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Revision 1.33 by root, Wed Aug 5 22:40:51 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.135 by root, Mon Mar 12 14:55:55 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
9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef 9 $NODE # contains this node's node ID
10 NODE # returns this node's noderef 10 NODE # returns this node's node ID
11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port
12 11
12 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
13
14 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages
15 configure;
16
17 # ports are message destinations
18
19 # sending messages
13 snd $port, type => data...; 20 snd $port, type => data...;
21 snd $port, @msg;
22 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
14 23
15 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks 24 # creating/using ports, the simple way
25 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_ };
16 26
17 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->($port, @msg); 27 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
18 28 my $port = port;
19 # examples:
20 rcv $port2, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 29 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong" };
21 rcv $port1, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
22 snd $port2, ping => $port1;
23 31
24 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module) 32 # create a port on another node
25 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ... 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
26 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3 34
35 # destroy a port again
36 kil $port; # "normal" kill
37 kil $port, my_error => "everything is broken"; # error kill
38
39 # monitoring
40 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
41 mon $port, $localport # kill localport on abnormal 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 };
51
52=head1 CURRENT STATUS
53
54 bin/aemp - stable.
55 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
56 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
57 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable API.
58 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API.
27 59
28=head1 DESCRIPTION 60=head1 DESCRIPTION
29 61
30This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 62This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
31 63
32Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 64Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
33on the same or other hosts. 65on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
34 66
35For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> 67For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro>
36manual page. 68manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
37
38At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented,
39so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
40stay tuned! The basic API should be finished, however.
41 69
42=head1 CONCEPTS 70=head1 CONCEPTS
43 71
44=over 4 72=over 4
45 73
46=item port 74=item port
47 75
48A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 76Not to be confused with a TCP port, a "port" is something you can send
77messages to (with the C<snd> function).
49 78
50Some ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match specific 79Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
51messages. All C<rcv> handlers will receive messages they match, messages 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
52will not be queued. 81anything was listening for them or not.
53 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
54=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
55 86
56A port id is normaly the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 87A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>)
57separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 88as separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified
58exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node 89format created by AnyEvent::MP).
59reference.
60 90
61=item node 91=item node
62 92
63A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node 93A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
64port. You can send messages to node ports to find existing ports or to 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
65create new ports, among other things. 95ports.
66 96
67Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
68master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes). 98(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
99currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
69 100
70=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> 101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
71 102
72A node reference is a string that either simply identifies the node (for 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
73private and slave nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given
74node (for public nodes).
75 104
76This recipe is simply a comma-separated list of C<address:port> pairs (for 105A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
77TCP/IP, other protocols might look different). 106network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
107hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
108doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
78 109
79Node references come in two flavours: resolved (containing only numerical 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
80addresses) or unresolved (where hostnames are used instead of addresses).
81 111
82Before using an unresolved node reference in a message you first have to 112Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to
83resolve it. 113each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
114endpoints - binds.
115
116Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
117specify TCP ports to listen on. So a bind is basically just a tcp socket
118in listening mode thta accepts conenctions form other nodes.
119
120=item seed nodes
121
122When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network it is in - it
123needs to connect to at least one other node that is already in the
124network. These other nodes are called "seed nodes".
125
126Seed nodes themselves are not special - they are seed nodes only because
127some other node I<uses> them as such, but any node can be used as seed
128node for other nodes, and eahc node cna use a different set of seed nodes.
129
130In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
131maintain the network - all nodes using the same seed node form are part of
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.
135
136Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node
137should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a
138seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else.
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
149=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
150
151Seed IDs are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
152TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
153
154=item global nodes
155
156An AEMP network needs a discovery service - nodes need to know how to
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).
