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Comparing AnyEvent-Fork/Fork.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.26 by root, Sat Apr 6 08:58:51 2013 UTC vs.
Revision 1.66 by root, Sat Jun 20 13:24:54 2015 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")
152 192
153 # now $master_filehandle is connected to the 193 # now $master_filehandle is connected to the
154 # $slave_filehandle in the new process. 194 # $slave_filehandle in the new process.
155 }); 195 });
156 196
157 # MyModule::worker might look like this 197C<MyModule> might look like this:
198
199 package MyModule;
200
158 sub MyModule::worker { 201 sub worker {
159 my ($slave_filehandle) = @_; 202 my ($slave_filehandle) = @_;
160 203
161 # now $slave_filehandle is connected to the $master_filehandle 204 # now $slave_filehandle is connected to the $master_filehandle
162 # in the original prorcess. have fun! 205 # in the original process. have fun!
163 } 206 }
164 207
165=head2 Create a pool of server processes all accepting on the same socket. 208=head2 Create a pool of server processes all accepting on the same socket.
166 209
167 # create listener socket 210 # create listener socket
182 } 225 }
183 226
184 # now do other things - maybe use the filehandle provided by run 227 # now do other things - maybe use the filehandle provided by run
185 # to wait for the processes to die. or whatever. 228 # to wait for the processes to die. or whatever.
186 229
187 # My::Server::run might look like this 230C<My::Server> might look like this:
188 sub My::Server::run { 231
232 package My::Server;
233
234 sub run {
189 my ($slave, $listener, $id) = @_; 235 my ($slave, $listener, $id) = @_;
190 236
191 close $slave; # we do not use the socket, so close it to save resources 237 close $slave; # we do not use the socket, so close it to save resources
192 238
193 # we could go ballistic and use e.g. AnyEvent here, or IO::AIO, 239 # we could go ballistic and use e.g. AnyEvent here, or IO::AIO,
197 } 243 }
198 } 244 }
199 245
200=head2 use AnyEvent::Fork as a faster fork+exec 246=head2 use AnyEvent::Fork as a faster fork+exec
201 247
202This runs /bin/echo hi, with stdout redirected to /tmp/log and stderr to 248This runs C</bin/echo hi>, with standard output redirected to F</tmp/log>
203the communications socket. It is usually faster than fork+exec, but still 249and standard error redirected to the communications socket. It is usually
204let's you prepare the environment. 250faster than fork+exec, but still lets you prepare the environment.
205 251
206 open my $output, ">/tmp/log" or die "$!"; 252 open my $output, ">/tmp/log" or die "$!";
207 253
208 AnyEvent::Fork 254 AnyEvent::Fork
209 ->new 255 ->new
210 ->eval (' 256 ->eval ('
257 # compile a helper function for later use
211 sub run { 258 sub run {
212 my ($fh, $output, @cmd) = @_; 259 my ($fh, $output, @cmd) = @_;
213 260
214 # perl will clear close-on-exec on STDOUT/STDERR 261 # perl will clear close-on-exec on STDOUT/STDERR
215 open STDOUT, ">&", $output or die; 262 open STDOUT, ">&", $output or die;
222 ->send_arg ("/bin/echo", "hi") 269 ->send_arg ("/bin/echo", "hi")
223 ->run ("run", my $cv = AE::cv); 270 ->run ("run", my $cv = AE::cv);
224 271
225 my $stderr = $cv->recv; 272 my $stderr = $cv->recv;
226 273
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 $cv->recv;
342
227=head1 CONCEPTS 343=head1 CONCEPTS
228 344
229This module can create new processes either by executing a new perl 345This module can create new processes either by executing a new perl
230process, or by forking from an existing "template" process. 346process, or by forking from an existing "template" process.
347
348All these processes are called "child processes" (whether they are direct
349children or not), while the process that manages them is called the
350"parent process".
