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Revision 1.53 by root, Fri Aug 14 15:31:21 2009 UTC

8 8
9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef 9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef
10 NODE # returns this node's noderef 10 NODE # returns this node's noderef
11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port 11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port
12 12
13 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
14
15 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages
16 initialise_node; # -OR-
17 initialise_node "localhost:4040"; # -OR-
18 initialise_node "slave/", "localhost:4040"
19
20 # ports are message endpoints
21
22 # sending messages
13 snd $port, type => data...; 23 snd $port, type => data...;
24 snd $port, @msg;
25 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
14 26
15 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks 27 # creating/using ports, the simple way
28 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 };
16 29
17 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->($port, @msg); 30 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
18 31 my $port = port;
19 # examples:
20 rcv $port2, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 32 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 };
21 rcv $port1, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" }; 33 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 };
22 snd $port2, ping => $port1;
23 34
24 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module) 35 # create a port on another node
25 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ... 36 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
26 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3 37
38 # monitoring
39 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
41 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
42
43=head1 CURRENT STATUS
44
45 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work
46 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated
47 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - WIP
48 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable
49
50 stay tuned.
27 51
28=head1 DESCRIPTION 52=head1 DESCRIPTION
29 53
30This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 54This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
31 55
35For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> 59For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro>
36manual page. 60manual page.
37 61
38At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented, 62At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented,
39so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace - 63so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
40stay tuned! The basic API should be finished, however. 64stay tuned!
41 65
42=head1 CONCEPTS 66=head1 CONCEPTS
43 67
44=over 4 68=over 4
45 69
46=item port 70=item port
47 71
48A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 72A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function).
49 73
50Some ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match specific 74Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
51messages. All C<rcv> handlers will receive messages they match, messages 75some messages. Messages will not be queued.
52will not be queued.
53 76
54=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 77=item port id - C<noderef#portname>
55 78
56A port id is normaly the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 79A port ID is the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as
57separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 80separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An
58exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node 81exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node
59reference. 82reference.
60 83
61=item node 84=item node
62 85
63A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node 86A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
64port. You can send messages to node ports to find existing ports or to 87which provides nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
65create new ports, among other things. 88ports.
66 89
67Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a 90Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a
68master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes). 91master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes).
69 92
70=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> 93=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id>
90 113
91=cut 114=cut
92 115
93package AnyEvent::MP; 116package AnyEvent::MP;
94 117
95use AnyEvent::MP::Base; 118use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
96 119
97use common::sense; 120use common::sense;
98 121
99use Carp (); 122use Carp ();
100 123
101use AE (); 124use AE ();
102 125
103use base "Exporter"; 126use base "Exporter";
104 127
105our $VERSION = '0.1'; 128our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION;
129
106our @EXPORT = qw( 130our @EXPORT = qw(
107 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 131 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_
108 resolve_node initialise_node 132 resolve_node initialise_node
109 snd rcv mon kil reg psub 133 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn
110 port 134 port
111); 135);
112 136
113our $SELF; 137our $SELF;
114 138
118 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 142 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
119} 143}
120 144
121=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 145=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
122 146
123The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains 147The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains the
124the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call 148noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call to
125to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port 149C<initialise_node>.
126identifiers become invalid.
127 150
128=item $noderef = node_of $portid 151=item $noderef = node_of $port
129 152
130Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. 153Extracts and returns the noderef from a port ID or a noderef.
154
155=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode...
156
157=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master...
158
159Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise
160itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally
161it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network.
162
163This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or
164never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
165
166All arguments (optionally except for the first) are noderefs, which can be
167either resolved or unresolved.
168
169The first argument will be looked up in the configuration database first
170(if it is C<undef> then the current nodename will be used instead) to find
171the relevant configuration profile (see L<aemp>). If none is found then
172the default configuration is used. The configuration supplies additional
173seed/master nodes and can override the actual noderef.
