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Revision 1.77 by elmex, Thu Sep 3 07:57:30 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.119 by root, Sun Feb 26 10:29:59 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
131 185
132use AE (); 186use AE ();
133 187
134use base "Exporter"; 188use base "Exporter";
135 189
136our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 190our $VERSION = '1.30';
137 191
138our @EXPORT = qw( 192our @EXPORT = qw(
139 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 193 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
140 configure 194 configure
141 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 195 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
142 port 196 port
143); 197);
144 198
145our $SELF; 199our $SELF;
146 200
158 212
159=item $nodeid = node_of $port 213=item $nodeid = node_of $port
160 214
161Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID. 215Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
162 216
217=item configure $profile, key => value...
218
163=item configure key => value... 219=item configure key => value...
164 220
165Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter 221Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
166"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs 222"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
167to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of 223to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
168some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 224some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
169 225
226The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
227F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix).
228
170This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or 229This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
171never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 230never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
172 231
173=over 4 232=over 4
174 233
175=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles 234=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
176 235
177The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the 236The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
178L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the 237L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
179named C<profile> parameter. If it is missing, then the nodename (F<uname 238named C<profile> parameter or can simply be the first parameter). If it is
180-n>) will be used as profile name. 239missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
181 240
182The profile data is then gathered as follows: 241The profile data is then gathered as follows:
183 242
184First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently 243First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
185undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration 244undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
207used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every 266used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
208local IP address it finds. 267local IP address it finds.
209 268
210=item step 3, connect to seed nodes 269=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
211 270
212As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the 271As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
213L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 272L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
214connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. 273connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
215 274
216=back 275=back
217 276
218Example: become a distributed node using the locla node name as profile. 277Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
219This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 278This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
220 279
221 configure 280 configure
222 281
223Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 282Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline
357 msg1 => sub { ... }, 416 msg1 => sub { ... },
358 ... 417 ...
359 ; 418 ;
360 419
361Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 420Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
362(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 421(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
363 422
364 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 423 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
365 my @reply = @_; 424 my @reply = @_;
366 425
367 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 426 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
380 if (ref $_[0]) { 439 if (ref $_[0]) {
381 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 440 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
382 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 441 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
383 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 442 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
384 443
385 $self->[2] = shift; 444 $self->[0] = shift;
386 } else { 445 } else {
387 my $cb = shift; 446 my $cb = shift;
388 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 447 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
389 local $SELF = $port; 448 local $SELF = $port;
390 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 449 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
391 }; 450 };
392 } 451 }
393 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 452 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
394 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 453 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
395 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 454 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
396 455
397 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 456 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
398 local $SELF = $port; 457 local $SELF = $port;
399 458
400 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 459 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
422 } 481 }
423 482
424 $port 483 $port
425} 484}
426 485
486=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
487
488Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
489when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
490
491Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
492be returned to the caller.
493
494This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
495a port.
496
497Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
498
499 my $port = port { ... };
500
501 peval $port, sub {
502 init
503 or die "unable to init";
504 };
505
506=cut
507
508sub peval($$) {
509 local $SELF = shift;
510 my $cb = shift;
511
512 if (wantarray) {
513 my @res = eval { &$cb };
514 _self_die if $@;
515 @res
516 } else {
517 my $res = eval { &$cb };
518 _self_die if $@;
519 $res
520 }
521}
522
427=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 523=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
428 524
429Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 525Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
430closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 526closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
431callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 527callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
528
529The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
530BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
432 531
433This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 532This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
434 533
435 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 534 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
436 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 535 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
472 571
473Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 572Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
474messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 573messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
475to stop monitoring again. 574to stop monitoring again.
476 575
576In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
577number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
578"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
579C<eval> if unsure.
580
581In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
582will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
583"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
584port is killed with the same reason.
585
586The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
587C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
588
589In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
590C<snd>.
591
592Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
593alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
594
595As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
596a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
597lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
598even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
599to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
600these problems do not exist.
601
477C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 602C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
478after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will 603after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
479arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message 604arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
480loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after 605loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
481the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 606the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
482port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 607port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
483delivered again. 608delivered again.
484 609
485Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a 610Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
486monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again. 611used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
612relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
613non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
487 614
488In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 615This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
489number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 616stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
490"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 617to ensure some maximum latency.
491C<eval> if unsure.
492
493In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
494will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
495"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
496port is killed with the same reason.
497
498The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
499C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
500
501In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
502C<snd>.
503
504As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
505a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
506lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
507even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
508to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
509these problems do not exist.
