scala.actors

Actor

trait Actor extends InternalActor with ReplyReactor

Provides lightweight, concurrent actors. Actors are created by extending the Actor trait (alternatively, one of the factory methods in its companion object can be used). The behavior of an Actor subclass is defined by implementing its act method:

class MyActor extends Actor {
def act() {
  // actor behavior goes here
}
}

A new Actor instance is started by invoking its start method.

Note: care must be taken when invoking thread-blocking methods other than those provided by the Actor trait or its companion object (such as receive). Blocking the underlying thread inside an actor may lead to starvation of other actors. This also applies to actors hogging their thread for a long time between invoking receive/react.

If actors use blocking operations (for example, methods for blocking I/O), there are several options:

The main ideas of the implementation are explained in the two papers

Annotations
@SerialVersionUID() @deprecated
Deprecated

(Since version 2.11.0) Use the akka.actor package instead. For migration from the scala.actors package refer to the Actors Migration Guide.

Source
Actor.scala
Linear Supertypes
ReplyReactor, InternalActor, Serializable, java.io.Serializable, InputChannel[Any], ActorCanReply, InternalReplyReactor, ReactorCanReply, Reactor[Any], Combinators, AbstractActor, CanReply[Any, Any], OutputChannel[Any], AnyRef, Any
Known Subclasses
DaemonActor
Type Hierarchy Learn more about scaladoc diagrams
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  2. By inheritance
Inherited
  1. Actor
  2. ReplyReactor
  3. InternalActor
  4. Serializable
  5. Serializable
  6. InputChannel
  7. ActorCanReply
  8. InternalReplyReactor
  9. ReactorCanReply
  10. Reactor
  11. Combinators
  12. AbstractActor
  13. CanReply
  14. OutputChannel
  15. AnyRef
  16. Any
Implicitly
  1. by StringAdd
  2. by StringFormat
  3. by Ensuring
  4. by ArrowAssoc
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Visibility
  1. Public
  2. All

Type Members

  1. type Future[+P] = actors.Future[P]

    Definition Classes
    ReactorCanReply → CanReply

Abstract Value Members

  1. abstract def act(): Unit

    The actor's behavior is specified by implementing this method.

    The actor's behavior is specified by implementing this method.

    Definition Classes
    Reactor

Concrete Value Members

  1. def !(msg: Any): Unit

    Sends msg to this actor (asynchronous).

    Sends msg to this actor (asynchronous).

    msg

    the message to send

    Definition Classes
    InternalReplyReactor → Reactor → OutputChannel

  2. def !!(msg: Any): Future[Any]

    Sends msg to this actor and immediately returns a future representing the reply value.

    Sends msg to this actor and immediately returns a future representing the reply value.

    msg

    the message to be sent

    returns

    the future

    Definition Classes
    ActorCanReply → ReactorCanReply → CanReply

  3. def !![A](msg: Any, handler: PartialFunction[Any, A]): Future[A]

    Sends msg to this actor and immediately returns a future representing the reply value.

    Sends msg to this actor and immediately returns a future representing the reply value. The reply is post-processed using the partial function handler. This also allows to recover a more precise type for the reply value.

    msg

    the message to be sent

    handler

    the function to be applied to the response

    returns

    the future

    Definition Classes
    ActorCanReply → ReactorCanReply → CanReply

  4. final def !=(arg0: AnyRef): Boolean

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef

  5. final def !=(arg0: Any): Boolean

    Definition Classes
    Any

  6. def !?(msec: Long, msg: Any): Option[Any]

    Sends msg to this actor and awaits reply (synchronous) within msec milliseconds.

    Sends msg to this actor and awaits reply (synchronous) within msec milliseconds.

    msec

    the time span before timeout

    msg

    the message to be sent

    returns

    None in case of timeout, otherwise Some(x) where x is the reply

    Definition Classes
    ActorCanReply → ReactorCanReply → CanReply

  7. def !?(msg: Any): Any

    Sends msg to this actor and awaits reply (synchronous).

    Sends msg to this actor and awaits reply (synchronous).

    msg

    the message to be sent

    returns

    the reply

    Definition Classes
    ActorCanReply → ReactorCanReply → CanReply

  8. final def ##(): Int

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef → Any

  9. def +(other: String): String

    Implicit information
    This member is added by an implicit conversion from Actor to StringAdd[Actor] performed by method StringAdd in scala.Predef.
    Definition Classes
    StringAdd

  10. def ->[B](y: B): (Actor, B)

    Implicit information
    This member is added by an implicit conversion from Actor to ArrowAssoc[Actor] performed by method ArrowAssoc in scala.Predef.
    Definition Classes
    ArrowAssoc
    Annotations
    @inline()

  11. final def ==(arg0: AnyRef): Boolean

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef

  12. final def ==(arg0: Any): Boolean

    Definition Classes
    Any

  13. def ?: Any

    Receives the next message from the mailbox

    Receives the next message from the mailbox

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor → InputChannel

  14. final def asInstanceOf[T0]: T0

    Definition Classes
    Any

  15. def clone(): AnyRef

    Attributes
    protected[java.lang]
    Definition Classes
    AnyRef
    Annotations
    @throws()

  16. def continue(): Unit

    Continues with the execution of the closure registered as continuation following andThen.

