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Comparing AnyEvent-MP/MP.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.93 by root, Tue Sep 22 14:14:29 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.134 by root, Mon Mar 12 14:47:23 2012 UTC

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 $localport, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 40 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
37 mon $localport, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 41 mon $port, $localport # kill localport on abnormal death
38 mon $localport, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 42 mon $port, $localport, @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.
66 78
67Ports 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
68some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
69anything was listening for them or not. 81anything was listening for them or not.
70 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
71=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
72 86
73A 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<#>)
74separator, 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).
75 90
76=item node 91=item node
77 92
78A 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,
79which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
80ports. 95ports.
81 96
82Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
83(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 98(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
84currently. 99currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
85 100
101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
102
86=item node ID - C<[A-Z_][a-zA-Z0-9_\-.:]*> 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
87 104
88A 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
89network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 106network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
90hostname, 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
91doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 108doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
92 109
93=item binds - C<ip:port> 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
94 111
95Nodes 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
96each 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
97endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can 116Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
98be 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.
99 119
100=item seed nodes 120=item seed nodes
101 121
102When 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
103about 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
104network. This node is called a seed. 124network. These other nodes are called "seed nodes".
105 125
106Apart 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
107to 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
108any node can function as a seed node for others. 128node for other nodes, and eahc node cna use a different set of seed nodes.
109 129
110In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to 130In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
111maintain the network and to connect nodes that otherwise would have 131maintain the network - all nodes using the same seed node form are part of
112trouble connecting. They form the backbone of an AnyEvent::MP network. 132the same network. If a network is split into multiple subnets because e.g.
133the network link between the parts goes down, then using the same seed
134nodes for all nodes ensures that eventually the subnets get merged again.
113 135
114Seed 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
115should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a 137should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a
116seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else. 138seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else.
117 139
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
118=item seeds - C<host:port> 149=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
119 150
120Seeds are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a 151Seed IDs are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
121TCP port) of nodes thta should be used as seed nodes. 152TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
122 153
123The nodes listening on those endpoints are expected to be long-running, 154=item global nodes
124and at least one of those should always be available. When nodes run out 155
125of 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
126connections 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).
127 170
128=back 171=back
129 172
130=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
131 174
133 176
134=cut 177=cut
135 178
136package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
137 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
138use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
139 184
140use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
141 186
142use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
143 188
144use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
145 191
146use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
147 193
148our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
149 195
150our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
151 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
152 configure 198 configure
153 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub spawn cal 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
154 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
202 db_mon db_family db_keys db_values
155); 203);
156 204
157our $SELF; 205our $SELF;
158 206
159sub _self_die() { 207sub _self_die() {
182some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 230some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
183 231
184This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or 232This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
185never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 233never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
186 234
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
187=over 4 262=over 4
188 263
189=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles 264=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
190 265
191The 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
204That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority 279That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
205and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority, 280and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
206and can only be used to specify defaults. 281and can only be used to specify defaults.
207 282
208If 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
209this 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
210special 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>.
211 292
212=item step 2, bind listener sockets 293=item step 2, bind listener sockets
213 294
214The 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
215aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid 296aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
221used, 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
222local IP address it finds. 303local IP address it finds.
223 304
224=item step 3, connect to seed nodes 305=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
225 306
226As 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
227L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 308L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
228connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. 309connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
229 310
230=back 311=back
231 312
232Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile. 313Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
233This 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.
234 315
235 configure 316 configure
236 317
237Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 318Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
238clients. 319commandline clients.
239 320
240 configure nodeid => "anon/"; 321 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
241 322
242Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable 323Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
243for 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,
244customary for aemp). 325customary for aemp).
