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Revision 1.69 by root, Sun Aug 30 18:51:49 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.137 by root, Wed Mar 21 23:48:39 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
13 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks 12 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
14 13
15 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages 14 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages
16 initialise_node; 15 configure;
17 16
18 # ports are message endpoints 17 # ports are message destinations
19 18
20 # sending messages 19 # sending messages
21 snd $port, type => data...; 20 snd $port, type => data...;
22 snd $port, @msg; 21 snd $port, @msg;
23 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port; 22 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
24 23
25 # creating/using ports, the simple way 24 # creating/using ports, the simple way
26 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; 25 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_ };
27 26
28 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching 27 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
29 my $port = port; 28 my $port = port;
30 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 29 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong" };
31 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
32 31
33 # create a port on another node 32 # create a port on another node
34 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
35 34
35 # destroy a port again
36 kil $port; # "normal" kill
37 kil $port, my_error => "everything is broken"; # error kill
38
36 # monitoring 39 # monitoring
37 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 40 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
38 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 41 mon $port, $localport # kill localport on abnormal death
39 mon $port, $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 };
40 51
41=head1 CURRENT STATUS 52=head1 CURRENT STATUS
42 53
54 bin/aemp - stable.
43 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work 55 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
44 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated 56 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
45 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable 57 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable API.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Global - mostly stable 58 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API.
47 AnyEvent::MP::Node - mostly stable, but internal anyways
48 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable, but internal anyways
49
50 stay tuned.
51 59
52=head1 DESCRIPTION 60=head1 DESCRIPTION
53 61
54This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 62This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
55 63
57on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely. 65on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
58 66
59For 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>
60manual page and the examples under F<eg/>. 68manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
61 69
62At the moment, this module family is a bit underdocumented.
63
64=head1 CONCEPTS 70=head1 CONCEPTS
65 71
66=over 4 72=over 4
67 73
68=item port 74=item port
69 75
70A 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).
71 78
72Ports 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
73some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
74anything was listening for them or not. 81anything was listening for them or not.
75 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
76=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
77 86
78A 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<#>)
79separator, 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).
80 90
81=item node 91=item node
82 92
83A 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,
84which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
85ports. 95ports.
86 96
87Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
88(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 98(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
89currently. 99currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
90 100
101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
102
91=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+> 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
92 104
93A 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
94network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 106network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
95hostname, 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
96doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 108doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
97 109
98=item binds - C<ip:port> 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
99 111
100Nodes 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
101each 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
102endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can 116Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
103be 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.
104 119
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
105=item seeds - C<host:port> 149=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
106 150
107When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node 151Seed IDs are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
108about the network it first has to contact some other node within the 152TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
109network. This node is called a seed.
110 153
111Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes 154=item global nodes
112are expected to be long-running, and at least one of those should always
113be available. When nodes run out of connections (e.g. due to a network
114error), they try to re-establish connections to some seednodes again to
115join the network.
116 155
117Apart from being sued for seeding, seednodes are not special in any way - 156An AEMP network needs a discovery service - nodes need to know how to
118every public node can be a seednode. 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).
119 170
120=back 171=back
121 172
122=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
123 174
125 176
126=cut 177=cut
127 178
128package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
129 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
130use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
131 184
132use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
133 186
134use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
135 188
136use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
137 191
138use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
139 193
140our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
141 195
142our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
143 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
144 initialise_node 198 configure
145 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
146 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
202 db_mon db_family db_keys db_values
147); 203);
148 204
149our $SELF; 205our $SELF;
150 206
151sub _self_die() { 207sub _self_die() {
156 212
157=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 213=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
158 214
159The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node 215The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
160ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by 216ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
161a call to C<initialise_node>. 217a call to C<configure>.
162 218
163=item $nodeid = node_of $port 219=item $nodeid = node_of $port
164 220
165Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID. 221Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
166 222
167=item initialise_node $profile_name, key => value... 223=item configure $profile, key => value...
224
225=item configure key => value...
168 226
169Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter 227Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
170"distributed mode") it has to initialise itself - the minimum a node needs 228"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
171to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of 229to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
172some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 230some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
173 231
174This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 232This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
175never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 233never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
176 234
177The first argument is a profile name. If it is C<undef> or missing, then 235The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
178the current nodename will be used instead (i.e. F<uname -n>). 236F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with these additions:
179 237
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 => $pass->(@msg)
253
254In addition to specifying a boolean, you can specify a code reference that
255is called for every code execution attempt - the execution request is
256granted iff the callback returns a true value.
