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Comparing AnyEvent-Fork/Fork.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.38 by root, Sat Apr 6 20:07:30 2013 UTC vs.
Revision 1.72 by root, Tue Nov 5 02:44:27 2019 UTC

27 27
28Special care has been taken to make this module useful from other modules, 28Special care has been taken to make this module useful from other modules,
29while still supporting specialised environments such as L<App::Staticperl> 29while still supporting specialised environments such as L<App::Staticperl>
30or L<PAR::Packer>. 30or L<PAR::Packer>.
31 31
32=head1 WHAT THIS MODULE IS NOT 32=head2 WHAT THIS MODULE IS NOT
33 33
34This module only creates processes and lets you pass file handles and 34This module only creates processes and lets you pass file handles and
35strings to it, and run perl code. It does not implement any kind of RPC - 35strings to it, and run perl code. It does not implement any kind of RPC -
36there is no back channel from the process back to you, and there is no RPC 36there is no back channel from the process back to you, and there is no RPC
37or message passing going on. 37or message passing going on.
38 38
39If you need some form of RPC, you can either implement it yourself 39If you need some form of RPC, you could use the L<AnyEvent::Fork::RPC>
40in whatever way you like, use some message-passing module such 40companion module, which adds simple RPC/job queueing to a process created
41as L<AnyEvent::MP>, some pipe such as L<AnyEvent::ZeroMQ>, use 41by this module.
42L<AnyEvent::Handle> on both sides to send e.g. JSON or Storable messages,
43and so on.
44 42
43And if you need some automatic process pool management on top of
44L<AnyEvent::Fork::RPC>, you can look at the L<AnyEvent::Fork::Pool>
45companion module.
46
47Or you can implement it yourself in whatever way you like: use some
48message-passing module such as L<AnyEvent::MP>, some pipe such as
49L<AnyEvent::ZeroMQ>, use L<AnyEvent::Handle> on both sides to send
50e.g. JSON or Storable messages, and so on.
51
52=head2 COMPARISON TO OTHER MODULES
53
54There is an abundance of modules on CPAN that do "something fork", such as
55L<Parallel::ForkManager>, L<AnyEvent::ForkManager>, L<AnyEvent::Worker>
56or L<AnyEvent::Subprocess>. There are modules that implement their own
57process management, such as L<AnyEvent::DBI>.
58
59The problems that all these modules try to solve are real, however, none
60of them (from what I have seen) tackle the very real problems of unwanted
61memory sharing, efficiency or not being able to use event processing, GUI
62toolkits or similar modules in the processes they create.
63
64This module doesn't try to replace any of them - instead it tries to solve
65the problem of creating processes with a minimum of fuss and overhead (and
66also luxury). Ideally, most of these would use AnyEvent::Fork internally,
67except they were written before AnyEvent:Fork was available, so obviously
68had to roll their own.
69
45=head1 PROBLEM STATEMENT 70=head2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
46 71
47There are two traditional ways to implement parallel processing on UNIX 72There are two traditional ways to implement parallel processing on UNIX
48like operating systems - fork and process, and fork+exec and process. They 73like operating systems - fork and process, and fork+exec and process. They
49have different advantages and disadvantages that I describe below, 74have different advantages and disadvantages that I describe below,
50together with how this module tries to mitigate the disadvantages. 75together with how this module tries to mitigate the disadvantages.
64 89
65=item Forking usually creates a copy-on-write copy of the parent 90=item Forking usually creates a copy-on-write copy of the parent
66process. 91process.
67 92
68For example, modules or data files that are loaded will not use additional 93For example, modules or data files that are loaded will not use additional
69memory after a fork. When exec'ing a new process, modules and data files 94memory after a fork. Exec'ing a new process, in contrast, means modules
70might need to be loaded again, at extra CPU and memory cost. But when 95and data files might need to be loaded again, at extra CPU and memory
71forking, literally all data structures are copied - if the program frees 96cost.
97
98But when forking, you still create a copy of your data structures - if
72them and replaces them by new data, the child processes will retain the 99the program frees them and replaces them by new data, the child processes
73old version even if it isn't used, which can suddenly and unexpectedly 100will retain the old version even if it isn't used, which can suddenly and
74increase memory usage when freeing memory. 101unexpectedly increase memory usage when freeing memory.
