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Revision 1.126 by root, Sat Mar 3 19:43:41 2012 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent::MP - multi-processing/message-passing framework 3AnyEvent::MP - erlang-style multi-processing/message-passing framework
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 use AnyEvent::MP; 7 use AnyEvent::MP;
8 8
9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef 9 $NODE # contains this node's node ID
10 NODE # returns this node's noderef 10 NODE # returns this node's node ID
11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port
12 11
13 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks 12 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
14 13
15 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages 14 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages
16 initialise_node; 15 configure;
17 16
18 # ports are message endpoints 17 # ports are message destinations
19 18
20 # sending messages 19 # sending messages
21 snd $port, type => data...; 20 snd $port, type => data...;
22 snd $port, @msg; 21 snd $port, @msg;
23 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port; 22 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
24 23
25 # creating/using ports, the simple way 24 # creating/using ports, the simple way
26 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; 25 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_ };
27 26
28 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching 27 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
29 my $port = port; 28 my $port = port;
30 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 29 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong" };
31 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
32 31
33 # create a port on another node 32 # create a port on another node
34 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
35 34
35 # destroy a port again
36 kil $port; # "normal" kill
37 kil $port, my_error => "everything is broken"; # error kill
38
36 # monitoring 39 # monitoring
37 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 40 mon $localport, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
38 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 41 mon $localport, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
39 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 42 mon $localport, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
43
44 # temporarily execute code in port context
45 peval $port, sub { die "kill the port!" };
46
47 # execute callbacks in $SELF port context
48 my $timer = AE::timer 1, 0, psub {
49 die "kill the port, delayed";
50 };
40 51
41=head1 CURRENT STATUS 52=head1 CURRENT STATUS
42 53
43 bin/aemp - stable. 54 bin/aemp - stable.
44 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work. 55 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
45 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - uptodate, but incomplete. 56 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable. 57 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable API.
47 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API, protocol not yet final. 58 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API.
48
49 stay tuned.
50 59
51=head1 DESCRIPTION 60=head1 DESCRIPTION
52 61
53This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 62This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
54 63
56on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely. 65on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
57 66
58For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> 67For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro>
59manual page and the examples under F<eg/>. 68manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
60 69
61At the moment, this module family is a bit underdocumented.
62
63=head1 CONCEPTS 70=head1 CONCEPTS
64 71
65=over 4 72=over 4
66 73
67=item port 74=item port
68 75
69A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 76Not to be confused with a TCP port, a "port" is something you can send
77messages to (with the C<snd> function).
70 78
71Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just 79Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
72some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
73anything was listening for them or not. 81anything was listening for them or not.
74 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
75=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
76 86
77A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 87A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>)
78separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). 88as separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified
89format created by AnyEvent::MP).
79 90
80=item node 91=item node
81 92
82A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port, 93A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
83which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
84ports. 95ports.
85 96
86Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
87(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 98(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
88currently. 99currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
89 100
101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
102
90=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+> 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
91 104
92A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a 105A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
93network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 106network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
94hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself 107hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
95doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 108doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
96 109
97=item binds - C<ip:port> 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
98 111
99Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to 112Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to
100each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport 113each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
114endpoints - binds.
115
101endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can 116Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
102be used, which specify TCP ports to listen on. 117specify TCP ports to listen on. So a bind is basically just a tcp socket
118in listening mode thta accepts conenctions form other nodes.
103 119
120=item seed nodes
121
122When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network it is in - it
123needs to connect to at least one other node that is already in the
124network. These other nodes are called "seed nodes".
125
126Seed nodes themselves are not special - they are seed nodes only because
127some other node I<uses> them as such, but any node can be used as seed
128node for other nodes, and eahc node cna use a different set of seed nodes.
129
130In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
131maintain the network - all nodes using the same seed node form are part of
132the same network. If a network is split into multiple subnets because e.g.
133the network link between the parts goes down, then using the same seed
134nodes for all nodes ensures that eventually the subnets get merged again.
135
136Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node
137should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a
138seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else.
