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Revision 1.116 by root, Mon Jun 21 15:09:34 2010 UTC vs.
Revision 1.136 by root, Wed Mar 21 15:22:16 2012 UTC

35 # destroy a port 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 = 1.29; 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() {
191Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter 227Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
192"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs 228"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
193to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of 229to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
194some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 230some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
195 231
196The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
197F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix).
198
199This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or 232This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
200never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 233never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
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 => $pass->(@msg)
253
254In addition to specifying a boolean, you can specify a code reference that
255is called for every code execution attempt - the execution request is
256granted iff the callback returns a true value.
257
258Most of the time the callback should look only at
259C<$AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::SRCNODE> to make a decision, and not at the
260actual message (which can be about anything, and is mostly provided for
261diagnostic purposes).
262
263See F<semp setsecure> for more info.
264
265=back
201 266
202=over 4 267=over 4
203 268
204=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles 269=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
205 270
219That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority 284That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
220and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority, 285and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
221and can only be used to specify defaults. 286and can only be used to specify defaults.
222 287
223If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of 288If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
224this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The 289this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID, with
225special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID. 290a unique randoms tring (C</%u>) appended.
291
292The node ID can contain some C<%> sequences that are expanded: C<%n>
293is expanded to the local nodename, C<%u> is replaced by a random
294strign to make the node unique. For example, the F<aemp> commandline
295utility uses C<aemp/%n/%u> as nodename, which might expand to
296C<aemp/cerebro/ZQDGSIkRhEZQDGSIkRhE>.
226 297
227=item step 2, bind listener sockets 298=item step 2, bind listener sockets
228 299
229The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding 300The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
230aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid 301aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
236used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every 307used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
237local IP address it finds. 308local IP address it finds.
238 309
239=item step 3, connect to seed nodes 310=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
240 311
241As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the 312As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
242L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 313L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
243connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. 314connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
244 315
245=back 316=back
246 317
247Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile. 318Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
248This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 319This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
249 320
250 configure 321 configure
251 322
252Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 323Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
253clients. 324commandline clients.
254 325
255 configure nodeid => "anon/"; 326 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
256 327
257Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable 328Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
258for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040, 329for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
259customary for aemp). 330customary for aemp).
260 331
261 # use the aemp commandline utility 332 # use the aemp commandline utility
262 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040' 333 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
263 334
264 # then use it 335 # then use it
265 configure profile => "seed"; 336 configure profile => "seed";
266 337
267 # or simply use aemp from the shell again: 338 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
332 403
333=cut 404=cut
334 405
335sub rcv($@); 406sub rcv($@);
336 407
337sub _kilme { 408my $KILME = sub {
338 die "received message on port without callback"; 409 (my $tag = substr $_[0], 0, 30) =~ s/([\x20-\x7e])/./g;
339} 410 kil $SELF, unhandled_message => "no callback found for message '$tag'";
411};
340 412
341sub port(;&) { 413sub port(;&) {
342 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 414 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
343 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 415 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
344 416
345 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 417 rcv $port, shift || $KILME;
346 418
347 $port 419 $port
348} 420}
349 421
350=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg) 422=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
355 427
356The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 428The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
357executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will 429executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
358result in the port being C<kil>ed. 430result in the port being C<kil>ed.
359 431
360The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific 432The default callback receives all messages not matched by a more specific
361C<tag> match. 433C<tag> match.
362 434
363=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ... 435=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
364 436
365Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the 437Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the
620 } 692 }
621 693
622 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 694 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
623 695
624 defined wantarray 696 defined wantarray
625 and ($cb += 0, AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) }) 697 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
626} 698}
627 699
628=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 700=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
629 701
630Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 702Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
666will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 738will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
667 739
668Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 740Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
669$message >>. 741$message >>.
670 742
671=cut 743Common idioms:
744
745 # silently remove yourself, do not kill linked ports
746 kil $SELF;
747
748 # report a failure in some detail
749 kil $SELF, failure_mode_1 => "it failed with too high temperature";
750
751 # do not waste much time with killing, just die when something goes wrong
752 open my $fh, "<file"
753 or die "file: $!";
672 754
673=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] 755=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
674 756
675Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which 757Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
676case it's the node where that port resides). 758case it's the node where that port resides).
734} 816}
735 817
736sub spawn(@) { 818sub spawn(@) {
737 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 819 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
738 820
739 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 821 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
740 822
741 $_[0] =~ /::/ 823 $_[0] =~ /::/
742 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 824 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
743 825
744 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 826 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
745 827
746 "$nodeid#$id" 828 "$nodeid#$id"
747} 829}
830
748 831
749=item after $timeout, @msg 832=item after $timeout, @msg
750 833
751=item after $timeout, $callback 834=item after $timeout, $callback
752 835
767 ref $action[0] 850 ref $action[0]
768 ? $action[0]() 851 ? $action[0]()
769 : snd @action; 852 : snd @action;
770 }; 853 };
771} 854}
855
856#=item $cb2 = timeout $seconds, $cb[, @args]
772 857
773=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout] 858=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
774 859
775A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the 860A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
776given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message. 861given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
822 $port 907 $port
823} 908}
824 909
825=back 910=back
826 911
912=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
913
914AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
915be mirrored asynchronously on all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one
916of the global nodes for their needs. Every node has a "local database"
917which contains all the values that are set locally. All local databases
918are merged together to form the global database, which can be queried.
919
920The database structure is that of a two-level hash - the database hash
921contains hashes which contain values, similarly to a perl hash of hashes,
922i.e.:
923
924 $DATABASE{$family}{$subkey} = $value
925
926The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
927is called "subkey" or simply "key".