75 102
103For example, L<Gtk2::CV> is an image viewer optimised for large
104directories (millions of pictures). It also forks subprocesses for
105thumbnail generation, which inherit the data structure that stores all
106file information. If the user changes the directory, it gets freed in
107the main process, leaving a copy in the thumbnailer processes. This can
108lead to many times the memory usage that would actually be required. The
109solution is to fork early (and being unable to dynamically generate more
110subprocesses or do this from a module)... or to use L<AnyEvent:Fork>.
111
76The trade-off is between more sharing with fork (which can be good or 112There is a trade-off between more sharing with fork (which can be good or
77bad), and no sharing with exec. 113bad), and no sharing with exec.
78 114
79This module allows the main program to do a controlled fork, and allows 115This module allows the main program to do a controlled fork, and allows
80modules to exec processes safely at any time. When creating a custom 116modules to exec processes safely at any time. When creating a custom
81process pool you can take advantage of data sharing via fork without 117process pool you can take advantage of data sharing via fork without
86shared and what isn't, at all times. 122shared and what isn't, at all times.
87 123
88=item Exec'ing a new perl process might be difficult. 124=item Exec'ing a new perl process might be difficult.
89 125
90For example, it is not easy to find the correct path to the perl 126For example, it is not easy to find the correct path to the perl
91interpreter - C<$^X> might not be a perl interpreter at all. 127interpreter - C<$^X> might not be a perl interpreter at all. Worse, there
128might not even be a perl binary installed on the system.
92 129
93This module tries hard to identify the correct path to the perl 130This module tries hard to identify the correct path to the perl
94interpreter. With a cooperative main program, exec'ing the interpreter 131interpreter. With a cooperative main program, exec'ing the interpreter
95might not even be necessary, but even without help from the main program, 132might not even be necessary, but even without help from the main program,
96it will still work when used from a module. 133it will still work when used from a module.
102and modules are no longer loadable because they refer to a different 139and modules are no longer loadable because they refer to a different
103perl version, or parts of a distribution are newer than the ones already 140perl version, or parts of a distribution are newer than the ones already
104loaded. 141loaded.
105 142
106This module supports creating pre-initialised perl processes to be used as 143This module supports creating pre-initialised perl processes to be used as
107a template for new processes. 144a template for new processes at a later time, e.g. for use in a process
145pool.
108 146
109=item Forking might be impossible when a program is running. 147=item Forking might be impossible when a program is running.
110 148
111For example, POSIX makes it almost impossible to fork from a 149For example, POSIX makes it almost impossible to fork from a
112multi-threaded program while doing anything useful in the child - in 150multi-threaded program while doing anything useful in the child - in
113fact, if your perl program uses POSIX threads (even indirectly via 151fact, if your perl program uses POSIX threads (even indirectly via
114e.g. L<IO::AIO> or L<threads>), you cannot call fork on the perl level 152e.g. L<IO::AIO> or L<threads>), you cannot call fork on the perl level
115anymore without risking corruption issues on a number of operating 153anymore without risking memory corruption or worse on a number of
116systems. 154operating systems.
117 155
118This module can safely fork helper processes at any time, by calling 156This module can safely fork helper processes at any time, by calling
119fork+exec in C, in a POSIX-compatible way (via L<Proc::FastSpawn>). 157fork+exec in C, in a POSIX-compatible way (via L<Proc::FastSpawn>).
120 158
121=item Parallel processing with fork might be inconvenient or difficult 159=item Parallel processing with fork might be inconvenient or difficult
140 178
141=back 179=back
142 180
143=head1 EXAMPLES 181=head1 EXAMPLES
144 182
183This is where the wall of text ends and code speaks.
184
145=head2 Create a single new process, tell it to run your worker function. 185=head2 Create a single new process, tell it to run your worker function.
146 186
147 AnyEvent::Fork 187 AnyEvent::Fork
148 ->new 188 ->new
149 ->require ("MyModule") 189 ->require ("MyModule")
160 200
161 sub worker { 201 sub worker {
162 my ($slave_filehandle) = @_; 202 my ($slave_filehandle) = @_;
163 203
164 # now $slave_filehandle is connected to the $master_filehandle 204 # now $slave_filehandle is connected to the $master_filehandle
165 # in the original prorcess. have fun! 205 # in the original process. have fun!
166 } 206 }
167 207
168=head2 Create a pool of server processes all accepting on the same socket. 208=head2 Create a pool of server processes all accepting on the same socket.