139
140For small networks, it's best if every node uses the same set of seed
141nodes. For large networks, it can be useful to specify "regional" seed
142nodes for most nodes in an area, and use all seed nodes as seed nodes for
143each other. What's important is that all seed nodes connections form a
144complete graph, so that the network cannot split into separate subnets
145forever.
146
147Seed nodes are represented by seed IDs.
148
104=item seeds - C<host:port> 149=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
105 150
106When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node 151Seed IDs are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
107about the network it first has to contact some other node within the 152TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
108network. This node is called a seed.
109 153
110Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes 154=item global nodes
111are expected to be long-running, and at least one of those should always
112be available. When nodes run out of connections (e.g. due to a network
113error), they try to re-establish connections to some seednodes again to
114join the network.
115 155
116Apart from being sued for seeding, seednodes are not special in any way - 156An AEMP network needs a discovery service - nodes need to know how to
117every public node can be a seednode. 157connect to other nodes they only know by name. In addition, AEMP offers a
158distributed "group database", which maps group names to a list of strings
159- for example, to register worker ports.
160
161A network needs at least one global node to work, and allows every node to
162be a global node.
163
164Any node that loads the L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module becomes a global
165node and tries to keep connections to all other nodes. So while it can
166make sense to make every node "global" in small networks, it usually makes
167sense to only make seed nodes into global nodes in large networks (nodes
168keep connections to seed nodes and global nodes, so makign them the same
169reduces overhead).
118 170
119=back 171=back
120 172
121=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
122 174
124 176
125=cut 177=cut
126 178
127package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
128 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
129use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
130 184
131use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
132 186
133use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
134 188
135use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
136 191
137use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
138 193
139our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
140 195
141our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
142 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
143 initialise_node 198 configure
144 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
145 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
146); 202);
147 203
148our $SELF; 204our $SELF;
149 205
150sub _self_die() { 206sub _self_die() {
155 211
156=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 212=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
157 213
158The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node 214The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
159ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by 215ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
160a call to C<initialise_node>. 216a call to C<configure>.
161 217
162=item $nodeid = node_of $port 218=item $nodeid = node_of $port
163 219
164Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID. 220Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
165 221
166=item initialise_node $profile_name, key => value... 222=item configure $profile, key => value...
223
224=item configure key => value...
167 225
168Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter 226Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
169"distributed mode") it has to initialise itself - the minimum a node needs 227"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
170to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of 228to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
171some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 229some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
172 230
173This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 231This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
174never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 232never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
175 233
176The first argument is a profile name. If it is C<undef> or missing, then 234The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
177the current nodename will be used instead (i.e. F<uname -n>). 235F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with two additions:
178 236
237=over 4
238
239=item norc => $boolean (default false)
240
241If true, then the rc file (e.g. F<~/.perl-anyevent-mp>) will I<not>
242be consulted - all configuraiton options must be specified in the
243C<configure> call.
244
245=item force => $boolean (default false)
246
247IF true, then the values specified in the C<configure> will take
248precedence over any values configured via the rc file. The default is for
249the rc file to override any options specified in the program.
250
251=back
252
253=over 4
254
255=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
256
179The function first looks up the profile in the aemp configuration (see the 257The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
180L<aemp> commandline utility). the profile is calculated as follows: 258L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
259named C<profile> parameter or can simply be the first parameter). If it is
260missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
181 261
262The profile data is then gathered as follows:
263
182First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conviniently 264First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
183undocumented at the moment) will be used. Then they will be overwritten by 265undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
184any values specified in the global default configuration (see the F<aemp> 266data. Then they will be overwritten by any values specified in the global
185utility), then the chain of profiles selected, if any. That means that 267default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of
268profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes).
269
186the values specified in the profile have highest priority and the values 270That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
187specified via C<initialise_node> have lowest priority. 271and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
272and can only be used to specify defaults.
188 273
189If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of 274If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
190this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The 275this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID, with
191special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID. 276a unique randoms tring (C</%u>) appended.