245 326
246 # use the aemp commandline utility 327 # use the aemp commandline utility
247 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040' 328 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
248 329
249 # then use it 330 # then use it
250 configure profile => "seed"; 331 configure profile => "seed";
251 332
252 # or simply use aemp from the shell again: 333 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
317 398
318=cut 399=cut
319 400
320sub rcv($@); 401sub rcv($@);
321 402
322sub _kilme { 403my $KILME = sub {
323 die "received message on port without callback"; 404 (my $tag = substr $_[0], 0, 30) =~ s/([\x20-\x7e])/./g;
324} 405 kil $SELF, unhandled_message => "missing (tag or fallback) callback for message '$tag'";
406};
325 407
326sub port(;&) { 408sub port(;&) {
327 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 409 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
328 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 410 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
329 411
330 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 412 rcv $port, shift || $KILME;
331 413
332 $port 414 $port
333} 415}
334 416
335=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg) 417=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
340 422
341The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 423The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
342executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will 424executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
343result in the port being C<kil>ed. 425result in the port being C<kil>ed.
344 426
345The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific 427The default callback receives all messages not matched by a more specific
346C<tag> match. 428C<tag> match.
347 429
348=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ... 430=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
349 431
350Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the 432Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the
371 msg1 => sub { ... }, 453 msg1 => sub { ... },
372 ... 454 ...
373 ; 455 ;
374 456
375Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 457Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
376(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 458(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
377 459
378 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 460 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
379 my @reply = @_; 461 my @reply = @_;
380 462
381 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 463 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
394 if (ref $_[0]) { 476 if (ref $_[0]) {
395 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 477 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
396 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 478 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
397 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 479 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
398 480
399 $self->[2] = shift; 481 $self->[0] = shift;
400 } else { 482 } else {
401 my $cb = shift; 483 my $cb = shift;
402 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 484 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
403 local $SELF = $port; 485 local $SELF = $port;
404 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 486 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
405 }; 487 };
406 } 488 }
407 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 489 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
408 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 490 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
409 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 491 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
410 492
411 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 493 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
412 local $SELF = $port; 494 local $SELF = $port;
413 495
414 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 496 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
436 } 518 }
437 519
438 $port 520 $port
439} 521}
440 522
523=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
524
525Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
526when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
527
528Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
529be returned to the caller.
530
531This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
532a port.
533
534Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
535
536 my $port = port { ... };
537
538 peval $port, sub {
539 init
540 or die "unable to init";
541 };
542
543=cut
544
545sub peval($$) {
546 local $SELF = shift;
547 my $cb = shift;
548
549 if (wantarray) {
550 my @res = eval { &$cb };
551 _self_die if $@;
552 @res
553 } else {
554 my $res = eval { &$cb };
555 _self_die if $@;
556 $res
557 }
558}
559
441=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 560=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
442 561
443Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 562Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
444closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 563closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
445callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 564callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
565
566The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
567BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
446 568
447This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 569This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
448 570
449 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 571 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
450 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 572 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
523delivered again. 645delivered again.
524 646
525Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport 647Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
526used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP 648used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
527relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a 649relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
528non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle conenctions). 650non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
529 651
530This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up 652This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
531stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need 653stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
532to ensure some maximum latency. 654to ensure some maximum latency.
533 655
565 } 687 }
566 688
567 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 689 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
568 690
569 defined wantarray 691 defined wantarray
570 and $cb += 0
571 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 692 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
572} 693}
573 694
574=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 695=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
575 696
576Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 697Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
599 720
600=item kil $port[, @reason] 721=item kil $port[, @reason]
601 722
602Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 723Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
603 724
604If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 725If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
605monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 726monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
606"normally"). 727(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
607 728
608Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 729If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
609C<mon>, see above). 730form) get killed with the same reason.
610 731
611Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 732Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
612will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 733will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
613 734
614Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 735Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
615$message >>. 736$message >>.
616 737
617=cut 738Common idioms:
739
740 # silently remove yourself, do not kill linked ports
741 kil $SELF;
742
743 # report a failure in some detail
744 kil $SELF, failure_mode_1 => "it failed with too high temperature";
745
746 # do not waste much time with killing, just die when something goes wrong
747 open my $fh, "<file"
748 or die "file: $!";
618 749
619=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] 750=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
620 751
621Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which 752Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
622case it's the node where that port resides). 753case it's the node where that port resides).
