Coroutine vs Event driven programming

Question

Regarding the example in wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coroutine

var q := new queue

coroutine produce
    loop
        while q is not full
            create some new items
            add the items to q
        yield to consume

coroutine consume
    loop
        while q is not empty
            remove some items from q
            use the items
        yield

I just wonder traditional event based approach can handle this kind of usage pattern, why need to use coroutine?

Answer 1

I think it is coroutines that are "traditional", and events are "modern". However, they also have different purpose; AFAIK, coroutines can either specify where to transfer control (like method calls) or be used to time-share, while events are loosely coupled communication (i.e. communicating "upwards" in a layered architecture).

Be sure to read Eric Lippert's blog series (from October, 2010) about continuation passing style if you are interested in things like these. There is one post titled "Musings about coroutines".