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Revision 1.85 by root, Tue Sep 8 01:54:13 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.128 by root, Sun Mar 4 14:28:44 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 but incomplete, protocol not yet final. 58 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API.
47
48stay tuned.
49 59
50=head1 DESCRIPTION 60=head1 DESCRIPTION
51 61
52This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 62This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
53 63
68 78
69Ports 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
70some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
71anything was listening for them or not. 81anything was listening for them or not.
72 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
73=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
74 86
75A 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<#>)
76separator, 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).
77 90
78=item node 91=item node
79 92
80A 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,
81which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
82ports. 95ports.
83 96
84Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
85(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 98(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
86currently. 99currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
87 100
101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
102
88=item node ID - C<[A-Z_][a-zA-Z0-9_\-.:]*> 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
89 104
90A 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
91network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 106network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
92hostname, 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
93doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 108doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
94 109
95=item binds - C<ip:port> 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
96 111
97Nodes 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
98each 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
99endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can 116Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
100be 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.
101 119
102=item seed nodes 120=item seed nodes
103 121
104When 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
105about 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
106network. This node is called a seed. 124network. These other nodes are called "seed nodes".
107 125
108Apart 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
109to 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
110any node can function as a seed node for others. 128node for other nodes, and eahc node cna use a different set of seed nodes.
111 129
112In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to 130In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
113maintain the network and to connect nodes that otherwise would have 131maintain the network - all nodes using the same seed node form are part of
114trouble connecting. They form the backbone of the 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.
115 135
116Seed 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
117should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a 137should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a
118seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else. 138seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else.
119 139
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
120=item seeds - C<host:port> 149=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
121 150
122Seeds are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a 151Seed IDs are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
123TCP port) of nodes thta should be used as seed nodes. 152TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
124 153
125The nodes listening on those endpoints are expected to be long-running, 154=item global nodes
126and at least one of those should always be available. When nodes run out 155
127of 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
128connections 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).
129 170
130=back 171=back
131 172
132=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
133 174
135 176
136=cut 177=cut
137 178
138package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
139 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
140use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
141 184
142use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
143 186
144use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
145 188
146use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
147 191
148use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
149 193
150our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
151 195
152our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
153 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
154 configure 198 configure
155 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
156 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
202 db_mon db_family db_keys db_values
157); 203);
158 204
159our $SELF; 205our $SELF;
160 206
161sub _self_die() { 207sub _self_die() {
184some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 230some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
185 231
186This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or 232This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
187never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 233never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
188 234
235The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
236F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with these additions:
237
238=over 4
239
240=item norc => $boolean (default false)
241
242If true, then the rc file (e.g. F<~/.perl-anyevent-mp>) will I<not>
243be consulted - all configuraiton options must be specified in the
244C<configure> call.
245
246=item force => $boolean (default false)
247
248IF true, then the values specified in the C<configure> will take
249precedence over any values configured via the rc file. The default is for
250the rc file to override any options specified in the program.
251
252=item secure => $pass->($nodeid)
253
254In addition to specifying a boolean, you can specify a code reference that
255is called for every remote execution attempt - the execution request is
256granted iff the callback returns a true value.
257
258See F<semp setsecure> for more info.
259
260=back
261
189=over 4 262=over 4
190 263
191=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles 264=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
192 265
193The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the 266The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
206That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority 279That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
207and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority, 280and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
208and can only be used to specify defaults. 281and can only be used to specify defaults.
209 282
210If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of 283If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
211this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The 284this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID, with
212special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID. 285a unique randoms tring (C</%u>) appended.
286
287The node ID can contain some C<%> sequences that are expanded: C<%n>
288is expanded to the local nodename, C<%u> is replaced by a random
289strign to make the node unique. For example, the F<aemp> commandline
290utility uses C<aemp/%n/%u> as nodename, which might expand to
291C<aemp/cerebro/ZQDGSIkRhEZQDGSIkRhE>.
213 292
214=item step 2, bind listener sockets 293=item step 2, bind listener sockets
215 294
216The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding 295The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
217aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid 296aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
223used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every 302used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
224local IP address it finds. 303local IP address it finds.
225 304
226=item step 3, connect to seed nodes 305=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
227 306
228As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the 307As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
229L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 308L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
230connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. 309connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
231 310
232=back 311=back
233 312
234Example: become a distributed node using the locla node name as profile. 313Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
235This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 314This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
236 315
237 configure 316 configure
238 317
239Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 318Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
240clients. 319commandline clients.
241 320
242 configure nodeid => "anon/"; 321 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
243 322
244Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable 323Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
245for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040, 324for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
246customary for aemp). 325customary for aemp).
