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authorEli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>2016-12-10 18:54:43 +0200
committerEli Zaretskii <eliz@gnu.org>2016-12-10 18:54:43 +0200
commit2412a1fc05fe9f89b171d0781c2d530923f48adc (patch)
treed42a5d2608e65a10b1cc23c6b4609d54bef25d49 /doc/lispref/threads.texi
parentfc0fd24c105bde4c001ebebe4b8b7e1f96cd2871 (diff)
parent828b4560cd4a0d8cb9b7a7a3e20ff0c53ba86cfa (diff)
downloademacs-2412a1fc05fe9f89b171d0781c2d530923f48adc.tar.gz
Support concurrency in Emacs Lisp
Merge branch 'test-concurrency' * src/thread.c: * src/thread.h: * src/systhread.c: * src/systhread.h: New files. * src/xgselect.c (xg_select): Avoid using SAFE_NALLOCA and use xnmalloc unconditionally. * src/window.c (struct save_window_data): Rename current_buffer to f_current_buffer. * src/w32proc.c (sys_select): Change the function signature to closer fit 'pselect' on Posix hosts. * src/search.c: * src/regex.h: Convert some globals to macros that reference thread-specific values. * src/process.c (pset_thread, add_non_keyboard_read_fd) (add_process_read_fd, add_non_blocking_write_fd) (recompute_input_desc, compute_input_wait_mask) (compute_non_process_wait_mask, compute_non_keyboard_wait_mask) (compute_write_mask, clear_waiting_thread_info) (update_processes_for_thread_death, Fset_process_thread) (Fprocess_thread): New functions. (enum fd_bits): New enumeration. (fd_callback_data): Add 'thread' and 'waiting_thread', rename 'condition' to 'flags'. (set_process_filter_masks, create_process, create_pty) (Fmake_serial_process, finish_after_tls_connection) (connect_network_socket, deactivate_process) (server_accept_connection, wait_reading_process_output) (Fcontinue_process, Fstop_process, keyboard_bit_set) (add_timer_wait_descriptor, add_keyboard_wait_descriptor) (delete_keyboard_wait_descriptor): Use the new functions instead of manipulating fd flags and masks directly. (syms_of_process): Defsubr the new primitives. * src/print.c (print_object): Print threads, mutexes, and conditional variables. * src/lisp.h (enum pvec_type): New values PVEC_THREAD, PVEC_MUTEX, and PVEC_CONDVAR. (XTHREAD, XMUTEX, XCONDVAR, THREADP, MUTEXP, CONDVARP) (CHECK_THREAD, CHECK_MUTEX, CHECK_CONDVAR): New inline functions. (XSETTHREAD, XSETMUTEX, XSETCONDVAR): New macros. (struct handler): Add back byte_stack. Rename lisp_eval_depth to f_lisp_eval_depth. * src/eval.c (specpdl_kind, specpdl_arg, do_specbind) (rebind_for_thread_switch, do_one_unbind) (unbind_for_thread_switch): New functions. (init_eval): 'handlerlist' is not malloc'ed. (specbind): Call do_specbind. (unbind_to): Call do_one_unbind. (mark_specpdl): Accept 2 arguments. (mark_specpdl): Mark the saved value in a let-binding. * src/emacs.c (main): Call init_threads_once, init_threads, and syms_of_threads. * src/data.c (Ftype_of): Support thread, mutex, and condvar objects. (Fthreadp, Fmutexp, Fcondition_variable_p): New functions. (syms_of_data): DEFSYM and defsubr new symbols and primitives. * src/bytecode.c (struct byte_stack, FETCH, CHECK_RANGE) (BYTE_CODE_QUIT): Add back. (exec_byte_code): Add back byte stack manipulation. * src/alloc.c (cleanup_vector): Handle threads, mutexes, and conditional variables. (mark_stack): Now extern; accept additional argument 'bottom'. (flush_stack_call_func): New function. (garbage_collect_1): Call mark_threads and unmark_threads. Don't mark handlers. * src/.gdbinit (xbytecode): Add back. * test/src/thread-tests.el: New tests. * test/src/data-tests.el (binding-test-manual) (binding-test-setq-default, binding-test-makunbound) (binding-test-defvar-bool, binding-test-defvar-int) (binding-test-set-constant-t, binding-test-set-constant-nil) (binding-test-set-constant-keyword) (binding-test-set-constant-nil): New tests. * doc/lispref/processes.texi (Processes and Threads): New subsection. * doc/lispref/threads.texi: New file * doc/lispref/elisp.texi (Top): Include it. * doc/lispref/objects.texi (Thread Type, Mutex Type) (Condition Variable Type): New subsections. (Type Predicates): Add thread-related predicates. * doc/lispref/objects.texi (Editing Types): * doc/lispref/elisp.texi (Top): Update higher-level menus. * etc/NEWS: Mention concurrency features.
