… | |
… | |
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 $localport, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death |
… | |
… | |
78 | |
78 | |
79 | Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just |
79 | Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just |
80 | some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of |
80 | some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of |
81 | anything was listening for them or not. |
81 | anything was listening for them or not. |
82 | |
82 | |
|
|
83 | Ports 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 | |
85 | A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) as |
87 | A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) |
86 | separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). |
88 | as separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified |
|
|
89 | format created by AnyEvent::MP). |
87 | |
90 | |
88 | =item node |
91 | =item node |
89 | |
92 | |
90 | A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port, |
93 | A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port, |
91 | which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new |
94 | which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new |
92 | ports. |
95 | ports. |
93 | |
96 | |
94 | Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private |
97 | Nodes 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 |
96 | currently. |
99 | currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes. |
97 | |
100 | |
|
|
101 | Nodes 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 | |
100 | A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a |
105 | A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a |
101 | network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a |
106 | network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a |
102 | hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself |
107 | hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself |
103 | doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. |
108 | doesn'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 | |
107 | Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to |
112 | Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to |
108 | each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport |
113 | each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport |
|
|
114 | endpoints - binds. |
|
|
115 | |
109 | endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can |
116 | Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which |
110 | be used, which specify TCP ports to listen on. |
117 | specify TCP ports to listen on. So a bind is basically just a tcp socket |
|
|
118 | in listening mode thta accepts conenctions form other nodes. |
111 | |
119 | |
112 | =item seed nodes |
120 | =item seed nodes |
113 | |
121 | |
114 | When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node |
122 | When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network it is in - it |
115 | about the network it first has to contact some other node within the |
123 | needs to connect to at least one other node that is already in the |
116 | network. This node is called a seed. |
124 | network. These other nodes are called "seed nodes". |
117 | |
125 | |
118 | Apart from the fact that other nodes know them as seed nodes and they have |
126 | Seed nodes themselves are not special - they are seed nodes only because |
119 | to have fixed listening addresses, seed nodes are perfectly normal nodes - |
127 | some other node I<uses> them as such, but any node can be used as seed |
120 | any node can function as a seed node for others. |
128 | node for other nodes, and eahc node cna use a different set of seed nodes. |
121 | |
129 | |
122 | In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to |
130 | In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to |
123 | maintain the network and to connect nodes that otherwise would have |
131 | maintain the network - all nodes using the same seed node form are part of |
124 | trouble connecting. They form the backbone of an AnyEvent::MP network. |
132 | the same network. If a network is split into multiple subnets because e.g. |
|
|
133 | the network link between the parts goes down, then using the same seed |
|
|
134 | nodes for all nodes ensures that eventually the subnets get merged again. |
125 | |
135 | |
126 | Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node |
136 | Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node |
127 | should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a |
137 | should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a |
128 | seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else. |
138 | seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else. |
129 | |
139 | |
|
|
140 | For small networks, it's best if every node uses the same set of seed |
|
|
141 | nodes. For large networks, it can be useful to specify "regional" seed |
|
|
142 | nodes for most nodes in an area, and use all seed nodes as seed nodes for |
|
|
143 | each other. What's important is that all seed nodes connections form a |
|
|
144 | complete graph, so that the network cannot split into separate subnets |
|
|
145 | forever. |
|
|
146 | |
|
|
147 | Seed nodes are represented by seed IDs. |
|
|
148 | |
130 | =item seeds - C<host:port> |
149 | =item seed IDs - C<host:port> |
131 | |
150 | |
132 | Seeds are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a |
151 | Seed IDs are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a |
133 | TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes. |
152 | TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes. |
134 | |
153 | |
135 | The nodes listening on those endpoints are expected to be long-running, |
154 | =item global nodes |
136 | and at least one of those should always be available. When nodes run out |
155 | |
137 | of connections (e.g. due to a network error), they try to re-establish |
156 | An AEMP network needs a discovery service - nodes need to know how to |
138 | connections to some seednodes again to join the network. |
157 | connect to other nodes they only know by name. In addition, AEMP offers a |
|
|
158 | distributed "group database", which maps group names to a list of strings |
|
|
159 | - for example, to register worker ports. |
|
|
160 | |
|
|
161 | A network needs at least one global node to work, and allows every node to |
|
|
162 | be a global node. |
|
|
163 | |
|
|
164 | Any node that loads the L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module becomes a global |
|
|
165 | node and tries to keep connections to all other nodes. So while it can |
|
|
166 | make sense to make every node "global" in small networks, it usually makes |
|
|
167 | sense to only make seed nodes into global nodes in large networks (nodes |
|
|
168 | keep connections to seed nodes and global nodes, so makign them the same |
|
|
169 | reduces 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 | |
148 | package AnyEvent::MP; |
179 | package AnyEvent::MP; |
149 | |
180 | |
|
|
181 | use AnyEvent::MP::Config (); |
150 | use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; |
182 | use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; |
|
|
183 | use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID); |
151 | |
184 | |
152 | use common::sense; |
185 | use common::sense; |
153 | |
186 | |
154 | use Carp (); |
187 | use Carp (); |