247 326
248 # use the aemp commandline utility 327 # use the aemp commandline utility
249 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040' 328 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
250 329
251 # then use it 330 # then use it
252 configure profile => "seed"; 331 configure profile => "seed";
253 332
254 # or simply use aemp from the shell again: 333 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
324sub _kilme { 403sub _kilme {
325 die "received message on port without callback"; 404 die "received message on port without callback";
326} 405}
327 406
328sub port(;&) { 407sub port(;&) {
329 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 408 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
330 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 409 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
331 410
332 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 411 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
333 412
334 $port 413 $port
373 msg1 => sub { ... }, 452 msg1 => sub { ... },
374 ... 453 ...
375 ; 454 ;
376 455
377Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 456Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
378(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 457(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
379 458
380 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 459 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
381 my @reply = @_; 460 my @reply = @_;
382 461
383 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 462 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
396 if (ref $_[0]) { 475 if (ref $_[0]) {
397 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 476 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
398 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 477 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
399 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 478 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
400 479
401 $self->[2] = shift; 480 $self->[0] = shift;
402 } else { 481 } else {
403 my $cb = shift; 482 my $cb = shift;
404 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 483 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
405 local $SELF = $port; 484 local $SELF = $port;
406 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 485 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
407 }; 486 };
408 } 487 }
409 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 488 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
410 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 489 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
411 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 490 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
412 491
413 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 492 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
414 local $SELF = $port; 493 local $SELF = $port;
415 494
416 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 495 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
438 } 517 }
439 518
440 $port 519 $port
441} 520}
442 521
522=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
523
524Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
525when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
526
527Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
528be returned to the caller.
529
530This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
531a port.
532
533Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
534
535 my $port = port { ... };
536
537 peval $port, sub {
538 init
539 or die "unable to init";
540 };
541
542=cut
543
544sub peval($$) {
545 local $SELF = shift;
546 my $cb = shift;
547
548 if (wantarray) {
549 my @res = eval { &$cb };
550 _self_die if $@;
551 @res
552 } else {
553 my $res = eval { &$cb };
554 _self_die if $@;
555 $res
556 }
557}
558
443=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 559=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
444 560
445Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 561Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
446closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 562closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
447callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 563callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
564
565The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
566BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
448 567
449This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 568This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
450 569
451 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 570 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
452 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 571 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
525delivered again. 644delivered again.
526 645
527Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport 646Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
528used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP 647used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
529relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a 648relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
530non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle conenctions). 649non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
531 650
532This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up 651This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
533stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need 652stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
534to ensure some maximum latency. 653to ensure some maximum latency.
535 654
567 } 686 }
568 687
569 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 688 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
570 689
571 defined wantarray 690 defined wantarray
572 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 691 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
573} 692}
574 693
575=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 694=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
576 695
577Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 696Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
600 719
601=item kil $port[, @reason] 720=item kil $port[, @reason]
602 721
603Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 722Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
604 723
605If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 724If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
606monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 725monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
607"normally"). 726(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
608 727
609Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 728If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
610C<mon>, see above). 729form) get killed with the same reason.
611 730
612Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 731Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
613will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 732will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
614 733
615Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 734Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
681} 800}
682 801
683sub spawn(@) { 802sub spawn(@) {
684 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 803 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
685 804
686 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 805 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
687 806
688 $_[0] =~ /::/ 807 $_[0] =~ /::/
689 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 808 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
690 809
691 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 810 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
692 811
693 "$nodeid#$id" 812 "$nodeid#$id"
694} 813}
814
695 815
696=item after $timeout, @msg 816=item after $timeout, @msg
697 817
698=item after $timeout, $callback 818=item after $timeout, $callback
699 819
715 ? $action[0]() 835 ? $action[0]()
716 : snd @action; 836 : snd @action;
717 }; 837 };
718} 838}
719 839
840=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
841
842A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
843given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
844
845The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
846the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
847
848A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
849
850If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
851then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
852elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
853
854If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
855monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
856
857Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
858might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
859this is indeed useful for something.
860
861=cut
862
863sub cal(@) {
864 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
865 my $cb = pop;
866
867 my $port = port {
868 undef $timeout;
869 kil $SELF;
870 &$cb;
871 };
872
873 if (defined $timeout) {
874 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
875 undef $timeout;
876 kil $port;
877 $cb->();
878 };
879 } else {
880 mon $_[0], sub {
881 kil $port;
882 $cb->();
883 };
884 }
885
886 push @_, $port;
887 &snd;
888
889 $port
890}
891
892=back
893
894=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
895
896AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
897be mirrored asynchronously at all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one of
898the global nodes for their needs.
899
900The database consists of a two-level hash - a hash contains a hash which
901contains values.
902
903The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
904is called "subkey" or simply "key".
905
906The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
907of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
908pretty much like Perl module names.
909
910As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
911with the name of the application or module using it.
912
913The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions.
914
915The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
916work as well (such as undef, arrays and hashes).
917
918Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey
919combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
920but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
921different values on different nodes.
