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Revision 1.77 by elmex, Thu Sep 3 07:57:30 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.128 by root, Sun Mar 4 14:28:44 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
30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
31 31
32 # create a port on another node 32 # create a port on another node
33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
34 34
35 # destroy a port again
36 kil $port; # "normal" kill
37 kil $port, my_error => "everything is broken"; # error kill
38
35 # monitoring 39 # monitoring
36 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 40 mon $localport, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
37 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 41 mon $localport, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
38 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 };
39 51
40=head1 CURRENT STATUS 52=head1 CURRENT STATUS
41 53
42 bin/aemp - stable. 54 bin/aemp - stable.
43 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work. 55 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
44 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts. 56 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
45 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable. 57 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable API.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API, protocol not yet final. 58 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API.
47
48 stay tuned.
49 59
50=head1 DESCRIPTION 60=head1 DESCRIPTION
51 61
52This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 62This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
53 63
61 71
62=over 4 72=over 4
63 73
64=item port 74=item port
65 75
66A 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).
67 78
68Ports 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
69some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
70anything was listening for them or not. 81anything was listening for them or not.
71 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
72=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
73 86
74A 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<#>)
75separator, 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).
76 90
77=item node 91=item node
78 92
79A 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,
80which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
81ports. 95ports.
82 96
83Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
84(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 98(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
85currently. 99currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
86 100
101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
102
87=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+> 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
88 104
89A 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
90network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 106network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
91hostname, 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
92doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 108doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
93 109
94=item binds - C<ip:port> 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
95 111
96Nodes 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
97each 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
98endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can 116Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
99be 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.
100 119
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
101=item seeds - C<host:port> 149=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
102 150
103When 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
104about the network it first has to contact some other node within the 152TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
105network. This node is called a seed.
106 153
107Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes 154=item global nodes
108are expected to be long-running, and at least one of those should always
109be available. When nodes run out of connections (e.g. due to a network
110error), they try to re-establish connections to some seednodes again to
111join the network.
112 155
113Apart 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
114every 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).
115 170
116=back 171=back
117 172
118=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
119 174
121 176
122=cut 177=cut
123 178
124package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
125 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
126use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
127 184
128use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
129 186
130use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
131 188
132use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
133 191
134use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
135 193
136our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
137 195
138our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
139 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
140 configure 198 configure
141 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
142 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
202 db_mon db_family db_keys db_values
143); 203);
144 204
145our $SELF; 205our $SELF;
146 206
147sub _self_die() { 207sub _self_die() {
158 218
159=item $nodeid = node_of $port 219=item $nodeid = node_of $port
160 220
161Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID. 221Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
162 222
223=item configure $profile, key => value...
224
163=item configure key => value... 225=item configure key => value...
164 226
165Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter 227Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
166"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs 228"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
167to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of 229to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
168some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 230some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
169 231
170This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or 232This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
171never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 233never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
172 234
235The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
236F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with these additions:
237
238=over 4
239
240=item norc => $boolean (default false)
241
242If true, then the rc file (e.g. F<~/.perl-anyevent-mp>) will I<not>
243be consulted - all configuraiton options must be specified in the
244C<configure> call.
245
246=item force => $boolean (default false)
247
248IF true, then the values specified in the C<configure> will take
249precedence over any values configured via the rc file. The default is for
250the rc file to override any options specified in the program.
251
252=item secure => $pass->($nodeid)
253
254In addition to specifying a boolean, you can specify a code reference that
255is called for every remote execution attempt - the execution request is
256granted iff the callback returns a true value.
257
258See F<semp setsecure> for more info.
259
260=back
261
173=over 4 262=over 4
174 263
175=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles 264=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
176 265
177The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the 266The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
178L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the 267L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
179named C<profile> parameter. If it is missing, then the nodename (F<uname 268named C<profile> parameter or can simply be the first parameter). If it is
180-n>) will be used as profile name. 269missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
181 270
182The profile data is then gathered as follows: 271The profile data is then gathered as follows:
183 272
184First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently 273First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
185undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration 274undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
190That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority 279That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
191and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority, 280and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
192and can only be used to specify defaults. 281and can only be used to specify defaults.
193 282
194If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of 283If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
195this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The 284this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID, with
196special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID. 285a unique randoms tring (C</%u>) appended.
