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Revision 1.103 by root, Sat Oct 17 01:42:39 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.130 by root, Fri Mar 9 17:05:26 2012 UTC

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 prot again 35 # destroy a port again
36 kil $port; # "normal" kill 36 kil $port; # "normal" kill
37 kil $port, my_error => "everything is broken"; # error kill 37 kil $port, my_error => "everything is broken"; # error kill
38 38
39 # monitoring 39 # monitoring
40 mon $localport, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 40 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
41 mon $localport, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 41 mon $port, $localport # kill localport on abnormal death
42 mon $localport, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 42 mon $port, $localport, @msg # send message on death
43 43
44 # temporarily execute code in port context 44 # temporarily execute code in port context
45 peval $port, sub { die "kill the port!" }; 45 peval $port, sub { die "kill the port!" };
46 46
47 # execute callbacks in $SELF port context 47 # execute callbacks in $SELF port context
78 78
79Ports 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
80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
81anything was listening for them or not. 81anything was listening for them or not.
82 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
83=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
84 86
85A 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<#>)
86separator, 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).
87 90
88=item node 91=item node
89 92
90A 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,
91which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
92ports. 95ports.
93 96
94Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
95(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 98(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
96currently. 99currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
97 100
101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
102
98=item node ID - C<[A-Z_][a-zA-Z0-9_\-.:]*> 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
99 104
100A 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
101network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 106network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
102hostname, 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
103doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 108doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
104 109
105=item binds - C<ip:port> 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
106 111
107Nodes 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
108each 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
109endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can 116Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
110be 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.
111 119
112=item seed nodes 120=item seed nodes
113 121
114When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node 122When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network it is in - it
115about the network it first has to contact some other node within the 123needs to connect to at least one other node that is already in the
116network. This node is called a seed. 124network. These other nodes are called "seed nodes".
117 125
118Apart from the fact that other nodes know them as seed nodes and they have 126Seed nodes themselves are not special - they are seed nodes only because
119to have fixed listening addresses, seed nodes are perfectly normal nodes - 127some other node I<uses> them as such, but any node can be used as seed
120any node can function as a seed node for others. 128node for other nodes, and eahc node cna use a different set of seed nodes.
121 129
122In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to 130In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
123maintain the network and to connect nodes that otherwise would have 131maintain the network - all nodes using the same seed node form are part of
124trouble connecting. They form the backbone of an AnyEvent::MP network. 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.
125 135
126Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node 136Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node
127should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a 137should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a
128seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else. 138seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else.
129 139
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
130=item seeds - C<host:port> 149=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
131 150
132Seeds are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a 151Seed IDs are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
133TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes. 152TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
134 153
135The nodes listening on those endpoints are expected to be long-running, 154=item global nodes
136and at least one of those should always be available. When nodes run out 155
137of connections (e.g. due to a network error), they try to re-establish 156An AEMP network needs a discovery service - nodes need to know how to
138connections to some seednodes again to join the network. 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).
139 170
140=back 171=back
141 172
142=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
143 174
145 176
146=cut 177=cut
147 178
148package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
149 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
150use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
151 184
152use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
153 186
154use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
155 188
156use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
157 191
158use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
159 193
160our $VERSION = 1.22; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
161 195
162our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
163 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
164 configure 198 configure
165 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
166 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
202 db_mon db_family db_keys db_values
167); 203);
168 204
169our $SELF; 205our $SELF;
170 206
171sub _self_die() { 207sub _self_die() {
194some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 230some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
195 231
196This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or 232This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
197never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 233never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
198 234
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
199=over 4 262=over 4
200 263
201=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles 264=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
202 265
203The 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
216That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority 279That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
217and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority, 280and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
218and can only be used to specify defaults. 281and can only be used to specify defaults.
219 282
220If 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
221this 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
222special 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>.
223 292
224=item step 2, bind listener sockets 293=item step 2, bind listener sockets
225 294
226The 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
227aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid 296aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
233used, 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
234local IP address it finds. 303local IP address it finds.
235 304
236=item step 3, connect to seed nodes 305=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
237 306
238As 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
239L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 308L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
240connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. 309connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
241 310
242=back 311=back
243 312
244Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile. 313Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
245This 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.