257
258Most of the time the callback should look only at
259C<$AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::SRCNODE> to make a decision, and not at the
260actual message (which can be about anything, and is mostly provided for
261diagnostic purposes).
262
263See F<semp setsecure> for more info.
264
265=back
266
267=over 4
268
269=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
270
180The function first looks up the profile in the aemp configuration (see the 271The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
181L<aemp> commandline utility). the profile is calculated as follows: 272L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
273named C<profile> parameter or can simply be the first parameter). If it is
274missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
182 275
183First, all remaining key => value pairs will be used. Then they will be 276The profile data is then gathered as follows:
184overwritten by any values specified in the global default configuration 277
185(see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of profiles selected, if 278First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
279undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
280data. Then they will be overwritten by any values specified in the global
281default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of
282profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes).
283
186any. That means that the values specified in the profile have highest 284That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
187priority and the values specified via C<initialise_node> have lowest 285and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
188priority. 286and can only be used to specify defaults.
189 287
190If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of 288If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
191this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The 289this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID, with
192special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID. 290a unique randoms tring (C</%u>) appended.
291
292The node ID can contain some C<%> sequences that are expanded: C<%n>
293is expanded to the local nodename, C<%u> is replaced by a random
294strign to make the node unique. For example, the F<aemp> commandline
295utility uses C<aemp/%n/%u> as nodename, which might expand to
296C<aemp/cerebro/ZQDGSIkRhEZQDGSIkRhE>.
297
298=item step 2, bind listener sockets
193 299
194The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding 300The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
195aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid 301aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
196to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the 302to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the
197outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no 303outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no
198binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes). 304binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes).
199 305
200If the profile does not specify a binds list, then the node ID will be 306If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is
201treated as if it were of the form C<host:port>, which will be resolved and 307used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
202used as binds list. 308local IP address it finds.
203 309
310=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
311
204Lastly, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the 312As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
205L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 313L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
206connectivity with at least on of those seed nodes at any point in time. 314connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
207 315
208Example: become a distributed node listening on the guessed noderef, or 316=back
209the one specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the 317
318Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
210most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 319This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
211 320
212 initialise_node; 321 configure
213 322
214Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 323Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
215clients. 324commandline clients.
216 325
217 initialise_node "anon/"; 326 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
218 327
219Example: become a distributed node. If there is no profile of the given 328Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
220name, or no binds list was specified, resolve C<localhost:4044> and bind 329for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
221on the resulting addresses. 330customary for aemp).
222 331
223 initialise_node "localhost:4044"; 332 # use the aemp commandline utility
333 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
334
335 # then use it
336 configure profile => "seed";
337
338 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
339 # aemp run profile seed
340
341 # or provide a nicer-to-remember nodeid
342 # aemp run profile seed nodeid "$(hostname)"
224 343
225=item $SELF 344=item $SELF
226 345
227Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 346Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
228blocks. 347blocks.
284 403
285=cut 404=cut
286 405
287sub rcv($@); 406sub rcv($@);
288 407
289sub _kilme { 408my $KILME = sub {
290 die "received message on port without callback"; 409 (my $tag = substr $_[0], 0, 30) =~ s/([\x20-\x7e])/./g;
291} 410 kil $SELF, unhandled_message => "no callback found for message '$tag'";
411};
292 412
293sub port(;&) { 413sub port(;&) {
294 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 414 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
295 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 415 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
296 416
297 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 417 rcv $port, shift || $KILME;
298 418
299 $port 419 $port
300} 420}
301 421
302=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg) 422=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
307 427
308The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 428The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
309executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will 429executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
310result in the port being C<kil>ed. 430result in the port being C<kil>ed.
311 431
312The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific 432The default callback receives all messages not matched by a more specific
313C<tag> match. 433C<tag> match.
314 434
315=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ... 435=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
316 436
317Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the 437Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the
338 msg1 => sub { ... }, 458 msg1 => sub { ... },
339 ... 459 ...
