Threads
Support for threads needs to be built into the Perl executable.
The pragma threads implements thread objects and the necessary operations for threads. Some of the most relevant operations are:
- async block
Starts a thread to execute the block. Returns the thread object.
threads->create(sub [,args ])Creates a new thread that starts executing in the referenced subroutine. The args are passed to this subroutine. Returns the thread object.
threads->listReturns a list of joinable threads.
threads->selfReturns an object representing the current thread.
threads->tidReturns the thread ID of the current thread.
threads->yieldThe current thread gives up the CPU in favor of other threads.
thread objects support the several methods, including:
- detach
Detaches a thread so it runs independently.
- equal(thread)
Returns true if the thread and thread are the same thread. You can also compare thread objects directly, using the
==operator.- join
Waits for the thread to complete. The value returned is the return value from the thread’s subroutine.
- tid
Returns the thread ID of a thread.
The pragma threads::shared implements operations that enable variable sharing across threads:
- cond_broadcast variable
Unblocks all threads waiting for this variable. variable must be locked.
- cond_signal variable
Unblocks one thread that is waiting for this variable. variable must be locked.
- cond_timed_wait [ condvar
,] variable, time Like cond_wait, but times out at the indicated time.
- cond_wait [ condvar
,] variable Waits for another ...