169 209
170 # create listener socket 210 # create listener socket
203 } 243 }
204 } 244 }
205 245
206=head2 use AnyEvent::Fork as a faster fork+exec 246=head2 use AnyEvent::Fork as a faster fork+exec
207 247
208This runs C</bin/echo hi>, with stdandard output redirected to /tmp/log 248This runs C</bin/echo hi>, with standard output redirected to F</tmp/log>
209and standard error redirected to the communications socket. It is usually 249and standard error redirected to the communications socket. It is usually
210faster than fork+exec, but still lets you prepare the environment. 250faster than fork+exec, but still lets you prepare the environment.
211 251
212 open my $output, ">/tmp/log" or die "$!"; 252 open my $output, ">/tmp/log" or die "$!";
213 253
214 AnyEvent::Fork 254 AnyEvent::Fork
215 ->new 255 ->new
216 ->eval (' 256 ->eval ('
257 # compile a helper function for later use
217 sub run { 258 sub run {
218 my ($fh, $output, @cmd) = @_; 259 my ($fh, $output, @cmd) = @_;
219 260
220 # perl will clear close-on-exec on STDOUT/STDERR 261 # perl will clear close-on-exec on STDOUT/STDERR
221 open STDOUT, ">&", $output or die; 262 open STDOUT, ">&", $output or die;
228 ->send_arg ("/bin/echo", "hi") 269 ->send_arg ("/bin/echo", "hi")
229 ->run ("run", my $cv = AE::cv); 270 ->run ("run", my $cv = AE::cv);
230 271
231 my $stderr = $cv->recv; 272 my $stderr = $cv->recv;
232 273
274=head2 For stingy users: put the worker code into a C<DATA> section.
275
276When you want to be stingy with files, you can put your code into the
277C<DATA> section of your module (or program):
278
279 use AnyEvent::Fork;
280
281 AnyEvent::Fork
282 ->new
283 ->eval (do { local $/; <DATA> })
284 ->run ("doit", sub { ... });
285
286 __DATA__
287
288 sub doit {
289 ... do something!
290 }
291
292=head2 For stingy standalone programs: do not rely on external files at
293all.
294
295For single-file scripts it can be inconvenient to rely on external
296files - even when using a C<DATA> section, you still need to C<exec> an
297external perl interpreter, which might not be available when using
298L<App::Staticperl>, L<Urlader> or L<PAR::Packer> for example.
299
300Two modules help here - L<AnyEvent::Fork::Early> forks a template process
301for all further calls to C<new_exec>, and L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template>
302forks the main program as a template process.
303
304Here is how your main program should look like:
305
306 #! perl
307
308 # optional, as the very first thing.
309 # in case modules want to create their own processes.
310 use AnyEvent::Fork::Early;
311
312 # next, load all modules you need in your template process
313 use Example::My::Module
314 use Example::Whatever;
315
316 # next, put your run function definition and anything else you
317 # need, but do not use code outside of BEGIN blocks.
318 sub worker_run {
319 my ($fh, @args) = @_;
320 ...
321 }
322
323 # now preserve everything so far as AnyEvent::Fork object
324 # in $TEMPLATE.
325 use AnyEvent::Fork::Template;
326
327 # do not put code outside of BEGIN blocks until here
328
329 # now use the $TEMPLATE process in any way you like
330
331 # for example: create 10 worker processes
332 my @worker;
333 my $cv = AE::cv;
334 for (1..10) {
335 $cv->begin;
336 $TEMPLATE->fork->send_arg ($_)->run ("worker_run", sub {
337 push @worker, shift;
338 $cv->end;
339 });
340 }
341 $cv->recv;
342
233=head1 CONCEPTS 343=head1 CONCEPTS
234 344
235This module can create new processes either by executing a new perl 345This module can create new processes either by executing a new perl
236process, or by forking from an existing "template" process. 346process, or by forking from an existing "template" process.
347
348All these processes are called "child processes" (whether they are direct
349children or not), while the process that manages them is called the
350"parent process".