231 351
232Each such process comes with its own file handle that can be used to 352Each such process comes with its own file handle that can be used to
233communicate with it (it's actually a socket - one end in the new process, 353communicate with it (it's actually a socket - one end in the new process,
234one end in the main process), and among the things you can do in it are 354one end in the main process), and among the things you can do in it are
235load modules, fork new processes, send file handles to it, and execute 355load modules, fork new processes, send file handles to it, and execute
309 my ($fork_fh) = @_; 429 my ($fork_fh) = @_;
310 }); 430 });
311 431
312=back 432=back
313 433
314=head1 FUNCTIONS 434=head1 THE C<AnyEvent::Fork> CLASS
435
436This module exports nothing, and only implements a single class -
437C<AnyEvent::Fork>.
438
439There are two class constructors that both create new processes - C<new>
440and C<new_exec>. The C<fork> method creates a new process by forking an
441existing one and could be considered a third constructor.
442
443Most of the remaining methods deal with preparing the new process, by
444loading code, evaluating code and sending data to the new process. They
445usually return the process object, so you can chain method calls.
446
447If a process object is destroyed before calling its C<run> method, then
448the process simply exits. After C<run> is called, all responsibility is
449passed to the specified function.
450
451As long as there is any outstanding work to be done, process objects
452resist being destroyed, so there is no reason to store them unless you
453need them later - configure and forget works just fine.
315 454
316=over 4 455=over 4
317 456
318=cut 457=cut
319 458
326use AnyEvent; 465use AnyEvent;
327use AnyEvent::Util (); 466use AnyEvent::Util ();
328 467
329use IO::FDPass; 468use IO::FDPass;
330 469
331our $VERSION = 0.5; 470our $VERSION = 1.2;
332
333our $PERL; # the path to the perl interpreter, deduces with various forms of magic
334
335=item my $pool = new AnyEvent::Fork key => value...
336
337Create a new process pool. The following named parameters are supported:
338
339=over 4
340
341=back
342
343=cut
344 471
345# the early fork template process 472# the early fork template process
346our $EARLY; 473our $EARLY;
347 474
348# the empty template process 475# the empty template process
349our $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}
350 498
351sub _cmd { 499sub _cmd {
352 my $self = shift; 500 my $self = shift;
353 501
354 # 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
355 # 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
356 # it. 504 # it.
357 push @{ $self->[2] }, pack "a L/a*", $_[0], $_[1]; 505 push @{ $self->[QUEUE] }, pack "a L/a*", $_[0], $_[1];
358 506
359 $self->[3] ||= AE::io $self->[1], 1, sub { 507 $self->[WW] ||= AE::io $self->[FH], 1, sub {
360 do { 508 do {
361 # 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,
362 # or a plain string. 510 # or a plain string.
363 511
364 if (ref $self->[2][0]) { 512 if (ref $self->[QUEUE][0]) {
365 # send fh 513 # send fh
366 unless (IO::FDPass::send fileno $self->[1], fileno ${ $self->[2][0] }) { 514 unless (IO::FDPass::send fileno $self->[FH], fileno ${ $self->[QUEUE][0] }) {
367 return if $! == Errno::EAGAIN || $! == Errno::EWOULDBLOCK; 515 return if $! == Errno::EAGAIN || $! == Errno::EWOULDBLOCK;
368 undef $self->[3]; 516 undef $self->[WW];
369 die "AnyEvent::Fork: file descriptor send failure: $!"; 517 die "AnyEvent::Fork: file descriptor send failure: $!";
370 } 518 }
371 519
372 shift @{ $self->[2] }; 520 shift @{ $self->[QUEUE] };
373 521
374 } else { 522 } else {
375 # send string 523 # send string
376 my $len = syswrite $self->[1], $self->[2][0]; 524 my $len = syswrite $self->[FH], $self->[QUEUE][0];
377 525
378 unless ($len) { 526 unless ($len) {
379 return if $! == Errno::EAGAIN || $! == Errno::EWOULDBLOCK; 527 return if $! == Errno::EAGAIN || $! == Errno::EWOULDBLOCK;
380 undef $self->[3]; 528 undef $self->[WW];
381 die "AnyEvent::Fork: command write failure: $!"; 529 die "AnyEvent::Fork: command write failure: $!";