155 | |
188 | |
156 | use AE (); |
189 | use AE (); |
|
|
190 | use Guard (); |
157 | |
191 | |
158 | use base "Exporter"; |
192 | use base "Exporter"; |
159 | |
193 | |
160 | our $VERSION = 1.27; |
194 | our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION; |
161 | |
195 | |
162 | our @EXPORT = qw( |
196 | our @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 |
167 | ); |
202 | ); |
168 | |
203 | |
169 | our $SELF; |
204 | our $SELF; |
170 | |
205 | |
171 | sub _self_die() { |
206 | sub _self_die() { |
… | |
… | |
191 | Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter |
226 | Before 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 |
227 | "distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs |
193 | to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of |
228 | to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of |
194 | some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. |
229 | some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. |
195 | |
230 | |
196 | The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the |
|
|
197 | F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix). |
|
|
198 | |
|
|
199 | This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or |
231 | This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or |
200 | never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. |
232 | never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. |
|
|
233 | |
|
|
234 | The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the |
|
|
235 | F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with these additions: |
|
|
236 | |
|
|
237 | =over 4 |
|
|
238 | |
|
|
239 | =item norc => $boolean (default false) |
|
|
240 | |
|
|
241 | If true, then the rc file (e.g. F<~/.perl-anyevent-mp>) will I<not> |
|
|
242 | be consulted - all configuraiton options must be specified in the |
|
|
243 | C<configure> call. |
|
|
244 | |
|
|
245 | =item force => $boolean (default false) |
|
|
246 | |
|
|
247 | IF true, then the values specified in the C<configure> will take |
|
|
248 | precedence over any values configured via the rc file. The default is for |
|
|
249 | the rc file to override any options specified in the program. |
|
|
250 | |
|
|
251 | =item secure => $pass->($nodeid) |
|
|
252 | |
|
|
253 | In addition to specifying a boolean, you can specify a code reference that |
|
|
254 | is called for every remote execution attempt - the execution request is |
|
|
255 | granted iff the callback returns a true value. |
|
|
256 | |
|
|
257 | See F<semp setsecure> for more info. |
|
|
258 | |
|
|
259 | =back |
201 | |
260 | |
202 | =over 4 |
261 | =over 4 |
203 | |
262 | |
204 | =item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles |
263 | =item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles |
205 | |
264 | |
… | |
… | |
219 | That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority |
278 | That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority |
220 | and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority, |
279 | and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority, |
221 | and can only be used to specify defaults. |
280 | and can only be used to specify defaults. |
222 | |
281 | |
223 | If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of |
282 | If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of |
224 | this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The |
283 | this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID, with |
225 | special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID. |
284 | a unique randoms tring (C</%u>) appended. |
|
|
285 | |
|
|
286 | The node ID can contain some C<%> sequences that are expanded: C<%n> |
|
|
287 | is expanded to the local nodename, C<%u> is replaced by a random |
|
|
288 | strign to make the node unique. For example, the F<aemp> commandline |
|
|
289 | utility uses C<aemp/%n/%u> as nodename, which might expand to |
|
|
290 | C<aemp/cerebro/ZQDGSIkRhEZQDGSIkRhE>. |
226 | |
291 | |
227 | =item step 2, bind listener sockets |
292 | =item step 2, bind listener sockets |
228 | |
293 | |
229 | The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding |
294 | The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding |
230 | aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid |
295 | aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid |
… | |
… | |
236 | used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every |
301 | used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every |
237 | local IP address it finds. |
302 | local IP address it finds. |
238 | |
303 | |
239 | =item step 3, connect to seed nodes |
304 | =item step 3, connect to seed nodes |
240 | |
305 | |
241 | As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the |
306 | As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the |
242 | L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep |
307 | L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep |
243 | connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. |
308 | connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. |
244 | |
309 | |
245 | =back |
310 | =back |
246 | |
311 | |
247 | Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile. |
312 | Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile. |
248 | This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. |
313 | This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. |
249 | |
314 | |
250 | configure |
315 | configure |
251 | |
316 | |
252 | Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline |
317 | Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for |
253 | clients. |
318 | commandline clients. |
254 | |
319 | |
255 | configure nodeid => "anon/"; |
320 | configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u"; |
256 | |
321 | |
257 | Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable |
322 | Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable |
258 | for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040, |
323 | for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040, |
259 | customary for aemp). |
324 | customary for aemp). |
260 | |
325 | |
261 | # use the aemp commandline utility |
326 | # use the aemp commandline utility |
262 | # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040' |
327 | # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040' |
263 | |
328 | |
264 | # then use it |
329 | # then use it |
265 | configure profile => "seed"; |
330 | configure profile => "seed"; |
266 | |
331 | |
267 | # or simply use aemp from the shell again: |
332 | # or simply use aemp from the shell again: |
… | |
… | |
337 | sub _kilme { |
402 | sub _kilme { |
338 | die "received message on port without callback"; |
403 | die "received message on port without callback"; |
339 | } |
404 | } |
340 | |
405 | |
341 | sub port(;&) { |
406 | sub port(;&) { |
342 | my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; |
407 | my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID; |
343 | my $port = "$NODE#$id"; |
408 | my $port = "$NODE#$id"; |
344 | |
409 | |
345 | rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; |
410 | rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; |
346 | |
411 | |
347 | $port |
412 | $port |
… | |
… | |
495 | Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the |
560 | Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the |
496 | closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> |