    Continues with the execution of the closure registered as continuation following andThen. Continues with the execution of the next loop iteration when invoked inside the body of loop or loopWhile.

    Definition Classes
    Combinators

  17. def ensuring(cond: (Actor) ⇒ Boolean, msg: ⇒ Any): Actor

    Implicit information
    This member is added by an implicit conversion from Actor to Ensuring[Actor] performed by method Ensuring in scala.Predef.
    Definition Classes
    Ensuring

  18. def ensuring(cond: (Actor) ⇒ Boolean): Actor

    Implicit information
    This member is added by an implicit conversion from Actor to Ensuring[Actor] performed by method Ensuring in scala.Predef.
    Definition Classes
    Ensuring

  19. def ensuring(cond: Boolean, msg: ⇒ Any): Actor

    Implicit information
    This member is added by an implicit conversion from Actor to Ensuring[Actor] performed by method Ensuring in scala.Predef.
    Definition Classes
    Ensuring

  20. def ensuring(cond: Boolean): Actor

    Implicit information
    This member is added by an implicit conversion from Actor to Ensuring[Actor] performed by method Ensuring in scala.Predef.
    Definition Classes
    Ensuring

  21. final def eq(arg0: AnyRef): Boolean

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef

  22. def equals(arg0: Any): Boolean

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef → Any

  23. def exceptionHandler: PartialFunction[Exception, Unit]

    This partial function is applied to exceptions that propagate out of this actor's body.

    This partial function is applied to exceptions that propagate out of this actor's body.

    Attributes
    protected[scala.actors]
    Definition Classes
    Reactor

  24. def exit(): Nothing

    Terminates with exit reason 'normal.

    Terminates with exit reason 'normal.

    Attributes
    protected[scala.actors]
    Definition Classes
    InternalActor → Reactor

  25. def exit(reason: AnyRef): Nothing

    Terminates execution of self with the following effect on linked actors:

    Terminates execution of self with the following effect on linked actors:

    For each linked actor a with trapExit set to true, send message Exit(self, reason) to a.

    For each linked actor a with trapExit set to false (default), call a.exit(reason) if reason != 'normal.

    Attributes
    protected[scala.actors]
    Definition Classes
    InternalActor

  26. def finalize(): Unit

    Attributes
    protected[java.lang]
    Definition Classes
    AnyRef
    Annotations
    @throws()

  27. def formatted(fmtstr: String): String

    Returns string formatted according to given format string.

    Returns string formatted according to given format string. Format strings are as for String.format (@see java.lang.String.format).

    Implicit information
    This member is added by an implicit conversion from Actor to StringFormat[Actor] performed by method StringFormat in scala.Predef.
    Definition Classes
    StringFormat
    Annotations
    @inline()

  28. def forward(msg: Any): Unit

    Forwards msg to this actor (asynchronous).

    Forwards msg to this actor (asynchronous).

    msg

    the message to forward

    Definition Classes
    InternalReplyReactor → Reactor → OutputChannel

  29. final def getClass(): Class[_]

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef → Any

  30. def getState: Actor.State.Value

    State of this actor

    State of this actor

    returns

    the execution state

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor → InternalReplyReactor → Reactor

  31. def hashCode(): Int

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef → Any

  32. def internalSender: OutputChannel[Any]

    Returns the actor which sent the last received message.

    Returns the actor which sent the last received message.

    Attributes
    protected[scala.actors]
    Definition Classes
    InternalReplyReactor

  33. final def isInstanceOf[T0]: Boolean

    Definition Classes
    Any

  34. def link(body: ⇒ Unit): Actor

    Links self to the actor defined by body.

    Links self to the actor defined by body.

    body

    the body of the actor to link to

    returns

    the parameter actor

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor

  35. def link(to: ActorRef): ActorRef

    Links self to actor to.

    Links self to actor to.

    to

    the actor to link to

    returns

    the parameter actor

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor

  36. def link(to: AbstractActor): AbstractActor

    Links self to actor to.

    Links self to actor to.

    to

    the actor to link to

    returns

    the parameter actor

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor

  37. def loop(body: ⇒ Unit): Unit

    Repeatedly executes body.

    Repeatedly executes body.

    body

    the block to be executed

    Definition Classes
    Combinators

  38. def loopWhile(cond: ⇒ Boolean)(body: ⇒ Unit): Unit

    Repeatedly executes body while the condition cond is true.