237 351
238Each such process comes with its own file handle that can be used to 352Each such process comes with its own file handle that can be used to
239communicate with it (it's actually a socket - one end in the new process, 353communicate with it (it's actually a socket - one end in the new process,
240one end in the main process), and among the things you can do in it are 354one end in the main process), and among the things you can do in it are
241load modules, fork new processes, send file handles to it, and execute 355load modules, fork new processes, send file handles to it, and execute
351use AnyEvent; 465use AnyEvent;
352use AnyEvent::Util (); 466use AnyEvent::Util ();
353 467
354use IO::FDPass; 468use IO::FDPass;
355 469
356our $VERSION = 0.5; 470our $VERSION = 1.31;
357
358our $PERL; # the path to the perl interpreter, deduces with various forms of magic
359
360=over 4
361
362=back
363
364=cut
365 471
366# the early fork template process 472# the early fork template process
367our $EARLY; 473our $EARLY;
368 474
369# the empty template process 475# the empty template process
370our $TEMPLATE; 476our $TEMPLATE;
477
478sub QUEUE() { 0 }
479sub FH() { 1 }
480sub WW() { 2 }
481sub PID() { 3 }
482sub CB() { 4 }
483
484sub _new {
485 my ($self, $fh, $pid) = @_;
486
487 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking $fh, 1;
488
489 $self = bless [
490 [], # write queue - strings or fd's
491 $fh,
492 undef, # AE watcher
493 $pid,
494 ], $self;
495
496 $self
497}
371 498
372sub _cmd { 499sub _cmd {
373 my $self = shift; 500 my $self = shift;
374 501
375 # ideally, we would want to use "a (w/a)*" as format string, but perl 502 # ideally, we would want to use "a (w/a)*" as format string, but perl
376 # versions from at least 5.8.9 to 5.16.3 are all buggy and can't unpack 503 # versions from at least 5.8.9 to 5.16.3 are all buggy and can't unpack
377 # it. 504 # it.
378 push @{ $self->[2] }, pack "a L/a*", $_[0], $_[1]; 505 push @{ $self->[QUEUE] }, pack "a L/a*", $_[0], $_[1];
379 506
380 $self->[3] ||= AE::io $self->[1], 1, sub { 507 $self->[WW] ||= AE::io $self->[FH], 1, sub {
381 do { 508 do {
382 # send the next "thing" in the queue - either a reference to an fh, 509 # send the next "thing" in the queue - either a reference to an fh,
383 # or a plain string. 510 # or a plain string.
384 511
385 if (ref $self->[2][0]) { 512 if (ref $self->[QUEUE][0]) {
386 # send fh 513 # send fh
387 unless (IO::FDPass::send fileno $self->[1], fileno ${ $self->[2][0] }) { 514 unless (IO::FDPass::send fileno $self->[FH], fileno ${ $self->[QUEUE][0] }) {
388 return if $! == Errno::EAGAIN || $! == Errno::EWOULDBLOCK; 515 return if $! == Errno::EAGAIN || $! == Errno::EWOULDBLOCK;
389 undef $self->[3]; 516 undef $self->[WW];
390 die "AnyEvent::Fork: file descriptor send failure: $!"; 517 die "AnyEvent::Fork: file descriptor send failure: $!";
391 } 518 }
392 519
393 shift @{ $self->[2] }; 520 shift @{ $self->[QUEUE] };
394 521
395 } else { 522 } else {
396 # send string 523 # send string
397 my $len = syswrite $self->[1], $self->[2][0]; 524 my $len = syswrite $self->[FH], $self->[QUEUE][0];
398 525
399 unless ($len) { 526 unless ($len) {
400 return if $! == Errno::EAGAIN || $! == Errno::EWOULDBLOCK; 527 return if $! == Errno::EAGAIN || $! == Errno::EWOULDBLOCK;
401 undef $self->[3]; 528 undef $self->[WW];
402 die "AnyEvent::Fork: command write failure: $!"; 529 die "AnyEvent::Fork: command write failure: $!";
403 } 530 }
404 531
405 substr $self->[2][0], 0, $len, ""; 532 substr $self->[QUEUE][0], 0, $len, "";
406 shift @{ $self->[2] } unless length $self->[2][0]; 533 shift @{ $self->[QUEUE] } unless length $self->[QUEUE][0];
407 } 534 }
408 } while @{ $self->[2] }; 535 } while @{ $self->[QUEUE] };
409 536
410 # everything written 537 # everything written
411 undef $self->[3]; 538 undef $self->[WW];
412 539
413 # invoke run callback, if any 540 # invoke run callback, if any
414 $self->[4]->($self->[1]) if $self->[4]; 541 if ($self->[CB]) {
542 $self->[CB]->($self->[FH]);
543 @$self = ();
544 }
415 }; 545 };
416 546
417 () # make sure we don't leak the watcher 547 () # make sure we don't leak the watcher
418}
419
420sub _new {
421 my ($self, $fh, $pid) = @_;
422
423 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking $fh, 1;
424
425 $self = bless [
426 $pid,
427 $fh,
428 [], # write queue - strings or fd's
429 undef, # AE watcher
430 ], $self;
431
432 $self
433} 548}
434 549
435# fork template from current process, used by AnyEvent::Fork::Early/Template 550# fork template from current process, used by AnyEvent::Fork::Early/Template
436sub _new_fork { 551sub _new_fork {
437 my ($fh, $slave) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_socketpair; 552 my ($fh, $slave) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_socketpair;
441 556
442 if ($pid eq 0) { 557 if ($pid eq 0) {
443 require AnyEvent::Fork::Serve; 558 require AnyEvent::Fork::Serve;
444 $AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::OWNER = $parent; 559 $AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::OWNER = $parent;
445 close $fh; 560 close $fh;
446 $0 = "$_[1] of $parent"; 561 $0 = "$parent AnyEvent::Fork/exec";
447 $SIG{CHLD} = 'IGNORE';
448 AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::serve ($slave); 562 AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::serve ($slave);
449 exit 0; 563 exit 0;
450 } elsif (!$pid) { 564 } elsif (!$pid) {
451 die "AnyEvent::Fork::Early/Template: unable to fork template process: $!"; 565 die "AnyEvent::Fork::Early/Template: unable to fork template process: $!";
452 } 566 }
506 620
507You should use C<new> whenever possible, except when having a template 621You should use C<new> whenever possible, except when having a template
508process around is unacceptable. 622process around is unacceptable.