680} 811}
681 812
682sub spawn(@) { 813sub spawn(@) {
683 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 814 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
684 815
685 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 816 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
686 817
687 $_[0] =~ /::/ 818 $_[0] =~ /::/
688 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 819 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
689 820
690 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 821 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
691 822
692 "$nodeid#$id" 823 "$nodeid#$id"
693} 824}
825
694 826
695=item after $timeout, @msg 827=item after $timeout, @msg
696 828
697=item after $timeout, $callback 829=item after $timeout, $callback
698 830
714 ? $action[0]() 846 ? $action[0]()
715 : snd @action; 847 : snd @action;
716 }; 848 };
717} 849}
718 850
851#=item $cb2 = timeout $seconds, $cb[, @args]
852
719=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout] 853=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
720 854
721A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the 855A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
722given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message. 856given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
723 857
728 862
729If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>, 863If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
730then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out 864then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
731elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed. 865elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
732 866
733If no time-out is given, then the local port will monitor the remote port 867If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
734instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up. 868monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
735 869
736Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature" 870Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
737might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that 871might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
738this is indeed useful for something. 872this is indeed useful for something.
739 873
768 $port 902 $port
769} 903}
770 904
771=back 905=back
772 906
907=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
908
909AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
910be mirrored asynchronously on all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one
911of the global nodes for their needs. Every node has a "local database"
912which contains all the values that are set locally. All local databases
913are merged together to form the global database, which can be queried.
914
915The database structure is that of a two-level hash - the database hash
916contains hashes which contain values, similarly to a perl hash of hashes,
917i.e.:
918
919 $DATABASE{$family}{$subkey} = $value
920
921The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
922is called "subkey" or simply "key".
923
924The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
925of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
926pretty much like Perl module names.
927
928As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
929with the name of the application or module using it.
930
931The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions.
932
933The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
934work as well (such as C<undef>, arrays and hashes).
935
936Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey
937combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
938but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
939different values on different nodes.
940
941Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes
942without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker
943pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this:
944
945 db_set my_image_scalers => $port;
946
947And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the
948C<my_image_scalers> keys from time to time:
949
950 db_keys my_image_scalers => sub {
951 @ports = @{ $_[0] };
952 };
953
954Or better yet, they want to monitor the database family, so they always
955have a reasonable up-to-date copy:
956
957 db_mon my_image_scalers => sub {
958 @ports = keys %{ $_[0] };
959 };
960
961In general, you can set or delete single subkeys, but query and monitor
962whole families only.
963
964If you feel the need to monitor or query a single subkey, try giving it
965it's own family.
966
967=over
968
969=item db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
970
971Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
972C<undef> is used instead.
973
974=item db_del $family => $subkey...
975
976Deletes one or more subkeys from the database family.
977
978=item $guard = db_reg $family => $subkey [=> $value]
979
980Sets the key on the database and returns a guard. When the guard is
981destroyed, the key is deleted from the database. If C<$value> is missing,
982then C<undef> is used.
983
984=item db_family $family => $cb->(\%familyhash)
985
986Queries the named database C<$family> and call the callback with the
987family represented as a hash. You can keep and freely modify the hash.
988
989=item db_keys $family => $cb->(\@keys)
990
991Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<subkeys> and passes
992them as array reference to the callback.
993
994=item db_values $family => $cb->(\@values)
995
996Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<values> and passes them
997as array reference to the callback.
998
999=item $guard = db_mon $family => $cb->($familyhash, \@added, \@changed, \@deleted)
1000
1001Creates a monitor on the given database family. Each time a key is set
1002or or is deleted the callback is called with a hash containing the
1003database family and three lists of added, changed and deleted subkeys,
1004respectively. If no keys have changed then the array reference might be
1005C<undef> or even missing.
1006
1007If not called in void context, a guard object is returned that, when
1008destroyed, stops the monitor.
1009
1010The family hash reference and the key arrays belong to AnyEvent::MP and
1011B<must not be modified or stored> by the callback. When in doubt, make a
1012copy.
