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Revision 1.78 by root, Thu Sep 3 20:16:36 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.121 by root, Tue Feb 28 18:37:24 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<#>) as
75separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). 88separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format).
76 89
80which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 93which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
81ports. 94ports.
82 95
83Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 96Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
84(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 97(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
85currently. 98currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
86 99
100Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
101
87=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+> 102=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
88 103
89A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a 104A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
90network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 105network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
91hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself 106hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
92doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 107doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
93 108
94=item binds - C<ip:port> 109=item binds - C<ip:port>
95 110
96Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to 111Nodes 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 112each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
113endpoints - binds.
114
98endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can 115Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
99be used, which specify TCP ports to listen on. 116specify TCP ports to listen on. So a bind is basically just a tcp socket
117in listening mode thta accepts conenctions form other nodes.
100 118
119=item seed nodes
120
121When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network it is in - it
122needs to connect to at least one other node that is already in the
123network. These other nodes are called "seed nodes".
124
125Seed nodes themselves are not special - they are seed nodes only because
126some other node I<uses> them as such, but any node can be used as seed
127node for other nodes, and eahc node cna use a different set of seed nodes.
128
129In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
130maintain the network - all nodes using the same seed node form are part of
131the same network. If a network is split into multiple subnets because e.g.
132the network link between the parts goes down, then using the same seed
133nodes for all nodes ensures that eventually the subnets get merged again.
134
135Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node
136should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a
137seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else.
138
139For small networks, it's best if every node uses the same set of seed
140nodes. For large networks, it can be useful to specify "regional" seed
141nodes for most nodes in an area, and use all seed nodes as seed nodes for
142each other. What's important is that all seed nodes connections form a
143complete graph, so that the network cannot split into separate subnets
144forever.
145
146Seed nodes are represented by seed IDs.
147
101=item seeds - C<host:port> 148=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
102 149
103When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node 150Seed 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 151TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
105network. This node is called a seed.
106 152
107Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes 153=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.
112 154
113Apart from being sued for seeding, seednodes are not special in any way - 155An AEMP network needs a discovery service - nodes need to know how to
114every public node can be a seednode. 156connect to other nodes they only know by name. In addition, AEMP offers a
157distributed "group database", which maps group names to a list of strings
158- for example, to register worker ports.
159
160A network needs at least one global node to work, and allows every node to
161be a global node.
162
163Any node that loads the L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module becomes a global
164node and tries to keep connections to all other nodes. So while it can
165make sense to make every node "global" in small networks, it usually makes
166sense to only make seed nodes into global nodes in large networks (nodes
167keep connections to seed nodes and global nodes, so makign them the same
168reduces overhead).
115 169
116=back 170=back
117 171
118=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 172=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
119 173
121 175
122=cut 176=cut
123 177
124package AnyEvent::MP; 178package AnyEvent::MP;
125 179
180use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
126use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 181use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
127 183
128use common::sense; 184use common::sense;
129 185
130use Carp (); 186use Carp ();
131 187
132use AE (); 188use AE ();
133 189
134use base "Exporter"; 190use base "Exporter";
135 191
136our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 192our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
137 193
138our @EXPORT = qw( 194our @EXPORT = qw(
139 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 195 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
140 configure 196 configure
141 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 197 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
142 port 198 port
143); 199);
144 200
145our $SELF; 201our $SELF;
146 202
169to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of 225to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
170some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 226some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
171 227
172This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or 228This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
173never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 229never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
230
231The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
232F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with two additions:
233
234=over 4
235
236=item norc => $boolean (default false)
237
238If true, then the rc file (e.g. F<~/.perl-anyevent-mp>) will I<not>
239be consulted - all configuraiton options must be specified in the
240C<configure> call.
241
242=item force => $boolean (default false)
243
244IF true, then the values specified in the C<configure> will take
245precedence over any values configured via the rc file. The default is for
246the rc file to override any options specified in the program.
247
248=back
174 249
175=over 4 250=over 4
176 251
177=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles 252=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
178 253
209used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every 284used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
210local IP address it finds. 285local IP address it finds.
211 286
212=item step 3, connect to seed nodes 287=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
213 288
214As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the 289As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
215L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 290L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
216connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. 291connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
217 292
218=back 293=back
219 294
220Example: become a distributed node using the locla node name as profile. 295Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
221This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 296This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
222 297
223 configure 298 configure
224 299
225Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 300Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline
226clients. 301clients.
