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Comparing AnyEvent-MP/MP.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.49 by root, Thu Aug 13 15:29:58 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.69 by root, Sun Aug 30 18:51:49 2009 UTC

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 13 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
14 14
15 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages 15 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages
16 initialise_node; # -OR- 16 initialise_node;
17 initialise_node "localhost:4040"; # -OR-
18 initialise_node "slave/", "localhost:4040"
19 17
20 # ports are message endpoints 18 # ports are message endpoints
21 19
22 # sending messages 20 # sending messages
23 snd $port, type => data...; 21 snd $port, type => data...;
24 snd $port, @msg; 22 snd $port, @msg;
25 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port; 23 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
26 24
27 # creating/using miniports 25 # creating/using ports, the simple way
28 my $miniport = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; 26 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 };
29 27
30 # creating/using full ports 28 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
31 my $port = port; 29 my $port = port;
32 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->(@msg);
33 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 30 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 };
34 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; 31 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 };
35
36 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module)
37 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ...
38 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3
39 32
40 # create a port on another node 33 # create a port on another node
41 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 34 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
42 35
43 # monitoring 36 # monitoring
47 40
48=head1 CURRENT STATUS 41=head1 CURRENT STATUS
49 42
50 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work 43 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work
51 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated 44 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated
52 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - WIP
53 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable 45 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable
46 AnyEvent::MP::Global - mostly stable
47 AnyEvent::MP::Node - mostly stable, but internal anyways
48 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable, but internal anyways
54 49
55 stay tuned. 50 stay tuned.
56 51
57=head1 DESCRIPTION 52=head1 DESCRIPTION
58 53
59This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 54This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
60 55
61Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 56Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
62on the same or other hosts. 57on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
63 58
64For 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>
65manual page. 60manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
66 61
67At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented, 62At the moment, this module family is a bit underdocumented.
68so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
69stay tuned!
70 63
71=head1 CONCEPTS 64=head1 CONCEPTS
72 65
73=over 4 66=over 4
74 67
75=item port 68=item port
76 69
77A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 70A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function).
78 71
79Some ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match specific 72Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
80messages. All C<rcv> handlers will receive messages they match, messages 73some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
81will not be queued. 74anything was listening for them or not.
82 75
83=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 76=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
84 77
85A port id is normaly the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 78A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) as
86separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 79separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format).
87exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node
88reference.
89 80
90=item node 81=item node
91 82
92A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node 83A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
93port. You can send messages to node ports to find existing ports or to 84which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
94create new ports, among other things. 85ports.
95 86
96Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a 87Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
97master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes). 88(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
89currently.
98 90
99=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> 91=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+>
100 92
101A node reference is a string that either simply identifies the node (for 93A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
102private and slave nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given 94network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
103node (for public nodes). 95hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
96doesn't interpret node IDs in any way.
104 97
105This recipe is simply a comma-separated list of C<address:port> pairs (for 98=item binds - C<ip:port>
106TCP/IP, other protocols might look different).
107 99
108Node references come in two flavours: resolved (containing only numerical 100Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to
109addresses) or unresolved (where hostnames are used instead of addresses). 101each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
102endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can
103be used, which specify TCP ports to listen on.
110 104
111Before using an unresolved node reference in a message you first have to 105=item seeds - C<host:port>
112resolve it. 106
107When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node
108about the network it first has to contact some other node within the
109network. This node is called a seed.
110
111Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes
112are expected to be long-running, and at least one of those should always
113be available. When nodes run out of connections (e.g. due to a network
114error), they try to re-establish connections to some seednodes again to
115join the network.
116
117Apart from being sued for seeding, seednodes are not special in any way -
118every public node can be a seednode.
