_poll coro will be back
615 # in the idle state when cede returns
400 cede; 616 cede;
401 } 617 }
402 618 schedule; # sleep well
403 schedule;
404 } 619 }
405}; 620};
621$unblock_scheduler->{desc} = "[unblock_sub scheduler]";
406 622
407sub unblock_sub(&) { 623sub unblock_sub(&) {
408 my $cb = shift; 624 my $cb = shift;
409 625
410 sub { 626 sub {
411 push @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_]; 627 unshift @unblock_queue, [$cb, @_];
412 $unblock_scheduler->ready; 628 $unblock_scheduler->ready;
413 } 629 }
414} 630}
415 631
632=item $cb = Coro::rouse_cb
633
634Create and return a "rouse callback". That's a code reference that, when
635called, will save its arguments and notify the owner coroutine of the
636callback.
637
638See the next function.
639
640=item @args = Coro::rouse_wait [$cb]
641
642Wait for the specified rouse callback (or the last one tht was created in
643this coroutine).
644
645As soon as the callback is invoked (or when the calback was invoked before
646C<rouse_wait>), it will return a copy of the arguments originally passed
647to the rouse callback.
648
649See the section B<HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK> for an actual usage example.
650
416=back 651=back
417 652
418=cut 653=cut
419 654
4201; 6551;
421 656
657=head1 HOW TO WAIT FOR A CALLBACK
658
659It is very common for a coroutine to wait for some callback to be
660called. This occurs naturally when you use coroutines in an otherwise
661event-based program, or when you use event-based libraries.
662
663These typically register a callback for some event, and call that callback
664when the event occured. In a coroutine, however, you typically want to
665just wait for the event, simplyifying things.
666
667For example C<< AnyEvent->child >> registers a callback to be called when
668a specific child has exited:
669
670 my $child_watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { ... });
671
672But from withina coroutine, you often just want to write this:
673
674 my $status = wait_for_child $pid;
675
676Coro offers two functions specifically designed to make this easy,
677C<Coro::rouse_cb> and C<Coro::rouse_wait>.
678
679The first function, C<rouse_cb>, generates and returns a callback that,
680when invoked, will save it's arguments and notify the coroutine that
681created the callback.
682
683The second function, C<rouse_wait>, waits for the callback to be called
684(by calling C<schedule> to go to sleep) and returns the arguments
685originally passed to the callback.
686
687Using these functions, it becomes easy to write the C<wait_for_child>
688function mentioned above:
689
690 sub wait_for_child($) {
691 my ($pid) = @_;
692
693 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => Coro::rouse_cb);
694
695 my ($rpid, $rstatus) = Coro::rouse_wait;
696 $rstatus
697 }
698
699In the case where C<rouse_cb> and C<rouse_wait> are not flexible enough,
700you can roll your own, using C<schedule>:
701
702 sub wait_for_child($) {
703 my ($pid) = @_;
704
705 # store the current coroutine in $current,
706 # and provide result variables for the closure passed to ->child
707 my $current = $Coro::current;
708 my ($done, $rstatus);
709
710 # pass a closure to ->child
711 my $watcher = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
712 $rstatus = $_[1]; # remember rstatus
713 $done = 1; # mark $rstatus as valud
714 });
715
716 # wait until the closure has been called
717 schedule while !$done;
718
719 $rstatus
720 }
721
722
422=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS 723=head1 BUGS/LIMITATIONS
423 724
424 - you must make very sure that no coro is still active on global 725=over 4
425 destruction. very bad things might happen otherwise (usually segfaults).
426 726
727=item fork with pthread backend
728
729When Coro is compiled using the pthread backend (which isn't recommended
730but required on many BSDs as their libcs are completely broken), then
731coroutines will not survive a fork. There is no known workaround except to
732fix your libc and use a saner backend.
733
734=item perl process emulation ("threads")
735
427 - this module is not thread-safe. You should only ever use this module 736This module is not perl-pseudo-thread-safe. You should only ever use this
428 from the same thread (this requirement might be losened in the future 737module from the same thread (this requirement might be removed in the
429 to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow 738future to allow per-thread schedulers, but Coro::State does not yet allow
430 this). 739this). I recommend disabling thread support and using processes, as having
740the windows process emulation enabled under unix roughly halves perl
741performance, even when not used.
742
743=item coroutine switching not signal safe
744
745You must not switch to another coroutine from within a signal handler
746(only relevant with %SIG - most event libraries provide safe signals).
747
748That means you I<MUST NOT> call any function that might "block" the
749current coroutine - C<cede>, C<schedule> C<< Coro::Semaphore->down >> or
750anything that calls those. Everything else, including calling C<ready>,
751works.
752
753=back
754
431 755
432=head1 SEE ALSO 756=head1 SEE ALSO
433 757
758Event-Loop integration: L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
759
760Debugging: L<Coro::Debug>.
761
434Support/Utility: L<Coro::Cont>, L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::State>, L<Coro::Util>. 762Support/Utility: L<Coro::Specific>, L<Coro::Util>.
435 763
436Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>, L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>. 764Locking/IPC: L<Coro::Signal>, L<Coro::Channel>, L<Coro::Semaphore>,
765L<Coro::SemaphoreSet>, L<Coro::RWLock>.
437 766
438Event/IO: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Event>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::Select>. 767IO/Timers: L<Coro::Timer>, L<Coro::Handle>, L<Coro::Socket>, L<Coro::AIO>.
439 768
440Embedding: L<Coro:MakeMaker> 769Compatibility: L<Coro::LWP> (but see also L<AnyEvent::HTTP> for
770a better-working alternative), L<Coro::BDB>, L<Coro::Storable>,
771L<Coro::Select>.
772
773XS API: L<Coro::MakeMaker>.
774
775Low level Configuration, Coroutine Environment: L<Coro::State>.
441 776
442=head1 AUTHOR 777=head1 AUTHOR
443 778
444 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 779 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
445 http://home.schmorp.de/ 780 http://home.schmorp.de/

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