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Revision 1.70 by root, Sun Aug 30 19:49:47 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
276The profile data is then gathered as follows:
277
183First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conviniently 278First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
184undocumented at the moment) will be used. Then they will be overwritten by 279undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
185any values specified in the global default configuration (see the F<aemp> 280data. Then they will be overwritten by any values specified in the global
186utility), then the chain of profiles selected, if any. That means that 281default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of
282profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes).
283
187the values specified in the profile have highest priority and the values 284That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
188specified via C<initialise_node> have lowest priority. 285and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
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 a default of C<*> is 306If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is
201used. 307used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
308local IP address it finds.
202 309
310=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
311
203Lastly, 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
204L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 313L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
205connectivity with at least on of those seed nodes at any point in time. 314connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
206 315
207Example: become a distributed node listening on the guessed noderef, or 316=back
208the 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.
209most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 319This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
210 320
211 initialise_node; 321 configure
212 322
213Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 323Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
214clients. 324commandline clients.
215 325
216 initialise_node "anon/"; 326 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
217 327
218Example: become a distributed node. If there is no profile of the given 328Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
219name, 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,
220on the resulting addresses. 330customary for aemp).
221 331
222 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)"
223 343
224=item $SELF 344=item $SELF
225 345
226Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 346Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
227blocks. 347blocks.
283 403
284=cut 404=cut
285 405
286sub rcv($@); 406sub rcv($@);
287 407
288sub _kilme { 408my $KILME = sub {
289 die "received message on port without callback"; 409 (my $tag = substr $_[0], 0, 30) =~ s/([\x20-\x7e])/./g;
290} 410 kil $SELF, unhandled_message => "no callback found for message '$tag'";
411};
291 412
292sub port(;&) { 413sub port(;&) {
293 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 414 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
294 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 415 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
295 416
296 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 417 rcv $port, shift || $KILME;
297 418
298 $port 419 $port
299} 420}
300 421
301=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg) 422=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
306 427
307The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 428The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
308executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will 429executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
309result in the port being C<kil>ed. 430result in the port being C<kil>ed.
310 431
311The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific 432The default callback receives all messages not matched by a more specific
312C<tag> match. 433C<tag> match.
313 434
314=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ... 435=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
315 436
316Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the 437Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the
337 msg1 => sub { ... }, 458 msg1 => sub { ... },
338 ... 459 ...
339 ; 460 ;
340 461
341Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 462Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
342(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.
343 464
344 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 465 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
345 my @reply = @_; 466 my @reply = @_;
346 467
347 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 468 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
349 470
350=cut 471=cut
351 472
352sub rcv($@) { 473sub rcv($@) {
353 my $port = shift; 474 my $port = shift;
354 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 475 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
355 476
356 $NODE{$noderef} == $NODE{""} 477 $NODE{$nodeid} == $NODE{""}
357 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 478 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
358 479
359 while (@_) { 480 while (@_) {
360 if (ref $_[0]) { 481 if (ref $_[0]) {
361 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 482 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
362 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 483 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
363 or Carp::croak "$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";
364 485
365 $self->[2] = shift; 486 $self->[0] = shift;
366 } else { 487 } else {
367 my $cb = shift; 488 my $cb = shift;
368 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 489 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
369 local $SELF = $port; 490 local $SELF = $port;
370 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 491 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
371 }; 492 };
372 } 493 }
373 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 494 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
374 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 495 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
375 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 496 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
376 497
377 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 498 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
378 local $SELF = $port; 499 local $SELF = $port;
379 500
380 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 501 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
402 } 523 }
403 524
404 $port 525 $port
405} 526}
406 527
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
407=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 565=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
408 566
409Remembers 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
410closure 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>
411callbacks, 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 }, @_ } >>.
412 573
413This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 574This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
414 575
415 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 576 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
416 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 577 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
452 613
453Monitor 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
454messages 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
455to stop monitoring again. 616to stop monitoring again.
456 617
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
457C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 644C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
458after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will 645after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
459arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message 646arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
460loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after 647loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
461the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 648the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
462port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 649port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
463delivered again. 650delivered again.
464 651
465Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a 652Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
466monitoring 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).
467 656
468In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 657This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
469number 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
470"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 659to ensure some maximum latency.
471C<eval> if unsure.
472
473In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
474will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
475"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
476port is killed with the same reason.
477
478The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
479C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
480
481In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
482C<snd>.
483
484As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
485a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
486lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
487even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection
488to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
489these problems do not exist.