113 119
114=back 120=back
115 121
116=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 122=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
117 123
132use base "Exporter"; 138use base "Exporter";
133 139
134our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 140our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION;
135 141
136our @EXPORT = qw( 142our @EXPORT = qw(
137 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 143 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
138 resolve_node initialise_node 144 initialise_node
139 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn 145 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn
140 port 146 port
141); 147);
142 148
143our $SELF; 149our $SELF;
144 150
148 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 154 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
149} 155}
150 156
151=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 157=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
152 158
153The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains 159The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
154the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call 160ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
155to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port 161a call to C<initialise_node>.
156identifiers become invalid.
157 162
158=item $noderef = node_of $port 163=item $nodeid = node_of $port
159 164
160Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. 165Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
161 166
162=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode... 167=item initialise_node $profile_name, key => value...
163 168
164=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master...
165
166Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise 169Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
167itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally 170"distributed mode") it has to initialise itself - the minimum a node needs
168it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network. 171to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
172some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
169 173
170This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 174This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or
171never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 175never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
172 176
173All arguments (optionally except for the first) are noderefs, which can be 177The first argument is a profile name. If it is C<undef> or missing, then
174either resolved or unresolved. 178the current nodename will be used instead (i.e. F<uname -n>).
175 179
176The first argument will be looked up in the configuration database first 180The function first looks up the profile in the aemp configuration (see the
177(if it is C<undef> then the current nodename will be used instead) to find 181L<aemp> commandline utility). the profile is calculated as follows:
178the relevant configuration profile (see L<aemp>). If none is found then
179the default configuration is used. The configuration supplies additional
180seed/master nodes and can override the actual noderef.
181 182
182There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes: 183First, all remaining key => value pairs will be used. Then they will be
184overwritten by any values specified in the global default configuration
185(see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of profiles selected, if
186any. That means that the values specified in the profile have highest
187priority and the values specified via C<initialise_node> have lowest
188priority.
183 189
184=over 4 190If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
191this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The
192special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID.
185 193
186=item public nodes 194The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
195aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
196to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the
197outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no
198binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes).
187 199
188For public nodes, C<$noderef> (supplied either directly to 200If the profile does not specify a binds list, then the node ID will be
189C<initialise_node> or indirectly via a profile or the nodename) must be a 201treated as if it were of the form C<host:port>, which will be resolved and
190noderef (possibly unresolved, in which case it will be resolved). 202used as binds list.
191 203
192After resolving, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to 204Lastly, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the
193connect to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are 205L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
194optional and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing 206connectivity with at least on of those seed nodes at any point in time.
195network.
196 207
197=item slave nodes
198
199When the C<$noderef> (either as given or overriden by the config file)
200is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will become a slave
201node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will route most of
202their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
203
204At least one additional noderef is required (either by specifying it
205directly or because it is part of the configuration profile): The node
206will try to connect to all of them and will become a slave attached to the
207first node it can successfully connect to.
208
209=back
210
211This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave
212nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master
213server.
214
215Example: become a public node listening on the guessed noderef, or the one 208Example: become a distributed node listening on the guessed noderef, or
216specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the most common 209the one specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the
217form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 210most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
218 211
219 initialise_node; 212 initialise_node;
220 213
221Example: become a slave node to any of the the seednodes specified via 214Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline
222C<aemp>. This form is often used for commandline clients. 215clients.
223 216
224 initialise_node "slave/"; 217 initialise_node "anon/";
225 218
226Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers. This 219Example: become a distributed node. If there is no profile of the given
227form is also often used for commandline clients. 220name, or no binds list was specified, resolve C<localhost:4044> and bind
228 221on the resulting addresses.
229 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
230
231Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master
232servers to become part of the network.
233
234 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2";
235
236Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>.
237
238 initialise_node 4041;
239
240Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
241 222
242 initialise_node "localhost:4044"; 223 initialise_node "localhost:4044";
243
244=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
245
246Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
247abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
248reference.
249
250In addition to C<address:port> pairs allowed in resolved noderefs, the
251following forms are supported:
252
253=over 4
254
255=item the empty string
256
257An empty-string component gets resolved as if the default port (4040) was
258specified.