286
287The node ID can contain some C<%> sequences that are expanded: C<%n>
288is expanded to the local nodename, C<%u> is replaced by a random
289strign to make the node unique. For example, the F<aemp> commandline
290utility uses C<aemp/%n/%u> as nodename, which might expand to
291C<aemp/cerebro/ZQDGSIkRhEZQDGSIkRhE>.
197 292
198=item step 2, bind listener sockets 293=item step 2, bind listener sockets
199 294
200The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding 295The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
201aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid 296aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
207used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every 302used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
208local IP address it finds. 303local IP address it finds.
209 304
210=item step 3, connect to seed nodes 305=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
211 306
212As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the 307As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
213L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 308L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
214connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. 309connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
215 310
216=back 311=back
217 312
218Example: become a distributed node using the locla node name as profile. 313Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
219This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 314This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
220 315
221 configure 316 configure
222 317
223Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 318Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
224clients. 319commandline clients.
225 320
226 configure nodeid => "anon/"; 321 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
227 322
228Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable 323Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
229for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040, 324for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
230customary for aemp). 325customary for aemp).
231 326
232 # use the aemp commandline utility 327 # use the aemp commandline utility
233 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040' 328 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
234 329
235 # then use it 330 # then use it
236 configure profile => "seed"; 331 configure profile => "seed";
237 332
238 # or simply use aemp from the shell again: 333 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
308sub _kilme { 403sub _kilme {
309 die "received message on port without callback"; 404 die "received message on port without callback";
310} 405}
311 406
312sub port(;&) { 407sub port(;&) {
313 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 408 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
314 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 409 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
315 410
316 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 411 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
317 412
318 $port 413 $port
357 msg1 => sub { ... }, 452 msg1 => sub { ... },
358 ... 453 ...
359 ; 454 ;
360 455
361Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 456Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
362(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 457(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
363 458
364 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 459 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
365 my @reply = @_; 460 my @reply = @_;
366 461
367 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 462 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
380 if (ref $_[0]) { 475 if (ref $_[0]) {
381 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 476 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
382 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 477 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
383 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 478 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
384 479
385 $self->[2] = shift; 480 $self->[0] = shift;
386 } else { 481 } else {
387 my $cb = shift; 482 my $cb = shift;
388 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 483 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
389 local $SELF = $port; 484 local $SELF = $port;
390 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 485 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
391 }; 486 };
392 } 487 }
393 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 488 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
394 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 489 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
395 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 490 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
396 491
397 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 492 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
398 local $SELF = $port; 493 local $SELF = $port;
399 494
400 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 495 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
422 } 517 }
423 518
424 $port 519 $port
425} 520}
426 521
522=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
523
524Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
525when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
526
527Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
528be returned to the caller.
529
530This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
531a port.
532
533Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
534
535 my $port = port { ... };
536
537 peval $port, sub {
538 init
539 or die "unable to init";
540 };
541
542=cut
543
544sub peval($$) {
545 local $SELF = shift;
546 my $cb = shift;
547
548 if (wantarray) {
549 my @res = eval { &$cb };
550 _self_die if $@;
551 @res
552 } else {
553 my $res = eval { &$cb };
554 _self_die if $@;
555 $res
556 }
557}
558
427=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 559=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
428 560
429Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 561Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
430closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 562closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
431callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 563callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
564
565The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
566BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
432 567
433This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 568This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
434 569
435 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 570 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
436 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 571 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
472 607
473Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 608Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
474messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 609messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
475to stop monitoring again. 610to stop monitoring again.
476 611
612In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
613number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
614"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
615C<eval> if unsure.
616
617In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
618will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
619"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
620port is killed with the same reason.
621
622The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
623C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
624
625In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
626C<snd>.
627
628Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
629alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
630
631As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
632a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
633lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
634even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
635to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
636these problems do not exist.
637
477C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 638C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
478after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will 639after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
479arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message 640arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
480loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after 641loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
481the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 642the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
482port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 643port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
483delivered again. 644delivered again.
484 645
485Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a 646Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
486monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again. 647used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
648relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
649non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
487 650
488In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 651This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
489number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 652stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
490"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 653to ensure some maximum latency.
491C<eval> if unsure.
492
493In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
494will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
495"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
496port is killed with the same reason.
