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Revision 1.42 by root, Mon Apr 8 05:44:23 2013 UTC vs.
Revision 1.65 by root, Sat Jun 20 13:16:50 2015 UTC

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, 42
43and so on. 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.
44 51
45=head2 COMPARISON TO OTHER MODULES 52=head2 COMPARISON TO OTHER MODULES
46 53
47There is an abundance of modules on CPAN that do "something fork", such as 54There is an abundance of modules on CPAN that do "something fork", such as
48L<Parallel::ForkManager>, L<AnyEvent::ForkManager>, L<AnyEvent::Worker> 55L<Parallel::ForkManager>, L<AnyEvent::ForkManager>, L<AnyEvent::Worker>
49or L<AnyEvent::Subprocess>. There are modules that implement their own 56or L<AnyEvent::Subprocess>. There are modules that implement their own
50process management, such as L<AnyEvent::DBI>. 57process management, such as L<AnyEvent::DBI>.
51 58
52The problems that all these modules try to solve are real, however, none 59The problems that all these modules try to solve are real, however, none
53of them (from what I have seen) tackle the very real problems of unwanted 60of them (from what I have seen) tackle the very real problems of unwanted
54memory sharing, efficiency, not being able to use event processing or 61memory sharing, efficiency or not being able to use event processing, GUI
55similar modules in the processes they create. 62toolkits or similar modules in the processes they create.
56 63
57This module doesn't try to replace any of them - instead it tries to solve 64This module doesn't try to replace any of them - instead it tries to solve
58the problem of creating processes with a minimum of fuss and overhead (and 65the problem of creating processes with a minimum of fuss and overhead (and
59also luxury). Ideally, most of these would use AnyEvent::Fork internally, 66also luxury). Ideally, most of these would use AnyEvent::Fork internally,
60except they were written before AnyEvent:Fork was available, so obviously 67except they were written before AnyEvent:Fork was available, so obviously
82 89
83=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
84process. 91process.
85 92
86For 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
87memory 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
88might 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
89forking, 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
90them 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
91old 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
92increase memory usage when freeing memory. 101unexpectedly increase memory usage when freeing memory.
93 102
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
94The 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
95bad), and no sharing with exec. 113bad), and no sharing with exec.
96 114
97This 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
98modules to exec processes safely at any time. When creating a custom 116modules to exec processes safely at any time. When creating a custom
99process pool you can take advantage of data sharing via fork without 117process pool you can take advantage of data sharing via fork without
104shared and what isn't, at all times. 122shared and what isn't, at all times.
105 123
106=item Exec'ing a new perl process might be difficult. 124=item Exec'ing a new perl process might be difficult.
107 125
108For 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
109interpreter - 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.
110 129
111This module tries hard to identify the correct path to the perl 130This module tries hard to identify the correct path to the perl
112interpreter. With a cooperative main program, exec'ing the interpreter 131interpreter. With a cooperative main program, exec'ing the interpreter
113might 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,
114it will still work when used from a module. 133it will still work when used from a module.
120and modules are no longer loadable because they refer to a different 139and modules are no longer loadable because they refer to a different
121perl 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
122loaded. 141loaded.
123 142
124This module supports creating pre-initialised perl processes to be used as 143This module supports creating pre-initialised perl processes to be used as
125a template for new processes. 144a template for new processes at a later time, e.g. for use in a process
145pool.
126 146
127=item Forking might be impossible when a program is running. 147=item Forking might be impossible when a program is running.
128 148
129For example, POSIX makes it almost impossible to fork from a 149For example, POSIX makes it almost impossible to fork from a
130multi-threaded program while doing anything useful in the child - in 150multi-threaded program while doing anything useful in the child - in
131fact, if your perl program uses POSIX threads (even indirectly via 151fact, if your perl program uses POSIX threads (even indirectly via
132e.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
133anymore without risking corruption issues on a number of operating 153anymore without risking memory corruption or worse on a number of
134systems. 154operating systems.
