9.7.4 Asynchronous Transfer of Control
An asynchronous select_statement provides asynchronous transfer of control upon completion of an entry call or the expiration of a delay.
Syntax
asynchronous_select ::= select triggering_alternative then abort abortable_part end select;
triggering_alternative ::= triggering_statement [sequence_of_statements]
triggering_statement ::= entry_call_statement | delay_statement
abortable_part ::= sequence_of_statements
Dynamic Semantics
For the execution of an asynchronous_select whose triggering_statement is an entry_call_statement, the entry_name and actual parameters are evaluated as for a simple entry call (see 9.5.3), and the entry call is issued. If the entry call is queued (or requeued-with-abort), then the abortable_part is executed. If the entry call is selected immediately, and never requeued-with-abort, then the abortable_part is never started.
For the execution of an asynchronous_select whose triggering_statement is a delay_statement, the delay_expression is evaluated and the expiration time is determined, as for a normal delay_statement. If the expiration time has not already passed, the abortable_part is executed.
If the abortable_part completes and is left prior to completion of the triggering_statement, an attempt to cancel the triggering_statement is made. If the attempt to cancel succeeds (see 9.5.3 and 9.6), the asynchronous_select is complete.
If the triggering_statement completes other than due to cancellation, the abortable_part is aborted (if started but not yet completed -- see 9.8). If the triggering_statement completes normally, the optional sequence_of_statements of the triggering_alternative is executed after the abortable_part is left.
Examples
Example of a main command loop for a command interpreter:
loop
select
Terminal.Wait_For_Interrupt;
Put_Line("Interrupted");
then abort
-- This will be abandoned upon terminal interrupt
Put_Line("-> ");
Get_Line(Command, Last);
Process_Command(Command(1..Last));
end select;
end loop;
Example of a time-limited calculation:
select
delay 5.0;
Put_Line("Calculation does not converge");
then abort
-- This calculation should finish in 5.0 seconds;
-- if not, it is assumed to diverge.
Horribly_Complicated_Recursive_Function(X, Y);
end select;
Copyright © 1992,1993,1994,1995 Intermetrics, Inc.
Copyright © 2000 The MITRE Corporation, Inc.
Ada Reference Manual