259
260=item naked port numbers (e.g. C<1234>)
261
262These are resolved by prepending the local nodename and a colon, to be
263further resolved.
264
265=item hostnames (e.g. C<localhost:1234>, C<localhost>)
266
267These are resolved by using AnyEvent::DNS to resolve them, optionally
268looking up SRV records for the C<aemp=4040> port, if no port was
269specified.
270
271=back
272 224
273=item $SELF 225=item $SELF
274 226
275Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 227Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
276blocks. 228blocks.
277 229
278=item SELF, %SELF, @SELF... 230=item *SELF, SELF, %SELF, @SELF...
279 231
280Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 232Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
281just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 233just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols named C<SELF> are exported by this
282module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 234module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
283 235
284=item snd $port, type => @data 236=item snd $port, type => @data
285 237
286=item snd $port, @msg 238=item snd $port, @msg
287 239
288Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 240Send the given message to the given port, which can identify either a
289a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat 241local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
290stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :).
291 242
292While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a 243While the message can be almost anything, it is highly recommended to
293string as first element (a portid, or some word that indicates a request 244use a string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a
294type etc.). 245request type etc.) and to consist if only simple perl values (scalars,
246arrays, hashes) - if you think you need to pass an object, think again.
295 247
296The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this 248The message data logically becomes read-only after a call to this
297function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many 249function: modifying any argument (or values referenced by them) is
298problems. 250forbidden, as there can be considerable time between the call to C<snd>
251and the time the message is actually being serialised - in fact, it might
252never be copied as within the same process it is simply handed to the
253receiving port.
299 254
300The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when 255The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when
301JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 256JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
302of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 257of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
303that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 258that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
304node, anything can be passed. 259node, anything can be passed. Best rely only on the common denominator of
260these.
305 261
306=item $local_port = port 262=item $local_port = port
307 263
308Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern 264Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
309matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"), 265no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
310depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object.
311 266
312=item $port = port { my @msg = @_; $finished } 267=item $local_port = port { my @msg = @_ }
313 268
314Creates a "miniport", that is, a very lightweight port without any pattern 269Creates a new local port, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as
315matching behind it, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as creating
316a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it. 270creating a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
317 271
318The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the 272The block will be called for every message received on the port, with the
319callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port 273global variable C<$SELF> set to the port ID. Runtime errors will cause the
320will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive. 274port to be C<kil>ed. The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument
275(i.e. no port ID) will be passed to the callback.
321 276
322The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will 277If you want to stop/destroy the port, simply C<kil> it:
323be passed to the callback.
324 278
325If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely: 279 my $port = port {
326 280 my @msg = @_;
327 my $port; $port = port { 281 ...
328 snd $otherport, reply => $port; 282 kil $SELF;
329 }; 283 };
330 284
331=cut 285=cut
332 286
333sub rcv($@); 287sub rcv($@);
288
289sub _kilme {
290 die "received message on port without callback";
291}
334 292
335sub port(;&) { 293sub port(;&) {
336 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 294 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++;
337 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 295 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
338 296
339 if (@_) { 297 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
340 rcv $port, shift;
341 } else {
342 $PORT{$id} = sub { }; # nop
343 }
344 298
345 $port 299 $port
346} 300}
347 301
348=item reg $port, $name
349
350=item reg $name
351
352Registers the given port (or C<$SELF><<< if missing) under the name
353C<$name>. If the name already exists it is replaced.
354
355A port can only be registered under one well known name.
356
357A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
358
359=cut
360
361sub reg(@) {
362 my $port = @_ > 1 ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'reg: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
363
364 $REG{$_[0]} = $port;
365}
366
367=item rcv $port, $callback->(@msg) 302=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
368 303
369Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (after converting it to 304Replaces the default callback on the specified port. There is no way to
370one if required). 305remove the default callback: use C<sub { }> to disable it, or better
371 306C<kil> the port when it is no longer needed.
372=item rcv $port, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
373
374=item rcv $port, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
375
376=item rcv $port, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
377
378Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full
379port (after converting it to one if required) and return the port.
