future.rb

require 'promise'

##
# A delayed-execution result, optimistically evaluated in a new thread.
#
# @example
#   x = future { sleep 5; 1 + 2 }
#   # do stuff...
#   y = x * 2     # => 6.  blocks unless 5 seconds has passed.
#
class Future < defined?(BasicObject) ? BasicObject : Object
  instance_methods.each { |m| undef_method m unless m =~ /^(__.*|object_id)$/ }

  ##
  # Creates a new future.
  #
  # @yield  [] The block to evaluate optimistically.
  # @see    Kernel#future
  def initialize(&block)
    @promise = ::Promise.new(&block)
    @thread  = ::Thread.new { @promise.__force__ }
  end

  ##
  # The value of the future's evaluation.  Blocks until result available.
  #
  # @return [Object]
  def __force__
    @thread.join if @thread
    @promise
  end
  alias_method :force, :__force__

  ##
  # Does this future support the given method?
  #
  # @param  [Symbol]
  # @return [Boolean]
  def respond_to?(method, include_all=false)
    :force.equal?(method) || :__force__.equal?(method) || __force__.respond_to?(method, include_all)
  end

  private

  def method_missing(method, *args, &block)
    __force__.__send__(method, *args, &block)
  end
end

module Kernel
  ##
  # Creates a new future.
  #
  # @example Evaluate an operation in another thread
  #   x = future { 3 + 3 }
  #
  # @yield       []
  #   A block to be optimistically evaluated in another thread.
  # @yieldreturn [Object]
  #   The return value of the block will be the evaluated value of the future.
  # @return      [Future]
  def future(&block)
    Future.new(&block)
  end
end