    Repeatedly executes body while the condition cond is true.

    cond

    the condition to test

    body

    the block to be executed

    Definition Classes
    Combinators

  39. def mailboxSize: Int

    Attributes
    protected[scala.actors]
    Definition Classes
    Reactor

  40. implicit def mkBody[A](body: ⇒ A): Body[A]

    Enables the composition of suspendable closures using andThen, loop, loopWhile, etc.

    Enables the composition of suspendable closures using andThen, loop, loopWhile, etc.

    Definition Classes
    Reactor → Combinators

  41. final def ne(arg0: AnyRef): Boolean

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef

  42. final def notify(): Unit

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef

  43. final def notifyAll(): Unit

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef

  44. def react(handler: PartialFunction[Any, Unit]): Nothing

    See the companion object's react method.

    See the companion object's react method.

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor → InputChannel → InternalReplyReactor → Reactor

  45. def reactWithin(msec: Long)(handler: PartialFunction[Any, Unit]): Nothing

    See the companion object's reactWithin method.

    See the companion object's reactWithin method.

    msec

    the time span before timeout

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor → InputChannel → InternalReplyReactor

  46. def receive[R](f: PartialFunction[Any, R]): R

    See the companion object's receive method.

    See the companion object's receive method.

    f

    a partial function with message patterns and actions

    returns

    result of processing the received value

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor → InputChannel

  47. def receiveWithin[R](msec: Long)(f: PartialFunction[Any, R]): R

    See the companion object's receiveWithin method.

    See the companion object's receiveWithin method.

    msec

    the time span before timeout

    f

    a partial function with message patterns and actions

    returns

    result of processing the received value

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor → InputChannel

  48. def receiver: Actor

    Returns the Actor that is receiving from this actor.

    Returns the Actor that is receiving from this actor.

    Definition Classes
    Reactor → OutputChannel

  49. def reply(msg: Any): Unit

    Replies with msg to the sender.

    Replies with msg to the sender.

    Attributes
    protected[scala.actors]
    Definition Classes
    InternalReplyReactor

  50. def restart(): Unit

    Restarts this actor.

    Restarts this actor.

    Definition Classes
    Reactor
    Exceptions thrown
    java.lang.IllegalStateException

    if the actor is not in state Actor.State.Terminated

  51. def scheduler: IScheduler

    Attributes
    protected[scala.actors]
    Definition Classes
    InternalActor → Reactor

  52. def send(msg: Any, replyTo: OutputChannel[Any]): Unit

    Sends msg to this actor (asynchronous) supplying explicit reply destination.

    Sends msg to this actor (asynchronous) supplying explicit reply destination.

    msg

    the message to send

    replyTo

    the reply destination

    Definition Classes
    Reactor → OutputChannel

  53. def sender: OutputChannel[Any]

    Attributes
    protected[scala.actors]
    Definition Classes
    ReplyReactor

  54. def start(): Actor

    Starts this actor.

    Starts this actor. This method is idempotent.

    Definition Classes
    Actor → InternalActor → Reactor

  55. final def synchronized[T0](arg0: ⇒ T0): T0

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef

  56. def toString(): String

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef → Any

  57. def trapExit: Boolean

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor

  58. def trapExit_=(value: Boolean): Unit

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor

  59. def unlink(from: ActorRef): Unit

    Unlinks self from actor from.

    Unlinks self from actor from.

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor

  60. def unlink(from: AbstractActor): Unit

    Unlinks self from actor from.

    Unlinks self from actor from.

    Definition Classes
    InternalActor

  61. final def wait(): Unit

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef
    Annotations
    @throws()

  62. final def wait(arg0: Long, arg1: Int): Unit

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef
    Annotations
    @throws()

  63. final def wait(arg0: Long): Unit

    Definition Classes
    AnyRef
    Annotations
    @throws()

  64. def →[B](y: B): (Actor, B)

    Implicit information
    This member is added by an implicit conversion from Actor to ArrowAssoc[Actor] performed by method ArrowAssoc in scala.Predef.
    Definition Classes
    ArrowAssoc

Inherited from ReplyReactor

Inherited from InternalActor

Inherited from Serializable

Inherited from java.io.Serializable

Inherited from InputChannel[Any]

Inherited from ActorCanReply

Inherited from InternalReplyReactor

Inherited from ReactorCanReply

Inherited from Reactor[Any]

Inherited from Combinators

Inherited from AbstractActor

Inherited from CanReply[Any, Any]

Inherited from OutputChannel[Any]

Inherited from AnyRef

Inherited from Any

Inherited by implicit conversion StringAdd from Actor to StringAdd[Actor]

Inherited by implicit conversion StringFormat from Actor to StringFormat[Actor]

Inherited by implicit conversion Ensuring from Actor to Ensuring[Actor]

Inherited by implicit conversion ArrowAssoc from Actor to ArrowAssoc[Actor]

Ungrouped