340 ; 460 ;
341 461
342Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 462Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
343(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 463(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
344 464
345 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 465 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
346 my @reply = @_; 466 my @reply = @_;
347 467
348 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 468 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
350 470
351=cut 471=cut
352 472
353sub rcv($@) { 473sub rcv($@) {
354 my $port = shift; 474 my $port = shift;
355 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 475 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
356 476
357 $NODE{$noderef} == $NODE{""} 477 $NODE{$nodeid} == $NODE{""}
358 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 478 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
359 479
360 while (@_) { 480 while (@_) {
361 if (ref $_[0]) { 481 if (ref $_[0]) {
362 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 482 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
363 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 483 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
364 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 484 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
365 485
366 $self->[2] = shift; 486 $self->[0] = shift;
367 } else { 487 } else {
368 my $cb = shift; 488 my $cb = shift;
369 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 489 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
370 local $SELF = $port; 490 local $SELF = $port;
371 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 491 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
372 }; 492 };
373 } 493 }
374 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 494 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
375 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 495 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
376 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 496 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
377 497
378 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 498 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
379 local $SELF = $port; 499 local $SELF = $port;
380 500
381 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 501 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
403 } 523 }
404 524
405 $port 525 $port
406} 526}
407 527
528=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
529
530Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
531when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
532
533Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
534be returned to the caller.
535
536This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
537a port.
538
539Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
540
541 my $port = port { ... };
542
543 peval $port, sub {
544 init
545 or die "unable to init";
546 };
547
548=cut
549
550sub peval($$) {
551 local $SELF = shift;
552 my $cb = shift;
553
554 if (wantarray) {
555 my @res = eval { &$cb };
556 _self_die if $@;
557 @res
558 } else {
559 my $res = eval { &$cb };
560 _self_die if $@;
561 $res
562 }
563}
564
408=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 565=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
409 566
410Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 567Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
411closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 568closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
412callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 569callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
570
571The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
572BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
413 573
414This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 574This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
415 575
416 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 576 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
417 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 577 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
453 613
454Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 614Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
455messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 615messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
456to stop monitoring again. 616to stop monitoring again.
457 617
618In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
619number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
620"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
621C<eval> if unsure.
622
623In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
624will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
625"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
626port is killed with the same reason.
627
628The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
629C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
630
631In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
632C<snd>.
633
634Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
635alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
636
637As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
638a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
639lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
640even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
641to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
642these problems do not exist.
643
458C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 644C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
459after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will 645after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
460arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message 646arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
461loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after 647loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
462the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 648the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
463port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 649port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
464delivered again. 650delivered again.
465 651
466Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a 652Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
467monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again. 653used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
654relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
655non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
468 656
469In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 657This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
470number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 658stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
471"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 659to ensure some maximum latency.
472C<eval> if unsure.
473
474In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
475will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
476"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
477port is killed with the same reason.
478
479The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
480C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
481
482In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
483C<snd>.
484
485As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
486a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
487lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
488even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection
489to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
490these problems do not exist.
491 660
492Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 661Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
493 662
494 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 663 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
495 664
502 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 671 mon $port, $self => "restart";
503 672
504=cut 673=cut
505 674
506sub mon { 675sub mon {
507 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 676 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
508 677
509 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 678 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
510 679
511 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 680 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
512 681
513 unless (ref $cb) { 682 unless (ref $cb) {
514 if (@_) { 683 if (@_) {
523 } 692 }
524 693
525 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 694 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
526 695
527 defined wantarray 696 defined wantarray
528 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 697 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
529} 698}
530 699
531=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 700=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
532 701
533Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 702Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
556 725
557=item kil $port[, @reason] 726=item kil $port[, @reason]
558 727
559Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 728Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
560 729
561If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 730If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
562monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 731monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
563"normally"). 732(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
564 733
565Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 734If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
566C<mon>, see above). 735form) get killed with the same reason.
567 736
568Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 737Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
569will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 738will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
570 739
571Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 740Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
572$message >>. 741$message >>.
573 742
574=cut 743Common idioms:
744
745 # silently remove yourself, do not kill linked ports
746 kil $SELF;
747
748 # report a failure in some detail
749 kil $SELF, failure_mode_1 => "it failed with too high temperature";
750
751 # do not waste much time with killing, just die when something goes wrong
752 open my $fh, "<file"
753 or die "file: $!";
575 754
576=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] 755=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
577 756
578Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which 757Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
579case it's the node where that port resides). 758case it's the node where that port resides).
590the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 769the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
591C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 770C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
592exists or it runs out of package names. 771exists or it runs out of package names.
593 772
594The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 773The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
595object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 774object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
775call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
776the port might not get created.