174
175There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
176
177=over 4
178
179=item public nodes
180
181For public nodes, C<$noderef> (supplied either directly to
182C<initialise_node> or indirectly via a profile or the nodename) must be a
183noderef (possibly unresolved, in which case it will be resolved).
184
185After resolving, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to
186connect to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are
187optional and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing
188network.
189
190=item slave nodes
191
192When the C<$noderef> (either as given or overriden by the config file)
193is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will become a slave
194node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will route most of
195their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
196
197At least one additional noderef is required (either by specifying it
198directly or because it is part of the configuration profile): The node
199will try to connect to all of them and will become a slave attached to the
200first node it can successfully connect to.
201
202=back
203
204This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave
205nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master
206server.
207
208Example: become a public node listening on the guessed noderef, or the one
209specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the most common
210form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
211
212 initialise_node;
213
214Example: become a slave node to any of the the seednodes specified via
215C<aemp>. This form is often used for commandline clients.
216
217 initialise_node "slave/";
218
219Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers. This
220form is also often used for commandline clients.
221
222 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
223
224Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master
225servers to become part of the network.
226
227 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2";
228
229Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>.
230
231 initialise_node 4041;
232
233Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
234
235 initialise_node "localhost:4044";
131 236
132=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef 237=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
133 238
134Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and 239Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
135abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node 240abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
167 272
168Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 273Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
169just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 274just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this
170module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 275module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
171 276
172=item snd $portid, type => @data 277=item snd $port, type => @data
173 278
174=item snd $portid, @msg 279=item snd $port, @msg
175 280
176Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 281Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either
177a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat 282a local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
178stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :).
179 283
180While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a 284While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a
181string as first element (a portid, or some word that indicates a request 285string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a request
182type etc.). 286type etc.).
183 287
184The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this 288The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this
185function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many 289function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many
186problems. 290problems.
189JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 293JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
190of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 294of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
191that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 295that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
192node, anything can be passed. 296node, anything can be passed.
193 297
194=item kil $portid[, @reason] 298=item $local_port = port
195 299
196Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 300Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
301no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
197 302
198If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 303=item $local_port = port { my @msg = @_ }
199ports will not be kileld, or even notified).
200 304
201Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 305Creates a new local port, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as
202C<mon>, see below). 306creating a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
203 307
204Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 308The block will be called for every message received on the port, with the
205will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 309global variable C<$SELF> set to the port ID. Runtime errors will cause the
310port to be C<kil>ed. The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument
311(i.e. no port ID) will be passed to the callback.
206 312
207Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 313If you want to stop/destroy the port, simply C<kil> it:
208$message >>.
209 314
315 my $port = port {
316 my @msg = @_;
317 ...
318 kil $SELF;
319 };
320
321=cut
322
323sub rcv($@);
324
325sub _kilme {
326 die "received message on port without callback";
327}
328
329sub port(;&) {
330 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++;
331 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
332
333 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
334
335 $port
336}
337
338=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
339
340Replaces the default callback on the specified port. There is no way to
341remove the default callback: use C<sub { }> to disable it, or better
342C<kil> the port when it is no longer needed.
343
344The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
345executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
346result in the port being C<kil>ed.
347
348The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific
349C<tag> match.
350
351=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
352
353Register callbacks to be called on messages starting with the given tag on
354the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when C<$callback>
355is C<$undef>).
356
357The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first
358element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same
359environment as the default callback (see above).
360
361Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
362
363 my $port = rcv port,
364 msg1 => sub { ... },
365 msg2 => sub { ... },
366 ;
367
368Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
369in one go:
370
371 snd $otherport, reply =>
372 rcv port,
373 msg1 => sub { ... },
374 ...