84 170
85=back 171=back
86 172
87=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
88 174
90 176
91=cut 177=cut
92 178
93package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
94 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
95use AnyEvent::MP::Base; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
96 184
97use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
98 186
99use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
100 188
101use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
102 191
103use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
104 193
105our $VERSION = '0.1'; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
195
106our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
107 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
108 resolve_node initialise_node 198 configure
109 snd rcv mon kil reg psub 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
110 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
202 db_mon db_family db_keys db_values
111); 203);
112 204
113our $SELF; 205our $SELF;
114 206
115sub _self_die() { 207sub _self_die() {
118 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 210 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
119} 211}
120 212
121=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 213=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
122 214
123The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains 215The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
124the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call 216ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
125to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port 217a call to C<configure>.
126identifiers become invalid.
127 218
128=item $noderef = node_of $port 219=item $nodeid = node_of $port
129 220
130Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. 221Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
131 222
132=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef 223=item configure $profile, key => value...
133 224
134Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and 225=item configure key => value...
135abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
136reference.
137 226
138In addition to C<address:port> pairs allowed in resolved noderefs, the 227Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
139following forms are supported: 228"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
229to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
230some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
231
232This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
233never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
234
235The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
236F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with these additions:
140 237
141=over 4 238=over 4
142 239
143=item the empty string 240=item norc => $boolean (default false)
144 241
145An empty-string component gets resolved as if the default port (4040) was 242If true, then the rc file (e.g. F<~/.perl-anyevent-mp>) will I<not>
146specified. 243be consulted - all configuraiton options must be specified in the
244C<configure> call.
147 245
148=item naked port numbers (e.g. C<1234>) 246=item force => $boolean (default false)
149 247
150These are resolved by prepending the local nodename and a colon, to be 248IF true, then the values specified in the C<configure> will take
151further resolved. 249precedence over any values configured via the rc file. The default is for
250the rc file to override any options specified in the program.
152 251
153=item hostnames (e.g. C<localhost:1234>, C<localhost>) 252=item secure => $pass->($nodeid)
154 253
155These are resolved by using AnyEvent::DNS to resolve them, optionally 254In addition to specifying a boolean, you can specify a code reference that
156looking up SRV records for the C<aemp=4040> port, if no port was 255is called for every remote execution attempt - the execution request is
157specified. 256granted iff the callback returns a true value.
257
258See F<semp setsecure> for more info.
158 259
159=back 260=back
261
262=over 4
263
264=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
265
266The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
267L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
268named C<profile> parameter or can simply be the first parameter). If it is
269missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
270
271The profile data is then gathered as follows:
272
273First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
274undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
275data. Then they will be overwritten by any values specified in the global
276default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of
277profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes).
278
279That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
280and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
281and can only be used to specify defaults.
282
283If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
284this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID, with
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>.
292
293=item step 2, bind listener sockets
294
295The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
296aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
297to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the
298outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no
299binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes).
300
301If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is
302used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
303local IP address it finds.
304
305=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
306
307As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
308L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
309connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
310
311=back
312
313Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
314This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
315
316 configure
317
318Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
319commandline clients.
320
321 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
322
323Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
324for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
325customary for aemp).
326
327 # use the aemp commandline utility
328 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
329
330 # then use it
331 configure profile => "seed";
332
333 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
334 # aemp run profile seed
335
336 # or provide a nicer-to-remember nodeid
337 # aemp run profile seed nodeid "$(hostname)"
160 338
161=item $SELF 339=item $SELF
162 340
163Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 341Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
164blocks. 342blocks.
165 343
166=item SELF, %SELF, @SELF... 344=item *SELF, SELF, %SELF, @SELF...
167 345
168Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 346Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
169just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 347just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols named C<SELF> are exported by this
170module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 348module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
171 349
172=item snd $port, type => @data 350=item snd $port, type => @data
173 351
174=item snd $port, @msg 352=item snd $port, @msg
175 353
176Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 354Send the given message to the given port, which can identify either a
177a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat 355local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
178stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :).
