Refactor py:cast to fire-and-forget, add py:spawn_call

README.md

@@ -66,10 +66,13 @@ application:ensure_all_started(erlang_python).
 %% Evaluate with local variables
 {ok, 25} = py:eval(<<"x * y">>, #{x => 5, y => 5}).
 
-%% Async calls
-Ref = py:cast(math, factorial, [100]),
+%% Async calls with await
+Ref = py:spawn_call(math, factorial, [100]),
 {ok, Result} = py:await(Ref).
 
+%% Fire-and-forget (no result)
+ok = py:cast(erlang, send, [self(), {done, <<"task1">>}]).
+
 %% Streaming from generators
 {ok, [0,1,4,9,16]} = py:stream_eval(<<"(x**2 for x in range(5))">>).
 ```
@@ -443,10 +446,13 @@ escript examples/logging_example.erl
 {ok, Result} = py:call(Module, Function, Args, KwArgs).
 {ok, Result} = py:call(Module, Function, Args, KwArgs, Timeout).
 
-%% Async
-Ref = py:cast(Module, Function, Args).
+%% Async with result
+Ref = py:spawn_call(Module, Function, Args).
 {ok, Result} = py:await(Ref).
 {ok, Result} = py:await(Ref, Timeout).
+
+%% Fire-and-forget (no result returned)
+ok = py:cast(Module, Function, Args).
 ```
 
 ### Expression Evaluation

c_src/py_callback.c

@@ -2330,8 +2330,9 @@ static PyObject *erlang_channel_receive_impl(PyObject *self, PyObject *args) {
 
     /* Need to wait - release GIL and poll */
     {
-        long elapsed_ms = 0;
+        long elapsed_us = 0;
         const long poll_interval_us = 100;  /* 100 microseconds */
+        const long timeout_us = timeout_ms >= 0 ? timeout_ms * 1000 : -1;
 
         Py_BEGIN_ALLOW_THREADS
 
@@ -2342,17 +2343,14 @@ static PyObject *erlang_channel_receive_impl(PyObject *self, PyObject *args) {
             }
 
             /* Check timeout */
-            if (timeout_ms >= 0 && elapsed_ms >= timeout_ms) {
+            if (timeout_us >= 0 && elapsed_us >= timeout_us) {
                 result = 2;  /* Timeout */
                 break;
             }
 
             /* Sleep briefly */
             usleep(poll_interval_us);
-            elapsed_ms += poll_interval_us / 1000;
-            if (poll_interval_us < 1000) {
-                elapsed_ms = (elapsed_ms == 0 && poll_interval_us > 0) ? 1 : elapsed_ms;
-            }
+            elapsed_us += poll_interval_us;
         }
 
         Py_END_ALLOW_THREADS

docs/ai-integration.md

@@ -503,9 +503,9 @@ This demonstrates:
 For non-blocking LLM calls:
 
 ```erlang
-%% Start async LLM call
+%% Start async LLM call (returns ref for await)
 ask_async(Question) ->
-    py:cast('__main__', generate, [Question, <<"">>]).
+    py:spawn_call('__main__', generate, [Question, <<"">>]).
 
 %% Gather multiple responses
 ask_many(Questions) ->

docs/getting-started.md

@@ -94,13 +94,16 @@ All operations support optional timeouts:
 For non-blocking operations:
 
 ```erlang
-%% Start async call
-Ref = py:cast(math, factorial, [1000]).
+%% Start async call (returns ref for await)
+Ref = py:spawn_call(math, factorial, [1000]).
 
 %% Do other work...
 
