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Revision 1.61 by root, Mon Aug 24 08:06:49 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.139 by root, Thu Mar 22 20:07:31 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 ports, the simple way 24 # creating/using ports, the simple way
28 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; 25 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_ };
29 26
30 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching 27 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
31 my $port = port; 28 my $port = port;
32 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 29 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong" };
33 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
34 31
35 # create a port on another node 32 # create a port on another node
36 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
37 34
35 # destroy a port again
36 kil $port; # "normal" kill
37 kil $port, my_error => "everything is broken"; # error kill
38
38 # monitoring 39 # monitoring
39 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 40 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 41 mon $port, $localport # kill localport on abnormal death
41 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 };
42 51
43=head1 CURRENT STATUS 52=head1 CURRENT STATUS
44 53
54 bin/aemp - stable.
45 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work 55 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated 56 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
47 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - WIP
48 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable 57 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable API.
49 58 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API.
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
56Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 64Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
57on the same or other hosts. 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. 68manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
61
62At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented,
63so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
64stay tuned!
65 69
66=head1 CONCEPTS 70=head1 CONCEPTS
67 71
68=over 4 72=over 4
69 73
70=item port 74=item port
71 75
72A 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).
73 78
74Ports 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
75some messages. Messages will not be queued. 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
81anything was listening for them or not.
76 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
77=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
78 86
79A port ID is the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 87A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>)
80separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 88as separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified
81exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node 89format created by AnyEvent::MP).
82reference.
83 90
84=item node 91=item node
85 92
86A 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,
87which provides nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
88ports. 95ports.
89 96
90Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
91master 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.
92 100
93=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> 101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
94 102
95A node reference is a string that either simply identifies the node (for 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
96private and slave nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given
97node (for public nodes).
98 104
99This 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
100TCP/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.
101 109
102Node references come in two flavours: resolved (containing only numerical 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
103addresses) or unresolved (where hostnames are used instead of addresses).
104 111
105Before 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
106resolve 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).
107 170
108=back 171=back
109 172
110=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
111 174
113 176
114=cut 177=cut
115 178
116package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
117 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
118use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
119 184
120use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
121 186
122use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
123 188
124use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
125 191
126use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
127 193
128our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
129 195
130our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
131 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
132 resolve_node initialise_node 198 configure
133 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
134 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
202 db_mon db_family db_keys db_values
135); 203);
136 204
137our $SELF; 205our $SELF;
138 206
139sub _self_die() { 207sub _self_die() {
142 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 210 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
143} 211}
144 212
145=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 213=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
146 214
147The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains the 215The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
148noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call to 216ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
149C<initialise_node>. 217a call to C<configure>.
150 218
151=item $noderef = node_of $port 219=item $nodeid = node_of $port
152 220
153Extracts and returns the noderef from a port ID or a noderef. 221Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
154 222
155=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode... 223=item configure $profile, key => value...
156 224
157=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master... 225=item configure key => value...
158 226
159Before 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
160itself - 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
161it 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.
162 231
163This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 232This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
164never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 233never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
165 234
166All arguments (optionally except for the first) are noderefs, which can be 235The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
167either resolved or unresolved. 236F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with these additions:
168
169The first argument will be looked up in the configuration database first
170(if it is C<undef> then the current nodename will be used instead) to find
171the relevant configuration profile (see L<aemp>). If none is found then
172the default configuration is used. The configuration supplies additional
173seed/master nodes and can override the actual noderef.
174
175There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
176 237
177=over 4 238=over 4
178 239
179=item public nodes 240=item norc => $boolean (default false)
180 241
181For public nodes, C<$noderef> (supplied either directly to 242If true, then the rc file (e.g. F<~/.perl-anyevent-mp>) will I<not>
182C<initialise_node> or indirectly via a profile or the nodename) must be a 243be consulted - all configuraiton options must be specified in the
183noderef (possibly unresolved, in which case it will be resolved). 244C<configure> call.
184 245
185After resolving, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to 246=item force => $boolean (default false)
186connect to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are
187optional and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing
188network.
189 247
190=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.
191 251
192When the C<$noderef> (either as given or overriden by the config file) 252=item secure => $pass->(@msg)
193is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will become a slave
194node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will route most of
195their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
196 253
197At least one additional noderef is required (either by specifying it 254In addition to specifying a boolean, you can specify a code reference that
198directly or because it is part of the configuration profile): The node 255is called for every code execution attempt - the execution request is
199will try to connect to all of them and will become a slave attached to the 256granted iff the callback returns a true value.
200first node it can successfully connect to.
201 257
202Note that slave nodes cannot change their name, and consequently, their 258Most of the time the callback should look only at
203master, so if the master goes down, the slave node will not function well 259C<$AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::SRCNODE> to make a decision, and not at the
204anymore until it can re-establish conenciton to its master. This makes 260actual message (which can be about anything, and is mostly provided for
205slave nodes unsuitable for long-term nodes or fault-tolerant networks. 261diagnostic purposes).
262
263See F<semp setsecure> for more info.
206 264
207=back 265=back
208 266
209This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave
210nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master
211server.