179 356
180While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a 357While the message can be almost anything, it is highly recommended to
181string as first element (a portid, or some word that indicates a request 358use a string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a
182type etc.). 359request type etc.) and to consist if only simple perl values (scalars,
360arrays, hashes) - if you think you need to pass an object, think again.
183 361
184The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this 362The message data logically becomes read-only after a call to this
185function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many 363function: modifying any argument (or values referenced by them) is
186problems. 364forbidden, as there can be considerable time between the call to C<snd>
365and the time the message is actually being serialised - in fact, it might
366never be copied as within the same process it is simply handed to the
367receiving port.
187 368
188The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when 369The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when
189JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 370JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
190of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 371of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
191that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 372that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
192node, anything can be passed. 373node, anything can be passed. Best rely only on the common denominator of
374these.
193 375
194=item $local_port = port 376=item $local_port = port
195 377
196Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern 378Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
197matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"), 379no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
198depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object.
199 380
200=item $port = port { my @msg = @_; $finished } 381=item $local_port = port { my @msg = @_ }
201 382
202Creates a "miniport", that is, a very lightweight port without any pattern 383Creates a new local port, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as
203matching behind it, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as creating
204a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it. 384creating a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
205 385
206The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the 386The block will be called for every message received on the port, with the
207callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port 387global variable C<$SELF> set to the port ID. Runtime errors will cause the
208will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive. 388port to be C<kil>ed. The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument
389(i.e. no port ID) will be passed to the callback.
209 390
210The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will 391If you want to stop/destroy the port, simply C<kil> it:
211be passed to the callback.
212 392
213If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely: 393 my $port = port {
214 394 my @msg = @_;
215 my $port; $port = port { 395 ...
216 snd $otherport, reply => $port; 396 kil $SELF;
217 }; 397 };
218 398
219=cut 399=cut
220 400
221sub rcv($@); 401sub rcv($@);
222 402
403my $KILME = sub {
404 (my $tag = substr $_[0], 0, 30) =~ s/([\x20-\x7e])/./g;
405 kil $SELF, unhandled_message => "no callback found for message '$tag'";
406};
407
223sub port(;&) { 408sub port(;&) {
224 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 409 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
225 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 410 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
226 411
227 if (@_) {
228 rcv $port, shift; 412 rcv $port, shift || $KILME;
229 } else {
230 $PORT{$id} = sub { }; # nop
231 }
232 413
233 $port 414 $port
234} 415}
235 416
236=item reg $port, $name
237
238Registers the given port under the name C<$name>. If the name already
239exists it is replaced.
240
241A port can only be registered under one well known name.
242
243A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
244
245=cut
246
247sub reg(@) {
248 my ($port, $name) = @_;
249
250 $REG{$name} = $port;
251}
252
253=item rcv $port, $callback->(@msg) 417=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
254 418
255Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (after converting it to 419Replaces the default callback on the specified port. There is no way to
256one if required). 420remove the default callback: use C<sub { }> to disable it, or better
257 421C<kil> the port when it is no longer needed.
258=item rcv $port, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
259
260=item rcv $port, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
261
262=item rcv $port, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
263
264Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full
265port (after converting it to one if required).
266
267The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
268which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
269registered.
270 422
271The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 423The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
272executing the callback. 424executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
425result in the port being C<kil>ed.
273 426
274Runtime errors wdurign callback execution will result in the port being 427The default callback receives all messages not matched by a more specific
275C<kil>ed. 428C<tag> match.
276 429
277If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the 430=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
278first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
279matched.
280 431
281Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function 432Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the
282exported by this module) matches any single element of the message. 433given tag on the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when
434C<$callback> is C<$undef> or missing). There can only be one callback
435registered for each tag.
283 436
284While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching 437The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first
285element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is 438element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same
286also the most efficient match (by far). 439environment as the default callback (see above).
440
441Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
442
443 my $port = rcv port,
444 msg1 => sub { ... },
445 msg2 => sub { ... },
446 ;
447
448Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
449in one go:
450
451 snd $otherport, reply =>
452 rcv port,
453 msg1 => sub { ... },
454 ...
