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Comparing AnyEvent-MP/MP.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.29 by root, Tue Aug 4 23:16:57 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.42 by root, Sun Aug 9 00:41:49 2009 UTC

8 8
9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef 9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef
10 NODE # returns this node's noderef 10 NODE # returns this node's noderef
11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port 11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port
12 12
13 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
14
15 # ports are message endpoints
16
17 # sending messages
13 snd $port, type => data...; 18 snd $port, type => data...;
19 snd $port, @msg;
20 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
14 21
15 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks 22 # miniports
23 my $miniport = port { my @msg = @_; 0 };
16 24
25 # full ports
26 my $port = port;
17 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->($port, @msg); 27 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->(@msg);
18
19 # examples:
20 rcv $port2, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 28 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 };
21 rcv $port1, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" }; 29 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 };
22 snd $port2, ping => $port1; 30
31 # remote ports
32 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
23 33
24 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module) 34 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module)
25 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ... 35 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ...
26 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3 36 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3
27 37
38 # monitoring
39 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
41 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
42
28=head1 DESCRIPTION 43=head1 DESCRIPTION
29 44
30This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 45This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
31 46
32Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 47Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
53 68
54=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 69=item port id - C<noderef#portname>
55 70
56A port id is normaly the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 71A port id is normaly the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as
57separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 72separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An
58exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to it's node 73exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node
59reference. 74reference.
60 75
61=item node 76=item node
62 77
63A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node 78A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node
103use base "Exporter"; 118use base "Exporter";
104 119
105our $VERSION = '0.1'; 120our $VERSION = '0.1';
106our @EXPORT = qw( 121our @EXPORT = qw(
107 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 122 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_
108 resolve_node 123 resolve_node initialise_node
109 become_slave become_public
110 snd rcv mon kil reg psub 124 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn
111 port 125 port
112); 126);
113 127
114our $SELF; 128our $SELF;
115 129
124The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains 138The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains
125the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call 139the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call
126to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port 140to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port
127identifiers become invalid. 141identifiers become invalid.
128 142
129=item $noderef = node_of $portid 143=item $noderef = node_of $port
130 144
131Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. 145Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef.
146
147=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode...
148
149=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master...
150
151Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise
152itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally
153it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network.
154
155This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or
156never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
157
158All arguments are noderefs, which can be either resolved or unresolved.
159
160There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
161
162=over 4
163
164=item public nodes
165
166For public nodes, C<$noderef> must either be a (possibly unresolved)
167noderef, in which case it will be resolved, or C<undef> (or missing), in
168which case the noderef will be guessed.
169
170Afterwards, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to connect
171to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are optional
172and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing network.
173
174=item slave nodes
175
176When the C<$noderef> is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will
177become a slave node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will
178route most of their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
179
180At least one additional noderef is required: The node will try to connect
181to all of them and will become a slave attached to the first node it can
182successfully connect to.
183
184=back
185
186This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave
187nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master
188server.
189
190Example: become a public node listening on the default node.
191
192 initialise_node;
193
194Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master
195servers to become part of the network.
196
197 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2";
198
199Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>.
200
201 initialise_node 4041;
202
203Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
204
205 initialise_node "locahost:4044";
206
207Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers.
208
209 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
132 210
133=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef 211=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
134 212
135Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and 213Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
136abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node 214abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
168 246
169Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 247Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
170just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 248just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this
171module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 249module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
172 250
173=item snd $portid, type => @data 251=item snd $port, type => @data
174 252
175=item snd $portid, @msg 253=item snd $port, @msg
176 254
177Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 255Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either
178a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat 256a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat
179stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :). 257stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :).
180 258
190JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 268JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
191of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 269of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
192that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 270that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
193node, anything can be passed. 271node, anything can be passed.
194 272
195=item kil $portid[, @reason]
196
197Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
198
199If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked
200ports will not be kileld, or even notified).
201
202Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of
203C<mon>, see below).
204
205Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
206will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
207
208Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
209$message >>.
210
211=item $guard = mon $portid, $cb->(@reason)
212
213=item $guard = mon $portid, $otherport
214
215=item $guard = mon $portid, $otherport, @msg
216
217Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed.