1013
1014As soon as possible after the monitoring starts, the callback will be
1015called with the intiial contents of the family, even if it is empty,
1016i.e. there will always be a timely call to the callback with the current
1017contents.
1018
1019It is possible that the callback is called with a change event even though
1020the subkey is already present and the value has not changed.
1021
1022The monitoring stops when the guard object is destroyed.
1023
1024Example: on every change to the family "mygroup", print out all keys.
1025
1026 my $guard = db_mon mygroup => sub {
1027 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1028 print "mygroup members: ", (join " ", keys %$family), "\n";
1029 };
1030
1031Exmaple: wait until the family "My::Module::workers" is non-empty.
1032
1033 my $guard; $guard = db_mon My::Module::workers => sub {
1034 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1035 return unless %$family;
1036 undef $guard;
1037 print "My::Module::workers now nonempty\n";
1038 };
1039
1040Example: print all changes to the family "AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module".
1041
1042 my $guard = db_mon AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module => sub {
1043 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1044
1045 print "+$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$a;
1046 print "*$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$c;
1047 print "-$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$d;
1048 };
1049
1050=cut
1051
1052=back
1053
773=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 1054=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
774 1055
775AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 1056AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
776== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 1057== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
777programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 1058programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
778sample: 1059sample:
779 1060
780 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 1061 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
781 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 1062 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
782 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 1063 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
783 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 1064 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
784 1065
785Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 1066Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
786 1067
787=over 4 1068=over 4
788 1069
789=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 1070=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
790 1071
791Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 1072Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
792way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 1073way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
793configuration or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 1074configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
1075will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
794 1076
795=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 1077=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
796uses "local ports are like remote ports". 1078uses "local ports are like remote ports".
797 1079
798The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 1080The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
807ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 1089ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
808occur. 1090occur.
809 1091
810=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 1092=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
811 1093
812Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 1094Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
813needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 1095therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
814useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 1096no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
815AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 1097of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
816filter messages without dequeuing them. 1098filter messages without dequeuing them.
817 1099
818(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 1100This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
1101being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
1102
1103You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
1104top of AEMP and Coro threads.
819 1105
820=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1106=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
821 1107
822Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 1108Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
1109a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
823so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 1110need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
824connection establishment is handled in the background. 1111establishment is handled in the background.
825 1112
826=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 1113=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
827 1114
828Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1115Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
829without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 1116lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
830and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1117b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
831 1118
832AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 1119AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
833is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 1120guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
834monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 1121same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
835sequence. 1122no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
1123
1124If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
1125corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
1126simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
1127link goes down.
836 1128
837=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1129=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
838 1130
839In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 1131In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
840known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1132process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
841destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1133causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1134process.
842 1135
843AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1136AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
844around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1137around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
845 1138
846=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1139=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
847authentication and can use TLS. 1140authentication and can use TLS.
848 1141
851 1144
852=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1145=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
853communications. 1146communications.
854 1147
855The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 1148The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
856language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1149language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
857language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 1150language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
858used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 1151used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
859 1152
860It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1153It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
861with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 1154with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
862protocol simple. 1155protocol simple.
863 1156
864=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1157=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
865 1158
866In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1159In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
867or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1160I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
868difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1161difficult to implement.
869Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1162
870on a per-process basis. 1163Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1164between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
871 1165
872=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1166=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
873 1167
874Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 1168Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
875same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1169same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
897overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1191overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
898 1192
899Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1193Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
900procedures to be "valid". 1194procedures to be "valid".
901 1195
902And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 1196And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
903global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1197code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
904 1198
905=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1199=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
906 1200
907In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1201In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
908format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1202format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
924 1218
925L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1219L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
926 1220
927L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1221L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
928 1222
929L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1223L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
930your applications. 1224your applications.
1225
1226L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
931 1227
932L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from 1228L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
933all nodes. 1229all nodes.
934 1230
935L<AnyEvent>. 1231L<AnyEvent>.

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