455 ;
456
457Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
458(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
459
460 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
461 my @reply = @_;
462
463 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
464 };
287 465
288=cut 466=cut
289 467
290sub rcv($@) { 468sub rcv($@) {
291 my $port = shift; 469 my $port = shift;
292 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 470 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
293 471
294 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""} 472 $NODE{$nodeid} == $NODE{""}
295 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 473 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
296 474
297 if (@_ == 1) { 475 while (@_) {
476 if (ref $_[0]) {
477 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
478 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
479 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
480
481 $self->[0] = shift;
482 } else {
298 my $cb = shift; 483 my $cb = shift;
299 delete $PORT_DATA{$portid};
300 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 484 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
301 local $SELF = $port; 485 local $SELF = $port;
302 eval { 486 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
303 &$cb 487 };
304 and kil $port;
305 }; 488 }
306 _self_die if $@; 489 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
307 };
308 } else {
309 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 490 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
310 my $self = bless { 491 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
311 id => $port,
312 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
313 492
314 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 493 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
315 local $SELF = $port; 494 local $SELF = $port;
316 495
317 eval {
318 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) { 496 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
319 $_ && &{$_->[0]} 497 shift;
320 && undef $_; 498 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
321 } 499 } else {
322
323 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
324 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
325 && &{$_->[0]} 500 &{ $self->[0] };
326 && undef $_;
327 }
328
329 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
330 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
331 && &{$_->[0]}
332 && undef $_;
333 } 501 }
334 }; 502 };
335 _self_die if $@; 503
504 $self
336 }; 505 };
337 506
338 $self
339 };
340
341 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 507 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
342 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 508 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
343 509
344 while (@_) {
345 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; 510 my ($tag, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
346 511
347 if (!ref $match) { 512 if (defined $cb) {
348 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb]; 513 $self->[1]{$tag} = $cb;
349 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) {
350 my ($type, @match) = @$match;
351 @match
352 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match]
353 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb];
354 } else { 514 } else {
355 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match]; 515 delete $self->[1]{$tag};
356 } 516 }
357 } 517 }
358 } 518 }
359 519
360 $port 520 $port
361} 521}
362 522
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
363=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 560=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
364 561
365Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 562Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
366closure 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>
367callbacks, 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 $SELF, sub {
567BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
368 568
369This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 569This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
370 570
371 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 571 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
372 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 572 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
396 $res 596 $res
397 } 597 }
398 } 598 }
399} 599}
400 600
401=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) 601=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) # call $cb when $port dies
402 602
403=item $guard = mon $port, $otherport 603=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport # kill $rcvport when $port dies
404 604
405=item $guard = mon $port, $otherport, @msg 605=item $guard = mon $port # kill $SELF when $port dies
406 606
607=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg # send a message when $port dies
608
407Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed. 609Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
610messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
611to stop monitoring again.
408 612
409In the first form, the callback is simply called with any number 613In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
410of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 614number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
411"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 615"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
412C<eval> if unsure. 616C<eval> if unsure.
413 617
414In the second form, the other port will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff 618In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
415a @reason was specified, i.e. on "normal" kils nothing happens, while 619will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
416under all other conditions, the other port is killed with the same reason. 620"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
621port is killed with the same reason.
417 622
623The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
624C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
625
418In the last form, a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be C<snd>. 626In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
627C<snd>.
628
629Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
630alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
631
632As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
633a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
634lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
635even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
636to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
637these problems do not exist.
638
639C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
640after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
641arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
642loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
643the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
644port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
645delivered again.
646
647Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
648used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
649relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
650non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
651
652This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
653stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
654to ensure some maximum latency.
419 655
420Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 656Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
421 657
422 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 658 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
423 659
424Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally. 660Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally.
425 661
426 mon $port, $self; 662 mon $port;
427 663
428Example: send us a restart message another C<$port> is killed. 664Example: send us a restart message when another C<$port> is killed.