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+@c -*-texinfo-*-
+@c This is part of the GNU Emacs Lisp Reference Manual.
+@c Copyright (C) 2012, 2013
+@c Free Software Foundation, Inc.
+@c See the file elisp.texi for copying conditions.
+@node Threads
+@chapter Threads
+@cindex threads
+@cindex concurrency
+
+ Emacs Lisp provides a limited form of concurrency, called
+@dfn{threads}. All the threads in a given instance of Emacs share the
+same memory. Concurrency in Emacs Lisp is ``mostly cooperative'',
+meaning that Emacs will only switch execution between threads at
+well-defined times. However, the Emacs thread support has been
+designed in a way to later allow more fine-grained concurrency, and
+correct programs should not rely on cooperative threading.
+
+ Currently, thread switching will occur upon explicit request via
+@code{thread-yield}, when waiting for keyboard input or for process
+output (e.g., during @code{accept-process-output}), or during blocking
+operations relating to threads, such as mutex locking or
+@code{thread-join}.
+
+ Emacs Lisp provides primitives to create and control threads, and
+also to create and control mutexes and condition variables, useful for
+thread synchronization.
+
+ While global variables are shared among all Emacs Lisp threads,
+local variables are not---a dynamic @code{let} binding is local. Each
+thread also has its own current buffer (@pxref{Current Buffer}) and
+its own match data (@pxref{Match Data}).
+
+ Note that @code{let} bindings are treated specially by the Emacs
+Lisp implementation. There is no way to duplicate this unwinding and
+rewinding behavior other than by using @code{let}. For example, a
+manual implementation of @code{let} written using
+@code{unwind-protect} cannot arrange for variable values to be
+thread-specific.
+
+ In the case of lexical bindings (@pxref{Variable Scoping}), a
+closure is an object like any other in Emacs Lisp, and bindings in a
+closure are shared by any threads invoking the closure.
+
+@menu
+* Basic Thread Functions:: Basic thread functions.
+* Mutexes:: Mutexes allow exclusive access to data.
+* Condition Variables:: Inter-thread events.
+@end menu
+
+@node Basic Thread Functions
+@section Basic Thread Functions
+
+ Threads can be created and waited for. A thread cannot be exited
+directly, but the current thread can be exited implicitly, and other
+threads can be signaled.
+
+@defun make-thread function &optional name
+Create a new thread of execution which invokes @var{function}. When
+@var{function} returns, the thread exits.
+
+The new thread is created with no local variable bindings in effect.
+The new thread's current buffer is inherited from the current thread.
+
+@var{name} can be supplied to give a name to the thread. The name is
+used for debugging and informational purposes only; it has no meaning
+to Emacs. If @var{name} is provided, it must be a string.
+
+This function returns the new thread.
+@end defun
+
+@defun threadp object
+This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} represents an Emacs
+thread, @code{nil} otherwise.
+@end defun
+
+@defun thread-join thread
+Block until @var{thread} exits, or until the current thread is
+signaled. If @var{thread} has already exited, this returns
+immediately.
+@end defun
+
+@defun thread-signal thread error-symbol data
+Like @code{signal} (@pxref{Signaling Errors}), but the signal is
+delivered in the thread @var{thread}. If @var{thread} is the current
+thread, then this just calls @code{signal} immediately.
+@code{thread-signal} will cause a thread to exit a call to
+@code{mutex-lock}, @code{condition-wait}, or @code{thread-join}.
+@end defun
+
+@defun thread-yield
+Yield execution to the next runnable thread.
+@end defun
+
+@defun thread-name thread
+Return the name of @var{thread}, as specified to @code{make-thread}.
+@end defun
+
+@defun thread-alive-p thread
+Return @code{t} if @var{thread} is alive, or @code{nil} if it is not.
+A thread is alive as long as its function is still executing.
+@end defun
+
+@defun thread--blocker thread
+Return the object that @var{thread} is waiting on. This function is
+primarily intended for debugging, and is given a ``double hyphen''
+name to indicate that.
+
+If @var{thread} is blocked in @code{thread-join}, this returns the
+thread for which it is waiting.
+
+If @var{thread} is blocked in @code{mutex-lock}, this returns the mutex.
+
+If @var{thread} is blocked in @code{condition-wait}, this returns the
+condition variable.