218
219In the first form, the callback is simply called with any number
220of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
221"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
222C<eval> if unsure.
223
224In the second form, the other port will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff
225a @reason was specified, i.e. on "normal" kils nothing happens, while
226under all other conditions, the other port is killed with the same reason.
227
228In the last form, a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be C<snd>.
229
230Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
231
232 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
233
234Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally.
235
236 mon $port, $self;
237
238Example: send us a restart message another C<$port> is killed.
239
240 mon $port, $self => "restart";
241
242=cut
243
244sub mon {
245 my ($noderef, $port, $cb) = ((split /#/, shift, 2), shift);
246
247 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef;
248
249 #TODO: ports must not be references
250 if (!ref $cb or "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $cb) {
251 if (@_) {
252 # send a kill info message
253 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_);
254 $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ };
255 } else {
256 # simply kill other port
257 my $port = $cb;
258 $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ };
259 }
260 }
261
262 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
263
264 defined wantarray
265 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) }
266}
267
268=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
269
270Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
271is killed, the references will be freed.
272
273Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
274
275This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
276want to free them when the port gets killed:
277
278 $port->rcv (start => sub {
279 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub {
280 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
281 });
282 });
283
284=cut
285
286sub mon_guard {
287 my ($port, @refs) = @_;
288
289 mon $port, sub { 0 && @refs }
290}
291
292=item lnk $port1, $port2
293
294Link two ports. This is simply a shorthand for:
295
296 mon $port1, $port2;
297 mon $port2, $port1;
298
299It means that if either one is killed abnormally, the other one gets
300killed as well.
301
302=item $local_port = port 273=item $local_port = port
303 274
304Create a new local port object that supports message matching. 275Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern
276matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"),
277depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object.
305 278
306=item $portid = port { my @msg = @_; $finished } 279=item $port = port { my @msg = @_; $finished }
307 280
308Creates a "mini port", that is, a very lightweight port without any 281Creates a "miniport", that is, a very lightweight port without any pattern
309pattern matching behind it, and returns its ID. 282matching behind it, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as creating
283a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
310 284
311The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the 285The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the
312callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port 286callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port
313will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive. 287will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive.
314 288
315The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will 289The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will
316be passed to the callback. 290be passed to the callback.
317 291
318If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely: 292If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely:
319 293
320 my $port; $port = miniport { 294 my $port; $port = port {
321 snd $otherport, reply => $port; 295 snd $otherport, reply => $port;
322 }; 296 };
323 297
324=cut 298=cut
299
300sub rcv($@);
325 301
326sub port(;&) { 302sub port(;&) {
327 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 303 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++;
328 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 304 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
329 305
330 if (@_) { 306 if (@_) {
307 rcv $port, shift;
308 } else {
309 $PORT{$id} = sub { }; # nop
310 }
311
312 $port
313}
314
315=item reg $port, $name
316
317=item reg $name
318
319Registers the given port (or C<$SELF><<< if missing) under the name
320C<$name>. If the name already exists it is replaced.
321
322A port can only be registered under one well known name.
323
324A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
325
326=cut
327
328sub reg(@) {
329 my $port = @_ > 1 ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'reg: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
330
331 $REG{$_[0]} = $port;
332}
333
334=item rcv $port, $callback->(@msg)
335
336Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (after converting it to
337one if required).
338
339=item rcv $port, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
340
341=item rcv $port, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
342
343=item rcv $port, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
344
345Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full
346port (after converting it to one if required) and return the port.
347
348The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
349which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
350registered.
351
352The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
353executing the callback.
354
355Runtime errors during callback execution will result in the port being
356C<kil>ed.
357
358If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the
359first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
360matched.
361
362Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function
363exported by this module) matches any single element of the message.
364
365While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching
366element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is
367also the most efficient match (by far).
368
369Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
370
371 my $port = rcv port,
372 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 },
373 msg2 => sub { ...; 0 },
374 ;
375
376Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
377in one go:
378
379 snd $otherport, reply =>
380 rcv port,
381 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 },
382 ...