382 } 530 }
383 531
384 substr $self->[2][0], 0, $len, ""; 532 substr $self->[QUEUE][0], 0, $len, "";
385 shift @{ $self->[2] } unless length $self->[2][0]; 533 shift @{ $self->[QUEUE] } unless length $self->[QUEUE][0];
386 } 534 }
387 } while @{ $self->[2] }; 535 } while @{ $self->[QUEUE] };
388 536
389 # everything written 537 # everything written
390 undef $self->[3]; 538 undef $self->[WW];
391 539
392 # invoke run callback, if any 540 # invoke run callback, if any
393 $self->[4]->($self->[1]) if $self->[4]; 541 if ($self->[CB]) {
542 $self->[CB]->($self->[FH]);
543 @$self = ();
544 }
394 }; 545 };
395 546
396 () # make sure we don't leak the watcher 547 () # make sure we don't leak the watcher
397}
398
399sub _new {
400 my ($self, $fh, $pid) = @_;
401
402 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking $fh, 1;
403
404 $self = bless [
405 $pid,
406 $fh,
407 [], # write queue - strings or fd's
408 undef, # AE watcher
409 ], $self;
410
411 $self
412} 548}
413 549
414# fork template from current process, used by AnyEvent::Fork::Early/Template 550# fork template from current process, used by AnyEvent::Fork::Early/Template
415sub _new_fork { 551sub _new_fork {
416 my ($fh, $slave) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_socketpair; 552 my ($fh, $slave) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_socketpair;
421 if ($pid eq 0) { 557 if ($pid eq 0) {
422 require AnyEvent::Fork::Serve; 558 require AnyEvent::Fork::Serve;
423 $AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::OWNER = $parent; 559 $AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::OWNER = $parent;
424 close $fh; 560 close $fh;
425 $0 = "$_[1] of $parent"; 561 $0 = "$_[1] of $parent";
426 $SIG{CHLD} = 'IGNORE';
427 AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::serve ($slave); 562 AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::serve ($slave);
428 exit 0; 563 exit 0;
429 } elsif (!$pid) { 564 } elsif (!$pid) {
430 die "AnyEvent::Fork::Early/Template: unable to fork template process: $!"; 565 die "AnyEvent::Fork::Early/Template: unable to fork template process: $!";
431 } 566 }
438Create a new "empty" perl interpreter process and returns its process 573Create a new "empty" perl interpreter process and returns its process
439object for further manipulation. 574object for further manipulation.
440 575
441The new process is forked from a template process that is kept around 576The new process is forked from a template process that is kept around
442for this purpose. When it doesn't exist yet, it is created by a call to 577for this purpose. When it doesn't exist yet, it is created by a call to
443C<new_exec> and kept around for future calls. 578C<new_exec> first and then stays around for future calls.
444
445When the process object is destroyed, it will release the file handle
446that connects it with the new process. When the new process has not yet
447called C<run>, then the process will exit. Otherwise, what happens depends
448entirely on the code that is executed.
449 579
450=cut 580=cut
451 581
452sub new { 582sub new {
453 my $class = shift; 583 my $class = shift;
490 620
491You should use C<new> whenever possible, except when having a template 621You should use C<new> whenever possible, except when having a template
492process around is unacceptable. 622process around is unacceptable.
493 623
494The path to the perl interpreter is divined using various methods - first 624The path to the perl interpreter is divined using various methods - first
495C<$^X> is investigated to see if the path ends with something that sounds 625C<$^X> is investigated to see if the path ends with something that looks
496as if it were the perl interpreter. Failing this, the module falls back to 626as if it were the perl interpreter. Failing this, the module falls back to
497using C<$Config::Config{perlpath}>. 627using C<$Config::Config{perlpath}>.
498 628
629The path to perl can also be overriden by setting the global variable
630C<$AnyEvent::Fork::PERL> - it's value will be used for all subsequent
631invocations.
