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Revision 1.138 by root, Thu Mar 22 00:48:29 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; # -OR- 15 configure;
17 initialise_node "localhost:4040"; # -OR-
18 initialise_node "slave/", "localhost:4040"
19 16
20 # ports are message endpoints 17 # ports are message destinations
21 18
22 # sending messages 19 # sending messages
23 snd $port, type => data...; 20 snd $port, type => data...;
24 snd $port, @msg; 21 snd $port, @msg;
25 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port; 22 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
26 23
27 # creating/using miniports 24 # creating/using ports, the simple way
28 my $miniport = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; 25 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_ };
29 26
30 # creating/using full ports 27 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
31 my $port = port; 28 my $port = port;
32 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->(@msg);
33 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 29 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong" };
34 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
35
36 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module)
37 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ...
38 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3
39 31
40 # create a port on another node 32 # create a port on another node
41 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
42 34
35 # destroy a port again
36 kil $port; # "normal" kill
37 kil $port, my_error => "everything is broken"; # error kill
38
43 # monitoring 39 # monitoring
44 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 40 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
45 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 41 mon $port, $localport # kill localport on abnormal death
46 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 };
47 51
48=head1 CURRENT STATUS 52=head1 CURRENT STATUS
49 53
54 bin/aemp - stable.
50 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work 55 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
51 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated 56 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
52 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - WIP
53 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable 57 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable API.
54 58 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API.
55 stay tuned.
56 59
57=head1 DESCRIPTION 60=head1 DESCRIPTION
58 61
59This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 62This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
60 63
61Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 64Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
62on the same or other hosts. 65on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
63 66
64For 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>
65manual page. 68manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
66
67At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented,
68so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
69stay tuned!
70 69
71=head1 CONCEPTS 70=head1 CONCEPTS
72 71
73=over 4 72=over 4
74 73
75=item port 74=item port
76 75
77A 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).
78 78
79Some ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match specific 79Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
80messages. All C<rcv> handlers will receive messages they match, messages 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
81will not be queued. 81anything was listening for them or not.
82 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
83=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
84 86
85A port id is normaly the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 87A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>)
86separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 88as separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified
87exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node 89format created by AnyEvent::MP).
88reference.
89 90
90=item node 91=item node
91 92
92A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node 93A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
93port. You can send messages to node ports to find existing ports or to 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
94create new ports, among other things. 95ports.
95 96
96Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
97master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes). 98(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
99currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
98 100
99=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> 101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
100 102
101A node reference is a string that either simply identifies the node (for 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
102private and slave nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given
103node (for public nodes).
104 104
105This recipe is simply a comma-separated list of C<address:port> pairs (for 105A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
106TCP/IP, other protocols might look different). 106network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
107hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
108doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
107 109
108Node references come in two flavours: resolved (containing only numerical 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
109addresses) or unresolved (where hostnames are used instead of addresses).
110 111
111Before using an unresolved node reference in a message you first have to 112Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to
112resolve it. 113each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
114endpoints - binds.
115
116Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
117specify TCP ports to listen on. So a bind is basically just a tcp socket
118in listening mode thta accepts conenctions form other nodes.
119
120=item seed nodes
121
122When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network it is in - it
123needs to connect to at least one other node that is already in the
124network. These other nodes are called "seed nodes".
125
126Seed nodes themselves are not special - they are seed nodes only because
127some other node I<uses> them as such, but any node can be used as seed
128node for other nodes, and eahc node cna use a different set of seed nodes.
129
130In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
131maintain the network - all nodes using the same seed node form are part of
132the same network. If a network is split into multiple subnets because e.g.
133the network link between the parts goes down, then using the same seed
134nodes for all nodes ensures that eventually the subnets get merged again.
135
136Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node
137should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a
138seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else.
139
140For small networks, it's best if every node uses the same set of seed
141nodes. For large networks, it can be useful to specify "regional" seed
142nodes for most nodes in an area, and use all seed nodes as seed nodes for
143each other. What's important is that all seed nodes connections form a
144complete graph, so that the network cannot split into separate subnets
145forever.
146
147Seed nodes are represented by seed IDs.