509 623
510The path to the perl interpreter is divined using various methods - first 624The path to the perl interpreter is divined using various methods - first
511C<$^X> is investigated to see if the path ends with something that sounds 625C<$^X> is investigated to see if the path ends with something that looks
512as if it were the perl interpreter. Failing this, the module falls back to 626as if it were the perl interpreter. Failing this, the module falls back to
513using C<$Config::Config{perlpath}>. 627using C<$Config::Config{perlpath}>.
514 628
629The path to perl can also be overridden by setting the global variable
630C<$AnyEvent::Fork::PERL> - it's value will be used for all subsequent
631invocations.
632
515=cut 633=cut
634
635our $PERL;
516 636
517sub new_exec { 637sub new_exec {
518 my ($self) = @_; 638 my ($self) = @_;
519 639
520 return $EARLY->fork 640 return $EARLY->fork
521 if $EARLY; 641 if $EARLY;
522 642
643 unless (defined $PERL) {
523 # first find path of perl 644 # first find path of perl
524 my $perl = $; 645 my $perl = $^X;
525 646
526 # first we try $^X, but the path must be absolute (always on win32), and end in sth. 647 # first we try $^X, but the path must be absolute (always on win32), and end in sth.
527 # that looks like perl. this obviously only works for posix and win32 648 # that looks like perl. this obviously only works for posix and win32
528 unless ( 649 unless (
529 ($^O eq "MSWin32" || $perl =~ m%^/%) 650 ($^O eq "MSWin32" || $perl =~ m%^/%)
530 && $perl =~ m%[/\\]perl(?:[0-9]+(\.[0-9]+)+)?(\.exe)?$%i 651 && $perl =~ m%[/\\]perl(?:[0-9]+(\.[0-9]+)+)?(\.exe)?$%i
531 ) { 652 ) {
532 # if it doesn't look perlish enough, try Config 653 # if it doesn't look perlish enough, try Config
533 require Config; 654 require Config;
534 $perl = $Config::Config{perlpath}; 655 $perl = $Config::Config{perlpath};
535 $perl =~ s/(?:\Q$Config::Config{_exe}\E)?$/$Config::Config{_exe}/; 656 $perl =~ s/(?:\Q$Config::Config{_exe}\E)?$/$Config::Config{_exe}/;
657 }
658
659 $PERL = $perl;
536 } 660 }
537 661
538 require Proc::FastSpawn; 662 require Proc::FastSpawn;
539 663
540 my ($fh, $slave) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_socketpair; 664 my ($fh, $slave) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_socketpair;
548 #local $ENV{PERL5LIB} = join ":", grep !ref, @INC; 672 #local $ENV{PERL5LIB} = join ":", grep !ref, @INC;
549 my %env = %ENV; 673 my %env = %ENV;
550 $env{PERL5LIB} = join +($^O eq "MSWin32" ? ";" : ":"), grep !ref, @INC; 674 $env{PERL5LIB} = join +($^O eq "MSWin32" ? ";" : ":"), grep !ref, @INC;
551 675
552 my $pid = Proc::FastSpawn::spawn ( 676 my $pid = Proc::FastSpawn::spawn (
553 $perl, 677 $PERL,
554 ["perl", "-MAnyEvent::Fork::Serve", "-e", "AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::me", fileno $slave, $$], 678 [$PERL, "-MAnyEvent::Fork::Serve", "-e", "AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::me", fileno $slave, $$],
555 [map "$_=$env{$_}", keys %env], 679 [map "$_=$env{$_}", keys %env],
556 ) or die "unable to spawn AnyEvent::Fork server: $!"; 680 ) or die "unable to spawn AnyEvent::Fork server: $!";
557 681
558 $self->_new ($fh, $pid) 682 $self->_new ($fh, $pid)
559} 683}
560 684
561=item $pid = $proc->pid 685=item $pid = $proc->pid
562 686
563Returns the process id of the process I<iff it is a direct child of the 687Returns the process id of the process I<iff it is a direct child of the
564process running AnyEvent::Fork>, and C<undef> otherwise. 688process running AnyEvent::Fork>, and C<undef> otherwise. As a general
689rule (that you cannot rely upon), processes created via C<new_exec>,
690L<AnyEvent::Fork::Early> or L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template> are direct
691children, while all other processes are not.