490 660
491Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 661Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
492 662
493 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 663 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
494 664
501 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 671 mon $port, $self => "restart";
502 672
503=cut 673=cut
504 674
505sub mon { 675sub mon {
506 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 676 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
507 677
508 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 678 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
509 679
510 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,';
511 681
512 unless (ref $cb) { 682 unless (ref $cb) {
513 if (@_) { 683 if (@_) {
522 } 692 }
523 693
524 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 694 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
525 695
526 defined wantarray 696 defined wantarray
527 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 697 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
528} 698}
529 699
530=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 700=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
531 701
532Monitors 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
555 725
556=item kil $port[, @reason] 726=item kil $port[, @reason]
557 727
558Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 728Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
559 729
560If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 730If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
561monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 731monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
562"normally"). 732(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
563 733
564Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 734If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
565C<mon>, see above). 735form) get killed with the same reason.
566 736
567Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 737Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
568will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 738will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
569 739
570Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 740Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
571$message >>. 741$message >>.
572 742
573=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: $!";
574 754
575=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] 755=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
576 756
577Creates 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
578case it's the node where that port resides). 758case it's the node where that port resides).
589the 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.
590C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 770C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
591exists or it runs out of package names. 771exists or it runs out of package names.
592 772
593The 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
594object (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.
595 777
596A 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
597port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed 779port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
598local 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
599when there is a problem. 781when there is a problem.
600 782
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
601Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 787Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
602 788
603 # this node, executed from within a port context: 789 # this node, executed from within a port context:
604 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 790 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
605 mon $server; 791 mon $server;
619 805
620sub _spawn { 806sub _spawn {
621 my $port = shift; 807 my $port = shift;
622 my $init = shift; 808 my $init = shift;
623 809
810 # rcv will create the actual port
624 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 811 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
625 eval { 812 eval {
626 &{ load_func $init } 813 &{ load_func $init }
627 }; 814 };
628 _self_die if $@; 815 _self_die if $@;
629} 816}
630 817
631sub spawn(@) { 818sub spawn(@) {
632 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 819 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
633 820
634 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 821 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
635 822
636 $_[0] =~ /::/ 823 $_[0] =~ /::/
637 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";
638 825
639 snd_to_func $noderef, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 826 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
640 827
641 "$noderef#$id" 828 "$nodeid#$id"
642} 829}
830
643 831
644=item after $timeout, @msg 832=item after $timeout, @msg
645 833
646=item after $timeout, $callback 834=item after $timeout, $callback
647 835
663 ? $action[0]() 851 ? $action[0]()
664 : snd @action; 852 : snd @action;
665 }; 853 };
666} 854}
667 855
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
668=back 1092=back
669 1093
670=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 1094=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
671 1095
672AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 1096AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
673== 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
674programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 1098programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
675sample: 1099sample:
676 1100
677 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 1101 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
678 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
679 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
680 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
681 1105
682Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 1106Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
683 1107
684=over 4 1108=over 4
685 1109
686=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 1110=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
687 1111
688Erlang 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
689way. 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
690configuraiton 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.
691 1116
692=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
693uses "local ports are like remote ports". 1118uses "local ports are like remote ports".
694 1119
695The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 1120The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
704ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 1129ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
705occur. 1130occur.
706 1131
707=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 1132=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
708 1133
709Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 1134Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
710needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 1135therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
711useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 1136no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
712AnyEvent::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
713filter messages without dequeing them. 1138filter messages without dequeuing them.
714 1139
715(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.
716 1145
717=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1146=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
718 1147
719Sending 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
720so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 1150need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
721connection establishment is handled in the background. 1151establishment is handled in the background.
722 1152
723=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 1153=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
724 1154
725Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1155Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
726without 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,
727and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1157b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
728 1158
729AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 1159AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
730is 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
731monitoring 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
732sequence. 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.
733 1168
734=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.
735 1170
736In 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
737known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1172process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
738destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1173causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1174process.
739 1175
740AEMP 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
741around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1177around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
742 1178
743=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1179=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
744authentication and can use TLS. 1180authentication and can use TLS.
745 1181
748 1184
749=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
750communications. 1186communications.
751 1187
752The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 1188The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
753language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1189language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
754language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 1190language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
755used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 1191used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
756 1192
757It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1193It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
758with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 1194with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
759protocol simple. 1195protocol simple.
760 1196
761=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1197=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
762 1198
763In 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
764or 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
765difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1201difficult to implement.
766Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1202
767on 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.
768 1205
769=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1206=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
770 1207
771Monitoring 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
772same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1209same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
794overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1231overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
795 1232
796Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1233Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
797procedures to be "valid". 1234procedures to be "valid".
798 1235
799And 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
800global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1237code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
801 1238
802=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?
803 1240
804In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1241In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
805format, 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
815Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than 1252Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
816objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient. 1253objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
817 1254
818=back 1255=back
819 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
820=head1 SEE ALSO 1338=head1 SEE ALSO
821 1339
822L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1340L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
823 1341
824L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1342L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
825 1343
826L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1344L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
827your 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.
828 1351
829L<AnyEvent>. 1352L<AnyEvent>.
830 1353
831=head1 AUTHOR 1354=head1 AUTHOR
832 1355

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