632
499=cut 633=cut
634
635our $PERL;
500 636
501sub new_exec { 637sub new_exec {
502 my ($self) = @_; 638 my ($self) = @_;
503 639
504 return $EARLY->fork 640 return $EARLY->fork
505 if $EARLY; 641 if $EARLY;
506 642
643 unless (defined $PERL) {
507 # first find path of perl 644 # first find path of perl
508 my $perl = $; 645 my $perl = $^X;
509 646
510 # first we try $^X, but the path must be absolute (always on win32), and end in sth. 647 # first we try $^X, but the path must be absolute (always on win32), and end in sth.
511 # that looks like perl. this obviously only works for posix and win32 648 # that looks like perl. this obviously only works for posix and win32
512 unless ( 649 unless (
513 ($^O eq "MSWin32" || $perl =~ m%^/%) 650 ($^O eq "MSWin32" || $perl =~ m%^/%)
514 && $perl =~ m%[/\\]perl(?:[0-9]+(\.[0-9]+)+)?(\.exe)?$%i 651 && $perl =~ m%[/\\]perl(?:[0-9]+(\.[0-9]+)+)?(\.exe)?$%i
515 ) { 652 ) {
516 # if it doesn't look perlish enough, try Config 653 # if it doesn't look perlish enough, try Config
517 require Config; 654 require Config;
518 $perl = $Config::Config{perlpath}; 655 $perl = $Config::Config{perlpath};
519 $perl =~ s/(?:\Q$Config::Config{_exe}\E)?$/$Config::Config{_exe}/; 656 $perl =~ s/(?:\Q$Config::Config{_exe}\E)?$/$Config::Config{_exe}/;
657 }
658
659 $PERL = $perl;
520 } 660 }
521 661
522 require Proc::FastSpawn; 662 require Proc::FastSpawn;
523 663
524 my ($fh, $slave) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_socketpair; 664 my ($fh, $slave) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_socketpair;
532 #local $ENV{PERL5LIB} = join ":", grep !ref, @INC; 672 #local $ENV{PERL5LIB} = join ":", grep !ref, @INC;
533 my %env = %ENV; 673 my %env = %ENV;
534 $env{PERL5LIB} = join +($^O eq "MSWin32" ? ";" : ":"), grep !ref, @INC; 674 $env{PERL5LIB} = join +($^O eq "MSWin32" ? ";" : ":"), grep !ref, @INC;
535 675
536 my $pid = Proc::FastSpawn::spawn ( 676 my $pid = Proc::FastSpawn::spawn (
537 $perl, 677 $PERL,
538 ["perl", "-MAnyEvent::Fork::Serve", "-e", "AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::me", fileno $slave, $$], 678 [$PERL, "-MAnyEvent::Fork::Serve", "-e", "AnyEvent::Fork::Serve::me", fileno $slave, $$],
539 [map "$_=$env{$_}", keys %env], 679 [map "$_=$env{$_}", keys %env],
540 ) or die "unable to spawn AnyEvent::Fork server: $!"; 680 ) or die "unable to spawn AnyEvent::Fork server: $!";
541 681
542 $self->_new ($fh, $pid) 682 $self->_new ($fh, $pid)
543} 683}
544 684
545=item $pid = $proc->pid 685=item $pid = $proc->pid
546 686
547Returns 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
548process> 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.
549 692
550Normally, 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
551L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template> are direct children, and you are responsible 694processes created via C<new>, but when in doubt, or zombies are a problem,
552to clean up their zombies when they die. 695you need to check whether a process is a diretc child by calling this
553 696method, and possibly creating a child watcher or reap it manually.
554All other processes are not direct children, and will be cleaned up by
555AnyEvent::Fork.