246 315
247 configure 316 configure
248 317
249Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 318Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
250clients. 319commandline clients.
251 320
252 configure nodeid => "anon/"; 321 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
253 322
254Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable 323Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
255for 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,
256customary for aemp). 325customary for aemp).
257 326
258 # use the aemp commandline utility 327 # use the aemp commandline utility
259 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040' 328 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
260 329
261 # then use it 330 # then use it
262 configure profile => "seed"; 331 configure profile => "seed";
263 332
264 # or simply use aemp from the shell again: 333 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
334sub _kilme { 403sub _kilme {
335 die "received message on port without callback"; 404 die "received message on port without callback";
336} 405}
337 406
338sub port(;&) { 407sub port(;&) {
339 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 408 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
340 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 409 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
341 410
342 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 411 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
343 412
344 $port 413 $port
492Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 561Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
493closure 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>
494callbacks, 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.
495 564
496The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub { 565The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
497BLOCK } } >>. 566BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
498 567
499This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 568This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
500 569
501 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 570 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
502 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 571 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
617 } 686 }
618 687
619 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 688 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
620 689
621 defined wantarray 690 defined wantarray
622 and ($cb += 0, AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) }) 691 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
623} 692}
624 693
625=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 694=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
626 695
627Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 696Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
650 719
651=item kil $port[, @reason] 720=item kil $port[, @reason]
652 721
653Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 722Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
654 723
655If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 724If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
656monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 725monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
657"normally"). 726(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
658 727
659Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 728If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
660C<mon>, see above). 729form) get killed with the same reason.
661 730
662Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 731Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
663will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 732will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
664 733
665Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 734Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
731} 800}
732 801
733sub spawn(@) { 802sub spawn(@) {
734 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 803 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
735 804
736 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 805 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
737 806
738 $_[0] =~ /::/ 807 $_[0] =~ /::/
739 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";
740 809
741 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 810 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
742 811
743 "$nodeid#$id" 812 "$nodeid#$id"
744} 813}
814
745 815
746=item after $timeout, @msg 816=item after $timeout, @msg
747 817
748=item after $timeout, $callback 818=item after $timeout, $callback
749 819
764 ref $action[0] 834 ref $action[0]
765 ? $action[0]() 835 ? $action[0]()
766 : snd @action; 836 : snd @action;
767 }; 837 };
768} 838}
839
840#=item $cb2 = timeout $seconds, $cb[, @args]
769 841
770=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout] 842=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
771 843
772A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the 844A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
773given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message. 845given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
819 $port 891 $port
820} 892}
821 893
822=back 894=back
823 895
896=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
897
898AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
899be mirrored asynchronously at all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one of
900the global nodes for their needs.
901
902The database consists of a two-level hash - a hash contains a hash which
903contains values.
904
905The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
906is called "subkey" or simply "key".
907
908The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
909of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
910pretty much like Perl module names.
911
912As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
913with the name of the application or module using it.
914
915The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions.
916
917The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
918work as well (such as undef, arrays and hashes).
919
920Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey
921combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
922but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
923different values on different nodes.
924
925Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes
926without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker
927pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this:
928
929 db_set my_image_scalers => $port;
930
931And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the
932C<my_image_scalers> keys from time to time:
933
934 db_keys my_image_scalers => sub {
935 @ports = @{ $_[0] };
936 };
937
938Or better yet, they want to monitor the database family, so they always
939have a reasonable up-to-date copy:
940
941 db_mon my_image_scalers => sub {
942 @ports = keys %{ $_[0] };
943 };
944
945In general, you can set or delete single subkeys, but query and monitor
946whole families only.
947
948If you feel the need to monitor or query a single subkey, try giving it
949it's own family.
950
951=over
952
953=item db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
954
955Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
956C<undef> is used instead.
957
958=item db_del $family => $subkey...
959
960Deletes one or more subkeys from the database family.
961
962=item $guard = db_reg $family => $subkey [=> $value]
963
964Sets the key on the database and returns a guard. When the guard is
965destroyed, the key is deleted from the database. If C<$value> is missing,
966then C<undef> is used.
967
968=item db_family $family => $cb->(\%familyhash)
969
970Queries the named database C<$family> and call the callback with the
971family represented as a hash. You can keep and freely modify the hash.
