buildanything 1.7.1 → 2.0.0

package/skills/ios/swift-concurrency/references/actors.md

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+# Actors
+
+Use this when:
+
+- You need to protect class-based mutable state from concurrent access.
+- You are choosing between `actor`, `@MainActor`, `nonisolated`, or `Mutex`.
+- You are resolving protocol conformance issues on actor-isolated types.
+
+Skip this file if:
+
+- You mainly need to make a value safe to transfer across boundaries. Use `sendable.md`.
+- You are debugging execution threads or suspension behavior. Use `threading.md`.
+
+Jump to:
+
+- Actor Isolation
+- Global Actors / @MainActor
+- Isolated vs Nonisolated
+- Actor Reentrancy
+- Isolated Deinit / Isolated Conformances (Swift 6.2+)
+- `#isolation` Macro
+- Mutex: Alternative to Actors
+- Decision Tree
+
+## What is an Actor?
+
+Actors protect mutable state by ensuring only one task accesses it at a time. They're reference types with automatic synchronization.
+
+```swift
+actor Counter {
+    var value = 0
+    
+    func increment() {
+        value += 1
+    }
+}
+```
+
+**Key guarantee**: Only one task can access mutable state at a time (serialized access).
+
+> **Course Deep Dive**: This topic is covered in detail in [Lesson 5.1: Understanding actors in Swift Concurrency](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=agent-skill&utm_campaign=lesson-reference)
+
+## Actor Isolation
+
+### Enforced by compiler
+
+```swift
+actor BankAccount {
+    var balance: Int = 0
+    
+    func deposit(_ amount: Int) {
+        balance += amount
+    }
+}
+
+let account = BankAccount()
+account.balance += 1 // ❌ Error: can't mutate from outside
+await account.deposit(1) // ✅ Must use actor's methods
+```
+
+### Reading properties
+
+```swift
+let account = BankAccount()
+await account.deposit(100)
+print(await account.balance) // Must await reads too
+```
+
+Always use `await` when accessing actor properties/methods—you don't know if another task is inside.
+
+## Actors vs Classes
+
+### Similarities
+
+- Reference types (copies share same instance)
+- Can have properties, methods, initializers
+- Can conform to protocols
+
+### Differences
+
+- **No inheritance** (except `NSObject` for Objective-C interop)
+- **Automatic isolation** (no manual locks needed)
+- **Implicit Sendable** conformance
+
+```swift
+// ❌ Can't inherit from actors
+actor Base {}
+actor Child: Base {} // Error
+
+// ✅ NSObject exception
+actor Example: NSObject {} // OK for Objective-C
+```
+
+## Global Actors
+
+Shared isolation domain across types, functions, and properties.
+
+### @MainActor
+
+Ensures execution on main thread:
+
+```swift
+@MainActor
+final class ViewModel {
+    var items: [Item] = []
+}
+
+@MainActor
+func updateUI() {
+    // Always runs on main thread
+}
+
+@MainActor
+var title: String = ""
+```
+
+### Custom global actors
+
+```swift
+@globalActor
+actor ImageProcessing {
+    static let shared = ImageProcessing()
+    private init() {} // Prevent duplicate instances
+}
+
+@ImageProcessing
+final class ImageCache {
+    var images: [URL: Data] = [:]
+}
+
+@ImageProcessing
+func applyFilter(_ image: UIImage) -> UIImage {
+    // All image processing serialized
+}
+```
+
+**Use private init** to prevent creating multiple executors.
+
+> **Course Deep Dive**: This topic is covered in detail in [Lesson 5.2: An introduction to Global Actors](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=agent-skill&utm_campaign=lesson-reference)
+
+## @MainActor Best Practices
+
+### When to use
+
+UI-related code that must run on main thread:
+
+```swift
+@MainActor
+final class ContentViewModel: ObservableObject {
+    @Published var items: [Item] = []
+}
+```
+
+### Replacing DispatchQueue.main
+
+```swift
+// Old way
+DispatchQueue.main.async {
+    // Update UI
+}
+
+// Modern way
+await MainActor.run {
+    // Update UI
+}
+
+// Better: Use attribute
+@MainActor
+func updateUI() {
+    // Automatically on main thread
+}
+```
+
+### MainActor.assumeIsolated
+
+**Use sparingly** - assumes you're on main thread, crashes if not:
+
+```swift
+func methodB() {
+    assert(Thread.isMainThread) // Validate assumption
+    
+    MainActor.assumeIsolated {
+        someMainActorMethod()
+    }
+}
+```
+
+**Prefer**: Explicit `@MainActor` or `await MainActor.run` over `assumeIsolated`.