556 697
557=cut 698=cut
558 699
559sub pid { 700sub pid {
560 $_[0][0] 701 $_[0][PID]
561} 702}
562 703
563=item $proc = $proc->eval ($perlcode, @args) 704=item $proc = $proc->eval ($perlcode, @args)
564 705
565Evaluates the given C<$perlcode> as ... perl code, while setting C<@_> to 706Evaluates the given C<$perlcode> as ... Perl code, while setting C<@_> to
566the strings specified by C<@args>, in the "main" package. 707the strings specified by C<@args>, in the "main" package.
567 708
568This 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
569(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
570to completely take over the process, use C<run> for that. 711to completely take over the process, use C<run> for that.
571 712
572The code will usually be executed after this call returns, and there is no 713The code will usually be executed after this call returns, and there is no
573way to pass anything back to the calling process. Any evaluation errors 714way to pass anything back to the calling process. Any evaluation errors
574will be reported to stderr and cause the process to exit. 715will be reported to stderr and cause the process to exit.
575 716
576If you want to execute some code to take over the process (see the 717If you want to execute some code (that isn't in a module) to take over the
577"fork+exec" example in the SYNOPSIS), you should compile a function via 718process, you should compile a function via C<eval> first, and then call
578C<eval> first, and then call it via C<run>. This also gives you access to 719it via C<run>. This also gives you access to any arguments passed via the
579any arguments passed via the C<send_xxx> methods, such as file handles. 720C<send_xxx> methods, such as file handles. See the L<use AnyEvent::Fork as
721a faster fork+exec> example to see it in action.
580 722
581Returns the process object for easy chaining of method calls. 723Returns the process object for easy chaining of method calls.
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, $string2);
582 730
583=cut 731=cut
584 732
585sub eval { 733sub eval {
586 my ($self, $code, @args) = @_; 734 my ($self, $code, @args) = @_;
610=item $proc = $proc->send_fh ($handle, ...) 758=item $proc = $proc->send_fh ($handle, ...)
611 759
612Send one or more file handles (I<not> file descriptors) to the process, 760Send one or more file handles (I<not> file descriptors) to the process,
613to prepare a call to C<run>. 761to prepare a call to C<run>.
614 762
615The process object keeps a reference to the handles until this is done, 763The process object keeps a reference to the handles until they have
616so you must not explicitly close the handles. This is most easily 764been passed over to the process, so you must not explicitly close the
617accomplished by simply not storing the file handles anywhere after passing 765handles. This is most easily accomplished by simply not storing the file
618them to this method. 766handles anywhere after passing them to this method - when AnyEvent::Fork
767is finished using them, perl will automatically close them.
619 768
620Returns the process object for easy chaining of method calls. 769Returns the process object for easy chaining of method calls.
621 770
622Example: pass a file handle to a process, and release it without 771Example: pass a file handle to a process, and release it without
623closing. It will be closed automatically when it is no longer used. 772closing. It will be closed automatically when it is no longer used.
630sub send_fh { 779sub send_fh {
631 my ($self, @fh) = @_; 780 my ($self, @fh) = @_;
632 781
633 for my $fh (@fh) { 782 for my $fh (@fh) {
634 $self->_cmd ("h"); 783 $self->_cmd ("h");
635 push @{ $self->[2] }, \$fh; 784 push @{ $self->[QUEUE] }, \$fh;
636 } 785 }
637 786
638 $self 787 $self
639} 788}
640 789
641=item $proc = $proc->send_arg ($string, ...) 790=item $proc = $proc->send_arg ($string, ...)
642 791
643Send one or more argument strings to the process, to prepare a call to 792Send one or more argument strings to the process, to prepare a call to
644C<run>. The strings can be any octet string. 793C<run>. The strings can be any octet strings.
645 794
646The protocol is optimised to pass a moderate number of relatively short 795The protocol is optimised to pass a moderate number of relatively short
647strings - while you can pass up to 4GB of data in one go, this is more 796strings - while you can pass up to 4GB of data in one go, this is more
648meant to pass some ID information or other startup info, not big chunks of 797meant to pass some ID information or other startup info, not big chunks of
649data. 798data.