922
923Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes
924without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker
925pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this:
926
927 db_set my_image_scalers => $port;
928
929And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the
930C<my_image_scalers> keys:
931
932 db_keys "my_image_scalers" => 60 => sub {
933 #d##TODO#
934
935=over
936
937=item db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
938
939Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
940C<undef> is used instead.
941
942=item db_del $family => $subkey
943
944Deletes a key from the database.
945
946=item $guard = db_reg $family => $subkey [=> $value]
947
948Sets the key on the database and returns a guard. When the guard is
949destroyed, the key is deleted from the database. If C<$value> is missing,
950then C<undef> is used.
951
952=item $guard = db_mon $family => $cb->($familyhash, \@subkeys...)
953
954Creates a monitor on the given database family. Each time a key is set or
955or is deleted the callback is called with a hash containing the database
956family and an arrayref with subkeys that have changed.
957
958Specifically, if one of the passed subkeys exists in the $familyhash, then
959it is currently set to the value in the $familyhash. Otherwise, it has
960been deleted.
961
962The first call will be with the current contents of the family and all
963keys, as if they were just added.
964
965It is possible that the callback is called with a change event even though
966the subkey is already present and the value has not changed.
967
968The monitoring stops when the guard object is destroyed.
969
970Example: on every change to the family "mygroup", print out all keys.
971
972 my $guard = db_mon mygroup => sub {
973 my ($family, $keys) = @_;
974 print "mygroup members: ", (join " ", keys %$family), "\n";
975 };
976
977Exmaple: wait until the family "My::Module::workers" is non-empty.
978
979 my $guard; $guard = db_mon My::Module::workers => sub {
980 my ($family, $keys) = @_;
981 return unless %$family;
982 undef $guard;
983 print "My::Module::workers now nonempty\n";
984 };
985
986Example: print all changes to the family "AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module".
987
988 my $guard = db_mon AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module => sub {
989 my ($family, $keys) = @_;
990
991 for (@$keys) {
992 print "$_: ",
993 (exists $family->{$_}
994 ? $family->{$_}
995 : "(deleted)"),
996 "\n";
997 }
998 };
999
1000=cut
1001
720=back 1002=back
721 1003
722=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 1004=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
723 1005
724AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 1006AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
725== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 1007== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
726programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 1008programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
727sample: 1009sample:
728 1010
729 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 1011 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
730 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 1012 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
731 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 1013 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
732 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 1014 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
733 1015
734Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 1016Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
735 1017
736=over 4 1018=over 4
737 1019
738=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 1020=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
739 1021
740Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 1022Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
741way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 1023way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
742configuration or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 1024configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
1025will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
743 1026
744=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 1027=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
745uses "local ports are like remote ports". 1028uses "local ports are like remote ports".
746 1029
747The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 1030The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
756ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 1039ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
757occur. 1040occur.
758 1041
759=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 1042=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
760 1043
761Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 1044Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
762needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 1045therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
763useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 1046no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
764AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 1047of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
765filter messages without dequeuing them. 1048filter messages without dequeuing them.
766 1049
767(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 1050This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
1051being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
1052
1053You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
1054top of AEMP and Coro threads.
768 1055
769=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1056=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
770 1057
771Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 1058Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
1059a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
772so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 1060need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
773connection establishment is handled in the background. 1061establishment is handled in the background.
774 1062
775=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 1063=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
776 1064
777Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1065Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
778without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 1066lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
779and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1067b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
780 1068
781AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 1069AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
782is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 1070guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
783monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 1071same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
784sequence. 1072no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
1073
1074If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
1075corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
1076simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
1077link goes down.
785 1078
786=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1079=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
787 1080
788In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 1081In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
789known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1082process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
790destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1083causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1084process.
791 1085
792AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1086AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
793around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1087around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
794 1088
795=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1089=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
796authentication and can use TLS. 1090authentication and can use TLS.
797 1091
800 1094
801=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1095=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
802communications. 1096communications.
803 1097
804The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 1098The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
805language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1099language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
806language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 1100language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
807used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 1101used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
808 1102
809It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1103It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
810with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 1104with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
811protocol simple. 1105protocol simple.
812 1106
813=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1107=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
814 1108
815In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1109In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
816or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1110I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
817difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1111difficult to implement.
818Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1112
819on a per-process basis. 1113Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1114between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
820 1115
821=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1116=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
822 1117
823Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 1118Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
824same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1119same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
846overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1141overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
847 1142
848Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1143Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
849procedures to be "valid". 1144procedures to be "valid".
850 1145
851And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 1146And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
852global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1147code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
853 1148
854=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1149=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
855 1150
856In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1151In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
857format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1152format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
873 1168
874L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1169L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
875 1170
876L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1171L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
877 1172
878L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1173L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
879your applications. 1174your applications.
1175
1176L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
880 1177
881L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from 1178L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
882all nodes. 1179all nodes.
883 1180
884L<AnyEvent>. 1181L<AnyEvent>.

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