148
149=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
150
151Seed IDs are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
152TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
153
154=item global nodes
155
156An AEMP network needs a discovery service - nodes need to know how to
157connect to other nodes they only know by name. In addition, AEMP offers a
158distributed "group database", which maps group names to a list of strings
159- for example, to register worker ports.
160
161A network needs at least one global node to work, and allows every node to
162be a global node.
163
164Any node that loads the L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module becomes a global
165node and tries to keep connections to all other nodes. So while it can
166make sense to make every node "global" in small networks, it usually makes
167sense to only make seed nodes into global nodes in large networks (nodes
168keep connections to seed nodes and global nodes, so makign them the same
169reduces overhead).
113 170
114=back 171=back
115 172
116=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
117 174
119 176
120=cut 177=cut
121 178
122package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
123 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
124use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
125 184
126use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
127 186
128use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
129 188
130use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
131 191
132use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
133 193
134our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
135 195
136our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
137 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
138 resolve_node initialise_node 198 configure
139 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
140 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
202 db_mon db_family db_keys db_values
141); 203);
142 204
143our $SELF; 205our $SELF;
144 206
145sub _self_die() { 207sub _self_die() {
148 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 210 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
149} 211}
150 212
151=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 213=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
152 214
153The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains 215The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
154the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call 216ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
155to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port 217a call to C<configure>.
156identifiers become invalid.
157 218
158=item $noderef = node_of $port 219=item $nodeid = node_of $port
159 220
160Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. 221Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
161 222
162=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode... 223=item configure $profile, key => value...
163 224
164=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master... 225=item configure key => value...
165 226
166Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise 227Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
167itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally 228"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
168it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network. 229to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
230some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
169 231
170This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 232This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
171never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 233never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
172 234
173All arguments (optionally except for the first) are noderefs, which can be 235The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
174either resolved or unresolved. 236F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with these additions:
175
176The first argument will be looked up in the configuration database first
177(if it is C<undef> then the current nodename will be used instead) to find
178the relevant configuration profile (see L<aemp>). If none is found then
179the default configuration is used. The configuration supplies additional
180seed/master nodes and can override the actual noderef.
181
182There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
183 237
184=over 4 238=over 4
185 239
186=item public nodes 240=item norc => $boolean (default false)
187 241
188For public nodes, C<$noderef> (supplied either directly to 242If true, then the rc file (e.g. F<~/.perl-anyevent-mp>) will I<not>
189C<initialise_node> or indirectly via a profile or the nodename) must be a 243be consulted - all configuraiton options must be specified in the
190noderef (possibly unresolved, in which case it will be resolved). 244C<configure> call.
191 245
192After resolving, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to 246=item force => $boolean (default false)
193connect to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are
194optional and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing
195network.
196 247
197=item slave nodes 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.
198 251
199When the C<$noderef> (either as given or overriden by the config file) 252=item secure => $pass->(@msg)
200is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will become a slave
201node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will route most of
202their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
203 253
204At least one additional noderef is required (either by specifying it 254In addition to specifying a boolean, you can specify a code reference that
205directly or because it is part of the configuration profile): The node 255is called for every code execution attempt - the execution request is
206will try to connect to all of them and will become a slave attached to the 256granted iff the callback returns a true value.
207first node it can successfully connect to. 257
258Most of the time the callback should look only at
259C<$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.
208 264
209=back 265=back
210 266
211This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave
212nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master
213server.
214
215Example: become a public node listening on the guessed noderef, or the one
216specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the most common
217form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
218
219 initialise_node;
220
221Example: become a slave node to any of the the seednodes specified via
222C<aemp>. This form is often used for commandline clients.
223
224 initialise_node "slave/";
225
226Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers. This
227form is also often used for commandline clients.
228
229 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
230
231Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master
232servers to become part of the network.
233
234 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2";
235
236Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>.
237
238 initialise_node 4041;
239
240Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
241
242 initialise_node "localhost:4044";
243
244=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
245
246Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
247abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
248reference.
249
250In addition to C<address:port> pairs allowed in resolved noderefs, the
251following forms are supported:
252
253=over 4 267=over 4
254 268
255=item the empty string 269=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
256 270
257An empty-string component gets resolved as if the default port (4040) was 271The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
258specified. 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.
259 275
260=item naked port numbers (e.g. C<1234>) 276The profile data is then gathered as follows:
261 277
262These are resolved by prepending the local nodename and a colon, to be 278First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
263further resolved. 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).