596 777
597A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned 778A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
598port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed 779port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
599local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up 780local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
600when there is a problem. 781when there is a problem.
601 782
783C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
784caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
785called for the local node).
786
602Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 787Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
603 788
604 # this node, executed from within a port context: 789 # this node, executed from within a port context:
605 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 790 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
606 mon $server; 791 mon $server;
620 805
621sub _spawn { 806sub _spawn {
622 my $port = shift; 807 my $port = shift;
623 my $init = shift; 808 my $init = shift;
624 809
810 # rcv will create the actual port
625 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 811 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
626 eval { 812 eval {
627 &{ load_func $init } 813 &{ load_func $init }
628 }; 814 };
629 _self_die if $@; 815 _self_die if $@;
630} 816}
631 817
632sub spawn(@) { 818sub spawn(@) {
633 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 819 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
634 820
635 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 821 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
636 822
637 $_[0] =~ /::/ 823 $_[0] =~ /::/
638 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 824 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
639 825
640 snd_to_func $noderef, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 826 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
641 827
642 "$noderef#$id" 828 "$nodeid#$id"
643} 829}
830
644 831
645=item after $timeout, @msg 832=item after $timeout, @msg
646 833
647=item after $timeout, $callback 834=item after $timeout, $callback
648 835
664 ? $action[0]() 851 ? $action[0]()
665 : snd @action; 852 : snd @action;
666 }; 853 };
667} 854}
668 855
856#=item $cb2 = timeout $seconds, $cb[, @args]
857
858=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
859
860A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
861given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
862
863The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
864the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
865
866A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
867
868If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
869then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
870elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
871
872If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
873monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
874
875Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
876might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
877this is indeed useful for something.
878
879=cut
880
881sub cal(@) {
882 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
883 my $cb = pop;
884
885 my $port = port {
886 undef $timeout;
887 kil $SELF;
888 &$cb;
889 };
890
891 if (defined $timeout) {
892 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
893 undef $timeout;
894 kil $port;
895 $cb->();
896 };
897 } else {
898 mon $_[0], sub {
899 kil $port;
900 $cb->();
901 };
902 }
903
904 push @_, $port;
905 &snd;
906
907 $port
908}
909
910=back
911
912=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
913
914AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
915be mirrored asynchronously on all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one
916of the global nodes for their needs. Every node has a "local database"
917which contains all the values that are set locally. All local databases
918are merged together to form the global database, which can be queried.
919
920The database structure is that of a two-level hash - the database hash
921contains hashes which contain values, similarly to a perl hash of hashes,
922i.e.:
923
924 $DATABASE{$family}{$subkey} = $value
925
926The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
927is called "subkey" or simply "key".
928
929The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
930of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
931pretty much like Perl module names.
932
933As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
934with the name of the application or module using it.
935
936The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions.
937
938The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
939work as well (such as C<undef>, arrays and hashes).
940
941Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey
942combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
943but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
944different values on different nodes.
945
946Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes
947without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker
948pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this:
949
950 db_set my_image_scalers => $port;
951
952And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the
953C<my_image_scalers> keys from time to time:
954
955 db_keys my_image_scalers => sub {
956 @ports = @{ $_[0] };
957 };
958
959Or better yet, they want to monitor the database family, so they always
960have a reasonable up-to-date copy:
961
962 db_mon my_image_scalers => sub {
963 @ports = keys %{ $_[0] };
964 };
965
966In general, you can set or delete single subkeys, but query and monitor
967whole families only.
968
969If you feel the need to monitor or query a single subkey, try giving it
970it's own family.
971
972=over
973
974=item $guard = db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
975
976Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
977C<undef> is used instead.
978
979When called in non-void context, C<db_set> returns a guard that
980automatically calls C<db_del> when it is destroyed.
981
982=item db_del $family => $subkey...
983
984Deletes one or more subkeys from the database family.
985
986=item $guard = db_reg $family => $port => $value
987
988=item $guard = db_reg $family => $port
989
990=item $guard = db_reg $family
991
992Registers a port in the given family and optionally returns a guard to
993remove it.
994
995This function basically does the same as:
996
997 db_set $family => $port => $value
998
999Except that the port is monitored and automatically removed from the
1000database family when it is kil'ed.
1001
1002If C<$value> is missing, C<undef> is used. If C<$port> is missing, then
1003C<$SELF> is used.
1004
1005This function is most useful to register a port in some port group (which
1006is just another name for a database family), and have it removed when the
1007port is gone. This works best when the port is a local port.