928
929The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
930of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
931pretty much like Perl module names.
932
933As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
934with the name of the application or module using it.
935
936The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions.
937
938The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
939work as well (such as C<undef>, arrays and hashes).
940
941Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey
942combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
943but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
944different values on different nodes.
945
946Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes
947without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker
948pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this:
949
950 db_set my_image_scalers => $port;
951
952And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the
953C<my_image_scalers> keys from time to time:
954
955 db_keys my_image_scalers => sub {
956 @ports = @{ $_[0] };
957 };
958
959Or better yet, they want to monitor the database family, so they always
960have a reasonable up-to-date copy:
961
962 db_mon my_image_scalers => sub {
963 @ports = keys %{ $_[0] };
964 };
965
966In general, you can set or delete single subkeys, but query and monitor
967whole families only.
968
969If you feel the need to monitor or query a single subkey, try giving it
970it's own family.
971
972=over
973
974=item db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
975
976Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
977C<undef> is used instead.
978
979=item db_del $family => $subkey...
980
981Deletes one or more subkeys from the database family.
982
983=item $guard = db_reg $family => $subkey [=> $value]
984
985Sets the key on the database and returns a guard. When the guard is
986destroyed, the key is deleted from the database. If C<$value> is missing,
987then C<undef> is used.
988
989=item db_family $family => $cb->(\%familyhash)
990
991Queries the named database C<$family> and call the callback with the
992family represented as a hash. You can keep and freely modify the hash.
993
994=item db_keys $family => $cb->(\@keys)
995
996Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<subkeys> and passes
997them as array reference to the callback.
998
999=item db_values $family => $cb->(\@values)
1000
1001Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<values> and passes them
1002as array reference to the callback.
1003
1004=item $guard = db_mon $family => $cb->($familyhash, \@added, \@changed, \@deleted)
1005
1006Creates a monitor on the given database family. Each time a key is set
1007or or is deleted the callback is called with a hash containing the
1008database family and three lists of added, changed and deleted subkeys,
1009respectively. If no keys have changed then the array reference might be
1010C<undef> or even missing.
1011
1012If not called in void context, a guard object is returned that, when
1013destroyed, stops the monitor.
1014
1015The family hash reference and the key arrays belong to AnyEvent::MP and
1016B<must not be modified or stored> by the callback. When in doubt, make a
1017copy.
1018
1019As soon as possible after the monitoring starts, the callback will be
1020called with the intiial contents of the family, even if it is empty,
1021i.e. there will always be a timely call to the callback with the current
1022contents.
1023
1024It is possible that the callback is called with a change event even though
1025the subkey is already present and the value has not changed.
1026
1027The monitoring stops when the guard object is destroyed.
1028
1029Example: on every change to the family "mygroup", print out all keys.
1030
1031 my $guard = db_mon mygroup => sub {
1032 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1033 print "mygroup members: ", (join " ", keys %$family), "\n";
1034 };
1035
1036Exmaple: wait until the family "My::Module::workers" is non-empty.
1037
1038 my $guard; $guard = db_mon My::Module::workers => sub {
1039 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1040 return unless %$family;
1041 undef $guard;
1042 print "My::Module::workers now nonempty\n";
1043 };
1044
1045Example: print all changes to the family "AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module".
1046
1047 my $guard = db_mon AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module => sub {
1048 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1049
1050 print "+$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$a;
1051 print "*$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$c;
1052 print "-$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$d;
1053 };
1054
1055=cut
1056
1057=back
1058
827=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 1059=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
828 1060
829AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 1061AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
830== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 1062== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
831programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 1063programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
862ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 1094ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
863occur. 1095occur.
864 1096
865=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 1097=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
866 1098
867Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 1099Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
868needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 1100therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
869useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 1101no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
870AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 1102of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
871filter messages without dequeuing them. 1103filter messages without dequeuing them.
872 1104
873(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 1105This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
1106being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
1107
1108You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
1109top of AEMP and Coro threads.
874 1110
875=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1111=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
876 1112
877Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 1113Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
1114a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
878so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 1115need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
879connection establishment is handled in the background. 1116establishment is handled in the background.
880 1117
881=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 1118=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
882 1119
883Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get 1120Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
884lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, 1121lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
885b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1122b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
886 1123
887AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 1124AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
888is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 1125guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
889monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 1126same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
890sequence. 1127no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
1128
1129If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
1130corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
1131simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
1132link goes down.
891 1133
892=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1134=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
893 1135
894In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 1136In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
895known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1137process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
896destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1138causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1139process.
897 1140
898AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1141AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
899around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1142around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
900 1143
901=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1144=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
902authentication and can use TLS. 1145authentication and can use TLS.
903 1146
906 1149
907=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1150=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
908communications. 1151communications.
909 1152
910The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 1153The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
911language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1154language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
912language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 1155language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
913used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 1156used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
914 1157
915It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1158It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
916with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 1159with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
917protocol simple. 1160protocol simple.
918 1161
919=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1162=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
920 1163
921In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1164In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
922or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1165I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
923difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1166difficult to implement.
924Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1167
925on a per-process basis. 1168Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1169between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
926 1170
927=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1171=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
928 1172
929Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 1173Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
930same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1174same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
953 1197
954Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1198Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
955procedures to be "valid". 1199procedures to be "valid".
956 1200
957And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single 1201And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
958closure stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1202code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
959 1203
960=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1204=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
961 1205
962In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1206In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
963format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1207format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by

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