277
278The node ID can contain some C<%> sequences that are expanded: C<%n>
279is expanded to the local nodename, C<%u> is replaced by a random
280strign to make the node unique. For example, the F<aemp> commandline
281utility uses C<aemp/%n/%u> as nodename, which might expand to
282C<aemp/cerebro/ZQDGSIkRhEZQDGSIkRhE>.
283
284=item step 2, bind listener sockets
192 285
193The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding 286The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
194aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid 287aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
195to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the 288to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the
196outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no 289outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no
197binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes). 290binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes).
198 291
199If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is 292If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is
200used. 293used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
294local IP address it finds.
201 295
296=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
297
202Lastly, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the 298As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
203L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 299L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
204connectivity with at least on of those seed nodes at any point in time. 300connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
205 301
206Example: become a distributed node listening on the guessed noderef, or 302=back
207the one specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the 303
304Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
208most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 305This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
209 306
210 initialise_node; 307 configure
211 308
212Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 309Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
213clients. 310commandline clients.
214 311
215 initialise_node "anon/"; 312 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
216 313
217Example: become a distributed node. If there is no profile of the given 314Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
218name, or no binds list was specified, resolve C<localhost:4044> and bind 315for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
219on the resulting addresses. 316customary for aemp).
220 317
221 initialise_node "localhost:4044"; 318 # use the aemp commandline utility
319 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
320
321 # then use it
322 configure profile => "seed";
323
324 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
325 # aemp run profile seed
326
327 # or provide a nicer-to-remember nodeid
328 # aemp run profile seed nodeid "$(hostname)"
222 329
223=item $SELF 330=item $SELF
224 331
225Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 332Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
226blocks. 333blocks.
287sub _kilme { 394sub _kilme {
288 die "received message on port without callback"; 395 die "received message on port without callback";
289} 396}
290 397
291sub port(;&) { 398sub port(;&) {
292 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 399 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
293 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 400 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
294 401
295 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 402 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
296 403
297 $port 404 $port
336 msg1 => sub { ... }, 443 msg1 => sub { ... },
337 ... 444 ...
338 ; 445 ;
339 446
340Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 447Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
341(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 448(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
342 449
343 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 450 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
344 my @reply = @_; 451 my @reply = @_;
345 452
346 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 453 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
348 455
349=cut 456=cut
350 457
351sub rcv($@) { 458sub rcv($@) {
352 my $port = shift; 459 my $port = shift;
353 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 460 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
354 461
355 $NODE{$noderef} == $NODE{""} 462 $NODE{$nodeid} == $NODE{""}
356 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 463 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
357 464
358 while (@_) { 465 while (@_) {
359 if (ref $_[0]) { 466 if (ref $_[0]) {
360 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 467 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
361 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 468 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
362 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 469 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
363 470
364 $self->[2] = shift; 471 $self->[0] = shift;
365 } else { 472 } else {
366 my $cb = shift; 473 my $cb = shift;
367 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 474 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
368 local $SELF = $port; 475 local $SELF = $port;
369 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 476 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
370 }; 477 };
371 } 478 }
372 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 479 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
373 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 480 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
374 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 481 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
375 482
376 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 483 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
377 local $SELF = $port; 484 local $SELF = $port;
378 485
379 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 486 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
401 } 508 }
402 509
403 $port 510 $port
404} 511}
405 512
513=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
514
515Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
516when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
517
518Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
519be returned to the caller.
520
521This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
522a port.
523
524Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
525
526 my $port = port { ... };
527
528 peval $port, sub {
529 init
530 or die "unable to init";
531 };
532
533=cut
534
535sub peval($$) {
536 local $SELF = shift;
537 my $cb = shift;
538
539 if (wantarray) {
540 my @res = eval { &$cb };
541 _self_die if $@;
542 @res
543 } else {
544 my $res = eval { &$cb };
545 _self_die if $@;
546 $res
547 }
548}
549
406=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 550=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
407 551
408Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 552Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
409closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 553closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
410callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 554callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
555
556The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
557BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
411 558
412This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 559This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
413 560
414 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 561 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
415 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 562 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
451 598
452Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 599Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
453messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 600messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
454to stop monitoring again. 601to stop monitoring again.