561 | closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> |
497 | callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. |
562 | callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. |
498 | |
563 | |
499 | The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub { |
564 | The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub { |
500 | BLOCK } } >>. |
565 | BLOCK }, @_ } >>. |
501 | |
566 | |
502 | This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: |
567 | This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: |
503 | |
568 | |
504 | rcv delayed_reply => sub { |
569 | rcv delayed_reply => sub { |
505 | my ($delay, @reply) = @_; |
570 | my ($delay, @reply) = @_; |
… | |
… | |
620 | } |
685 | } |
621 | |
686 | |
622 | $node->monitor ($port, $cb); |
687 | $node->monitor ($port, $cb); |
623 | |
688 | |
624 | defined wantarray |
689 | defined wantarray |
625 | and ($cb += 0, AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) }) |
690 | and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) }) |
626 | } |
691 | } |
627 | |
692 | |
628 | =item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... |
693 | =item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... |
629 | |
694 | |
630 | Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port |
695 | Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port |
… | |
… | |
734 | } |
799 | } |
735 | |
800 | |
736 | sub spawn(@) { |
801 | sub spawn(@) { |
737 | my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; |
802 | my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; |
738 | |
803 | |
739 | my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; |
804 | my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID; |
740 | |
805 | |
741 | $_[0] =~ /::/ |
806 | $_[0] =~ /::/ |
742 | or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; |
807 | or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; |
743 | |
808 | |
744 | snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; |
809 | snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; |
745 | |
810 | |
746 | "$nodeid#$id" |
811 | "$nodeid#$id" |
747 | } |
812 | } |
|
|
813 | |
748 | |
814 | |
749 | =item after $timeout, @msg |
815 | =item after $timeout, @msg |
750 | |
816 | |
751 | =item after $timeout, $callback |
817 | =item after $timeout, $callback |
752 | |
818 | |
… | |
… | |
822 | $port |
888 | $port |
823 | } |
889 | } |
824 | |
890 | |
825 | =back |
891 | =back |
826 | |
892 | |
|
|
893 | =head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE |
|
|
894 | |
|
|
895 | AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will |
|
|
896 | be mirrored asynchronously at all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one of |
|
|
897 | the global nodes for their needs. |
|
|
898 | |
|
|
899 | The database consists of a two-level hash - a hash contains a hash which |
|
|
900 | contains values. |
|
|
901 | |
|
|
902 | The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key |
|
|
903 | is called "subkey" or simply "key". |
|
|
904 | |
|
|
905 | The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist |
|
|
906 | of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>, |
|
|
907 | pretty much like Perl module names. |
|
|
908 | |
|
|
909 | As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names |
|
|
910 | with the name of the application or module using it. |
|
|
911 | |
|
|
912 | The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions. |
|
|
913 | |
|
|
914 | The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should |
|
|
915 | work as well (such as undef, arrays and hashes). |
|
|
916 | |
|
|
917 | Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey |
|
|
918 | combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP, |
|
|
919 | but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have |
|
|
920 | different values on different nodes. |
|
|
921 | |
|
|
922 | Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes |
|
|
923 | without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker |
|
|
924 | pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this: |
|
|
925 | |
|
|
926 | db_set my_image_scalers => $port; |
|
|
927 | |
|
|
928 | And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the |
|
|
929 | C<my_image_scalers> keys: |
|
|
930 | |
|
|
931 | db_keys "my_image_scalers" => 60 => sub { |
|
|
932 | #d##TODO# |
|
|
933 | |
|
|
934 | =over |
|
|
935 | |
|
|
936 | =item db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value] |
|
|
937 | |
|
|
938 | Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted, |
|
|
939 | C<undef> is used instead. |
|
|
940 | |
|
|
941 | =item db_del $family => $subkey |
|
|
942 | |
|
|
943 | Deletes a key from the database. |
|
|
944 | |
|
|
945 | =item $guard = db_reg $family => $subkey [=> $value] |
|
|
946 | |
|
|
947 | Sets the key on the database and returns a guard. When the guard is |
|
|
948 | destroyed, the key is deleted from the database. If C<$value> is missing, |
|
|
949 | then C<undef> is used. |
|
|
950 | |
|
|
951 | =cut |
|
|
952 | |
|
|
953 | =back |
|
|
954 | |
827 | =head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang |
955 | =head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang |
828 | |
956 | |
829 | AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node |
957 | AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node |
830 | == aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and |
958 | == aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and |
831 | programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a |
959 | programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a |
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862 | ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot |
990 | ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot |
863 | occur. |
991 | occur. |
864 | |
992 | |
865 | =item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. |
993 | =item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. |
866 | |
994 | |
867 | Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore |
995 | Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and |
868 | needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no |
996 | therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve |
869 | useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of |
997 | no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities |
870 | AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to |
998 | of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to |
871 | filter messages without dequeuing them. |
999 | filter messages without dequeuing them. |
872 | |
1000 | |
873 | (But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). |
1001 | This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP |
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1002 | being event-based, while Erlang is process-based. |
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1003 | |
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1004 | You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on |
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1005 | top of AEMP and Coro threads. |
874 | |
1006 | |
875 | =item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. |
1007 | =item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. |
876 | |
1008 | |
877 | Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and |
1009 | Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until |