264 283
265=item hostnames (e.g. C<localhost:1234>, C<localhost>) 284That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
285and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
286and can only be used to specify defaults.
266 287
267These are resolved by using AnyEvent::DNS to resolve them, optionally 288If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
268looking up SRV records for the C<aemp=4040> port, if no port was 289this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID, with
269specified. 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
299
300The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
301aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
302to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the
303outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no
304binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes).
305
306If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is
307used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
308local IP address it finds.
309
310=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
311
312As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
313L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
314connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
270 315
271=back 316=back
317
318Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
319This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
320
321 configure
322
323Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
324commandline clients.
325
326 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
327
328Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
329for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
330customary for aemp).
331
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)"
272 343
273=item $SELF 344=item $SELF
274 345
275Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 346Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
276blocks. 347blocks.
277 348
278=item SELF, %SELF, @SELF... 349=item *SELF, SELF, %SELF, @SELF...
279 350
280Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 351Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
281just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 352just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols named C<SELF> are exported by this
282module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 353module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
283 354
284=item snd $port, type => @data 355=item snd $port, type => @data
285 356
286=item snd $port, @msg 357=item snd $port, @msg
287 358
288Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 359Send the given message to the given port, which can identify either a
289a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat 360local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
290stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :).
291 361
292While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a 362While the message can be almost anything, it is highly recommended to
293string as first element (a portid, or some word that indicates a request 363use a string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a
294type etc.). 364request type etc.) and to consist if only simple perl values (scalars,
365arrays, hashes) - if you think you need to pass an object, think again.
295 366
296The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this 367The message data logically becomes read-only after a call to this
297function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many 368function: modifying any argument (or values referenced by them) is
298problems. 369forbidden, as there can be considerable time between the call to C<snd>
370and the time the message is actually being serialised - in fact, it might
371never be copied as within the same process it is simply handed to the
372receiving port.
299 373
300The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when 374The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when
301JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 375JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
302of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 376of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
303that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 377that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
304node, anything can be passed. 378node, anything can be passed. Best rely only on the common denominator of
379these.
305 380
306=item $local_port = port 381=item $local_port = port
307 382
308Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern 383Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
309matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"), 384no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
310depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object.
311 385
312=item $port = port { my @msg = @_; $finished } 386=item $local_port = port { my @msg = @_ }
313 387
314Creates a "miniport", that is, a very lightweight port without any pattern 388Creates a new local port, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as
315matching behind it, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as creating
316a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it. 389creating a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
317 390
318The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the 391The block will be called for every message received on the port, with the
319callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port 392global variable C<$SELF> set to the port ID. Runtime errors will cause the
320will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive. 393port to be C<kil>ed. The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument
394(i.e. no port ID) will be passed to the callback.
321 395
322The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will 396If you want to stop/destroy the port, simply C<kil> it:
323be passed to the callback.
324 397
325If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely: 398 my $port = port {
326 399 my @msg = @_;
327 my $port; $port = port { 400 ...
328 snd $otherport, reply => $port; 401 kil $SELF;
329 }; 402 };
330 403
331=cut 404=cut
332 405
333sub rcv($@); 406sub rcv($@);
334 407
408my $KILME = sub {
409 (my $tag = substr $_[0], 0, 30) =~ s/([\x20-\x7e])/./g;
410 kil $SELF, unhandled_message => "no callback found for message '$tag'";
411};
412
335sub port(;&) { 413sub port(;&) {
336 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 414 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
337 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 415 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
338 416
339 if (@_) {
340 rcv $port, shift; 417 rcv $port, shift || $KILME;
341 } else {
342 $PORT{$id} = sub { }; # nop
343 }
344 418
345 $port 419 $port
346} 420}
347 421
348=item reg $port, $name
349
350=item reg $name
351
352Registers the given port (or C<$SELF><<< if missing) under the name
353C<$name>. If the name already exists it is replaced.
354
355A port can only be registered under one well known name.
356
357A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
358
359=cut
360
361sub reg(@) {
362 my $port = @_ > 1 ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'reg: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
363
364 $REG{$_[0]} = $port;
365}
366
367=item rcv $port, $callback->(@msg) 422=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
368 423
369Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (after converting it to 424Replaces the default callback on the specified port. There is no way to
370one if required). 425remove the default callback: use C<sub { }> to disable it, or better
371 426C<kil> the port when it is no longer needed.