455 602
603In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
604number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
605"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
606C<eval> if unsure.
607
608In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
609will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
610"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
611port is killed with the same reason.
612
613The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
614C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
615
616In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
617C<snd>.
618
619Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
620alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
621
622As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
623a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
624lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
625even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
626to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
627these problems do not exist.
628
456C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 629C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
457after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will 630after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
458arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message 631arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
459loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after 632loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
460the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 633the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
461port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 634port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
462delivered again. 635delivered again.
463 636
464Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a 637Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
465monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again. 638used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
639relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
640non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
466 641
467In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 642This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
468number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 643stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
469"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 644to ensure some maximum latency.
470C<eval> if unsure.
471
472In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
473will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
474"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
475port is killed with the same reason.
476
477The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
478C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
479
480In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
481C<snd>.
482
483As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
484a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
485lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
486even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection
487to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
488these problems do not exist.
489 645
490Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 646Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
491 647
492 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 648 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
493 649
500 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 656 mon $port, $self => "restart";
501 657
502=cut 658=cut
503 659
504sub mon { 660sub mon {
505 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 661 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
506 662
507 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 663 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
508 664
509 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 665 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
510 666
511 unless (ref $cb) { 667 unless (ref $cb) {
512 if (@_) { 668 if (@_) {
521 } 677 }
522 678
523 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 679 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
524 680
525 defined wantarray 681 defined wantarray
526 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 682 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
527} 683}
528 684
529=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 685=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
530 686
531Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 687Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
554 710
555=item kil $port[, @reason] 711=item kil $port[, @reason]
556 712
557Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 713Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
558 714
559If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 715If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
560monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 716monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
561"normally"). 717(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
562 718
563Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 719If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
564C<mon>, see above). 720form) get killed with the same reason.
565 721
566Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 722Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
567will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 723will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
568 724
569Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 725Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
588the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 744the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
589C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 745C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
590exists or it runs out of package names. 746exists or it runs out of package names.
591 747
592The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 748The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
593object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 749object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
750call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
751the port might not get created.
594 752
595A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned 753A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
596port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed 754port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
597local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up 755local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
598when there is a problem. 756when there is a problem.
599 757
758C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
759caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
760called for the local node).
761
600Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 762Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
601 763
602 # this node, executed from within a port context: 764 # this node, executed from within a port context:
603 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 765 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
604 mon $server; 766 mon $server;
618 780
619sub _spawn { 781sub _spawn {
620 my $port = shift; 782 my $port = shift;
621 my $init = shift; 783 my $init = shift;
622 784
785 # rcv will create the actual port
623 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 786 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
624 eval { 787 eval {
625 &{ load_func $init } 788 &{ load_func $init }
626 }; 789 };
627 _self_die if $@; 790 _self_die if $@;
628} 791}
629 792
630sub spawn(@) { 793sub spawn(@) {
631 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 794 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
632 795
633 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 796 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
634 797
635 $_[0] =~ /::/ 798 $_[0] =~ /::/
636 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 799 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
637 800
638 snd_to_func $noderef, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 801 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
639 802
640 "$noderef#$id" 803 "$nodeid#$id"
641} 804}
805
642 806
643=item after $timeout, @msg 807=item after $timeout, @msg
644 808
645=item after $timeout, $callback 809=item after $timeout, $callback
646 810
662 ? $action[0]() 826 ? $action[0]()
663 : snd @action; 827 : snd @action;
664 }; 828 };
665} 829}
666 830
831=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
832
833A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
834given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
835
836The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
837the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
838
839A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
840
841If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
842then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
843elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
844
845If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
846monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
847
848Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
849might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
850this is indeed useful for something.
851
852=cut
853
854sub cal(@) {
855 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
856 my $cb = pop;
857
858 my $port = port {
859 undef $timeout;
860 kil $SELF;
861 &$cb;
862 };
863
864 if (defined $timeout) {
865 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
866 undef $timeout;
867 kil $port;
868 $cb->();
869 };
870 } else {
871 mon $_[0], sub {
872 kil $port;
873 $cb->();
874 };
875 }
876
877 push @_, $port;
878 &snd;
879
880 $port
881}
882
883=back
884
885=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
886
887AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
888be mirrored asynchronously at all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one of
889the global nodes for their needs.