380
381The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
382which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
383registered.
384 307
385The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 308The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
386executing the callback. 309executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
310result in the port being C<kil>ed.
387 311
388Runtime errors during callback execution will result in the port being 312The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific
389C<kil>ed. 313C<tag> match.
390 314
391If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the 315=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
392first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
393matched.
394 316
395Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function 317Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the
396exported by this module) matches any single element of the message. 318given tag on the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when
319C<$callback> is C<$undef> or missing). There can only be one callback
320registered for each tag.
397 321
398While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching 322The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first
399element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is 323element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same
400also the most efficient match (by far). 324environment as the default callback (see above).
401 325
402Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go. 326Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
403 327
404 my $port = rcv port, 328 my $port = rcv port,
405 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 329 msg1 => sub { ... },
406 msg2 => sub { ...; 0 }, 330 msg2 => sub { ... },
407 ; 331 ;
408 332
409Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere 333Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
410in one go: 334in one go:
411 335
412 snd $otherport, reply => 336 snd $otherport, reply =>
413 rcv port, 337 rcv port,
414 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 338 msg1 => sub { ... },
415 ... 339 ...
416 ; 340 ;
341
342Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
343(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
344
345 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
346 my @reply = @_;
347
348 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
349 };
417 350
418=cut 351=cut
419 352
420sub rcv($@) { 353sub rcv($@) {
421 my $port = shift; 354 my $port = shift;
422 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 355 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
423 356
424 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""} 357 $NODE{$noderef} == $NODE{""}
425 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 358 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
426 359
427 if (@_ == 1) { 360 while (@_) {
361 if (ref $_[0]) {
362 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
363 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
364 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
365
366 $self->[2] = shift;
367 } else {
428 my $cb = shift; 368 my $cb = shift;
429 delete $PORT_DATA{$portid};
430 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 369 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
431 local $SELF = $port; 370 local $SELF = $port;
432 eval { 371 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
433 &$cb 372 };
434 and kil $port;
435 }; 373 }
436 _self_die if $@; 374 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
437 };
438 } else {
439 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 375 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
440 my $self = bless { 376 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
441 id => $port,
442 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
443 377
444 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 378 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
445 local $SELF = $port; 379 local $SELF = $port;
446 380
447 eval {
448 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) { 381 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
449 $_ && &{$_->[0]} 382 shift;
450 && undef $_; 383 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
451 } 384 } else {
452
453 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
454 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
455 && &{$_->[0]} 385 &{ $self->[0] };
456 && undef $_;
457 }
458
459 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
460 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
461 && &{$_->[0]}
462 && undef $_;
463 } 386 }
464 }; 387 };
465 _self_die if $@; 388
389 $self
466 }; 390 };
467 391
468 $self
469 };
470
471 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 392 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
472 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 393 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
473 394
474 while (@_) {
475 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; 395 my ($tag, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
476 396
477 if (!ref $match) { 397 if (defined $cb) {
478 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb]; 398 $self->[1]{$tag} = $cb;
479 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) {
480 my ($type, @match) = @$match;
481 @match
482 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match]
483 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb];
484 } else { 399 } else {
485 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match]; 400 delete $self->[1]{$tag};
486 } 401 }
487 } 402 }
488 } 403 }
489 404
490 $port 405 $port
526 $res 441 $res
527 } 442 }
528 } 443 }
529} 444}
530 445
531=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) 446=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) # call $cb when $port dies
532 447
533=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport 448=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport # kill $rcvport when $port dies
534 449
535=item $guard = mon $port 450=item $guard = mon $port # kill $SELF when $port dies
536 451
537=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg 452=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg # send a message when $port dies
538 453
539Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 454Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
540messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 455messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
541to stop monitoring again. 456to stop monitoring again.
542 457
543C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 458C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
544that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port 459after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
545will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible 460arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
546message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" 461loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
547(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 462the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
548port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 463port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
549delivered again. 464delivered again.