972
973=item db_keys $family => $cb->(\@keys)
974
975Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<subkeys> and passes
976them as array reference to the callback.
977
978=item db_values $family => $cb->(\@values)
979
980Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<values> and passes them
981as array reference to the callback.
982
983=item $guard = db_mon $family => $cb->($familyhash, \@added, \@changed, \@deleted)
984
985Creates a monitor on the given database family. Each time a key is set
986or or is deleted the callback is called with a hash containing the
987database family and three lists of added, changed and deleted subkeys,
988respectively. If no keys have changed then the array reference might be
989C<undef> or even missing.
990
991The family hash reference and the key arrays belong to AnyEvent::MP and
992B<must not be modified or stored> by the callback. When in doubt, make a
993copy.
994
995As soon as possible after the monitoring starts, the callback will be
996called with the intiial contents of the family, even if it is empty,
997i.e. there will always be a timely call to the callback with the current
998contents.
999
1000It is possible that the callback is called with a change event even though
1001the subkey is already present and the value has not changed.
1002
1003The monitoring stops when the guard object is destroyed.
1004
1005Example: on every change to the family "mygroup", print out all keys.
1006
1007 my $guard = db_mon mygroup => sub {
1008 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1009 print "mygroup members: ", (join " ", keys %$family), "\n";
1010 };
1011
1012Exmaple: wait until the family "My::Module::workers" is non-empty.
1013
1014 my $guard; $guard = db_mon My::Module::workers => sub {
1015 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1016 return unless %$family;
1017 undef $guard;
1018 print "My::Module::workers now nonempty\n";
1019 };
1020
1021Example: print all changes to the family "AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module".
1022
1023 my $guard = db_mon AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module => sub {
1024 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1025
1026 print "+$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$a;
1027 print "*$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$c;
1028 print "-$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$d;
1029 };
1030
1031=cut
1032
1033=back
1034
824=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 1035=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
825 1036
826AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 1037AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
827== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 1038== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
828programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 1039programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
859ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 1070ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
860occur. 1071occur.
861 1072
862=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 1073=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
863 1074
864Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 1075Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
865needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 1076therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
866useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 1077no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
867AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 1078of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
868filter messages without dequeuing them. 1079filter messages without dequeuing them.
869 1080
870(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 1081This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
1082being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
1083
1084You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
1085top of AEMP and Coro threads.
871 1086
872=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1087=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
873 1088
874Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 1089Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
1090a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
875so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 1091need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
876connection establishment is handled in the background. 1092establishment is handled in the background.
877 1093
878=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 1094=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
879 1095
880Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get 1096Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
881lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, 1097lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
882b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1098b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
883 1099
884AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 1100AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
885is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 1101guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
886monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 1102same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
887sequence. 1103no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
1104
1105If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
1106corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
1107simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
1108link goes down.
888 1109
889=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1110=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
890 1111
891In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 1112In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
892known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1113process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
893destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1114causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1115process.
894 1116
895AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1117AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
896around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1118around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
897 1119
898=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1120=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
899authentication and can use TLS. 1121authentication and can use TLS.
900 1122
903 1125
904=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1126=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
905communications. 1127communications.
906 1128
907The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 1129The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
908language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1130language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
909language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 1131language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
910used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 1132used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
911 1133
912It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1134It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
913with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 1135with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
914protocol simple. 1136protocol simple.
915 1137
916=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1138=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
917 1139
918In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1140In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
919or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1141I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
920difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1142difficult to implement.
921Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1143
922on a per-process basis. 1144Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1145between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
923 1146
924=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1147=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
925 1148
926Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 1149Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
927same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1150same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
949overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1172overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
950 1173
951Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1174Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
952procedures to be "valid". 1175procedures to be "valid".
953 1176
954And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 1177And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
955global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1178code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
956 1179
957=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1180=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
958 1181
959In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1182In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
960format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1183format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
976 1199
977L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1200L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
978 1201
979L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1202L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
980 1203
981L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1204L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
982your applications. 1205your applications.
1206
1207L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
983 1208
984L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from 1209L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
985all nodes. 1210all nodes.
986 1211
987L<AnyEvent>. 1212L<AnyEvent>.

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