565 692
566Normally, only processes created via C<< AnyEvent::Fork->new_exec >> and 693Or in other words, you do not normally have to take care of zombies for
567L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template> are direct children, and you are responsible 694processes created via C<new>, but when in doubt, or zombies are a problem,
568to clean up their zombies when they die. 695you need to check whether a process is a diretc child by calling this
569 696method, and possibly creating a child watcher or reap it manually.
570All other processes are not direct children, and will be cleaned up by
571AnyEvent::Fork itself.
572 697
573=cut 698=cut
574 699
575sub pid { 700sub pid {
576 $_[0][0] 701 $_[0][PID]
577} 702}
578 703
579=item $proc = $proc->eval ($perlcode, @args) 704=item $proc = $proc->eval ($perlcode, @args)
580 705
581Evaluates the given C<$perlcode> as ... perl code, while setting C<@_> to 706Evaluates the given C<$perlcode> as ... Perl code, while setting C<@_>
582the strings specified by C<@args>, in the "main" package. 707to the strings specified by C<@args>, in the "main" package (so you can
708access the args using C<$_[0]> and so on, but not using implicit C<shit>
709as the latter works on C<@ARGV>).
583 710
584This call is meant to do any custom initialisation that might be required 711This call is meant to do any custom initialisation that might be required
585(for example, the C<require> method uses it). It's not supposed to be used 712(for example, the C<require> method uses it). It's not supposed to be used
586to completely take over the process, use C<run> for that. 713to completely take over the process, use C<run> for that.
587 714
595C<send_xxx> methods, such as file handles. See the L<use AnyEvent::Fork as 722C<send_xxx> methods, such as file handles. See the L<use AnyEvent::Fork as
596a faster fork+exec> example to see it in action. 723a faster fork+exec> example to see it in action.
597 724
598Returns the process object for easy chaining of method calls. 725Returns the process object for easy chaining of method calls.
599 726
727It's common to want to call an iniitalisation function with some
728arguments. Make sure you actually pass C<@_> to that function (for example
729by using C<&name> syntax), and do not just specify a function name:
730
731 $proc->eval ('&MyModule::init', $string1, $string2);
732
600=cut 733=cut
601 734
602sub eval { 735sub eval {
603 my ($self, $code, @args) = @_; 736 my ($self, $code, @args) = @_;
604 737
648sub send_fh { 781sub send_fh {
649 my ($self, @fh) = @_; 782 my ($self, @fh) = @_;
650 783
651 for my $fh (@fh) { 784 for my $fh (@fh) {
652 $self->_cmd ("h"); 785 $self->_cmd ("h");
653 push @{ $self->[2] }, \$fh; 786 push @{ $self->[QUEUE] }, \$fh;
654 } 787 }
655 788
656 $self 789 $self
657} 790}
658 791
707 840
708Even if not used otherwise, the socket can be a good indicator for the 841Even if not used otherwise, the socket can be a good indicator for the
709existence of the process - if the other process exits, you get a readable 842existence of the process - if the other process exits, you get a readable
710event on it, because exiting the process closes the socket (if it didn't 843event on it, because exiting the process closes the socket (if it didn't
711create any children using fork). 844create any children using fork).