135 155
136This module can safely fork helper processes at any time, by calling 156This module can safely fork helper processes at any time, by calling
137fork+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>).
138 158
139=item Parallel processing with fork might be inconvenient or difficult 159=item Parallel processing with fork might be inconvenient or difficult
158 178
159=back 179=back
160 180
161=head1 EXAMPLES 181=head1 EXAMPLES
162 182
183This is where the wall of text ends and code speaks.
184
163=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.
164 186
165 AnyEvent::Fork 187 AnyEvent::Fork
166 ->new 188 ->new
167 ->require ("MyModule") 189 ->require ("MyModule")
178 200
179 sub worker { 201 sub worker {
180 my ($slave_filehandle) = @_; 202 my ($slave_filehandle) = @_;
181 203
182 # now $slave_filehandle is connected to the $master_filehandle 204 # now $slave_filehandle is connected to the $master_filehandle
183 # in the original prorcess. have fun! 205 # in the original process. have fun!
184 } 206 }
185 207
186=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.
187 209
188 # create listener socket 210 # create listener socket
221 } 243 }
222 } 244 }
223 245
224=head2 use AnyEvent::Fork as a faster fork+exec 246=head2 use AnyEvent::Fork as a faster fork+exec
225 247
226This 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>
227and standard error redirected to the communications socket. It is usually 249and standard error redirected to the communications socket. It is usually
228faster than fork+exec, but still lets you prepare the environment. 250faster than fork+exec, but still lets you prepare the environment.
229 251
230 open my $output, ">/tmp/log" or die "$!"; 252 open my $output, ">/tmp/log" or die "$!";
231 253
247 ->send_arg ("/bin/echo", "hi") 269 ->send_arg ("/bin/echo", "hi")
248 ->run ("run", my $cv = AE::cv); 270 ->run ("run", my $cv = AE::cv);
249 271
250 my $stderr = $cv->recv; 272 my $stderr = $cv->recv;
251 273
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
252=head1 CONCEPTS 343=head1 CONCEPTS
253 344
254This module can create new processes either by executing a new perl 345This module can create new processes either by executing a new perl
255process, 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".
256 351
257Each 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
258communicate 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,
259one 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
260load modules, fork new processes, send file handles to it, and execute 355load modules, fork new processes, send file handles to it, and execute
370use AnyEvent; 465use AnyEvent;
371use AnyEvent::Util (); 466use AnyEvent::Util ();
372 467
373use IO::FDPass; 468use IO::FDPass;
374 469
375our $VERSION = 0.6; 470our $VERSION = 1.2;
376
377=over 4
378
379=back
380
381=cut
382 471
383# the early fork template process 472# the early fork template process
384our $EARLY; 473our $EARLY;
385 474
386# the empty template process 475# the empty template process
434 # send string 523 # send string
435 my $len = syswrite $self->[FH], $self->[QUEUE][0]; 524 my $len = syswrite $self->[FH], $self->[QUEUE][0];
436 525
437 unless ($len) { 526 unless ($len) {
438 return if $! == Errno::EAGAIN || $! == Errno::EWOULDBLOCK; 527 return if $! == Errno::EAGAIN || $! == Errno::EWOULDBLOCK;
439 undef $self->[3]; 528 undef $self->[WW];
440 die "AnyEvent::Fork: command write failure: $!"; 529 die "AnyEvent::Fork: command write failure: $!";
441 } 530 }
442 531
443 substr $self->[QUEUE][0], 0, $len, ""; 532 substr $self->[QUEUE][0], 0, $len, "";
444 shift @{ $self->[QUEUE] } unless length $self->[QUEUE][0]; 533 shift @{ $self->[QUEUE] } unless length $self->[QUEUE][0];
447 536
448 # everything written 537 # everything written
449 undef $self->[WW]; 538 undef $self->[WW];
450 539
451 # invoke run callback, if any 540 # invoke run callback, if any
541 if ($self->[CB]) {
452 $self->[CB]->($self->[FH]) if $self->[CB]; 542 $self->[CB]->($self->[FH]);
543 @$self = ();
544 }
453 }; 545 };
454 546
455 () # make sure we don't leak the watcher 547 () # make sure we don't leak the watcher
456} 548}
457 549
528 620
529You should use C<new> whenever possible, except when having a template 621You should use C<new> whenever possible, except when having a template
530process around is unacceptable. 622process around is unacceptable.