 %% Wait for result
 {ok, HugeNumber} = py:await(Ref).
+
+%% Fire-and-forget (no result)
+ok = py:cast(some_module, log_event, [EventData]).
 ```
 
 ## Streaming from Generators

docs/migration.md

@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ This guide covers breaking changes and migration steps when upgrading from erlan
 
 ## Quick Checklist
 
-- [ ] Rename `py:call_async` → `py:cast`
+- [ ] Rename `py:call_async` → `py:spawn_call` (with await) or `py:cast` (fire-and-forget)
 - [ ] Replace `py:bind`/`py:unbind` with `py_context_router`
 - [ ] Replace `py:ctx_*` functions with `py_context:*`
 - [ ] Replace `erlang_asyncio` imports with `erlang`
@@ -148,7 +148,7 @@ N = py_context_router:num_contexts().
 
 ## API Changes
 
-### `py:call_async` renamed to `py:cast`
+### `py:call_async` renamed to `py:spawn_call`
 
 The function for non-blocking Python calls has been renamed to follow gen_server conventions:
 
@@ -160,11 +160,13 @@ Ref = py:call_async(math, factorial, [100]),
 
 **After (v2.0):**
 ```erlang
-Ref = py:cast(math, factorial, [100]),
+Ref = py:spawn_call(math, factorial, [100]),
 {ok, Result} = py:await(Ref).
 ```
 
-The semantics are identical - only the name changed.
+The semantics are identical - `spawn_call` replaces `async_call`.
+
+Note: `py:cast/3,4` is now fire-and-forget (returns `ok`, no await).
 
 ### `erlang_asyncio` module removed
 

docs/pools.md

@@ -221,7 +221,7 @@ py:register_pool(io, requests),      %% API calls
 
 process_batch(Items) ->
     %% Parallel fetch from S3 (io pool)
-    Futures = [py:cast(boto3, download_file, [Key]) || Key <- Items],
+    Futures = [py:spawn_call(boto3, download_file, [Key]) || Key <- Items],
     Files = [py:await(F) || F <- Futures],
 
     %% Process with ML model (default pool - doesn't block I/O)

examples/basic_example.erl

@@ -52,9 +52,9 @@ main(_) ->
 
     io:format("~n=== Async Calls ===~n~n"),
 
-    %% Async call
-    Ref1 = py:cast(math, factorial, [10]),
-    Ref2 = py:cast(math, factorial, [20]),
+    %% Async call with spawn_call/await
+    Ref1 = py:spawn_call(math, factorial, [10]),
+    Ref2 = py:spawn_call(math, factorial, [20]),
 
     {ok, Fact10} = py:await(Ref1),
     {ok, Fact20} = py:await(Ref2),

examples/benchmark_compare.erl

@@ -101,15 +101,15 @@ bench_sync_eval() ->
 %% ============================================================================
 
 bench_cast_single() ->
-    Name = "Cast py:cast single",
+    Name = "Cast py:spawn_call single",
     N = 1000,
 
     io:format("▶ ~s~n", [Name]),
     io:format("  Iterations: ~p~n", [N]),
 
     {Time, _} = timer:tc(fun() ->
         lists:foreach(fun(I) ->
-            Ref = py:cast(math, sqrt, [I]),
+            Ref = py:spawn_call(math, sqrt, [I]),
             {ok, _} = py:await(Ref, 5000)
         end, lists:seq(1, N))
     end),
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ bench_cast_single() ->
     {Name, PerCall, Throughput}.
 
 bench_cast_multiple() ->
-    Name = "Cast py:cast batch (10 calls)",
+    Name = "Cast py:spawn_call batch (10 calls)",
     N = 100,
 
     io:format("▶ ~s~n", [Name]),
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ bench_cast_multiple() ->
     {Time, _} = timer:tc(fun() ->
         lists:foreach(fun(Batch) ->
             %% Start 10 cast calls
-            Refs = [py:cast(math, sqrt, [Batch * 10 + I])
+            Refs = [py:spawn_call(math, sqrt, [Batch * 10 + I])
                     || I <- lists:seq(1, 10)],
             %% Await all
             [{ok, _} = py:await(Ref, 5000) || Ref <- Refs]
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ bench_cast_multiple() ->
     {Name, PerBatch, Throughput}.
 
 bench_cast_parallel() ->
-    Name = "Cast py:cast parallel (10 concurrent)",
+    Name = "Cast py:spawn_call parallel (10 concurrent)",
     N = 100,
 
     io:format("▶ ~s~n", [Name]),
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ bench_cast_parallel() ->
     {Time, _} = timer:tc(fun() ->
         lists:foreach(fun(Batch) ->
             %% Start 10 cast calls in parallel
-            Refs = [py:cast(math, factorial, [20 + (Batch rem 10)])
+            Refs = [py:spawn_call(math, factorial, [20 + (Batch rem 10)])
                     || _ <- lists:seq(1, 10)],
             %% Await all results
             [py:await(Ref, 5000) || Ref <- Refs]
@@ -230,7 +230,7 @@ bench_concurrent_cast() ->
     {Time, _} = timer:tc(fun() ->
         Pids = [spawn_link(fun() ->
             lists:foreach(fun(I) ->