1008
1009=cut
1010
1011sub db_reg($$;$) {
1012 my $family = shift;
1013 my $port = @_ ? shift : $SELF;
1014
1015 my $clr = sub { db_del $family => $port };
1016 mon $port, $clr;
1017
1018 db_set $family => $port => $_[0];
1019
1020 defined wantarray
1021 and &Guard::guard ($clr)
1022}
1023
1024=item db_family $family => $cb->(\%familyhash)
1025
1026Queries the named database C<$family> and call the callback with the
1027family represented as a hash. You can keep and freely modify the hash.
1028
1029=item db_keys $family => $cb->(\@keys)
1030
1031Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<subkeys> and passes
1032them as array reference to the callback.
1033
1034=item db_values $family => $cb->(\@values)
1035
1036Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<values> and passes them
1037as array reference to the callback.
1038
1039=item $guard = db_mon $family => $cb->($familyhash, \@added, \@changed, \@deleted)
1040
1041Creates a monitor on the given database family. Each time a key is set
1042or or is deleted the callback is called with a hash containing the
1043database family and three lists of added, changed and deleted subkeys,
1044respectively. If no keys have changed then the array reference might be
1045C<undef> or even missing.
1046
1047If not called in void context, a guard object is returned that, when
1048destroyed, stops the monitor.
1049
1050The family hash reference and the key arrays belong to AnyEvent::MP and
1051B<must not be modified or stored> by the callback. When in doubt, make a
1052copy.
1053
1054As soon as possible after the monitoring starts, the callback will be
1055called with the intiial contents of the family, even if it is empty,
1056i.e. there will always be a timely call to the callback with the current
1057contents.
1058
1059It is possible that the callback is called with a change event even though
1060the subkey is already present and the value has not changed.
1061
1062The monitoring stops when the guard object is destroyed.
1063
1064Example: on every change to the family "mygroup", print out all keys.
1065
1066 my $guard = db_mon mygroup => sub {
1067 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1068 print "mygroup members: ", (join " ", keys %$family), "\n";
1069 };
1070
1071Exmaple: wait until the family "My::Module::workers" is non-empty.
1072
1073 my $guard; $guard = db_mon My::Module::workers => sub {
1074 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1075 return unless %$family;
1076 undef $guard;
1077 print "My::Module::workers now nonempty\n";
1078 };
1079
1080Example: print all changes to the family "AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module".
1081
1082 my $guard = db_mon AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module => sub {
1083 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1084
1085 print "+$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$a;
1086 print "*$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$c;
1087 print "-$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$d;
1088 };
1089
1090=cut
1091
669=back 1092=back
670 1093
671=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 1094=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
672 1095
673AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 1096AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
674== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 1097== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
675programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 1098programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
676sample: 1099sample:
677 1100
678 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 1101 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
679 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 1102 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
680 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 1103 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
681 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 1104 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
682 1105
683Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 1106Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
684 1107
685=over 4 1108=over 4
686 1109
687=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 1110=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
688 1111
689Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 1112Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
690way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 1113way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
691configuraiton or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 1114configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
1115will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
692 1116
693=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 1117=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
694uses "local ports are like remote ports". 1118uses "local ports are like remote ports".
695 1119
696The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 1120The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
705ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 1129ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
706occur. 1130occur.
707 1131
708=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 1132=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
709 1133
710Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 1134Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
711needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 1135therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
712useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 1136no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
713AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 1137of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
714filter messages without dequeing them. 1138filter messages without dequeuing them.
715 1139
716(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 1140This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
1141being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
1142
1143You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
1144top of AEMP and Coro threads.
717 1145
718=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1146=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
719 1147
720Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 1148Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
1149a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
721so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 1150need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
722connection establishment is handled in the background. 1151establishment is handled in the background.
723 1152
724=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 1153=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
725 1154
726Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1155Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
727without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 1156lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
728and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1157b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
729 1158
730AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 1159AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
731is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 1160guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
732monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 1161same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
733sequence. 1162no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
1163
1164If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
1165corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
1166simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
1167link goes down.
734 1168
735=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1169=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
736 1170
737In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 1171In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
738known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1172process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
739destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1173causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1174process.
740 1175
741AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1176AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
742around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1177around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
743 1178
744=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1179=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
745authentication and can use TLS. 1180authentication and can use TLS.