227 302
228 configure nodeid => "anon/"; 303 configure nodeid => "anon/";
229 304
230Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable 305Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
231for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040, 306for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
232customary for aemp). 307customary for aemp).
233 308
234 # use the aemp commandline utility 309 # use the aemp commandline utility
235 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040' 310 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040'
310sub _kilme { 385sub _kilme {
311 die "received message on port without callback"; 386 die "received message on port without callback";
312} 387}
313 388
314sub port(;&) { 389sub port(;&) {
315 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 390 my $id = "$UNIQ." . ++$ID;
316 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 391 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
317 392
318 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 393 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
319 394
320 $port 395 $port
359 msg1 => sub { ... }, 434 msg1 => sub { ... },
360 ... 435 ...
361 ; 436 ;
362 437
363Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 438Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
364(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 439(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
365 440
366 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 441 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
367 my @reply = @_; 442 my @reply = @_;
368 443
369 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 444 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
382 if (ref $_[0]) { 457 if (ref $_[0]) {
383 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 458 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
384 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 459 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
385 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 460 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
386 461
387 $self->[2] = shift; 462 $self->[0] = shift;
388 } else { 463 } else {
389 my $cb = shift; 464 my $cb = shift;
390 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 465 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
391 local $SELF = $port; 466 local $SELF = $port;
392 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 467 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
393 }; 468 };
394 } 469 }
395 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 470 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
396 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 471 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
397 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 472 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
398 473
399 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 474 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
400 local $SELF = $port; 475 local $SELF = $port;
401 476
402 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 477 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
424 } 499 }
425 500
426 $port 501 $port
427} 502}
428 503
504=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
505
506Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
507when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
508
509Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
510be returned to the caller.
511
512This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
513a port.
514
515Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
516
517 my $port = port { ... };
518
519 peval $port, sub {
520 init
521 or die "unable to init";
522 };
523
524=cut
525
526sub peval($$) {
527 local $SELF = shift;
528 my $cb = shift;
529
530 if (wantarray) {
531 my @res = eval { &$cb };
532 _self_die if $@;
533 @res
534 } else {
535 my $res = eval { &$cb };
536 _self_die if $@;
537 $res
538 }
539}
540
429=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 541=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
430 542
431Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 543Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
432closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 544closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
433callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 545callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
546
547The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
548BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
434 549
435This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 550This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
436 551
437 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 552 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
438 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 553 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
474 589
475Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 590Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
476messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 591messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
477to stop monitoring again. 592to stop monitoring again.
478 593
594In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
595number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
596"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
597C<eval> if unsure.
598
599In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
600will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
601"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
602port is killed with the same reason.
603
604The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
605C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
606
607In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
608C<snd>.
609
610Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
611alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
612
613As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
614a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
615lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
616even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
617to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
618these problems do not exist.
619
479C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 620C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
480after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will 621after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
481arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message 622arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
482loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after 623loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
483the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 624the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
484port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 625port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
485delivered again. 626delivered again.
486 627
487Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a 628Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
488monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again. 629used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
630relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
631non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
489 632
490In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 633This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
491number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 634stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
492"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 635to ensure some maximum latency.
493C<eval> if unsure.
494
495In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
496will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
497"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
498port is killed with the same reason.
499
500The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
501C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
502
503In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
504C<snd>.
505
506As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
507a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
508lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
509even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
510to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
511these problems do not exist.
512 636
513Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 637Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
514 638
515 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 639 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
516 640
544 } 668 }
545 669
546 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 670 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
547 671
548 defined wantarray 672 defined wantarray
549 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 673 and ($cb += 0, AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
550} 674}
551 675
552=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 676=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
553 677
554Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 678Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
577 701
578=item kil $port[, @reason] 702=item kil $port[, @reason]
579 703
580Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 704Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
581 705
582If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 706If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
583monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 707monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
584"normally"). 708(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
585 709
586Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 710If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
587C<mon>, see above). 711form) get killed with the same reason.
588 712
589Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 713Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
590will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 714will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
591 715
592Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 716Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
611the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 735the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
612C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 736C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
613exists or it runs out of package names. 737exists or it runs out of package names.
614 738
615The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 739The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
616object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 740object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
741call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
742the port might not get created.
617 743
618A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned 744A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
619port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed 745port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
620local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up 746local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
621when there is a problem. 747when there is a problem.
622 748
749C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
750caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
751called for the local node).