372=item rcv $port, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
373
374=item rcv $port, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
375
376=item rcv $port, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
377
378Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full
379port (after converting it to one if required) and return the port.
380
381The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
382which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
383registered.
384 427
385The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 428The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
386executing the callback. 429executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
430result in the port being C<kil>ed.
387 431
388Runtime errors during callback execution will result in the port being 432The default callback receives all messages not matched by a more specific
389C<kil>ed. 433C<tag> match.
390 434
391If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the 435=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
392first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
393matched.
394 436
395Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function 437Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the
396exported by this module) matches any single element of the message. 438given tag on the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when
439C<$callback> is C<$undef> or missing). There can only be one callback
440registered for each tag.
397 441
398While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching 442The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first
399element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is 443element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same
400also the most efficient match (by far). 444environment as the default callback (see above).
401 445
402Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go. 446Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
403 447
404 my $port = rcv port, 448 my $port = rcv port,
405 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 449 msg1 => sub { ... },
406 msg2 => sub { ...; 0 }, 450 msg2 => sub { ... },
407 ; 451 ;
408 452
409Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere 453Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
410in one go: 454in one go:
411 455
412 snd $otherport, reply => 456 snd $otherport, reply =>
413 rcv port, 457 rcv port,
414 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 458 msg1 => sub { ... },
415 ... 459 ...
416 ; 460 ;
417 461
462Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
463(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
464
465 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
466 my @reply = @_;
467
468 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
469 };
470
418=cut 471=cut
419 472
420sub rcv($@) { 473sub rcv($@) {
421 my $port = shift; 474 my $port = shift;
422 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 475 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
423 476
424 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""} 477 $NODE{$nodeid} == $NODE{""}
425 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 478 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
426 479
427 if (@_ == 1) { 480 while (@_) {
481 if (ref $_[0]) {
482 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
483 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
484 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
485
486 $self->[0] = shift;
487 } else {
428 my $cb = shift; 488 my $cb = shift;
429 delete $PORT_DATA{$portid};
430 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 489 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
431 local $SELF = $port; 490 local $SELF = $port;
432 eval { 491 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
433 &$cb 492 };
434 and kil $port;
435 }; 493 }
436 _self_die if $@; 494 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
437 };
438 } else {
439 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 495 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
440 my $self = bless { 496 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
441 id => $port,
442 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
443 497
444 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 498 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
445 local $SELF = $port; 499 local $SELF = $port;
446 500
447 eval {
448 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) { 501 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
449 $_ && &{$_->[0]} 502 shift;
450 && undef $_; 503 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
451 } 504 } else {
452
453 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
454 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
455 && &{$_->[0]} 505 &{ $self->[0] };
456 && undef $_;
457 }
458
459 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
460 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
461 && &{$_->[0]}
462 && undef $_;
463 } 506 }
464 }; 507 };
465 _self_die if $@; 508
509 $self
466 }; 510 };
467 511
468 $self
469 };
470
471 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 512 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
472 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 513 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
473 514
474 while (@_) {
475 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; 515 my ($tag, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
476 516
477 if (!ref $match) { 517 if (defined $cb) {
478 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb]; 518 $self->[1]{$tag} = $cb;
479 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) {
480 my ($type, @match) = @$match;
481 @match
482 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match]
483 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb];
484 } else { 519 } else {
485 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match]; 520 delete $self->[1]{$tag};
486 } 521 }
487 } 522 }
488 } 523 }
489 524
490 $port 525 $port
491} 526}
492 527
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
493=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 565=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
494 566
495Remembers 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
496closure 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>
497callbacks, 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 }, @_ } >>.
498 573
499This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 574This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
500 575
501 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 576 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
502 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 577 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
526 $res 601 $res
527 } 602 }
528 } 603 }
529} 604}
530 605
531=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) 606=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) # call $cb when $port dies
532 607
533=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport 608=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport # kill $rcvport when $port dies
534 609
535=item $guard = mon $port 610=item $guard = mon $port # kill $SELF when $port dies
536 611
537=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg 612=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg # send a message when $port dies
538 613
539Monitor 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
540messages 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
541to stop monitoring again. 616to stop monitoring again.