375 ;
376
377=cut
378
379sub rcv($@) {
380 my $port = shift;
381 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
382
383 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""}
384 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
385
386 while (@_) {
387 if (ref $_[0]) {
388 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
389 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
390 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
391
392 $self->[2] = shift;
393 } else {
394 my $cb = shift;
395 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
396 local $SELF = $port;
397 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
398 };
399 }
400 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
401 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
402 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
403
404 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
405 local $SELF = $port;
406
407 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
408 shift;
409 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
410 } else {
411 &{ $self->[0] };
412 }
413 };
414
415 $self
416 };
417
418 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
419 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
420
421 my ($tag, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
422
423 if (defined $cb) {
424 $self->[1]{$tag} = $cb;
425 } else {
426 delete $self->[1]{$tag};
427 }
428 }
429 }
430
431 $port
432}
433
434=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
435
436Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
437closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
438callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
439
440This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
441
442 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
443 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
444 my $timer = AE::timer $delay, 0, psub {
445 snd @reply, $SELF;
446 };
447 };
448
449=cut
450
451sub psub(&) {
452 my $cb = shift;
453
454 my $port = $SELF
455 or Carp::croak "psub can only be called from within rcv or psub callbacks, not";
456
457 sub {
458 local $SELF = $port;
459
460 if (wantarray) {
461 my @res = eval { &$cb };
462 _self_die if $@;
463 @res
464 } else {
465 my $res = eval { &$cb };
466 _self_die if $@;
467 $res
468 }
469 }
470}
471
210=item $guard = mon $portid, $cb->(@reason) 472=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason)
211 473
212=item $guard = mon $portid, $otherport 474=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport
213 475
476=item $guard = mon $port
477
214=item $guard = mon $portid, $otherport, @msg 478=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg
215 479
216Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed. 480Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
481messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
482to stop monitoring again.
217 483
484C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
485that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port
486will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible
487message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between"
488(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
489port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
490delivered again.
491
218In the first form, the callback is simply called with any number 492In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
219of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 493number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
220"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 494"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
221C<eval> if unsure. 495C<eval> if unsure.
222 496
223In the second form, the other port will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff 497In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
224a @reason was specified, i.e. on "normal" kils nothing happens, while 498will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
225under all other conditions, the other port is killed with the same reason. 499"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
500port is killed with the same reason.
226 501
502The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
503C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
504
227In the last form, a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be C<snd>. 505In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
506C<snd>.
507
508As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
509a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
510lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
511even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection
512to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
513these problems do not exist.
228 514
229Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 515Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
230 516
231 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 517 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
232 518
233Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally. 519Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally.
234 520
235 mon $port, $self; 521 mon $port;
236 522
237Example: send us a restart message another C<$port> is killed. 523Example: send us a restart message when another C<$port> is killed.
238 524
239 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 525 mon $port, $self => "restart";
240 526
241=cut 527=cut
242 528
243sub mon { 529sub mon {
244 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 530 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
245 531
246 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 532 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef;
247 533
248 my $cb = shift; 534 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
249 535
250 unless (ref $cb) { 536 unless (ref $cb) {
251 if (@_) { 537 if (@_) {
252 # send a kill info message 538 # send a kill info message
253 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_); 539 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_);
284=cut 570=cut
285 571
286sub mon_guard { 572sub mon_guard {
287 my ($port, @refs) = @_; 573 my ($port, @refs) = @_;
288 574
575 #TODO: mon-less form?
576
289 mon $port, sub { 0 && @refs } 577 mon $port, sub { 0 && @refs }
290} 578}
291 579
292=item lnk $port1, $port2 580=item kil $port[, @reason]
293 581
294Link two ports. This is simply a shorthand for: 582Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
295 583
296 mon $port1, $port2; 584If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked
297 mon $port2, $port1; 585ports will not be kileld, or even notified).
298 586
299It means that if either one is killed abnormally, the other one gets 587Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of
300killed as well. 588C<mon>, see below).
301 589
302=item $local_port = port 590Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
591will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
303 592
304Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern 593Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
305matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"), 594$message >>.
306depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object.
307 595
308=item $portid = port { my @msg = @_; $finished }
309
310Creates a "mini port", that is, a very lightweight port without any
311pattern matching behind it, and returns its ID.
312
313The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the
314callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port
315will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive.