465
466Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a
467monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
550 468
551In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 469In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
552number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 470number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
553"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 471"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
554C<eval> if unsure. 472C<eval> if unsure.
616is killed, the references will be freed. 534is killed, the references will be freed.
617 535
618Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring. 536Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
619 537
620This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and 538This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
621want to free them when the port gets killed: 539want to free them when the port gets killed (note the use of C<psub>):
622 540
623 $port->rcv (start => sub { 541 $port->rcv (start => sub {
624 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub { 542 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, psub {
625 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand; 543 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
626 }); 544 });
627 }); 545 });
628 546
629=cut 547=cut
638 556
639=item kil $port[, @reason] 557=item kil $port[, @reason]
640 558
641Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 559Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
642 560
643If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 561If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports
644ports will not be kileld, or even notified). 562monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies
563"normally").
645 564
646Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 565Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of
647C<mon>, see below). 566C<mon>, see above).
648 567
649Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 568Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
650will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 569will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
651 570
652Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 571Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
657=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] 576=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
658 577
659Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which 578Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
660case it's the node where that port resides). 579case it's the node where that port resides).
661 580
662The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is 581The port ID of the newly created port is returned immediately, and it is
663permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port. 582possible to immediately start sending messages or to monitor the port.
664 583
665After the port has been created, the init function is 584After the port has been created, the init function is called on the remote
666called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name 585node, in the same context as a C<rcv> callback. This function must be a
667(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main 586fully-qualified function name (e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To
668program, use C<::name>. 587specify a function in the main program, use C<::name>.
669 588
670If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require> 589If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
671the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 590the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
672C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 591C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
673exists or it runs out of package names. 592exists or it runs out of package names.
674 593
675The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 594The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
676object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 595object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments.
677 596
678A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and 597A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
679in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring 598port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
680ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem. 599local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
600when there is a problem.
681 601
682Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 602Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
683 603
684 # this node, executed from within a port context: 604 # this node, executed from within a port context:
685 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 605 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
715 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 635 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
716 636
717 $_[0] =~ /::/ 637 $_[0] =~ /::/
718 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 638 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
719 639
720 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) 640 snd_to_func $noderef, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
721 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]);
722 641
723 "$noderef#$id" 642 "$noderef#$id"
724} 643}
725 644
726=back 645=item after $timeout, @msg
727 646
728=head1 NODE MESSAGES 647=item after $timeout, $callback
729 648
730Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take 649Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the
731arguments called C<@reply>, which will simply be used to compose a reply 650specified number of seconds.
732message - C<$reply[0]> is the port to reply to, C<$reply[1]> the type and
733the remaining arguments are simply the message data.
734 651
735While other messages exist, they are not public and subject to change. 652This is simply a utility function that comes in handy at times - the
653AnyEvent::MP author is not convinced of the wisdom of having it, though,
654so it may go away in the future.
736 655
737=over 4
738
739=cut 656=cut
740 657
741=item lookup => $name, @reply 658sub after($@) {
659 my ($timeout, @action) = @_;
742 660
743Replies with the port ID of the specified well-known port, or C<undef>. 661 my $t; $t = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
744 662 undef $t;
745=item devnull => ... 663 ref $action[0]
746 664 ? $action[0]()
747Generic data sink/CPU heat conversion. 665 : snd @action;
748 666 };
749=item relay => $port, @msg 667}
750
751Simply forwards the message to the given port.
752
753=item eval => $string[ @reply]
754
755Evaluates the given string. If C<@reply> is given, then a message of the
756form C<@reply, $@, @evalres> is sent.
757
758Example: crash another node.
759
760 snd $othernode, eval => "exit";
761
762=item time => @reply
763
764Replies the the current node time to C<@reply>.
765
766Example: tell the current node to send the current time to C<$myport> in a
767C<timereply> message.