+
+> **Course Deep Dive**: This topic is covered in detail in [Lesson 5.3: When and how to use @MainActor](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=agent-skill&utm_campaign=lesson-reference)
+
+## Isolated vs Nonisolated
+
+### Default: Isolated
+
+Actor methods are isolated by default:
+
+```swift
+actor BankAccount {
+    var balance: Double
+    
+    // Implicitly isolated
+    func deposit(_ amount: Double) {
+        balance += amount
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Isolated parameters
+
+Reduce suspension points by inheriting caller's isolation:
+
+```swift
+struct Charger {
+    static func charge(
+        amount: Double,
+        from account: isolated BankAccount
+    ) async throws -> Double {
+        // No await needed - we're isolated to account
+        try account.withdraw(amount: amount)
+        return account.balance
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Isolated closures
+
+```swift
+actor Database {
+    func transaction<T>(
+        _ operation: @Sendable (_ db: isolated Database) throws -> T
+    ) throws -> T {
+        beginTransaction()
+        let result = try operation(self)
+        commitTransaction()
+        return result
+    }
+}
+
+// Usage: Multiple operations, one await
+try await database.transaction { db in
+    db.insert(item1)
+    db.insert(item2)
+    db.insert(item3)
+}
+```
+
+### Generic isolated extension
+
+```swift
+extension Actor {
+    func performInIsolation<T: Sendable>(
+        _ block: @Sendable (_ actor: isolated Self) throws -> T
+    ) async rethrows -> T {
+        try block(self)
+    }
+}
+
+// Usage
+try await bankAccount.performInIsolation { account in
+    try account.withdraw(amount: 20)
+    print("Balance: \(account.balance)")
+}
+```
+
+### Nonisolated
+
+Opt out of isolation for immutable data:
+
+```swift
+actor BankAccount {
+    let accountHolder: String
+    
+    nonisolated var details: String {
+        "Account: \(accountHolder)"
+    }
+}
+
+// No await needed
+print(account.details)
+```
+
+### Protocol conformance
+
+```swift
+extension BankAccount: CustomStringConvertible {
+    nonisolated var description: String {
+        "Account: \(accountHolder)"
+    }
+}
+```
+
+> **Course Deep Dive**: This topic is covered in detail in [Lesson 5.4: Isolated vs. non-isolated access in actors](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=agent-skill&utm_campaign=lesson-reference)
+
+## Isolated Deinit (Swift 6.2+)
+
+Clean up actor state on deallocation:
+
+```swift
+actor FileDownloader {
+    var downloadTask: Task<Void, Error>?
+    
+    isolated deinit {
+        downloadTask?.cancel() // Can call isolated methods
+    }
+}
+```
+
+**Requires**: iOS 18.4+, macOS 15.4+
+
+> **Course Deep Dive**: This topic is covered in detail in [Lesson 5.5: Using Isolated synchronous deinit](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=agent-skill&utm_campaign=lesson-reference)
+
+## Global Actor Isolated Conformance (Swift 6.2+)
+
+Protocol conformance respecting actor isolation:
+
+```swift
+@MainActor
+final class PersonViewModel {
+    let id: UUID
+    var name: String
+}
+
+extension PersonViewModel: @MainActor Equatable {
+    static func == (lhs: PersonViewModel, rhs: PersonViewModel) -> Bool {
+        lhs.id == rhs.id && lhs.name == rhs.name
+    }
+}
+```
+
+**Enable**: `InferIsolatedConformances` upcoming feature.
+
+> **Course Deep Dive**: This topic is covered in detail in [Lesson 5.6: Adding isolated conformance to protocols](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=agent-skill&utm_campaign=lesson-reference)
+
+## Actor Reentrancy
+
+**Critical**: State can change between suspension points.
+
+```swift
+actor BankAccount {
+    var balance: Double
+    
+    func deposit(amount: Double) async {
+        balance += amount
+        
+        // ⚠️ Actor unlocked during await
+        await logActivity("Deposited \(amount)")
+        
+        // ⚠️ Balance may have changed!