383 ;
384
385=cut
386
387sub rcv($@) {
388 my $port = shift;
389 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
390
391 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""}
392 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
393
394 if (@_ == 1) {
331 my $cb = shift; 395 my $cb = shift;
396 delete $PORT_DATA{$portid};
332 $PORT{$id} = sub { 397 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
333 local $SELF = $port; 398 local $SELF = $port;
334 eval { 399 eval {
335 &$cb 400 &$cb
336 and kil $id; 401 and kil $port;
337 }; 402 };
338 _self_die if $@; 403 _self_die if $@;
339 }; 404 };
340 } else { 405 } else {
406 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
341 my $self = bless { 407 my $self = bless {
342 id => "$NODE#$id", 408 id => $port,
343 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 409 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
344 410
345 $PORT_DATA{$id} = $self;
346 $PORT{$id} = sub { 411 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
347 local $SELF = $port; 412 local $SELF = $port;
348 413
349 eval { 414 eval {
350 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) { 415 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) {
351 $_ && &{$_->[0]} 416 $_ && &{$_->[0]}
352 && undef $_; 417 && undef $_;
353 } 418 }
354 419
355 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) { 420 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
356 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1] 421 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
357 && &{$_->[0]} 422 && &{$_->[0]}
358 && undef $_; 423 && undef $_;
359 } 424 }
360 425
361 for (@{ $self->{any} }) { 426 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
362 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1] 427 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
363 && &{$_->[0]} 428 && &{$_->[0]}
364 && undef $_; 429 && undef $_;
430 }
365 } 431 };
432 _self_die if $@;
366 }; 433 };
367 _self_die if $@; 434
435 $self
368 }; 436 };
369 }
370 437
371 $port
372}
373
374=item reg $portid, $name
375
376Registers the given port under the name C<$name>. If the name already
377exists it is replaced.
378
379A port can only be registered under one well known name.
380
381A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
382
383=cut
384
385sub reg(@) {
386 my ($portid, $name) = @_;
387
388 $REG{$name} = $portid;
389}
390
391=item rcv $portid, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
392
393=item rcv $portid, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
394
395=item rcv $portid, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
396
397Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given port.
398
399The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
400which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
401registered.
402
403The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$portid> while
404executing the callback.
405
406Runtime errors wdurign callback execution will result in the port being
407C<kil>ed.
408
409If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the
410first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
411matched.
412
413Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function
414exported by this module) matches any single element of the message.
415
416While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching
417element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is
418also the most efficient match (by far).
419
420=cut
421
422sub rcv($@) {
423 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
424
425 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""}
426 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
427
428 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$port}
429 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
430
431 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 438 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
432 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 439 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
433 440
434 while (@_) { 441 while (@_) {
435 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; 442 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
436 443
437 if (!ref $match) { 444 if (!ref $match) {
438 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb]; 445 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb];
439 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) { 446 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) {
440 my ($type, @match) = @$match; 447 my ($type, @match) = @$match;
441 @match 448 @match
442 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match] 449 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match]
443 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb]; 450 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb];
444 } else { 451 } else {
445 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match]; 452 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match];
453 }
446 } 454 }
447 } 455 }
456
457 $port
448} 458}
449 459
450=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 460=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
451 461
452Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 462Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
483 $res 493 $res
484 } 494 }
485 } 495 }
486} 496}
487 497
488=back 498=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason)
489 499
490=head1 FUNCTIONS FOR NODES 500=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport
491 501
492=over 4 502=item $guard = mon $port
493 503
494=item become_public $noderef 504=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg
495 505
496Tells the node to become a public node, i.e. reachable from other nodes. 506Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
507messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
508to stop monitoring again.
497 509
498The first argument is the (unresolved) node reference of the local node 510C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
499(if missing then the empty string is used). 511that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port
512will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible
513message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between"
514(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
515port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
516delivered again.
500 517
501It is quite common to not specify anything, in which case the local node 518In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
502tries to listen on the default port, or to only specify a port number, in 519number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
503which case AnyEvent::MP tries to guess the local addresses. 520"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
521C<eval> if unsure.
504 522
523In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport)
524will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
525"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
526port is killed with the same reason.
527
528The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
529C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
530
531In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
532C<snd>.
533
534As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
535a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
536lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
537even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection
538to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
539these problems do not exist.
540
541Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
542
543 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
544
545Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally.
546
547 mon $port;
548
549Example: send us a restart message when another C<$port> is killed.