429 665
430 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 666 mon $port, $self => "restart";
431 667
432=cut 668=cut
433 669
434sub mon { 670sub mon {
435 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 671 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
436 672
437 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 673 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
438 674
439 my $cb = shift; 675 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
440 676
441 unless (ref $cb) { 677 unless (ref $cb) {
442 if (@_) { 678 if (@_) {
443 # send a kill info message 679 # send a kill info message
444 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_); 680 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_);
451 } 687 }
452 688
453 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 689 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
454 690
455 defined wantarray 691 defined wantarray
456 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 692 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
457} 693}
458 694
459=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 695=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
460 696
461Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 697Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
462is killed, the references will be freed. 698is killed, the references will be freed.
463 699
464Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring. 700Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
465 701
466This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and 702This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
467want to free them when the port gets killed: 703want to free them when the port gets killed (note the use of C<psub>):
468 704
469 $port->rcv (start => sub { 705 $port->rcv (start => sub {
470 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub { 706 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, psub {
471 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand; 707 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
472 }); 708 });
473 }); 709 });
474 710
475=cut 711=cut
476 712
477sub mon_guard { 713sub mon_guard {
478 my ($port, @refs) = @_; 714 my ($port, @refs) = @_;
479 715
716 #TODO: mon-less form?
717
480 mon $port, sub { 0 && @refs } 718 mon $port, sub { 0 && @refs }
481} 719}
482 720
483=item lnk $port1, $port2
484
485Link two ports. This is simply a shorthand for:
486
487 mon $port1, $port2;
488 mon $port2, $port1;
489
490It means that if either one is killed abnormally, the other one gets
491killed as well.
492
493=item kil $port[, @reason] 721=item kil $port[, @reason]
494 722
495Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 723Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
496 724
497If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 725If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
498ports will not be kileld, or even notified). 726monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
727(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
499 728
500Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 729If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
501C<mon>, see below). 730form) get killed with the same reason.
502 731
503Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 732Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
504will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 733will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
505 734
506Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 735Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
507$message >>. 736$message >>.
508 737
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: $!";
749
750=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
751
752Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
753case it's the node where that port resides).
754
755The port ID of the newly created port is returned immediately, and it is
756possible to immediately start sending messages or to monitor the port.
757
758After the port has been created, the init function is called on the remote
759node, in the same context as a C<rcv> callback. This function must be a
760fully-qualified function name (e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To
761specify a function in the main program, use C<::name>.
762
763If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
764the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
765C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
766exists or it runs out of package names.
767
768The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
769object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
770call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
771the port might not get created.
772
773A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
774port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
775local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
776when there is a problem.
777
778C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
779caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
780called for the local node).
781
782Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
783
784 # this node, executed from within a port context:
785 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
786 mon $server;
787
788 # init function on C<$othernode>
789 sub connect {
790 my ($srcport) = @_;
791
792 mon $srcport;
793
794 rcv $SELF, sub {
795 ...
796 };
797 }
798
799=cut
800
801sub _spawn {
802 my $port = shift;
803 my $init = shift;
804
805 # rcv will create the actual port
806 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
807 eval {
808 &{ load_func $init }
809 };
810 _self_die if $@;
811}
812
813sub spawn(@) {
814 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
815
816 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
817
818 $_[0] =~ /::/
819 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
820
821 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
822
823 "$nodeid#$id"
824}
825
826
827=item after $timeout, @msg
828
829=item after $timeout, $callback
830
831Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the
832specified number of seconds.
833
834This is simply a utility function that comes in handy at times - the
835AnyEvent::MP author is not convinced of the wisdom of having it, though,
836so it may go away in the future.