531 623
532The path to the perl interpreter is divined using various methods - first 624The path to the perl interpreter is divined using various methods - first
533C<$^X> is investigated to see if the path ends with something that sounds 625C<$^X> is investigated to see if the path ends with something that looks
534as if it were the perl interpreter. Failing this, the module falls back to 626as if it were the perl interpreter. Failing this, the module falls back to
535using C<$Config::Config{perlpath}>. 627using C<$Config::Config{perlpath}>.
536 628
629The path to perl can also be overriden by setting the global variable
630C<$AnyEvent::Fork::PERL> - it's value will be used for all subsequent
631invocations.
632
537=cut 633=cut
634
635our $PERL;
538 636
539sub new_exec { 637sub new_exec {
540 my ($self) = @_; 638 my ($self) = @_;
541 639
542 return $EARLY->fork 640 return $EARLY->fork
543 if $EARLY; 641 if $EARLY;
544 642
643 unless (defined $PERL) {
545 # first find path of perl 644 # first find path of perl
546 my $perl = $; 645 my $perl = $^X;
547 646
548 # first we try $^X, but the path must be absolute (always on win32), and end in sth. 647 # first we try $^X, but the path must be absolute (always on win32), and end in sth.
549 # that looks like perl. this obviously only works for posix and win32 648 # that looks like perl. this obviously only works for posix and win32
550 unless ( 649 unless (
551 ($^O eq "MSWin32" || $perl =~ m%^/%) 650 ($^O eq "MSWin32" || $perl =~ m%^/%)
552 && $perl =~ m%[/\\]perl(?:[0-9]+(\.[0-9]+)+)?(\.exe)?$%i 651 && $perl =~ m%[/\\]perl(?:[0-9]+(\.[0-9]+)+)?(\.exe)?$%i
553 ) { 652 ) {
554 # if it doesn't look perlish enough, try Config 653 # if it doesn't look perlish enough, try Config
555 require Config; 654 require Config;
556 $perl = $Config::Config{perlpath}; 655 $perl = $Config::Config{perlpath};
557 $perl =~ s/(?:\Q$Config::Config{_exe}\E)?$/$Config::Config{_exe}/; 656 $perl =~ s/(?:\Q$Config::Config{_exe}\E)?$/$Config::Config{_exe}/;
657 }
658
659 $PERL = $perl;
558 } 660 }
559 661
560 require Proc::FastSpawn; 662 require Proc::FastSpawn;
561 663
562 my ($fh, $slave) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_socketpair; 664 my ($fh, $slave) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_socketpair;
570 #local $ENV{PERL5LIB} = join ":", grep !ref, @INC; 672 #local $ENV{PERL5LIB} = join ":", grep !ref, @INC;
571 my %env = %ENV; 673 my %env = %ENV;
572 $env{PERL5LIB} = join +($^O eq "MSWin32" ? ";" : ":"), grep !ref, @INC; 674 $env{PERL5LIB} = join +($^O eq "MSWin32" ? ";" : ":"), grep !ref, @INC;
573 675
574 my $pid = Proc::FastSpawn::spawn ( 676 my $pid = Proc::FastSpawn::spawn (
575 $perl, 677 $PERL,
576 ["perl", "-MAnyEvent::Fork::Serve", "-e", "AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::me", fileno $slave, $$], 678 ["perl", "-MAnyEvent::Fork::Serve", "-e", "AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::me", fileno $slave, $$],
577 [map "$_=$env{$_}", keys %env], 679 [map "$_=$env{$_}", keys %env],
578 ) or die "unable to spawn AnyEvent::Fork server: $!"; 680 ) or die "unable to spawn AnyEvent::Fork server: $!";
579 681
580 $self->_new ($fh, $pid) 682 $self->_new ($fh, $pid)
581} 683}
582 684
583=item $pid = $proc->pid 685=item $pid = $proc->pid
584 686
585Returns 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
586process 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.