845
846=over 4
847
848=item Compatibility to L<AnyEvent::Fork::Remote>
849
850If you want to write code that works with both this module and
851L<AnyEvent::Fork::Remote>, you need to write your code so that it assumes
852there are two file handles for communications, which might not be unix
853domain sockets. The C<run> function should start like this:
854
855 sub run {
856 my ($rfh, @args) = @_; # @args is your normal arguments
857 my $wfh = fileno $rfh ? $rfh : *STDOUT;
858
859 # now use $rfh for reading and $wfh for writing
860 }
861
862This checks whether the passed file handle is, in fact, the process
863C<STDIN> handle. If it is, then the function was invoked visa
864L<AnyEvent::Fork::Remote>, so STDIN should be used for reading and
865C<STDOUT> should be used for writing.
866
867In all other cases, the function was called via this module, and there is
868only one file handle that should be sued for reading and writing.
869
870=back
712 871
713Example: create a template for a process pool, pass a few strings, some 872Example: create a template for a process pool, pass a few strings, some
714file handles, then fork, pass one more string, and run some code. 873file handles, then fork, pass one more string, and run some code.
715 874
716 my $pool = AnyEvent::Fork 875 my $pool = AnyEvent::Fork
744=cut 903=cut
745 904
746sub run { 905sub run {
747 my ($self, $func, $cb) = @_; 906 my ($self, $func, $cb) = @_;
748 907
749 $self->[4] = $cb; 908 $self->[CB] = $cb;
750 $self->_cmd (r => $func); 909 $self->_cmd (r => $func);
910}
911
912=back
913
914
915=head2 CHILD PROCESS INTERFACE
916
917This module has a limited API for use in child processes.
918
919=over 4
920
921=item @args = AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::run_args
922
923This function, which only exists before the C<run> method is called,
924returns the arguments that would be passed to the run function, and clears
925them.
926
927This is mainly useful to get any file handles passed via C<send_fh>, but
928works for any arguments passed via C<< send_I<xxx> >> methods.
929
930=back
931
932
933=head2 EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
934
935These methods might go away completely or change behaviour, at any time.
936
937=over 4
938
939=item $proc->to_fh ($cb->($fh)) # EXPERIMENTAL, MIGHT BE REMOVED
940
941Flushes all commands out to the process and then calls the callback with
942the communications socket.
943
944The process object becomes unusable on return from this function - any
945further method calls result in undefined behaviour.
946
947The point of this method is to give you a file handle that you can pass
948to another process. In that other process, you can call C<new_from_fh
949AnyEvent::Fork $fh> to create a new C<AnyEvent::Fork> object from it,
950thereby effectively passing a fork object to another process.
951
952=cut
953
954sub to_fh {
955 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
956
957 $self->[CB] = $cb;
958
959 unless ($self->[WW]) {
960 $self->[CB]->($self->[FH]);
961 @$self = ();
962 }
963}
964
965=item new_from_fh AnyEvent::Fork $fh # EXPERIMENTAL, MIGHT BE REMOVED
966
967Takes a file handle originally rceeived by the C<to_fh> method and creates
968a new C<AnyEvent:Fork> object. The child process itself will not change in
969any way, i.e. it will keep all the modifications done to it before calling
970C<to_fh>.
971
972The new object is very much like the original object, except that the
973C<pid> method will return C<undef> even if the process is a direct child.
974
975=cut
976
977sub new_from_fh {
978 my ($class, $fh) = @_;
979
980 $class->_new ($fh)
751} 981}
752 982
753=back 983=back
754 984
755=head1 PERFORMANCE 985=head1 PERFORMANCE
765 995
766 2079 new processes per second, using manual socketpair + fork 996 2079 new processes per second, using manual socketpair + fork
767 997
768Then I did the same thing, but instead of calling fork, I called 998Then I did the same thing, but instead of calling fork, I called
769AnyEvent::Fork->new->run ("CORE::exit") and then again waited for the 999AnyEvent::Fork->new->run ("CORE::exit") and then again waited for the
770socket form the child to close on exit. This does the same thing as manual 1000socket from the child to close on exit. This does the same thing as manual
771socket pair + fork, except that what is forked is the template process 1001socket pair + fork, except that what is forked is the template process
772(2440kB), and the socket needs to be passed to the server at the other end 1002(2440kB), and the socket needs to be passed to the server at the other end
773of the socket first. 1003of the socket first.
774 1004
775 2307 new processes per second, using AnyEvent::Fork->new 1005 2307 new processes per second, using AnyEvent::Fork->new
782So how can C<< AnyEvent->new >> be faster than a standard fork, even 1012So how can C<< AnyEvent->new >> be faster than a standard fork, even
783though it uses the same operations, but adds a lot of overhead? 1013though it uses the same operations, but adds a lot of overhead?