316
317The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will
318be passed to the callback.
319
320If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely:
321
322 my $port; $port = port {
323 snd $otherport, reply => $port;
324 };
325
326=cut 596=cut
327 597
328sub port(;&) { 598=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
329 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++;
330 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
331 599
332 if (@_) { 600Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
333 my $cb = shift; 601case it's the node where that port resides).
334 $PORT{$id} = sub { 602
335 local $SELF = $port; 603The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is
336 eval { 604permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port.
337 &$cb 605
338 and kil $id; 606After the port has been created, the init function is
607called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name
608(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main
609program, use C<::name>.
610
611If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
612the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
613C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
614exists or it runs out of package names.
615
616The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
617object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments.
618
619A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and
620in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring
621ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem.
622
623Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
624
625 # this node, executed from within a port context:
626 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
627 mon $server;
628
629 # init function on C<$othernode>
630 sub connect {
631 my ($srcport) = @_;
632
633 mon $srcport;
634
635 rcv $SELF, sub {
339 }; 636 ...
340 _self_die if $@;
341 };
342 } else {
343 my $self = bless {
344 id => "$NODE#$id",
345 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
346
347 $PORT_DATA{$id} = $self;
348 $PORT{$id} = sub {
349 local $SELF = $port;
350
351 eval {
352 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) {
353 $_ && &{$_->[0]}
354 && undef $_;
355 }
356
357 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
358 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
359 && &{$_->[0]}
360 && undef $_;
361 }
362
363 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
364 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
365 && &{$_->[0]}
366 && undef $_;
367 }
368 };
369 _self_die if $@;
370 }; 637 };
371 } 638 }
372 639
373 $port 640=cut
641
642sub _spawn {
643 my $port = shift;
644 my $init = shift;
645
646 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
647 eval {
648 &{ load_func $init }
649 };
650 _self_die if $@;
374} 651}
375 652
376=item reg $portid, $name 653sub spawn(@) {
654 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
377 655
378Registers the given port under the name C<$name>. If the name already 656 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
379exists it is replaced.
380 657
381A port can only be registered under one well known name. 658 $_[0] =~ /::/
659 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
382 660
383A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed. 661 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef)
662 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]);
384 663
385=cut 664 "$noderef#$id"
386
387sub reg(@) {
388 my ($portid, $name) = @_;
389
390 $REG{$name} = $portid;
391} 665}
392
393=item rcv $portid, $callback->(@msg)
394
395Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (or newly created port
396object, see C<port>). Full ports are configured with the following calls:
397
398=item rcv $portid, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
399
400=item rcv $portid, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
401
402=item rcv $portid, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
403
404Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given port.
405
406The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
407which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
408registered.
409
410The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$portid> while
411executing the callback.
412
413Runtime errors wdurign callback execution will result in the port being
414C<kil>ed.
415
416If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the
417first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
418matched.
419
420Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function
421exported by this module) matches any single element of the message.
422
423While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching
424element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is
425also the most efficient match (by far).
426
427=cut
428
429sub rcv($@) {
430 my $portid = shift;
431 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, $port, 2;
432
433 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""}
434 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
435
436 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$port}
437 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
438
439 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
440 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
441
442 while (@_) {
443 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
444
445 if (!ref $match) {
446 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb];
447 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) {
448 my ($type, @match) = @$match;
449 @match
450 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match]
451 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb];
452 } else {
453 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match];
454 }
455 }
456
457 $portid
458}
459
460=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
461
462Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
463closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
464callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
465
466This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
467
468 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
469 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
470 my $timer = AE::timer $delay, 0, psub {
471 snd @reply, $SELF;
472 };
473 };
474
475=cut
476
477sub psub(&) {
478 my $cb = shift;
479
480 my $port = $SELF
481 or Carp::croak "psub can only be called from within rcv or psub callbacks, not";
482
483 sub {
484 local $SELF = $port;
485
486 if (wantarray) {
487 my @res = eval { &$cb };
488 _self_die if $@;
489 @res
490 } else {
491 my $res = eval { &$cb };
492 _self_die if $@;
493 $res
494 }
495 }
496}
497
498=back
499
500=head1 FUNCTIONS FOR NODES
501
502=over 4
503
504=item become_public $noderef
505
506Tells the node to become a public node, i.e. reachable from other nodes.