542
543C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
544that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port
545will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible
546message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between"
547(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
548port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
549delivered again.
550 617
551In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 618In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
552number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 619number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
553"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 620"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
554C<eval> if unsure. 621C<eval> if unsure.
555 622
556In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>) 623In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
557will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on 624will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
558"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other 625"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
559port is killed with the same reason. 626port is killed with the same reason.
560 627
561The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that 628The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
562C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>. 629C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
563 630
564In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be 631In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
565C<snd>. 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.
566 636
567As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from 637As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
568a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get 638a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
569lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that 639lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
570even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection 640even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
571to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally 641to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
572these problems do not exist. 642these problems do not exist.
573 643
644C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
645after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
646arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
647loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
648the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
649port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
650delivered again.
651
652Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
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).
656
657This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
658stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
659to ensure some maximum latency.
660
574Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 661Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
575 662
576 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 663 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
577 664
578Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally. 665Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally.
584 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 671 mon $port, $self => "restart";
585 672
586=cut 673=cut
587 674
588sub mon { 675sub mon {
589 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 676 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
590 677
591 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 678 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
592 679
593 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,';
594 681
595 unless (ref $cb) { 682 unless (ref $cb) {
596 if (@_) { 683 if (@_) {
605 } 692 }
606 693
607 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 694 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
608 695
609 defined wantarray 696 defined wantarray
610 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 697 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
611} 698}
612 699
613=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 700=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
614 701
615Monitors 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
616is killed, the references will be freed. 703is killed, the references will be freed.
617 704
618Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring. 705Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
619 706
620This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and 707This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
621want to free them when the port gets killed: 708want to free them when the port gets killed (note the use of C<psub>):
622 709
623 $port->rcv (start => sub { 710 $port->rcv (start => sub {
624 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub { 711 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, psub {
625 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand; 712 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
626 }); 713 });
627 }); 714 });
628 715
629=cut 716=cut
638 725
639=item kil $port[, @reason] 726=item kil $port[, @reason]
640 727
641Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 728Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
642 729
643If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 730If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
644ports will not be kileld, or even notified). 731monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
732(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
645 733
646Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 734If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
647C<mon>, see below). 735form) get killed with the same reason.
648 736
649Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 737Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
650will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 738will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
651 739
652Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 740Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
653$message >>. 741$message >>.
654 742
655=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: $!";
656 754
657=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] 755=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
658 756
659Creates 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
660case it's the node where that port resides). 758case it's the node where that port resides).
661 759
662The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is 760The port ID of the newly created port is returned immediately, and it is
663permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port. 761possible to immediately start sending messages or to monitor the port.
664 762
665After the port has been created, the init function is 763After the port has been created, the init function is called on the remote
666called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name 764node, in the same context as a C<rcv> callback. This function must be a
667(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main 765fully-qualified function name (e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To
668program, use C<::name>. 766specify a function in the main program, use C<::name>.
669 767
670If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require> 768If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
671the 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.
672C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 770C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
673exists or it runs out of package names. 771exists or it runs out of package names.
674 772
675The 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
676object (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.
677 777
678A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and 778A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
679in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring 779port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
680ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem. 780local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
781when there is a problem.
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).
681 786
682Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 787Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
683 788
684 # this node, executed from within a port context: 789 # this node, executed from within a port context:
685 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 790 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
700 805
701sub _spawn { 806sub _spawn {
702 my $port = shift; 807 my $port = shift;
703 my $init = shift; 808 my $init = shift;
704 809
810 # rcv will create the actual port
705 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 811 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
706 eval { 812 eval {
707 &{ load_func $init } 813 &{ load_func $init }
708 }; 814 };
709 _self_die if $@; 815 _self_die if $@;
710} 816}
711 817
712sub spawn(@) { 818sub spawn(@) {
713 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 819 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
714 820
715 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 821 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
716 822
717 $_[0] =~ /::/ 823 $_[0] =~ /::/
718 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";
719 825
720 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) 826 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
721 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]);
722 827
723 "$noderef#$id" 828 "$nodeid#$id"
724} 829}
725 830
831
832=item after $timeout, @msg
833
834=item after $timeout, $callback
835
836Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the
837specified number of seconds.