+        print("Balance: \(balance)")
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Problem
+
+```swift
+async let _ = account.deposit(50)
+async let _ = account.deposit(50)
+async let _ = account.deposit(50)
+
+// May print same balance three times:
+// Balance: 150
+// Balance: 150
+// Balance: 150
+```
+
+### Solution
+
+Complete actor work before suspending:
+
+```swift
+func deposit(amount: Double) async {
+    balance += amount
+    print("Balance: \(balance)") // Before suspension
+    
+    await logActivity("Deposited \(amount)")
+}
+```
+
+**Rule**: Don't assume state is unchanged after `await`.
+
+> **Course Deep Dive**: This topic is covered in detail in [Lesson 5.7: Understanding actor reentrancy](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=agent-skill&utm_campaign=lesson-reference)
+
+## #isolation Macro
+
+Inherit caller's isolation for generic code:
+
+```swift
+extension Collection where Element: Sendable {
+    func sequentialMap<Result: Sendable>(
+        isolation: isolated (any Actor)? = #isolation,
+        transform: (Element) async -> Result
+    ) async -> [Result] {
+        var results: [Result] = []
+        for element in self {
+            results.append(await transform(element))
+        }
+        return results
+    }
+}
+
+// Usage from @MainActor context
+Task { @MainActor in
+    let names = ["Alice", "Bob"]
+    let results = await names.sequentialMap { name in
+        await process(name) // Inherits @MainActor
+    }
+}
+```
+
+**Benefits**: Avoids unnecessary suspensions, allows non-Sendable data.
+
+### Task Closures and Isolation Inheritance
+
+When spawning unstructured `Task` closures that need to work with `non-Sendable` types, you must capture the isolation parameter to inherit the caller's isolation context.
+
+**Problem**: `Task` closures are `@Sendable`, which prevents capturing `non-Sendable` types:
+
+```swift
+func process(delegate: NonSendableDelegate) {
+  Task {
+    delegate.doWork() // ❌ Error: capturing non-Sendable type
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Solution**: Use `#isolation` parameter and capture it inside the `Task`:
+
+```swift
+func process(
+  delegate: NonSendableDelegate,
+  isolation: isolated (any Actor)? = #isolation
+) {
+  Task {
+    _ = isolation  // Forces capture, Task inherits caller's isolation
+    delegate.doWork()  // ✅ Safe - running on caller's actor
+  }
+}
+```
+
+**Why `_ = isolation` is required**: Per [SE-0420](https://github.com/swiftlang/swift-evolution/blob/main/proposals/0420-inheritance-of-actor-isolation.md), `Task` closures only inherit isolation when "a non-optional binding of an isolated parameter is captured by the closure." The `_ = isolation` statement forces this capture. The capture list syntax `[isolation]` should work but currently does not.
+
+**When to use this pattern**:
+- Spawning `Task`s that work with `non-Sendable` delegate objects
+- Fire-and-forget async work that needs access to caller's state
+- Bridging callback-based APIs to async streams while keeping delegates alive
+
+**Note**: This pattern keeps the `non-Sendable` value alive and accessible within the `Task`. The `Task` runs on the caller's isolation domain, so no cross-isolation "sending" occurs.
+
+> **Course Deep Dive**: This topic is covered in detail in [Lesson 5.8: Inheritance of actor isolation using the #isolation macro](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=agent-skill&utm_campaign=lesson-reference)
+
+## Custom Actor Executors
+
+**Advanced**: Control how actor schedules work.
+
+### Serial executor
+
+```swift
+final class DispatchQueueExecutor: SerialExecutor {
+    private let queue: DispatchQueue
+    
+    init(queue: DispatchQueue) {
+        self.queue = queue
+    }
+    
+    func enqueue(_ job: consuming ExecutorJob) {
+        let unownedJob = UnownedJob(job)
+        let executor = asUnownedSerialExecutor()
+        
+        queue.async {
+            unownedJob.runSynchronously(on: executor)
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+actor LoggingActor {
+    private let executor: DispatchQueueExecutor
+    
+    nonisolated var unownedExecutor: UnownedSerialExecutor {
+        executor.asUnownedSerialExecutor()
+    }
+    
+    init(queue: DispatchQueue) {
+        executor = DispatchQueueExecutor(queue: queue)
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### When to use
+
+- Integration with legacy DispatchQueue-based code
+- Specific thread requirements (e.g., C++ interop)
+- Custom scheduling logic
+
+**Default executor is usually sufficient.**
+
+> **Course Deep Dive**: This topic is covered in detail in [Lesson 5.9: Using a custom actor executor](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=agent-skill&utm_campaign=lesson-reference)
+
+## Mutex: Alternative to Actors
+
+Synchronous locking without async/await overhead (iOS 18+, macOS 15+).