837
838=cut
839
840sub after($@) {
841 my ($timeout, @action) = @_;
842
843 my $t; $t = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
844 undef $t;
845 ref $action[0]
846 ? $action[0]()
847 : snd @action;
848 };
849}
850
851#=item $cb2 = timeout $seconds, $cb[, @args]
852
853=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
854
855A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
856given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
857
858The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
859the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
860
861A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
862
863If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
864then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
865elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
866
867If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
868monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
869
870Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
871might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
872this is indeed useful for something.
873
874=cut
875
876sub cal(@) {
877 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
878 my $cb = pop;
879
880 my $port = port {
881 undef $timeout;
882 kil $SELF;
883 &$cb;
884 };
885
886 if (defined $timeout) {
887 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
888 undef $timeout;
889 kil $port;
890 $cb->();
891 };
892 } else {
893 mon $_[0], sub {
894 kil $port;
895 $cb->();
896 };
897 }
898
899 push @_, $port;
900 &snd;
901
902 $port
903}
904
509=back 905=back
510 906
511=head1 FUNCTIONS FOR NODES 907=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
512 908
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
513=over 4 967=over
514 968
515=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode... 969=item db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
516 970
517=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master... 971Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
972C<undef> is used instead.
518 973
519Initialises a node - must be called exactly once before calling other 974=item db_del $family => $subkey...
520AnyEvent::MP functions when talking to other nodes is required.
521 975
522All arguments are noderefs, which can be either resolved or unresolved. 976Deletes one or more subkeys from the database family.
523 977
524There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes: 978=item $guard = db_reg $family => $subkey [=> $value]
525 979
526=over 4 980Sets the key on the database and returns a guard. When the guard is
981destroyed, the key is deleted from the database. If C<$value> is missing,
982then C<undef> is used.
527 983
528=item public nodes 984=item db_family $family => $cb->(\%familyhash)
529 985
530For public nodes, C<$noderef> must either be a (possibly unresolved) 986Queries the named database C<$family> and call the callback with the
531noderef, in which case it will be resolved, or C<undef> (or missing), in 987family represented as a hash. You can keep and freely modify the hash.
532which case the noderef will be guessed.
533 988
534Afterwards, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to connect 989=item db_keys $family => $cb->(\@keys)
535to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are optional
536and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing network.
537 990
538=item slave nodes 991Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<subkeys> and passes
992them as array reference to the callback.
539 993
540When the C<$noderef> is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will 994=item db_values $family => $cb->(\@values)
541become a slave node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will
542route most of their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
543 995
544At least one additional noderef is required: The node will try to connect 996Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<values> and passes them
545to all of them and will become a slave attached to the first node it can 997as array reference to the callback.
546successfully connect to. 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 @$d;
1048 };
1049
1050=cut
547 1051
548=back 1052=back
549 1053
550This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave
551nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master
552server.
553
554Example: become a public node listening on the default node.
555
556 initialise_node;
557
558Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master
559servers to become part of the network.
560
561 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2";
562
563Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>.
564
565 initialise_node 4041;
566
567Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
568
569 initialise_node "locahost:4044";
570
571Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers.
572
573 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
574
575=cut
576
577=back
578
579=head1 NODE MESSAGES
580
581Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take
582arguments called C<@reply>, which will simply be used to compose a reply
583message - C<$reply[0]> is the port to reply to, C<$reply[1]> the type and
584the remaining arguments are simply the message data.
585
586While other messages exist, they are not public and subject to change.
587
588=over 4
589
590=cut
591
592=item lookup => $name, @reply
593
594Replies with the port ID of the specified well-known port, or C<undef>.
595
596=item devnull => ...
597
598Generic data sink/CPU heat conversion.
599
600=item relay => $port, @msg
601
602Simply forwards the message to the given port.
603
604=item eval => $string[ @reply]
605
606Evaluates the given string. If C<@reply> is given, then a message of the
607form C<@reply, $@, @evalres> is sent.
608
609Example: crash another node.
610
611 snd $othernode, eval => "exit";
612
613=item time => @reply
614
615Replies the the current node time to C<@reply>.
616
617Example: tell the current node to send the current time to C<$myport> in a
618C<timereply> message.