-                Ref = py:cast(math, factorial, [20 + I]),
+                Ref = py:spawn_call(math, factorial, [20 + I]),
                 {ok, _} = py:await(Ref, 5000)
             end, lists:seq(1, CallsPerProc)),
             Parent ! {done, self()}

src/py.erl

@@ -41,6 +41,10 @@
     call/5,
     cast/3,
     cast/4,
+    cast/5,
+    spawn_call/3,
+    spawn_call/4,
+    spawn_call/5,
     await/1,
     await/2,
     eval/1,
@@ -270,16 +274,42 @@ exec(Ctx, Code) when is_pid(Ctx) ->
 %%% Asynchronous API
 %%% ============================================================================
 
-%% @doc Cast a Python function call, returns immediately with a ref.
-%% The call executes in a spawned process. Use await/1,2 to get the result.
--spec cast(py_module(), py_func(), py_args()) -> py_ref().
+%% @doc Fire-and-forget Python function call.
+-spec cast(py_module(), py_func(), py_args()) -> ok.
 cast(Module, Func, Args) ->
     cast(Module, Func, Args, #{}).
 
-%% @doc Cast a Python function call with kwargs.
--spec cast(py_module(), py_func(), py_args(), py_kwargs()) -> py_ref().
+%% @doc Fire-and-forget Python function call with context or kwargs.
+-spec cast(pid(), py_module(), py_func(), py_args()) -> ok;
+          (py_module(), py_func(), py_args(), py_kwargs()) -> ok.
+cast(Ctx, Module, Func, Args) when is_pid(Ctx) ->
+    cast(Ctx, Module, Func, Args, #{});
 cast(Module, Func, Args, Kwargs) ->
-    %% Spawn a process to execute the call and return a ref
+    spawn(fun() ->
+        Ctx = py_context_router:get_context(),
+        _ = py_context:call(Ctx, Module, Func, Args, Kwargs)
+    end),
+    ok.
+
+%% @doc Fire-and-forget Python function call with context and kwargs.
+-spec cast(pid(), py_module(), py_func(), py_args(), py_kwargs()) -> ok.
+cast(Ctx, Module, Func, Args, Kwargs) when is_pid(Ctx) ->
+    spawn(fun() ->
+        _ = py_context:call(Ctx, Module, Func, Args, Kwargs)
+    end),
+    ok.
+
+%% @doc Spawn a Python function call, returns immediately with a ref.
+-spec spawn_call(py_module(), py_func(), py_args()) -> py_ref().
+spawn_call(Module, Func, Args) ->
+    spawn_call(Module, Func, Args, #{}).
+
+%% @doc Spawn a Python function call with context or kwargs.
+-spec spawn_call(pid(), py_module(), py_func(), py_args()) -> py_ref();
+                (py_module(), py_func(), py_args(), py_kwargs()) -> py_ref().
+spawn_call(Ctx, Module, Func, Args) when is_pid(Ctx) ->
+    spawn_call(Ctx, Module, Func, Args, #{});
+spawn_call(Module, Func, Args, Kwargs) ->
     Ref = make_ref(),
     Parent = self(),
     spawn(fun() ->
@@ -289,6 +319,17 @@ cast(Module, Func, Args, Kwargs) ->
     end),
     Ref.
 
+%% @doc Spawn a Python function call with context and kwargs.
+-spec spawn_call(pid(), py_module(), py_func(), py_args(), py_kwargs()) -> py_ref().
+spawn_call(Ctx, Module, Func, Args, Kwargs) when is_pid(Ctx) ->
+    Ref = make_ref(),
+    Parent = self(),
+    spawn(fun() ->
+        Result = py_context:call(Ctx, Module, Func, Args, Kwargs),
+        Parent ! {py_response, Ref, Result}
+    end),
+    Ref.
+
 %% @doc Wait for an async call to complete.
 -spec await(py_ref()) -> py_result().
 await(Ref) ->

test/py_SUITE.erl

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@
     test_eval_complex_locals/1,
     test_exec/1,
     test_cast/1,
+    test_spawn_call/1,
     test_type_conversions/1,
     test_nested_types/1,
     test_timeout/1,
@@ -68,6 +69,7 @@ all() ->
         test_eval_complex_locals,
         test_exec,
         test_cast,
+        test_spawn_call,
         test_type_conversions,
         test_nested_types,
         test_timeout,
@@ -204,9 +206,20 @@ def my_func():
     ok.
 
 test_cast(_Config) ->
-    Ref1 = py:cast(math, sqrt, [100]),
-    Ref2 = py:cast(math, sqrt, [144]),
+    %% Test fire-and-forget cast with erlang.send
+    Self = erlang:self(),
+    ok = py:cast(erlang, send, [Self, {<<"result">>, <<"msg1">>}]),
+    ok = py:cast(erlang, send, [Self, {<<"result">>, <<"msg2">>}]),
+    %% Wait for results (order may vary)
+    R1 = receive {<<"result">>, V1} -> V1 after 5000 -> ct:fail(timeout1) end,
+    R2 = receive {<<"result">>, V2} -> V2 after 5000 -> ct:fail(timeout2) end,
+    true = lists:sort([R1, R2]) =:= [<<"msg1">>, <<"msg2">>],
+    ok.
 
+test_spawn_call(_Config) ->
+    %% Test spawn_call with await
+    Ref1 = py:spawn_call(math, sqrt, [100]),
+    Ref2 = py:spawn_call(math, sqrt, [144]),
     {ok, 10.0} = py:await(Ref1),
     {ok, 12.0} = py:await(Ref2),
     ok.