510 618
511Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 619Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
512 620
513 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 621 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
514 622
542 } 650 }
543 651
544 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 652 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
545 653
546 defined wantarray 654 defined wantarray
547 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 655 and ($cb += 0, AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
548} 656}
549 657
550=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 658=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
551 659
552Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 660Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
575 683
576=item kil $port[, @reason] 684=item kil $port[, @reason]
577 685
578Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 686Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
579 687
580If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 688If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
581monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 689monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
582"normally"). 690(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
583 691
584Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 692If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
585C<mon>, see above). 693form) get killed with the same reason.
586 694
587Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 695Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
588will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 696will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
589 697
590Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 698Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
609the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 717the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
610C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 718C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
611exists or it runs out of package names. 719exists or it runs out of package names.
612 720
613The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 721The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
614object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 722object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
723call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
724the port might not get created.
615 725
616A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned 726A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
617port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed 727port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
618local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up 728local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
619when there is a problem. 729when there is a problem.
620 730
731C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
732caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
733called for the local node).
734
621Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 735Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
622 736
623 # this node, executed from within a port context: 737 # this node, executed from within a port context:
624 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 738 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
625 mon $server; 739 mon $server;
639 753
640sub _spawn { 754sub _spawn {
641 my $port = shift; 755 my $port = shift;
642 my $init = shift; 756 my $init = shift;
643 757
758 # rcv will create the actual port
644 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 759 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
645 eval { 760 eval {
646 &{ load_func $init } 761 &{ load_func $init }
647 }; 762 };
648 _self_die if $@; 763 _self_die if $@;
683 ? $action[0]() 798 ? $action[0]()
684 : snd @action; 799 : snd @action;
685 }; 800 };
686} 801}
687 802
803=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
804
805A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
806given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
807
808The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
809the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
810
811A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
812
813If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
814then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
815elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
816
817If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
818monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
819
820Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
821might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
822this is indeed useful for something.
823
824=cut
825
826sub cal(@) {
827 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
828 my $cb = pop;
829
830 my $port = port {
831 undef $timeout;
832 kil $SELF;
833 &$cb;
834 };
835
836 if (defined $timeout) {
837 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
838 undef $timeout;
839 kil $port;
840 $cb->();
841 };
842 } else {
843 mon $_[0], sub {
844 kil $port;
845 $cb->();
846 };
847 }
848
849 push @_, $port;
850 &snd;
851
852 $port
853}
854
688=back 855=back
689 856
690=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 857=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
691 858
692AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 859AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
693== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 860== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
694programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 861programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
695sample: 862sample:
696 863
697 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 864 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
698 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 865 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
699 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 866 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
700 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 867 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
701 868
702Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 869Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
703 870
704=over 4 871=over 4
705 872
706=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 873=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
707 874
708Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 875Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
709way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 876way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
710configuration or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 877configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
878will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
711 879
712=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 880=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
713uses "local ports are like remote ports". 881uses "local ports are like remote ports".
714 882
715The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 883The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
724ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 892ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
725occur. 893occur.
726 894
727=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 895=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
728 896
729Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 897Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
730needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 898therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
731useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 899no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
732AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 900of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
733filter messages without dequeuing them. 901filter messages without dequeuing them.
734 902
735(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 903This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
904being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
905
906You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
907top of AEMP and Coro threads.
736 908
737=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 909=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
738 910
739Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 911Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
912a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
740so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 913need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
741connection establishment is handled in the background. 914establishment is handled in the background.
742 915
743=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 916=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
744 917
745Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 918Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
746without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 919lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
747and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 920b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
748 921
749AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 922AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
750is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 923guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
751monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 924same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
752sequence. 925no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
926
927If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
928corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
929simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
930link goes down.
753 931
754=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 932=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
755 933
756In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 934In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
757known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 935process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
758destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 936causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
937process.
759 938
760AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 939AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
761around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 940around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
762 941
763=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 942=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
764authentication and can use TLS. 943authentication and can use TLS.
765 944
768 947
769=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 948=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
770communications. 949communications.
771 950
772The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 951The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
773language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 952language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
774language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 953language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
775used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 954used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
776 955
777It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 956It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
778with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 957with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
779protocol simple. 958protocol simple.
780 959
781=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 960=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
782 961
783In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 962In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
784or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 963I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
785difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 964difficult to implement.
786Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 965
787on a per-process basis. 966Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
967between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
788 968
789=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 969=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
790 970
791Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 971Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
792same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 972same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
814overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 994overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
815 995
816Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 996Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
817procedures to be "valid". 997procedures to be "valid".
818 998
819And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 999And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
820global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1000code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
821 1001
822=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1002=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
823 1003
824In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1004In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
825format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1005format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
841 1021
842L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1022L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
843 1023
844L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1024L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
845 1025
846L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1026L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
847your applications. 1027your applications.
1028
1029L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1030
1031L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1032all nodes.
848 1033
849L<AnyEvent>. 1034L<AnyEvent>.
850 1035
851=head1 AUTHOR 1036=head1 AUTHOR
852 1037

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