838
839This is simply a utility function that comes in handy at times - the
840AnyEvent::MP author is not convinced of the wisdom of having it, though,
841so it may go away in the future.
842
843=cut
844
845sub after($@) {
846 my ($timeout, @action) = @_;
847
848 my $t; $t = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
849 undef $t;
850 ref $action[0]
851 ? $action[0]()
852 : snd @action;
853 };
854}
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
726=back 910=back
727 911
728=head1 NODE MESSAGES 912=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
729 913
730Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take 914AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
731arguments called C<@reply>, which will simply be used to compose a reply 915be mirrored asynchronously on all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one
732message - C<$reply[0]> is the port to reply to, C<$reply[1]> the type and 916of the global nodes for their needs. Every node has a "local database"
733the remaining arguments are simply the message data. 917which contains all the values that are set locally. All local databases
918are merged together to form the global database, which can be queried.
734 919
735While other messages exist, they are not public and subject to change. 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.:
736 923
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
737=over 4 972=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.
738 1008
739=cut 1009=cut
740 1010
741=item lookup => $name, @reply 1011sub db_reg($$;$) {
1012 my $family = shift;
1013 my $port = @_ ? shift : $SELF;
742 1014
743Replies with the port ID of the specified well-known port, or C<undef>. 1015 my $clr = sub { db_del $family => $port };
1016 mon $port, $clr;
744 1017
745=item devnull => ... 1018 db_set $family => $port => $_[0];
746 1019
747Generic data sink/CPU heat conversion. 1020 defined wantarray
1021 and &Guard::guard ($clr)
1022}
748 1023
749=item relay => $port, @msg 1024=item db_family $family => $cb->(\%familyhash)
750 1025
751Simply forwards the message to the given port. 1026Queries the named database C<$family> and call the callback with the
1027family represented as a hash. You can keep and freely modify the hash.
752 1028
753=item eval => $string[ @reply] 1029=item db_keys $family => $cb->(\@keys)
754 1030
755Evaluates the given string. If C<@reply> is given, then a message of the 1031Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<subkeys> and passes
756form C<@reply, $@, @evalres> is sent. 1032them as array reference to the callback.
757 1033
758Example: crash another node. 1034=item db_values $family => $cb->(\@values)
759 1035
760 snd $othernode, eval => "exit"; 1036Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<values> and passes them
1037as array reference to the callback.
761 1038
762=item time => @reply 1039=item $guard = db_mon $family => $cb->($familyhash, \@added, \@changed, \@deleted)
763 1040
764Replies the the current node time to C<@reply>. 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.
765 1046
766Example: tell the current node to send the current time to C<$myport> in a 1047If not called in void context, a guard object is returned that, when
767C<timereply> message. 1048destroyed, stops the monitor.
768 1049
769 snd $NODE, time => $myport, timereply => 1, 2; 1050The family hash reference and the key arrays belong to AnyEvent::MP and
770 # => snd $myport, timereply => 1, 2, <time> 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
771 1091
772=back 1092=back
773 1093
774=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 1094=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
775 1095
776AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 1096AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
777== 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
778programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 1098programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
779sample: 1099sample:
780 1100
781 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 1101 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
782 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
783 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
784 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
785 1105
786Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 1106Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
787 1107
788=over 4 1108=over 4
789 1109
790=item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them. 1110=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
791 1111
792Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the 1112Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
793same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with 1113way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
794convenience functionality. 1114configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
1115will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
795 1116
796This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the 1117=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
797cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead. 1118uses "local ports are like remote ports".
1119
1120The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
1121only) then for remote ports - when a local port dies, you I<know> it dies,
1122when a connection to another node dies, you know nothing about the other
1123port.
1124
1125Erlang pretends remote ports are as reliable as local ports, even when
1126they are not.
1127
1128AEMP encourages a "treat remote ports differently" philosophy, with local
1129ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
1130occur.
798 1131
799=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 1132=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
800 1133
801Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 1134Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
802needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 1135therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
803purpose. 1136no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
1137of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
1138filter messages without dequeuing them.
804 1139
805(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.
806 1145
807=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1146=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
808 1147
809Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 1148Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
810sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 1149a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
811background. 1150need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
1151establishment is handled in the background.