784 1014
785The difference is simply the process size: forking the 5MB process takes 1015The difference is simply the process size: forking the 5MB process takes
786so much longer than forking the 2.5MB template process that the extra 1016so much longer than forking the 2.5MB template process that the extra
787overhead introduced is canceled out. 1017overhead is canceled out.
788 1018
789If the benchmark process grows, the normal fork becomes even slower: 1019If the benchmark process grows, the normal fork becomes even slower:
790 1020
791 1340 new processes, manual fork of a 20MB process 1021 1340 new processes, manual fork of a 20MB process
792 731 new processes, manual fork of a 200MB process 1022 731 new processes, manual fork of a 200MB process
852initialising them, for example, by calling C<init Gtk2> manually. 1082initialising them, for example, by calling C<init Gtk2> manually.
853 1083
854=item exiting calls object destructors 1084=item exiting calls object destructors
855 1085
856This only applies to users of L<AnyEvent::Fork:Early> and 1086This only applies to users of L<AnyEvent::Fork:Early> and
857L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template>, or when initialiasing code creates objects 1087L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template>, or when initialising code creates objects
858that reference external resources. 1088that reference external resources.
859 1089
860When a process created by AnyEvent::Fork exits, it might do so by calling 1090When a process created by AnyEvent::Fork exits, it might do so by calling
861exit, or simply letting perl reach the end of the program. At which point 1091exit, or simply letting perl reach the end of the program. At which point
862Perl runs all destructors. 1092Perl runs all destructors.
882to make it so, mostly due to the bloody broken perl that nobody seems to 1112to make it so, mostly due to the bloody broken perl that nobody seems to
883care about. The fork emulation is a bad joke - I have yet to see something 1113care about. The fork emulation is a bad joke - I have yet to see something
884useful that you can do with it without running into memory corruption 1114useful that you can do with it without running into memory corruption
885issues or other braindamage. Hrrrr. 1115issues or other braindamage. Hrrrr.
886 1116
1117Since fork is endlessly broken on win32 perls (it doesn't even remotely
1118work within it's documented limits) and quite obviously it's not getting
1119improved any time soon, the best way to proceed on windows would be to
1120always use C<new_exec> and thus never rely on perl's fork "emulation".
1121
887Cygwin perl is not supported at the moment due to some hilarious 1122Cygwin perl is not supported at the moment due to some hilarious
888shortcomings of its API - see L<IO::FDPoll> for more details. 1123shortcomings of its API - see L<IO::FDPoll> for more details. If you never
1124use C<send_fh> and always use C<new_exec> to create processes, it should
1125work though.
1126
1127=head1 USING AnyEvent::Fork IN SUBPROCESSES
1128
1129AnyEvent::Fork itself cannot generally be used in subprocesses. As long as
1130only one process ever forks new processes, sharing the template processes
1131is possible (you could use a pipe as a lock by writing a byte into it to
1132unlock, and reading the byte to lock for example)
1133
1134To make concurrent calls possible after fork, you should get rid of the
1135template and early fork processes. AnyEvent::Fork will create a new
1136template process as needed.
1137
1138 undef $AnyEvent::Fork::EARLY;
1139 undef $AnyEvent::Fork::TEMPLATE;
1140
1141It doesn't matter whether you get rid of them in the parent or child after
1142a fork.
889 1143
890=head1 SEE ALSO 1144=head1 SEE ALSO
891 1145
892L<AnyEvent::Fork::Early> (to avoid executing a perl interpreter), 1146L<AnyEvent::Fork::Early>, to avoid executing a perl interpreter at all
1147(part of this distribution).
1148
893L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template> (to create a process by forking the main 1149L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template>, to create a process by forking the main
894program at a convenient time). 1150program at a convenient time (part of this distribution).
895 1151
896=head1 AUTHOR 1152L<AnyEvent::Fork::Remote>, for another way to create processes that is
1153mostly compatible to this module and modules building on top of it, but
1154works better with remote processes.
1155
1156L<AnyEvent::Fork::RPC>, for simple RPC to child processes (on CPAN).
1157
1158L<AnyEvent::Fork::Pool>, for simple worker process pool (on CPAN).
1159
1160=head1 AUTHOR AND CONTACT INFORMATION
897 1161
898 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1162 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
899 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1163 http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/AnyEvent-Fork
900 1164
901=cut 1165=cut
902 1166
9031 11671
904 1168

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