587 692
588Normally, 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
589L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template> are direct children, and you are responsible 694processes created via C<new>, but when in doubt, or zombies are a problem,
590to clean up their zombies when they die. 695you need to check whether a process is a diretc child by calling this
591 696method, and possibly creating a child watcher or reap it manually.
592All other processes are not direct children, and will be cleaned up by
593AnyEvent::Fork itself.
594 697
595=cut 698=cut
596 699
597sub pid { 700sub pid {
598 $_[0][PID] 701 $_[0][PID]
599} 702}
600 703
601=item $proc = $proc->eval ($perlcode, @args) 704=item $proc = $proc->eval ($perlcode, @args)
602 705
603Evaluates the given C<$perlcode> as ... perl code, while setting C<@_> to 706Evaluates the given C<$perlcode> as ... Perl code, while setting C<@_> to
604the strings specified by C<@args>, in the "main" package. 707the strings specified by C<@args>, in the "main" package.
605 708
606This call is meant to do any custom initialisation that might be required 709This call is meant to do any custom initialisation that might be required
607(for example, the C<require> method uses it). It's not supposed to be used 710(for example, the C<require> method uses it). It's not supposed to be used
608to completely take over the process, use C<run> for that. 711to completely take over the process, use C<run> for that.
617C<send_xxx> methods, such as file handles. See the L<use AnyEvent::Fork as 720C<send_xxx> methods, such as file handles. See the L<use AnyEvent::Fork as
618a faster fork+exec> example to see it in action. 721a faster fork+exec> example to see it in action.
619 722
620Returns the process object for easy chaining of method calls. 723Returns the process object for easy chaining of method calls.
621 724
725It's common to want to call an iniitalisation function with some
726arguments. Make sure you actually pass C<@_> to that function (for example
727by using C<&name> syntax), and do not just specify a function name:
728
729 $proc->eval ('&MyModule::init', $string1, $string2);
730
622=cut 731=cut
623 732
624sub eval { 733sub eval {
625 my ($self, $code, @args) = @_; 734 my ($self, $code, @args) = @_;
626 735
729 838
730Even if not used otherwise, the socket can be a good indicator for the 839Even if not used otherwise, the socket can be a good indicator for the
731existence of the process - if the other process exits, you get a readable 840existence of the process - if the other process exits, you get a readable
732event on it, because exiting the process closes the socket (if it didn't 841event on it, because exiting the process closes the socket (if it didn't
733create any children using fork). 842create any children using fork).
843
844=over 4
845
846=item Compatibility to L<AnyEvent::Fork::Remote>
847
848If you want to write code that works with both this module and
849L<AnyEvent::Fork::Remote>, you need to write your code so that it assumes
850there are two file handles for communications, which might not be unix
851domain sockets. The C<run> function should start like this:
852
853 sub run {
854 my ($rfh, @args) = @_; # @args is your normal arguments
855 my $wfh = fileno $rfh ? $rfh : *STDOUT;
856
857 # now use $rfh for reading and $wfh for writing
858 }
859
860This checks whether the passed file handle is, in fact, the process
861C<STDIN> handle. If it is, then the function was invoked visa
862L<AnyEvent::Fork::Remote>, so STDIN should be used for reading and
863C<STDOUT> should be used for writing.
864
865In all other cases, the function was called via this module, and there is
866only one file handle that should be sued for reading and writing.
867
868=back
734 869
735Example: create a template for a process pool, pass a few strings, some 870Example: create a template for a process pool, pass a few strings, some
736file handles, then fork, pass one more string, and run some code. 871file handles, then fork, pass one more string, and run some code.