812 1152
813=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 1153=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
814 1154
815Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1155Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
816without 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,
817and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1157b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
818 1158
819AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 1159AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
1160guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
1161same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
820holes in the message sequence. 1162no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
821 1163
822=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 1164If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
823alive. 1165corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
824 1166simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
825In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and 1167link goes down.
826linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
827still alive - and can receive messages.
828
829In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
830eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
831and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
832 1168
833=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.
834 1170
835In Erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 1171In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
836ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 1172process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
837messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1173causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1174process.
838 1175
839AEMP 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
840around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1177around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
841 1178
842=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1179=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
843authentication and can use TLS. 1180authentication and can use TLS.
844 1181
845AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and 1182AEMP can use a proven protocol - TLS - to protect connections and
846securely authenticate nodes. 1183securely authenticate nodes.
847 1184
848=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
849communications. 1186communications.
850 1187
851The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both 1188The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
852language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1189language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
853language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 1190language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
1191used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
854 1192
855It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1193It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
856with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 1194with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
857protocol simple. 1195protocol simple.
858 1196
859=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1197=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
860 1198
861In 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
862or 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
863difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1201difficult to implement.
864Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1202
865on 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.
866 1205
867=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1206=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
868 1207
869Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, 1208Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
870as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1209same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
871 1210
872In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports 1211In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
873that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port 1212that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
874on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor 1213on the remote node. The init function monitors you, and you monitor the
875the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much 1214remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much more
876more reliable. 1215reliable (no need for C<spawn_link>).
877 1216
878This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port 1217This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
879(hard to do in Erlang). 1218(hard to do in Erlang).
880 1219
881=back 1220=back
882 1221
883=head1 RATIONALE 1222=head1 RATIONALE
884 1223
885=over 4 1224=over 4
886 1225
887=item Why strings for ports and noderefs, why not objects? 1226=item Why strings for port and node IDs, why not objects?
888 1227
889We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods 1228We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
890thatc an be called are very low. Since port IDs and noderefs travel over 1229that can be called are quite low. Since port and node IDs travel over
891the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of 1230the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
892overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object. 1231overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
893 1232
894Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1233Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
895procedures to be "valid". 1234procedures to be "valid".
896 1235
897And a a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a global hash - it 1236And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
898can't become much cheaper. 1237code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
899 1238
900=item Why favour JSON, why not real serialising format such as Storable? 1239=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
901 1240
902In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1241In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
903format, 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
904default. 1243default (although all nodes will accept it).
905 1244
906The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times 1245The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
907faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of 1246faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
908experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems 1247experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
909than it gains: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel 1248than it solves: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
910easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you 1249easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
911always have to re-think your design. 1250always have to re-think your design.
912 1251
913Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than 1252Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
914objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient. 1253objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
915 1254
916=back 1255=back
917 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 (nodes without binds) are gone.
1325
1326And are not coming back, at least not in their old form. If no C<binds>
1327are specified for a node, AnyEvent::MP now assumes a default of C<*:*>.
1328
1329There are vague plans to implement some form of routing domains, which
1330might or might not bring back listener-less nodes, but don't count on it.
1331
1332The fact that most connections are now optional somewhat mitigates this,
1333as a node can be effectively unreachable from the outside without any
1334problems, as long as it isn't a global node and only reaches out to other
1335nodes (as opposed to being contacted from other nodes).
1336
1337=item $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::WARN has gone.
1338
1339AnyEvent has acquired a logging framework (L<AnyEvent::Log>), and AEMP now
1340uses this, and so should your programs.
1341
1342Every module now documents what kinds of messages it generates, with
1343AnyEvent::MP acting as a catch all.
1344
1345On the positive side, this means that instead of setting
1346C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MP_WARNLEVEL>, you can get away by setting C<AE_VERBOSE>,
1347much less to type.
1348
1349=back
1350
918=head1 SEE ALSO 1351=head1 SEE ALSO
1352
1353L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
1354
1355L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
1356
1357L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
1358your applications.
1359
1360L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1361
1362L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1363all nodes.
919 1364
920L<AnyEvent>. 1365L<AnyEvent>.
921 1366
922=head1 AUTHOR 1367=head1 AUTHOR
923 1368

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