665Enter the function specified by the function name in C<$func> in the 814Enter the function specified by the function name in C<$func> in the
666process. The function is called with the communication socket as first 815process. The function is called with the communication socket as first
667argument, followed by all file handles and string arguments sent earlier 816argument, followed by all file handles and string arguments sent earlier
668via C<send_fh> and C<send_arg> methods, in the order they were called. 817via C<send_fh> and C<send_arg> methods, in the order they were called.
669 818
819The process object becomes unusable on return from this function - any
820further method calls result in undefined behaviour.
821
670The function name should be fully qualified, but if it isn't, it will be 822The function name should be fully qualified, but if it isn't, it will be
671looked up in the main package. 823looked up in the C<main> package.
672 824
673If the called function returns, doesn't exist, or any error occurs, the 825If the called function returns, doesn't exist, or any error occurs, the
674process exits. 826process exits.
675 827
676Preparing the process is done in the background - when all commands have 828Preparing the process is done in the background - when all commands have
677been sent, the callback is invoked with the local communications socket 829been sent, the callback is invoked with the local communications socket
678as argument. At this point you can start using the socket in any way you 830as argument. At this point you can start using the socket in any way you
679like. 831like.
680 832
681The process object becomes unusable on return from this function - any
682further method calls result in undefined behaviour.
683
684If the communication socket isn't used, it should be closed on both sides, 833If the communication socket isn't used, it should be closed on both sides,
685to save on kernel memory. 834to save on kernel memory.
686 835
687The socket is non-blocking in the parent, and blocking in the newly 836The socket is non-blocking in the parent, and blocking in the newly
688created process. The close-on-exec flag is set in both. 837created process. The close-on-exec flag is set in both.
689 838
690Even 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
691existence 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
692event 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
693create 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
694 869
695Example: 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
696file handles, then fork, pass one more string, and run some code. 871file handles, then fork, pass one more string, and run some code.
697 872
698 my $pool = AnyEvent::Fork 873 my $pool = AnyEvent::Fork
726=cut 901=cut
727 902
728sub run { 903sub run {
729 my ($self, $func, $cb) = @_; 904 my ($self, $func, $cb) = @_;
730 905
731 $self->[4] = $cb; 906 $self->[CB] = $cb;
732 $self->_cmd (r => $func); 907 $self->_cmd (r => $func);
908}
909
910=back
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)
733} 960}
734 961
735=back 962=back
736 963
737=head1 PERFORMANCE 964=head1 PERFORMANCE
747 974
748 2079 new processes per second, using manual socketpair + fork 975 2079 new processes per second, using manual socketpair + fork
749 976
750Then 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
751AnyEvent::Fork->new->run ("CORE::exit") and then again waited for the 978AnyEvent::Fork->new->run ("CORE::exit") and then again waited for the
752socket 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
753socket pair + fork, except that what is forked is the template process 980socket pair + fork, except that what is forked is the template process
754(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
755of the socket first. 982of the socket first.
756 983
757 2307 new processes per second, using AnyEvent::Fork->new 984 2307 new processes per second, using AnyEvent::Fork->new
762 479 vfork+execs per second, using AnyEvent::Fork->new_exec 989 479 vfork+execs per second, using AnyEvent::Fork->new_exec
763 990
764So 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
765though it uses the same operations, but adds a lot of overhead? 992though it uses the same operations, but adds a lot of overhead?
766 993
767The difference is simply the process size: forking the 6MB process takes 994The difference is simply the process size: forking the 5MB process takes
768so much longer than forking the 2.5MB template process that the overhead 995so much longer than forking the 2.5MB template process that the extra
769introduced is canceled out. 996overhead is canceled out.
770 997
771If the benchmark process grows, the normal fork becomes even slower: 998If the benchmark process grows, the normal fork becomes even slower:
772 999
773 1340 new processes, manual fork in a 20MB process 1000 1340 new processes, manual fork of a 20MB process
774 731 new processes, manual fork in a 200MB process 1001 731 new processes, manual fork of a 200MB process
775 235 new processes, manual fork in a 2000MB process 1002 235 new processes, manual fork of a 2000MB process
776 1003
777What that means (to me) is that I can use this module without having a 1004What that means (to me) is that I can use this module without having a bad
778very bad conscience because of the extra overhead required to start new 1005conscience because of the extra overhead required to start new processes.