737 872
738 my $pool = AnyEvent::Fork 873 my $pool = AnyEvent::Fork
772 $self->_cmd (r => $func); 907 $self->_cmd (r => $func);
773} 908}
774 909
775=back 910=back
776 911
912=head2 EXPERIMENTAL METHODS
913
914These methods might go away completely or change behaviour, at any time.
915
916=over 4
917
918=item $proc->to_fh ($cb->($fh)) # EXPERIMENTAL, MIGHT BE REMOVED
919
920Flushes all commands out to the process and then calls the callback with
921the communications socket.
922
923The process object becomes unusable on return from this function - any
924further method calls result in undefined behaviour.
925
926The point of this method is to give you a file handle that you can pass
927to another process. In that other process, you can call C<new_from_fh
928AnyEvent::Fork $fh> to create a new C<AnyEvent::Fork> object from it,
929thereby effectively passing a fork object to another process.
930
931=cut
932
933sub to_fh {
934 my ($self, $cb) = @_;
935
936 $self->[CB] = $cb;
937
938 unless ($self->[WW]) {
939 $self->[CB]->($self->[FH]);
940 @$self = ();
941 }
942}
943
944=item new_from_fh AnyEvent::Fork $fh # EXPERIMENTAL, MIGHT BE REMOVED
945
946Takes a file handle originally rceeived by the C<to_fh> method and creates
947a new C<AnyEvent:Fork> object. The child process itself will not change in
948any way, i.e. it will keep all the modifications done to it before calling
949C<to_fh>.
950
951The new object is very much like the original object, except that the
952C<pid> method will return C<undef> even if the process is a direct child.
953
954=cut
955
956sub new_from_fh {
957 my ($class, $fh) = @_;
958
959 $class->_new ($fh)
960}
961
962=back
963
777=head1 PERFORMANCE 964=head1 PERFORMANCE
778 965
779Now for some unscientific benchmark numbers (all done on an amd64 966Now for some unscientific benchmark numbers (all done on an amd64
780GNU/Linux box). These are intended to give you an idea of the relative 967GNU/Linux box). These are intended to give you an idea of the relative
781performance you can expect, they are not meant to be absolute performance 968performance you can expect, they are not meant to be absolute performance
787 974
788 2079 new processes per second, using manual socketpair + fork 975 2079 new processes per second, using manual socketpair + fork
789 976
790Then I did the same thing, but instead of calling fork, I called 977Then I did the same thing, but instead of calling fork, I called
791AnyEvent::Fork->new->run ("CORE::exit") and then again waited for the 978AnyEvent::Fork->new->run ("CORE::exit") and then again waited for the
792socket form the child to close on exit. This does the same thing as manual 979socket from the child to close on exit. This does the same thing as manual
793socket pair + fork, except that what is forked is the template process 980socket pair + fork, except that what is forked is the template process
794(2440kB), and the socket needs to be passed to the server at the other end 981(2440kB), and the socket needs to be passed to the server at the other end
795of the socket first. 982of the socket first.
796 983
797 2307 new processes per second, using AnyEvent::Fork->new 984 2307 new processes per second, using AnyEvent::Fork->new
804So how can C<< AnyEvent->new >> be faster than a standard fork, even 991So how can C<< AnyEvent->new >> be faster than a standard fork, even
805though it uses the same operations, but adds a lot of overhead? 992though it uses the same operations, but adds a lot of overhead?
806 993
807The difference is simply the process size: forking the 5MB process takes 994The difference is simply the process size: forking the 5MB process takes
808so much longer than forking the 2.5MB template process that the extra 995so much longer than forking the 2.5MB template process that the extra
809overhead introduced is canceled out. 996overhead is canceled out.