+
+Otherwise, this returns @code{nil}.
+@end defun
+
+@defun current-thread
+Return the current thread.
+@end defun
+
+@defun all-threads
+Return a list of all the live thread objects. A new list is returned
+by each invocation.
+@end defun
+
+@node Mutexes
+@section Mutexes
+
+ A @dfn{mutex} is an exclusive lock. At any moment, zero or one
+threads may own a mutex. If a thread attempts to acquire a mutex, and
+the mutex is already owned by some other thread, then the acquiring
+thread will block until the mutex becomes available.
+
+ Emacs Lisp mutexes are of a type called @dfn{recursive}, which means
+that a thread can re-acquire a mutex it owns any number of times. A
+mutex keeps a count of how many times it has been acquired, and each
+acquisition of a mutex must be paired with a release. The last
+release by a thread of a mutex reverts it to the unowned state,
+potentially allowing another thread to acquire the mutex.
+
+@defun mutexp object
+This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} represents an Emacs
+mutex, @code{nil} otherwise.
+@end defun
+
+@defun make-mutex &optional name
+Create a new mutex and return it. If @var{name} is specified, it is a
+name given to the mutex. It must be a string. The name is for
+debugging purposes only; it has no meaning to Emacs.
+@end defun
+
+@defun mutex-name mutex
+Return the name of @var{mutex}, as specified to @code{make-mutex}.
+@end defun
+
+@defun mutex-lock mutex
+This will block until this thread acquires @var{mutex}, or until this
+thread is signaled using @code{thread-signal}. If @var{mutex} is
+already owned by this thread, this simply returns.
+@end defun
+
+@defun mutex-unlock mutex
+Release @var{mutex}. If @var{mutex} is not owned by this thread, this
+will signal an error.
+@end defun
+
+@defmac with-mutex mutex body@dots{}
+This macro is the simplest and safest way to evaluate forms while
+holding a mutex. It acquires @var{mutex}, invokes @var{body}, and
+then releases @var{mutex}. It returns the result of @var{body}.
+@end defmac
+
+@node Condition Variables
+@section Condition Variables
+
+ A @dfn{condition variable} is a way for a thread to block until some
+event occurs. A thread can wait on a condition variable, to be woken
+up when some other thread notifies the condition.
+
+ A condition variable is associated with a mutex and, conceptually,
+with some condition. For proper operation, the mutex must be
+acquired, and then a waiting thread must loop, testing the condition
+and waiting on the condition variable. For example:
+
+@example
+(with-mutex mutex
+ (while (not global-variable)
+ (condition-wait cond-var)))
+@end example
+
+ The mutex ensures atomicity, and the loop is for robustness---there
+may be spurious notifications.
+
+ Similarly, the mutex must be held before notifying the condition.
+The typical, and best, approach is to acquire the mutex, make the
+changes associated with this condition, and then notify it:
+
+@example
+(with-mutex mutex
+ (setq global-variable (some-computation))
+ (condition-notify cond-var))
+@end example
+
+@defun make-condition-variable mutex &optional name
+Make a new condition variable associated with @var{mutex}. If
+@var{name} is specified, it is a name given to the condition variable.
+It must be a string. The name is for debugging purposes only; it has
+no meaning to Emacs.
+@end defun
+
+@defun condition-variable-p object
+This function returns @code{t} if @var{object} represents a condition
+variable, @code{nil} otherwise.
+@end defun
+
+@defun condition-wait cond
+Wait for another thread to notify @var{cond}, a condition variable.
+This function will block until the condition is notified, or until a
+signal is delivered to this thread using @code{thread-signal}.
+
+It is an error to call @code{condition-wait} without holding the
+condition's associated mutex.
+
+@code{condition-wait} releases the associated mutex while waiting.
+This allows other threads to acquire the mutex in order to notify the
+condition.
+@end defun
+
+@defun condition-notify cond &optional all
+Notify @var{cond}. The mutex with @var{cond} must be held before
+calling this. Ordinarily a single waiting thread is woken by
+@code{condition-notify}; but if @var{all} is not @code{nil}, then all
+threads waiting on @var{cond} are notified.
+
+@code{condition-notify} releases the associated mutex while waiting.
+This allows other threads to acquire the mutex in order to wait on the
+condition.
+@c why bother?
+@end defun
+
+@defun condition-name cond
+Return the name of @var{cond}, as passed to
+@code{make-condition-variable}.
+@end defun
+
+@defun condition-mutex cond
+Return the mutex associated with @var{cond}. Note that the associated
+mutex cannot be changed.
+@end defun