550
551 mon $port, $self => "restart";
552
505=cut 553=cut
554
555sub mon {
556 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
557
558 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef;
559
560 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
561
562 unless (ref $cb) {
563 if (@_) {
564 # send a kill info message
565 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_);
566 $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ };
567 } else {
568 # simply kill other port
569 my $port = $cb;
570 $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ };
571 }
572 }
573
574 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
575
576 defined wantarray
577 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) }
578}
579
580=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
581
582Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
583is killed, the references will be freed.
584
585Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
586
587This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
588want to free them when the port gets killed:
589
590 $port->rcv (start => sub {
591 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub {
592 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
593 });
594 });
595
596=cut
597
598sub mon_guard {
599 my ($port, @refs) = @_;
600
601 #TODO: mon-less form?
602
603 mon $port, sub { 0 && @refs }
604}
605
606=item kil $port[, @reason]
607
608Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
609
610If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked
611ports will not be kileld, or even notified).
612
613Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of
614C<mon>, see below).
615
616Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
617will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
618
619Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
620$message >>.
621
622=cut
623
624=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
625
626Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
627case it's the node where that port resides).
628
629The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is
630permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port.
631
632After the port has been created, the init function is
633called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name
634(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main
635program, use C<::name>.
636
637If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
638the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
639C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
640exists or it runs out of package names.
641
642The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
643object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments.
644
645A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and
646in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring
647ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem.
648
649Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
650
651 # this node, executed from within a port context:
652 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
653 mon $server;
654
655 # init function on C<$othernode>
656 sub connect {
657 my ($srcport) = @_;
658
659 mon $srcport;
660
661 rcv $SELF, sub {
662 ...
663 };
664 }
665
666=cut
667
668sub _spawn {
669 my $port = shift;
670 my $init = shift;
671
672 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
673 eval {
674 &{ load_func $init }
675 };
676 _self_die if $@;
677}
678
679sub spawn(@) {
680 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
681
682 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
683
684 $_[0] =~ /::/
685 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
686
687 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef)
688 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]);
689
690 "$noderef#$id"
691}
506 692
507=back 693=back
508 694
509=head1 NODE MESSAGES 695=head1 NODE MESSAGES
510 696
552 738
553=back 739=back
554 740
555=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 741=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
556 742
557AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed erlang (erlang node 743AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
558== aemp node, erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 744== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
559programming techniques employed by erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 745programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
560sample: 746sample:
561 747
562 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 748 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
563 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 749 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
564 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 750 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
565 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 751 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
566 752
567Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 753Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
568 754
569=over 4 755=over 4
570 756
581 767
582Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 768Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore
583needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 769needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful
584purpose. 770purpose.
585 771
586(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 772(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
587 773
588=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 774=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
589 775
590Sending messages in erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 776Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP
591sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 777sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the
592background. 778background.
593 779
594=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 780=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot.
595 781
598and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 784and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
599 785
600AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 786AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no
601holes in the message sequence. 787holes in the message sequence.
602 788
603=item * In erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 789=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be
604alive. 790alive.
605 791
606In erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and 792In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and
607linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is 793linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
608still alive - and can receive messages. 794still alive - and can receive messages.
609 795
610In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will 796In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
611eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead 797eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
612and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive. 798and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
613 799
614=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 800=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
615 801
616In erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 802In Erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process
617ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 803ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing
618messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 804messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process.
619 805
620AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 806AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
621around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 807around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
627securely authenticate nodes. 813securely authenticate nodes.
628 814
629=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 815=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
630communications. 816communications.
631 817
632The AEMP protocol, unlike the erlang protocol, supports both 818The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both
633language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 819language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary,
634language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 820language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable).
635 821
636It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 822It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
637with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 823with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the
638protocol simple. 824protocol simple.
639 825
826=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
827
828In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages
829or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is
830difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in
831Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback
832on a per-process basis.
833
834=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
835
836Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes,
837as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
838
839In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
840that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
841on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor
842the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much
843more reliable.
844
845This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
846(hard to do in Erlang).
847
640=back 848=back
641 849
642=head1 SEE ALSO 850=head1 SEE ALSO
643 851
644L<AnyEvent>. 852L<AnyEvent>.

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