507
508The first argument is the (unresolved) node reference of the local node
509(if missing then the empty string is used).
510
511It is quite common to not specify anything, in which case the local node
512tries to listen on the default port, or to only specify a port number, in
513which case AnyEvent::MP tries to guess the local addresses.
514
515=cut
516 666
517=back 667=back
518 668
519=head1 NODE MESSAGES 669=head1 NODE MESSAGES
520 670
562 712
563=back 713=back
564 714
565=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 715=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
566 716
567AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed erlang (erlang node 717AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
568== aemp node, erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 718== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
569programming techniques employed by erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 719programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
570sample: 720sample:
571 721
572 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 722 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
573 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 723 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
574 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 724 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
575 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 725 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
576 726
577Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 727Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
578 728
579=over 4 729=over 4
580 730
585convenience functionality. 735convenience functionality.
586 736
587This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the 737This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the
588cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead. 738cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead.
589 739
740=item Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
741uses "local ports are like remote ports".
742
743The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
744only) then for remote ports - when a local port dies, you I<know> it dies,
745when a connection to another node dies, you know nothing about the other
746port.
747
748Erlang pretends remote ports are as reliable as local ports, even when
749they are not.
750
751AEMP encourages a "treat remote ports differently" philosophy, with local
752ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
753occur.
754
590=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 755=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
591 756
592Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 757Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore
593needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 758needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no
594purpose. 759useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of
760AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
761filter messages without dequeing them.
595 762
596(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 763(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
597 764
598=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 765=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
599 766
600Sending messages in erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 767Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and
601sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 768so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate,
602background. 769connection establishment is handled in the background.
603 770
604=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 771=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
605 772
606Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 773Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost
607without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 774without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b,
608and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 775and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
609 776
610AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 777AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no
611holes in the message sequence. 778holes in the message sequence.
612 779
613=item * In erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 780=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be
614alive. 781alive.
615 782
616In erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and 783In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and
617linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is 784linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
618still alive - and can receive messages. 785still alive - and can receive messages.
619 786
620In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will 787In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
621eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead 788eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
622and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive. 789and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
623 790
624=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 791=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
625 792
626In erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 793In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID
627ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 794known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages
628messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 795destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process.
629 796
630AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 797AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
631around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 798around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
632 799
633=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 800=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
637securely authenticate nodes. 804securely authenticate nodes.
638 805
639=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 806=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
640communications. 807communications.
641 808
642The AEMP protocol, unlike the erlang protocol, supports both 809The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both
643language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 810language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary,
644language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 811language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable).
645 812
646It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 813It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
647with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 814with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the
648protocol simple. 815protocol simple.
649 816
817=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
818
819In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages
820or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is
821difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in
822Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback
823on a per-process basis.
824
825=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
826
827Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes,
828as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
829
830In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
831that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
832on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor
833the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much
834more reliable.
835
836This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
837(hard to do in Erlang).
838
839=back
840
841=head1 RATIONALE
842
843=over 4
844
845=item Why strings for ports and noderefs, why not objects?
846
847We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
848thatc an be called are very low. Since port IDs and noderefs travel over
849the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
850overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object.
851
852Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
853procedures to be "valid".
854
855And a a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a global hash - it
856can't become much cheaper.
857
858=item Why favour JSON, why not real serialising format such as Storable?
859
860In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
861format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
862default.
863
864The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
865faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
866experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
867than it gains: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
868easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
869always have to re-think your design.
870
871Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
872objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
873
650=back 874=back
651 875
652=head1 SEE ALSO 876=head1 SEE ALSO
653 877
654L<AnyEvent>. 878L<AnyEvent>.

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