+
+### Basic usage
+
+```swift
+import Synchronization
+
+final class Counter {
+    private let count = Mutex<Int>(0)
+    
+    var currentCount: Int {
+        count.withLock { $0 }
+    }
+    
+    func increment() {
+        count.withLock { $0 += 1 }
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Sendable access to non-Sendable types
+
+```swift
+final class TouchesCapturer: Sendable {
+    let path = Mutex<NSBezierPath>(NSBezierPath())
+    
+    func storeTouch(_ point: NSPoint) {
+        path.withLock { path in
+            path.move(to: point)
+        }
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Error handling
+
+```swift
+func decrement() throws {
+    try count.withLock { count in
+        guard count > 0 else {
+            throw Error.reachedZero
+        }
+        count -= 1
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Mutex vs Actor
+
+| Feature | Mutex | Actor |
+|---------|-------|-------|
+| Synchronous | ✅ | ❌ (requires await) |
+| Async support | ❌ | ✅ |
+| Thread blocking | ✅ | ❌ (cooperative) |
+| Fine-grained locking | ✅ | ❌ (whole actor) |
+| Legacy code integration | ✅ | ❌ |
+
+**Use Mutex when**:
+- Need synchronous access
+- Working with legacy non-async APIs
+- Fine-grained locking required
+- Low contention, short critical sections
+
+**Use Actor when**:
+- Can adopt async/await
+- Need logical isolation
+- Working in async context
+
+> **Course Deep Dive**: This topic is covered in detail in [Lesson 5.10: Using a Mutex as an alternative to actors](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=agent-skill&utm_campaign=lesson-reference)
+
+## Common Patterns
+
+### View model with @MainActor
+
+```swift
+@MainActor
+final class ContentViewModel: ObservableObject {
+    @Published var items: [Item] = []
+    
+    func loadItems() async {
+        items = try await api.fetchItems()
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Background processing with custom actor
+
+```swift
+@ImageProcessing
+final class ImageProcessor {
+    func process(_ images: [UIImage]) async -> [UIImage] {
+        images.map { applyFilters($0) }
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Mixed isolation
+
+```swift
+actor DataStore {
+    private var items: [Item] = []
+    
+    func add(_ item: Item) {
+        items.append(item)
+    }
+    
+    nonisolated func itemCount() -> Int {
+        // ❌ Can't access items
+        return 0
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Transaction pattern
+
+```swift
+actor Database {
+    func transaction<T>(
+        _ operation: @Sendable (_ db: isolated Database) throws -> T
+    ) throws -> T {
+        beginTransaction()
+        defer { commitTransaction() }
+        return try operation(self)
+    }
+}
+```
+
+## Best Practices
+
+1. **Prefer actors over manual locks** for async code
+2. **Use @MainActor for UI** - all view models, UI updates
+3. **Minimize work in actors** - keep critical sections short
+4. **Watch for reentrancy** - don't assume state unchanged after await
+5. **Use nonisolated sparingly** - only for truly immutable data
+6. **Avoid assumeIsolated** - prefer explicit isolation
+7. **Custom executors are rare** - default is usually best
+8. **Consider Mutex for sync code** - when async overhead not needed
+9. **Complete actor work before suspending** - prevent reentrancy bugs
+10. **Use isolated parameters** - reduce suspension points
+
+## Decision Tree
+
+```
+Need thread-safe mutable state?
+├─ Async context?
+│  ├─ Single instance? → Actor
+│  ├─ Global/shared? → Global Actor (@MainActor, custom)
+│  └─ UI-related? → @MainActor
+│
+└─ Synchronous context?
+   ├─ Can refactor to async? → Actor
+   ├─ Legacy code integration? → Mutex
+   └─ Fine-grained locking? → Mutex
+```
+
+## Further Learning
+
+For migration strategies, advanced patterns, and real-world examples, see [Swift Concurrency Course](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com).
+