768
769 snd $NODE, time => $myport, timereply => 1, 2;
770 # => snd $myport, timereply => 1, 2, <time>
771 668
772=back 669=back
773 670
774=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 671=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
775 672
785 682
786Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 683Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
787 684
788=over 4 685=over 4
789 686
790=item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them. 687=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
791 688
792Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the 689Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
793same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with 690way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
794convenience functionality. 691configuraiton or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself.
795 692
796This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the 693=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
797cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead. 694uses "local ports are like remote ports".
695
696The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
697only) then for remote ports - when a local port dies, you I<know> it dies,
698when a connection to another node dies, you know nothing about the other
699port.
700
701Erlang pretends remote ports are as reliable as local ports, even when
702they are not.
703
704AEMP encourages a "treat remote ports differently" philosophy, with local
705ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
706occur.
798 707
799=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 708=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
800 709
801Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 710Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore
802needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 711needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no
803purpose. 712useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of
713AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
714filter messages without dequeing them.
804 715
805(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 716(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
806 717
807=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 718=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
808 719
809Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 720Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and
810sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 721so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate,
811background. 722connection establishment is handled in the background.
812 723
813=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 724=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
814 725
815Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 726Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost
816without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 727without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b,
817and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 728and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
818 729
819AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 730AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message
820holes in the message sequence. 731is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until
821 732monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message
822=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 733sequence.
823alive.
824
825In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and
826linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
827still alive - and can receive messages.
828
829In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
830eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
831and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
832 734
833=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 735=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
834 736
835In Erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 737In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID
836ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 738known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages
837messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 739destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process.
838 740
839AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 741AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
840around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 742around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
841 743
842=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 744=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
843authentication and can use TLS. 745authentication and can use TLS.
844 746
845AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and 747AEMP can use a proven protocol - TLS - to protect connections and
846securely authenticate nodes. 748securely authenticate nodes.
847 749
848=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 750=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
849communications. 751communications.
850 752
851The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both 753The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
852language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 754language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary,
853language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 755language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
756used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
854 757
855It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 758It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
856with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 759with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
857protocol simple. 760protocol simple.
858 761
859=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 762=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
860 763
861In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 764In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages
864Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 767Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback
865on a per-process basis. 768on a per-process basis.
866 769
867=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 770=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
868 771
869Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, 772Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
870as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 773same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
871 774
872In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports 775In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
873that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port 776that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
874on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor 777on the remote node. The init function monitors you, and you monitor the
875the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much 778remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much more
876more reliable. 779reliable (no need for C<spawn_link>).
877 780
878This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port 781This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
879(hard to do in Erlang). 782(hard to do in Erlang).
880 783
881=back 784=back
882 785
883=head1 RATIONALE 786=head1 RATIONALE
884 787
885=over 4 788=over 4
886 789
887=item Why strings for ports and noderefs, why not objects? 790=item Why strings for port and node IDs, why not objects?
888 791
889We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods 792We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
890thatc an be called are very low. Since port IDs and noderefs travel over 793that can be called are quite low. Since port and node IDs travel over
891the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of 794the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
892overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object. 795overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
893 796
894Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 797Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
895procedures to be "valid". 798procedures to be "valid".
896 799
897And a a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a global hash - it 800And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a
898can't become much cheaper. 801global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
899 802
900=item Why favour JSON, why not real serialising format such as Storable? 803=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
901 804
902In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 805In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
903format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 806format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
904default. 807default (although all nodes will accept it).
905 808
906The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times 809The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
907faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of 810faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
908experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems 811experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
909than it gains: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel 812than it solves: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
910easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you 813easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
911always have to re-think your design. 814always have to re-think your design.
912 815
913Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than 816Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
914objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient. 817objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
915 818
916=back 819=back
917 820
918=head1 SEE ALSO 821=head1 SEE ALSO
919 822
823L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
824
825L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
826
827L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find
828your applications.
829
920L<AnyEvent>. 830L<AnyEvent>.
921 831
922=head1 AUTHOR 832=head1 AUTHOR
923 833
924 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 834 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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