779processes.
780 1006
781=head1 TYPICAL PROBLEMS 1007=head1 TYPICAL PROBLEMS
782 1008
783This section lists typical problems that remain. I hope by recognising 1009This section lists typical problems that remain. I hope by recognising
784them, most can be avoided. 1010them, most can be avoided.
785 1011
786=over 4 1012=over 4
787 1013
788=item "leaked" file descriptors for exec'ed processes 1014=item leaked file descriptors for exec'ed processes
789 1015
790POSIX systems inherit file descriptors by default when exec'ing a new 1016POSIX systems inherit file descriptors by default when exec'ing a new
791process. While perl itself laudably sets the close-on-exec flags on new 1017process. While perl itself laudably sets the close-on-exec flags on new
792file handles, most C libraries don't care, and even if all cared, it's 1018file handles, most C libraries don't care, and even if all cared, it's
793often not possible to set the flag in a race-free manner. 1019often not possible to set the flag in a race-free manner.
813libraries or the code that leaks those file descriptors. 1039libraries or the code that leaks those file descriptors.
814 1040
815Fortunately, most of these leaked descriptors do no harm, other than 1041Fortunately, most of these leaked descriptors do no harm, other than
816sitting on some resources. 1042sitting on some resources.
817 1043
818=item "leaked" file descriptors for fork'ed processes 1044=item leaked file descriptors for fork'ed processes
819 1045
820Normally, L<AnyEvent::Fork> does start new processes by exec'ing them, 1046Normally, L<AnyEvent::Fork> does start new processes by exec'ing them,
821which closes file descriptors not marked for being inherited. 1047which closes file descriptors not marked for being inherited.
822 1048
823However, L<AnyEvent::Fork::Early> and L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template> offer 1049However, L<AnyEvent::Fork::Early> and L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template> offer
832 1058
833The solution is to either not load these modules before use'ing 1059The solution is to either not load these modules before use'ing
834L<AnyEvent::Fork::Early> or L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template>, or to delay 1060L<AnyEvent::Fork::Early> or L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template>, or to delay
835initialising them, for example, by calling C<init Gtk2> manually. 1061initialising them, for example, by calling C<init Gtk2> manually.
836 1062
837=item exit runs destructors 1063=item exiting calls object destructors
838 1064
839This only applies to users of Lc<AnyEvent::Fork:Early> and 1065This only applies to users of L<AnyEvent::Fork:Early> and
840L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template>. 1066L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template>, or when initialising code creates objects
1067that reference external resources.
841 1068
842When 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
843exit, 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
844Perl runs all destructors. 1071Perl runs all destructors.
845 1072
864to 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
865care 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
866useful that you can do with it without running into memory corruption 1093useful that you can do with it without running into memory corruption
867issues or other braindamage. Hrrrr. 1094issues or other braindamage. Hrrrr.
868 1095
869Cygwin perl is not supported at the moment, as it should implement fd 1096Since fork is endlessly broken on win32 perls (it doesn't even remotely
870passing, but doesn't, and rolling my own is hard, as cygwin doesn't 1097work within it's documented limits) and quite obviously it's not getting
871support enough functionality to do it. 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
1101Cygwin perl is not supported at the moment due to some hilarious
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.
872 1122
873=head1 SEE ALSO 1123=head1 SEE ALSO
874 1124
875L<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
876L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template> (to create a process by forking the main 1128L<AnyEvent::Fork::Template>, to create a process by forking the main
877program at a convenient time). 1129program at a convenient time (part of this distribution).
878 1130
879=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
880 1140
881 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1141 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
882 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1142 http://software.schmorp.de/pkg/AnyEvent-Fork
883 1143
884=cut 1144=cut
885 1145
8861 11461
887 1147

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