497
498The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
499C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
500
501In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
502C<snd>.
503
504As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
505a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
506lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
507even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
508to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
509these problems do not exist.
510 654
511Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 655Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
512 656
513 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 657 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
514 658
542 } 686 }
543 687
544 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 688 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
545 689
546 defined wantarray 690 defined wantarray
547 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 691 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
548} 692}
549 693
550=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 694=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
551 695
552Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 696Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
575 719
576=item kil $port[, @reason] 720=item kil $port[, @reason]
577 721
578Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 722Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
579 723
580If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 724If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
581monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 725monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
582"normally"). 726(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
583 727
584Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 728If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
585C<mon>, see above). 729form) get killed with the same reason.
586 730
587Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 731Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
588will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 732will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
589 733
590Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 734Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
609the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 753the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
610C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 754C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
611exists or it runs out of package names. 755exists or it runs out of package names.
612 756
613The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 757The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
614object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 758object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
759call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
760the port might not get created.
615 761
616A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned 762A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
617port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed 763port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
618local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up 764local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
619when there is a problem. 765when there is a problem.
620 766
767C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
768caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
769called for the local node).
770
621Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 771Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
622 772
623 # this node, executed from within a port context: 773 # this node, executed from within a port context:
624 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 774 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
625 mon $server; 775 mon $server;
639 789
640sub _spawn { 790sub _spawn {
641 my $port = shift; 791 my $port = shift;
642 my $init = shift; 792 my $init = shift;
643 793
794 # rcv will create the actual port
644 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 795 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
645 eval { 796 eval {
646 &{ load_func $init } 797 &{ load_func $init }
647 }; 798 };
648 _self_die if $@; 799 _self_die if $@;
649} 800}
650 801
651sub spawn(@) { 802sub spawn(@) {
652 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 803 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
653 804
654 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 805 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
655 806
656 $_[0] =~ /::/ 807 $_[0] =~ /::/
657 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 808 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
658 809
659 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 810 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
660 811
661 "$nodeid#$id" 812 "$nodeid#$id"
662} 813}
814
663 815
664=item after $timeout, @msg 816=item after $timeout, @msg
665 817
666=item after $timeout, $callback 818=item after $timeout, $callback
667 819
683 ? $action[0]() 835 ? $action[0]()
684 : snd @action; 836 : snd @action;
685 }; 837 };
686} 838}
687 839
840=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
841
842A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
843given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
844
845The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
846the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
847
848A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
849
850If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
851then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
852elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
853
854If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
855monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
856
857Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
858might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
859this is indeed useful for something.
860
861=cut
862
863sub cal(@) {
864 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
865 my $cb = pop;
866
867 my $port = port {
868 undef $timeout;
869 kil $SELF;
870 &$cb;
871 };
872
873 if (defined $timeout) {
874 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
875 undef $timeout;
876 kil $port;
877 $cb->();
878 };
879 } else {
880 mon $_[0], sub {
881 kil $port;
882 $cb->();
883 };
884 }
885
886 push @_, $port;
887 &snd;
888
889 $port
890}
891
892=back
893
894=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
895
896AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
897be mirrored asynchronously at all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one of
898the global nodes for their needs.
899
900The database consists of a two-level hash - a hash contains a hash which
901contains values.
902
903The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
904is called "subkey" or simply "key".
905
906The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
907of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
908pretty much like Perl module names.
909
910As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
911with the name of the application or module using it.
912
913The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions.
914
915The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
916work as well (such as undef, arrays and hashes).
917
918Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey
919combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
920but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
921different values on different nodes.
922
923Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes
924without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker
925pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this:
926
927 db_set my_image_scalers => $port;
928
929And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the
930C<my_image_scalers> keys:
931
932 db_keys "my_image_scalers" => 60 => sub {
933 #d##TODO#
934
935=over
936
937=item db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
938
939Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
940C<undef> is used instead.
941
942=item db_del $family => $subkey
943
944Deletes a key from the database.
945
946=item $guard = db_reg $family => $subkey [=> $value]
947
948Sets the key on the database and returns a guard. When the guard is
949destroyed, the key is deleted from the database. If C<$value> is missing,
950then C<undef> is used.
951
952=item $guard = db_mon $family => $cb->($familyhash, \@subkeys...)