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1010 | a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not |
878 | so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, |
1011 | need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection |
879 | connection establishment is handled in the background. |
1012 | establishment is handled in the background. |
880 | |
1013 | |
881 | =item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. |
1014 | =item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. |
882 | |
1015 | |
883 | Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get |
1016 | Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get |
884 | lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, |
1017 | lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, |
885 | b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). |
1018 | b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). |
886 | |
1019 | |
887 | AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message |
1020 | AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the |
888 | is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until |
1021 | guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the |
889 | monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message |
1022 | same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are |
890 | sequence. |
1023 | no silent "holes" in the message sequence. |
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1024 | |
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1025 | If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with |
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1026 | corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP |
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1027 | simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network |
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1028 | link goes down. |
891 | |
1029 | |
892 | =item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. |
1030 | =item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. |
893 | |
1031 | |
894 | In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID |
1032 | In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang |
895 | known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages |
1033 | process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, |
896 | destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. |
1034 | causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated |
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1035 | process. |
897 | |
1036 | |
898 | AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating |
1037 | AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating |
899 | around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. |
1038 | around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. |
900 | |
1039 | |
901 | =item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure |
1040 | =item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure |
902 | authentication and can use TLS. |
1041 | authentication and can use TLS. |
903 | |
1042 | |
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906 | |
1045 | |
907 | =item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary |
1046 | =item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary |
908 | communications. |
1047 | communications. |
909 | |
1048 | |
910 | The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming |
1049 | The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming |
911 | language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, |
1050 | language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary, |
912 | language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is |
1051 | language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is |
913 | used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. |
1052 | used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. |
914 | |
1053 | |
915 | It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages |
1054 | It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages |
916 | with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the |
1055 | with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the |
917 | protocol simple. |
1056 | protocol simple. |
918 | |
1057 | |
919 | =item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. |
1058 | =item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. |
920 | |
1059 | |
921 | In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages |
1060 | In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or |
922 | or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is |
1061 | I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is |
923 | difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in |
1062 | difficult to implement. |
924 | Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback |
1063 | |
925 | on a per-process basis. |
1064 | Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose |
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1065 | between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis. |
926 | |
1066 | |
927 | =item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. |
1067 | =item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. |
928 | |
1068 | |
929 | Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the |
1069 | Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the |
930 | same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). |
1070 | same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). |
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953 | |
1093 | |
954 | Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special |
1094 | Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special |
955 | procedures to be "valid". |
1095 | procedures to be "valid". |
956 | |
1096 | |
957 | And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single |
1097 | And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single |
958 | closure stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper. |
1098 | code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper. |
959 | |
1099 | |
960 | =item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? |
1100 | =item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? |
961 | |
1101 | |
962 | In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing |
1102 | In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing |
963 | format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by |
1103 | format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by |
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979 | |
1119 | |
980 | L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. |
1120 | L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. |
981 | |
1121 | |
982 | L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. |
1122 | L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. |
983 | |
1123 | |
984 | L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find |
1124 | L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find |
985 | your applications. |
1125 | your applications. |
986 | |
1126 | |
987 | L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes. |
1127 | L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes. |
988 | |
1128 | |
989 | L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from |
1129 | L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from |