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Revision 1.83 by root, Tue Sep 8 01:38:16 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.103 by root, Sat Oct 17 01:42:39 2009 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 prot 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 but incomplete, protocol not yet final. 58 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API.
47
48stay 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
83 93
84Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 94Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
85(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 95(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
86currently. 96currently.
87 97
88=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+> 98=item node ID - C<[A-Z_][a-zA-Z0-9_\-.:]*>
89 99
90A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a 100A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
91network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 101network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
92hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself 102hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
93doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 103doesn't interpret node IDs in any way.
109to have fixed listening addresses, seed nodes are perfectly normal nodes - 119to have fixed listening addresses, seed nodes are perfectly normal nodes -
110any node can function as a seed node for others. 120any node can function as a seed node for others.
111 121
112In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to 122In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
113maintain the network and to connect nodes that otherwise would have 123maintain the network and to connect nodes that otherwise would have
114trouble connecting. They form the backbone of the AnyEvent::MP network. 124trouble connecting. They form the backbone of an AnyEvent::MP network.
115 125
116Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node 126Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node
117should always be available. 127should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a
128seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else.
118 129
119=item seeds - C<host:port> 130=item seeds - C<host:port>
120 131
121Seeds are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a 132Seeds are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
122TCP port) of nodes thta should be used as seed nodes. 133TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
123 134
124The nodes listening on those endpoints are expected to be long-running, 135The nodes listening on those endpoints are expected to be long-running,
125and at least one of those should always be available. When nodes run out 136and at least one of those should always be available. When nodes run out
126of connections (e.g. due to a network error), they try to re-establish 137of connections (e.g. due to a network error), they try to re-establish
127connections to some seednodes again to join the network. 138connections to some seednodes again to join the network.
144 155
145use AE (); 156use AE ();
146 157
147use base "Exporter"; 158use base "Exporter";
148 159
149our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 160our $VERSION = 1.22;
150 161
151our @EXPORT = qw( 162our @EXPORT = qw(
152 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 163 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
153 configure 164 configure
154 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 165 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
155 port 166 port
156); 167);
157 168
158our $SELF; 169our $SELF;
159 170
228L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 239L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
229connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. 240connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
230 241
231=back 242=back
232 243
233Example: become a distributed node using the locla node name as profile. 244Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
234This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 245This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
235 246
236 configure 247 configure
237 248
238Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 249Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline
372 msg1 => sub { ... }, 383 msg1 => sub { ... },
373 ... 384 ...
374 ; 385 ;
375 386
376Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 387Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
377(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 388(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
378 389
379 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 390 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
380 my @reply = @_; 391 my @reply = @_;
381 392
382 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 393 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
395 if (ref $_[0]) { 406 if (ref $_[0]) {
396 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 407 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
397 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 408 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
398 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 409 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
399 410
400 $self->[2] = shift; 411 $self->[0] = shift;
401 } else { 412 } else {
402 my $cb = shift; 413 my $cb = shift;
403 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 414 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
404 local $SELF = $port; 415 local $SELF = $port;
405 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 416 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
406 }; 417 };
407 } 418 }
408 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 419 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
409 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 420 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
410 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 421 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
411 422
412 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 423 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
413 local $SELF = $port; 424 local $SELF = $port;
414 425
415 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 426 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
437 } 448 }
438 449
439 $port 450 $port
440} 451}
441 452
453=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
454
455Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
456when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
457
458Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
459be returned to the caller.
460
461This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
462a port.
463
464Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
465
466 my $port = port { ... };
467
468 peval $port, sub {
469 init
470 or die "unable to init";
471 };
472
473=cut
474
475sub peval($$) {
476 local $SELF = shift;
477 my $cb = shift;
478
479 if (wantarray) {
480 my @res = eval { &$cb };
481 _self_die if $@;
482 @res
483 } else {
484 my $res = eval { &$cb };
485 _self_die if $@;
486 $res
487 }
488}
489
442=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 490=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
443 491
444Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 492Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
445closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 493closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
446callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 494callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
495
496The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
497BLOCK } } >>.
447 498
448This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 499This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
449 500
450 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 501 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
451 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 502 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
524delivered again. 575delivered again.
525 576
526Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport 577Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
527used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP 578used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
528relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a 579relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
529non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle conenctions). 580non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
530 581
531This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up 582This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
532stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need 583stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
533to ensure some maximum latency. 584to ensure some maximum latency.
534 585
566 } 617 }
567 618
568 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 619 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
569 620
570 defined wantarray 621 defined wantarray
571 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 622 and ($cb += 0, AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
572} 623}
573 624
574=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 625=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
575 626
576Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 627Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
714 ? $action[0]() 765 ? $action[0]()
715 : snd @action; 766 : snd @action;
716 }; 767 };
717} 768}
718 769
770=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
771
772A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
773given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
774
775The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
776the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
777
778A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
779
780If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
781then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
782elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
783
784If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
785monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
786
787Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
788might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
789this is indeed useful for something.
790
791=cut
792
793sub cal(@) {
794 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
795 my $cb = pop;
796
797 my $port = port {
798 undef $timeout;
799 kil $SELF;
800 &$cb;
801 };
802
803 if (defined $timeout) {
804 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
805 undef $timeout;
806 kil $port;
807 $cb->();
808 };
809 } else {
810 mon $_[0], sub {
811 kil $port;
812 $cb->();
813 };
814 }
815
816 push @_, $port;
817 &snd;
818
819 $port
820}
821
719=back 822=back
720 823
721=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 824=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
722 825
723AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 826AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
724== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 827== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
725programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 828programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
726sample: 829sample:
727 830
728 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 831 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
729 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 832 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
730 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 833 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
731 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 834 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
732 835
733Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 836Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
734 837
735=over 4 838=over 4
736 839
737=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 840=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
738 841
739Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 842Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
740way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 843way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
741configuration or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 844configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
845will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
742 846
743=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 847=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
744uses "local ports are like remote ports". 848uses "local ports are like remote ports".
745 849
746The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 850The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
771so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 875so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate,
772connection establishment is handled in the background. 876connection establishment is handled in the background.
773 877
774=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 878=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
775 879
776Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 880Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
777without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 881lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
778and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 882b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
779 883
780AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 884AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message
781is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 885is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until
782monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 886monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message
783sequence. 887sequence.

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