746 1181
749 1184
750=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1185=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
751communications. 1186communications.
752 1187
753The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 1188The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
754language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1189language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
755language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 1190language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
756used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 1191used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
757 1192
758It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1193It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
759with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 1194with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
760protocol simple. 1195protocol simple.
761 1196
762=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1197=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
763 1198
764In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1199In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
765or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1200I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
766difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1201difficult to implement.
767Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1202
768on a per-process basis. 1203Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1204between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
769 1205
770=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1206=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
771 1207
772Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 1208Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
773same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1209same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
795overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1231overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
796 1232
797Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1233Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
798procedures to be "valid". 1234procedures to be "valid".
799 1235
800And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 1236And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
801global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1237code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
802 1238
803=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1239=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
804 1240
805In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1241In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
806format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1242format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
816Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than 1252Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
817objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient. 1253objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
818 1254
819=back 1255=back
820 1256
1257=head1 PORTING FROM AnyEvent::MP VERSION 1.X
1258
1259AEMP version 2 has three major incompatible changes compared to version 1:
1260
1261=over 4
1262
1263=item AnyEvent::MP::Global no longer has group management functions.
1264
1265AnyEvent::MP now comes with a distributed database that is more
1266powerful. It's database families map closely to ports, but the API has
1267minor differences:
1268
1269 grp_reg $group, $port # old
1270 db_reg $group, $port # new
1271
1272 $list = grp_get $group # old
1273 db_keys $group, sub { my $list = shift } # new
1274
1275 grp_mon $group, $cb->(\@ports, $add, $del) # old
1276 db_mon $group, $cb->(\%ports, $add, $change, $del) # new
1277
1278C<grp_reg> is a no-brainer (just replace by C<db_reg>), but C<grp_get>
1279is no longer instant, because the local node might not have a copy of
1280the group. This can be partially remedied by using C<db_mon> to keep an
1281updated copy of the group:
1282
1283 my $local_group_copy;
1284 db_mon $group => sub { $local_group_copy = shift };
1285
1286 # no keys %$local_group_copy always returns the most up-to-date
1287 # list of ports in the group.
1288
1289C<grp_mon> can almost be replaced by C<db_mon>:
1290
1291 db_mon $group => sub {
1292 my ($ports, $add, $chg, $lde) = @_;
1293 $ports = [keys %$ports];
1294
1295 # now $ports, $add and $del are the same as
1296 # were originally passed by grp_mon.
1297 ...
1298 };
1299
1300=item Nodes not longer connect to all other nodes.
1301
1302In AEMP 1.x, every node automatically loads the L<AnyEvent::MP::Global>
1303module, which in turn would create connections to all other nodes in the
1304network (helped by the seed nodes).
1305
1306In version 2.x, global nodes still connect to all other global nodes, but
1307other nodes don't - now every node either is a global node itself, or
1308attaches itself to another global node.
1309
1310If a node isn't a global node itself, then it attaches itself to one
1311of its seed nodes. If that seed node isn't a global node yet, it will
1312automatically be upgraded to a global node.
1313
1314So in many cases, nothing needs to be changed - one just has to make sure
1315that all seed nodes are meshed together with the other seed nodes (as with
1316AEMP 1.x), and other nodes specify them as seed nodes.
1317
1318Not opening a connection to every other node is usually an advantage,
1319except when you need the lower latency of an already established
1320connection. To ensure a node establishes a connection to another node,
1321you can monitor the node port (C<mon $node, ...>), which will attempt to
1322create the connection (And notify you when the connection fails).
1323
1324=item Listener-less nodes are gone.
1325
1326And are not coming back, at least not in their old form.
1327
1328There are vague plans to implement some form of routing domains, which
1329might or might not bring back listener-less nodes, but don't count on it.
1330
1331The fact that most connections are now optional somewhat mitigates this,
1332as a node can be effectively unreachable from the outside without any
1333problems, as long as it isn't a global node and only reaches out to other
1334nodes (as opposed to being contacted from other nodes).
1335
1336=back
1337
821=head1 SEE ALSO 1338=head1 SEE ALSO
822 1339
823L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1340L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
824 1341
825L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1342L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
826 1343
827L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1344L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
828your applications. 1345your applications.
1346
1347L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1348
1349L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1350all nodes.
829 1351
830L<AnyEvent>. 1352L<AnyEvent>.
831 1353
832=head1 AUTHOR 1354=head1 AUTHOR
833 1355

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