619
620 snd $NODE, time => $myport, timereply => 1, 2;
621 # => snd $myport, timereply => 1, 2, <time>
622
623=back
624
625=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 1054=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
626 1055
627AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed erlang (erlang node 1056AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
628== 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
629programming techniques employed by erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 1058programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
630sample: 1059sample:
631 1060
632 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 1061 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
633 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
634 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
636 1065
637Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 1066Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
638 1067
639=over 4 1068=over 4
640 1069
641=item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them. 1070=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
642 1071
643Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the 1072Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
644same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with 1073way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
645convenience functionality. 1074configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
1075will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
646 1076
647This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the 1077=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
648cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead. 1078uses "local ports are like remote ports".
1079
1080The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
1081only) then for remote ports - when a local port dies, you I<know> it dies,
1082when a connection to another node dies, you know nothing about the other
1083port.
1084
1085Erlang pretends remote ports are as reliable as local ports, even when
1086they are not.
1087
1088AEMP encourages a "treat remote ports differently" philosophy, with local
1089ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
1090occur.
649 1091
650=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 1092=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
651 1093
652Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 1094Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
653needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 1095therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
654purpose. 1096no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
1097of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
1098filter messages without dequeuing them.
655 1099
656(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.
657 1105
658=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1106=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
659 1107
660Sending messages in erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 1108Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
661sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 1109a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
662background. 1110need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
1111establishment is handled in the background.
663 1112
664=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 1113=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
665 1114
666Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1115Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
667without 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,
668and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1117b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
669 1118
670AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 1119AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
1120guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
1121same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
671holes in the message sequence. 1122no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
672 1123
673=item * In erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 1124If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
674alive. 1125corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
675 1126simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
676In erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and 1127link goes down.
677linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
678still alive - and can receive messages.
679
680In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
681eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
682and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
683 1128
684=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.
685 1130
686In erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 1131In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
687ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 1132process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
688messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1133causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1134process.
689 1135
690AEMP 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
691around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1137around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
692 1138
693=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1139=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
694authentication and can use TLS. 1140authentication and can use TLS.
695 1141
696AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and 1142AEMP can use a proven protocol - TLS - to protect connections and
697securely authenticate nodes. 1143securely authenticate nodes.
698 1144
699=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
700communications. 1146communications.
701 1147
702The AEMP protocol, unlike the erlang protocol, supports both 1148The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
703language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1149language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
704language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 1150language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
1151used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
705 1152
706It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1153It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
707with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 1154with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
708protocol simple. 1155protocol simple.
709 1156
1157=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
1158
1159In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
1160I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
1161difficult to implement.
1162
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.
1165
1166=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
1167
1168Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
1169same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
1170
1171In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
1172that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
1173on the remote node. The init function monitors you, and you monitor the
1174remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much more
1175reliable (no need for C<spawn_link>).
1176
1177This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
1178(hard to do in Erlang).
1179
710=back 1180=back
711 1181
1182=head1 RATIONALE
1183
1184=over 4
1185
1186=item Why strings for port and node IDs, why not objects?
1187
1188We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
1189that can be called are quite low. Since port and node IDs travel over
1190the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
1191overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
1192
1193Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
1194procedures to be "valid".
1195
1196And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
1197code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
1198
1199=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
1200
1201In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
1202format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
1203default (although all nodes will accept it).
1204
1205The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
1206faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
1207experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
1208than it solves: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
1209easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
1210always have to re-think your design.
1211
1212Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
1213objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
1214
1215=back
1216
712=head1 SEE ALSO 1217=head1 SEE ALSO
1218
1219L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
1220
1221L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
1222
1223L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
1224your applications.
1225
1226L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1227
1228L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1229all nodes.
713 1230
714L<AnyEvent>. 1231L<AnyEvent>.
715 1232
716=head1 AUTHOR 1233=head1 AUTHOR
717 1234

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