752
623Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 753Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
624 754
625 # this node, executed from within a port context: 755 # this node, executed from within a port context:
626 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 756 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
627 mon $server; 757 mon $server;
641 771
642sub _spawn { 772sub _spawn {
643 my $port = shift; 773 my $port = shift;
644 my $init = shift; 774 my $init = shift;
645 775
776 # rcv will create the actual port
646 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 777 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
647 eval { 778 eval {
648 &{ load_func $init } 779 &{ load_func $init }
649 }; 780 };
650 _self_die if $@; 781 _self_die if $@;
651} 782}
652 783
653sub spawn(@) { 784sub spawn(@) {
654 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 785 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
655 786
656 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 787 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . ++$ID;
657 788
658 $_[0] =~ /::/ 789 $_[0] =~ /::/
659 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 790 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
660 791
661 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 792 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
662 793
663 "$nodeid#$id" 794 "$nodeid#$id"
664} 795}
796
665 797
666=item after $timeout, @msg 798=item after $timeout, @msg
667 799
668=item after $timeout, $callback 800=item after $timeout, $callback
669 801
685 ? $action[0]() 817 ? $action[0]()
686 : snd @action; 818 : snd @action;
687 }; 819 };
688} 820}
689 821
822=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
823
824A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
825given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
826
827The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
828the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
829
830A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
831
832If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
833then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
834elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
835
836If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
837monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
838
839Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
840might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
841this is indeed useful for something.
842
843=cut
844
845sub cal(@) {
846 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
847 my $cb = pop;
848
849 my $port = port {
850 undef $timeout;
851 kil $SELF;
852 &$cb;
853 };
854
855 if (defined $timeout) {
856 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
857 undef $timeout;
858 kil $port;
859 $cb->();
860 };
861 } else {
862 mon $_[0], sub {
863 kil $port;
864 $cb->();
865 };
866 }
867
868 push @_, $port;
869 &snd;
870
871 $port
872}
873
690=back 874=back
691 875
692=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 876=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
693 877
694AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 878AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
695== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 879== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
696programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 880programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
697sample: 881sample:
698 882
699 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 883 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
700 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 884 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
701 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 885 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
702 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 886 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
703 887
704Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 888Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
705 889
706=over 4 890=over 4
707 891
708=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 892=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
709 893
710Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 894Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
711way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 895way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
712configuration or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 896configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
897will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
713 898
714=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 899=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
715uses "local ports are like remote ports". 900uses "local ports are like remote ports".
716 901
717The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 902The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
726ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 911ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
727occur. 912occur.
728 913
729=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 914=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
730 915
731Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 916Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
732needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 917therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
733useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 918no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
734AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 919of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
735filter messages without dequeuing them. 920filter messages without dequeuing them.
736 921
737(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 922This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
923being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
924
925You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
926top of AEMP and Coro threads.
738 927
739=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 928=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
740 929
741Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 930Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
931a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
742so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 932need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
743connection establishment is handled in the background. 933establishment is handled in the background.
744 934
745=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 935=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
746 936
747Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 937Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
748without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 938lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
749and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 939b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
750 940
751AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 941AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
752is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 942guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
753monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 943same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
754sequence. 944no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
945
946If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
947corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
948simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
949link goes down.
755 950
756=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 951=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
757 952
758In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 953In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
759known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 954process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
760destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 955causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
956process.
761 957
762AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 958AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
763around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 959around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
764 960
765=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 961=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
766authentication and can use TLS. 962authentication and can use TLS.
767 963
770 966
771=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 967=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
772communications. 968communications.
773 969
774The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 970The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
775language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 971language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
776language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 972language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
777used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 973used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
778 974
779It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 975It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
780with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 976with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
781protocol simple. 977protocol simple.
782 978
783=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 979=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
784 980
785In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 981In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
786or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 982I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
787difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 983difficult to implement.
788Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 984
789on a per-process basis. 985Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
986between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
790 987
791=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 988=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
792 989
793Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 990Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
794same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 991same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
816overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1013overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
817 1014
818Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1015Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
819procedures to be "valid". 1016procedures to be "valid".
820 1017
821And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 1018And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
822global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1019code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
823 1020
824=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1021=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
825 1022
826In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1023In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
827format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1024format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
843 1040
844L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1041L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
845 1042
846L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1043L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
847 1044
848L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1045L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
849your applications. 1046your applications.
1047
1048L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1049
1050L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1051all nodes.
850 1052
851L<AnyEvent>. 1053L<AnyEvent>.
852 1054
853=head1 AUTHOR 1055=head1 AUTHOR
854 1056

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