953
954Creates a monitor on the given database family. Each time a key is set or
955or is deleted the callback is called with a hash containing the database
956family and an arrayref with subkeys that have changed.
957
958Specifically, if one of the passed subkeys exists in the $familyhash, then
959it is currently set to the value in the $familyhash. Otherwise, it has
960been deleted.
961
962The first call will be with the current contents of the family and all
963keys, as if they were just added.
964
965It is possible that the callback is called with a change event even though
966the subkey is already present and the value has not changed.
967
968The monitoring stops when the guard object is destroyed.
969
970Example: on every change to the family "mygroup", print out all keys.
971
972 my $guard = db_mon mygroup => sub {
973 my ($family, $keys) = @_;
974 print "mygroup members: ", (join " ", keys %$family), "\n";
975 };
976
977Exmaple: wait until the family "My::Module::workers" is non-empty.
978
979 my $guard; $guard = db_mon My::Module::workers => sub {
980 my ($family, $keys) = @_;
981 return unless %$family;
982 undef $guard;
983 print "My::Module::workers now nonempty\n";
984 };
985
986Example: print all changes to the family "AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module".
987
988 my $guard = db_mon AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module => sub {
989 my ($family, $keys) = @_;
990
991 for (@$keys) {
992 print "$_: ",
993 (exists $family->{$_}
994 ? $family->{$_}
995 : "(deleted)"),
996 "\n";
997 }
998 };
999
1000=cut
1001
688=back 1002=back
689 1003
690=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 1004=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
691 1005
692AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 1006AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
693== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 1007== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
694programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 1008programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
695sample: 1009sample:
696 1010
697 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 1011 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
698 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 1012 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
699 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 1013 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
700 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 1014 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
701 1015
702Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 1016Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
703 1017
704=over 4 1018=over 4
705 1019
706=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 1020=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
707 1021
708Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 1022Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
709way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 1023way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
710configuration or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 1024configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
1025will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
711 1026
712=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 1027=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
713uses "local ports are like remote ports". 1028uses "local ports are like remote ports".
714 1029
715The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 1030The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
724ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 1039ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
725occur. 1040occur.
726 1041
727=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 1042=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
728 1043
729Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 1044Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
730needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 1045therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
731useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 1046no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
732AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 1047of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
733filter messages without dequeuing them. 1048filter messages without dequeuing them.
734 1049
735(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 1050This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
1051being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
1052
1053You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
1054top of AEMP and Coro threads.
736 1055
737=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1056=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
738 1057
739Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 1058Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
1059a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
740so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 1060need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
741connection establishment is handled in the background. 1061establishment is handled in the background.
742 1062
743=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 1063=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
744 1064
745Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1065Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
746without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 1066lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
747and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1067b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
748 1068
749AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 1069AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
750is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 1070guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
751monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 1071same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
752sequence. 1072no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
1073
1074If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
1075corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
1076simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
1077link goes down.
753 1078
754=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1079=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
755 1080
756In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 1081In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
757known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1082process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
758destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1083causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1084process.
759 1085
760AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1086AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
761around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1087around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
762 1088
763=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1089=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
764authentication and can use TLS. 1090authentication and can use TLS.
765 1091
768 1094
769=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1095=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
770communications. 1096communications.
771 1097
772The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 1098The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
773language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1099language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
774language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 1100language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
775used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 1101used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
776 1102
777It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1103It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
778with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 1104with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
779protocol simple. 1105protocol simple.
780 1106
781=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1107=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
782 1108
783In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1109In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
784or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1110I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
785difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1111difficult to implement.
786Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1112
787on a per-process basis. 1113Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1114between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
788 1115
789=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1116=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
790 1117
791Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 1118Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
792same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1119same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
814overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1141overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
815 1142
816Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1143Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
817procedures to be "valid". 1144procedures to be "valid".
818 1145
819And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 1146And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
820global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1147code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
821 1148
822=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1149=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
823 1150
824In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1151In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
825format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1152format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
841 1168
842L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1169L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
843 1170
844L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1171L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
845 1172
846L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1173L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
847your applications. 1174your applications.
1175
1176L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1177
1178L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1179all nodes.
848 1180
849L<AnyEvent>. 1181L<AnyEvent>.
850 1182
851=head1 AUTHOR 1183=head1 AUTHOR
852 1184

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