810 997
811If the benchmark process grows, the normal fork becomes even slower: 998If the benchmark process grows, the normal fork becomes even slower:
812 999
813 1340 new processes, manual fork of a 20MB process 1000 1340 new processes, manual fork of a 20MB process
814 731 new processes, manual fork of a 200MB process 1001 731 new processes, manual fork of a 200MB process
874initialising them, for example, by calling C<init Gtk2> manually. 1061initialising them, for example, by calling C<init Gtk2> manually.
875 1062
876=item exiting calls object destructors 1063=item exiting calls object destructors
877 1064
878This only applies to users of L<AnyEvent::Fork:Early> and 1065This only applies to users of L<AnyEvent::Fork:Early> and
879L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template>, or when initialiasing code creates objects 1066L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template>, or when initialising code creates objects
880that reference external resources. 1067that reference external resources.
881 1068
882When a process created by AnyEvent::Fork exits, it might do so by calling 1069When a process created by AnyEvent::Fork exits, it might do so by calling
883exit, or simply letting perl reach the end of the program. At which point 1070exit, or simply letting perl reach the end of the program. At which point
884Perl runs all destructors. 1071Perl runs all destructors.
904to make it so, mostly due to the bloody broken perl that nobody seems to 1091to make it so, mostly due to the bloody broken perl that nobody seems to
905care about. The fork emulation is a bad joke - I have yet to see something 1092care about. The fork emulation is a bad joke - I have yet to see something
906useful that you can do with it without running into memory corruption 1093useful that you can do with it without running into memory corruption
907issues or other braindamage. Hrrrr. 1094issues or other braindamage. Hrrrr.
908 1095
1096Since fork is endlessly broken on win32 perls (it doesn't even remotely
1097work within it's documented limits) and quite obviously it's not getting
1098improved any time soon, the best way to proceed on windows would be to
1099always use C<new_exec> and thus never rely on perl's fork "emulation".
1100
909Cygwin perl is not supported at the moment due to some hilarious 1101Cygwin perl is not supported at the moment due to some hilarious
910shortcomings of its API - see L<IO::FDPoll> for more details. 1102shortcomings of its API - see L<IO::FDPoll> for more details. If you never
1103use C<send_fh> and always use C<new_exec> to create processes, it should
1104work though.
1105
1106=head1 USING AnyEvent::Fork IN SUBPROCESSES
1107
1108AnyEvent::Fork itself cannot generally be used in subprocesses. As long as
1109only one process ever forks new processes, sharing the template processes
1110is possible (you could use a pipe as a lock by writing a byte into it to
1111unlock, and reading the byte to lock for example)
1112
1113To make concurrent calls possible after fork, you should get rid of the
1114template and early fork processes. AnyEvent::Fork will create a new
1115template process as needed.
1116
1117 undef $AnyEvent::Fork::EARLY;
1118 undef $AnyEvent::Fork::TEMPLATE;
1119
1120It doesn't matter whether you get rid of them in the parent or child after
1121a fork.
911 1122
912=head1 SEE ALSO 1123=head1 SEE ALSO
913 1124
914L<AnyEvent::Fork::Early> (to avoid executing a perl interpreter), 1125L<AnyEvent::Fork::Early>, to avoid executing a perl interpreter at all
1126(part of this distribution).
1127
915L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template> (to create a process by forking the main 1128L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template>, to create a process by forking the main
916program at a convenient time). 1129program at a convenient time (part of this distribution).
917 1130
918=head1 AUTHOR 1131L<AnyEvent::Fork::Remote>, for another way to create processes that is
1132mostly compatible to this module and modules building on top of it, but
1133works better with remote processes.
1134
1135L<AnyEvent::Fork::RPC>, for simple RPC to child processes (on CPAN).
1136
1137L<AnyEvent::Fork::Pool>, for simple worker process pool (on CPAN).
1138
1139=head1 AUTHOR AND CONTACT INFORMATION
919 1140
920 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1141 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
921 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1142 http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/AnyEvent-Fork
922 1143
923=cut 1144=cut
924 1145
9251 11461
926 1147

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