890
891The database consists of a two-level hash - a hash contains a hash which
892contains values.
893
894The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
895is called "subkey" or simply "key".
896
897The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
898of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
899pretty much like Perl module names.
900
901As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
902with the name of the application or module using it.
903
904The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions.
905
906The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
907work as well (such as undef, arrays and hashes).
908
909Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey
910combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
911but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
912different values on different nodes.
913
914Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes
915without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker
916pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this:
917
918 db_set my_image_scalers => $port;
919
920And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the
921C<my_image_scalers> keys:
922
923 db_keys "my_image_scalers" => 60 => sub {
924 #d##TODO#
925
926=over
927
928=item db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
929
930Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
931C<undef> is used instead.
932
933=item db_del $family => $subkey
934
935Deletes a key from the database.
936
937=item $guard = db_reg $family => $subkey [=> $value]
938
939Sets the key on the database and returns a guard. When the guard is
940destroyed, the key is deleted from the database. If C<$value> is missing,
941then C<undef> is used.
942
943=cut
944
667=back 945=back
668 946
669=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 947=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
670 948
671AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 949AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
672== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 950== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
673programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 951programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
674sample: 952sample:
675 953
676 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 954 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
677 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 955 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
678 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 956 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
679 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 957 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
680 958
681Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 959Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
682 960
683=over 4 961=over 4
684 962
685=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 963=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
686 964
687Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 965Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
688way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 966way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
689configuraiton or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 967configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
968will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
690 969
691=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 970=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
692uses "local ports are like remote ports". 971uses "local ports are like remote ports".
693 972
694The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 973The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
703ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 982ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
704occur. 983occur.
705 984
706=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 985=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
707 986
708Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 987Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
709needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 988therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
710useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 989no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
711AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 990of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
712filter messages without dequeing them. 991filter messages without dequeuing them.
713 992
714(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 993This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
994being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
995
996You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
997top of AEMP and Coro threads.
715 998
716=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 999=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
717 1000
718Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 1001Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
1002a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
719so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 1003need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
720connection establishment is handled in the background. 1004establishment is handled in the background.
721 1005
722=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 1006=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
723 1007
724Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1008Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
725without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 1009lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
726and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1010b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
727 1011
728AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 1012AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
729is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 1013guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
730monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 1014same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
731sequence. 1015no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
1016
1017If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
1018corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
1019simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
1020link goes down.
732 1021
733=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1022=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
734 1023
735In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 1024In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
736known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1025process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
737destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1026causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1027process.
738 1028
739AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1029AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
740around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1030around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
741 1031
742=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1032=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
743authentication and can use TLS. 1033authentication and can use TLS.
744 1034
747 1037
748=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1038=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
749communications. 1039communications.
750 1040
751The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 1041The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
752language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1042language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
753language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 1043language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
754used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 1044used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
755 1045
756It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1046It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
757with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 1047with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
758protocol simple. 1048protocol simple.
759 1049
760=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1050=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
761 1051
762In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1052In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
763or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1053I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
764difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1054difficult to implement.
765Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1055
766on a per-process basis. 1056Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1057between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
767 1058
768=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1059=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
769 1060
770Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 1061Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
771same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1062same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
793overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1084overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
794 1085
795Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1086Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
796procedures to be "valid". 1087procedures to be "valid".
797 1088
798And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 1089And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
799global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1090code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
800 1091
801=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1092=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
802 1093
803In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1094In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
804format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1095format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
820 1111
821L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1112L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
822 1113
823L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1114L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
824 1115
825L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1116L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
826your applications. 1117your applications.
1118
1119L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1120
1121L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1122all nodes.
827 1123
828L<AnyEvent>. 1124L<AnyEvent>.
829 1125
830=head1 AUTHOR 1126=head1 AUTHOR
831 1127

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