212
213All the seednodes will also be specially marked to automatically retry
214connecting to them infinitely.
215
216Example: become a public node listening on the guessed noderef, or the one
217specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the most common
218form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
219
220 initialise_node;
221
222Example: become a slave node to any of the the seednodes specified via
223C<aemp>. This form is often used for commandline clients.
224
225 initialise_node "slave/";
226
227Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers. This
228form is also often used for commandline clients.
229
230 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
231
232Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master
233servers to become part of the network.
234
235 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2";
236
237Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>.
238
239 initialise_node 4041;
240
241Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
242
243 initialise_node "localhost:4044";
244
245=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
246
247Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
248abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
249reference.
250
251In addition to C<address:port> pairs allowed in resolved noderefs, the
252following forms are supported:
253
254=over 4 267=over 4
255 268
256=item the empty string 269=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
257 270
258An 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
259specified. 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.
260 275
261=item naked port numbers (e.g. C<1234>) 276The profile data is then gathered as follows:
262 277
263These are resolved by prepending the local nodename and a colon, to be 278First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
264further 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).
265 283
266=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.
267 287
268These 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
269looking 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
270specified. 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.
271 315
272=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)"
273 343
274=item $SELF 344=item $SELF
275 345
276Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 346Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
277blocks. 347blocks.
278 348
279=item SELF, %SELF, @SELF... 349=item *SELF, SELF, %SELF, @SELF...
280 350
281Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 351Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
282just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 352just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols named C<SELF> are exported by this
283module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 353module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
284 354
285=item snd $port, type => @data 355=item snd $port, type => @data
286 356
287=item snd $port, @msg 357=item snd $port, @msg
288 358
289Send 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
290a local or a remote port, and must be a port ID. 360local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
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 port ID, 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 $local_port = port
307 382
308Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has 383Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
309no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages. 384no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
328 403
329=cut 404=cut
330 405
331sub rcv($@); 406sub rcv($@);
332 407
333sub _kilme { 408my $KILME = sub {
334 die "received message on port without callback"; 409 (my $tag = substr $_[0], 0, 30) =~ s/([\x20-\x7e])/./g;
335} 410 kil $SELF, unhandled_message => "no callback found for message '$tag'";
411};
336 412
337sub port(;&) { 413sub port(;&) {
338 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 414 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
339 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 415 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
340 416
341 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 417 rcv $port, shift || $KILME;
342 418
343 $port 419 $port
344} 420}
345 421
346=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg) 422=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
351 427
352The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 428The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
353executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will 429executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
354result in the port being C<kil>ed. 430result in the port being C<kil>ed.
355 431
356The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific 432The default callback receives all messages not matched by a more specific
357C<tag> match. 433C<tag> match.
358 434
359=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ... 435=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
360 436
361Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the 437Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the
382 msg1 => sub { ... }, 458 msg1 => sub { ... },
383 ... 459 ...
384 ; 460 ;
385 461
386Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 462Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
387(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.
388 464
389 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 465 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
390 my @reply = @_; 466 my @reply = @_;
391 467
392 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 468 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
394 470
395=cut 471=cut
396 472
397sub rcv($@) { 473sub rcv($@) {
398 my $port = shift; 474 my $port = shift;
399 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 475 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
400 476
401 $NODE{$noderef} == $NODE{""} 477 $NODE{$nodeid} == $NODE{""}
402 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 478 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
403 479
404 while (@_) { 480 while (@_) {
405 if (ref $_[0]) { 481 if (ref $_[0]) {
406 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 482 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
407 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 483 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
408 or Carp::croak "$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";
409 485
410 $self->[2] = shift; 486 $self->[0] = shift;
411 } else { 487 } else {
412 my $cb = shift; 488 my $cb = shift;
413 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 489 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
414 local $SELF = $port; 490 local $SELF = $port;
415 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 491 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
416 }; 492 };
417 } 493 }
418 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 494 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
419 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 495 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
420 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 496 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
421 497
422 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 498 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
423 local $SELF = $port; 499 local $SELF = $port;
424 500
425 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 501 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
447 } 523 }
448 524
449 $port 525 $port
450} 526}
451 527
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
452=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 565=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
453 566
454Remembers 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
455closure 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>
456callbacks, 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 }, @_ } >>.
457 573
458This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 574This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
459 575
460 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 576 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
461 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 577 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
485 $res 601 $res
486 } 602 }
487 } 603 }
488} 604}
489 605
490=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) 606=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport # kill $rcvport when $port dies
491 607
492=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport 608=item $guard = mon $port # kill $SELF when $port dies
493 609
494=item $guard = mon $port 610=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) # call $cb when $port dies
495 611
496=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg 612=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg # send a message when $port dies
497 613
498Monitor 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
499messages 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
500to stop monitoring again. 616to stop monitoring again.
501 617
618The first two forms distinguish between "normal" and "abnormal" kil's:
619
620In the first form (another port given), if the C<$port> is C<kil>'ed with
621a non-empty reason, the other port (C<$rcvport>) will be kil'ed with the
622same reason. That is, on "normal" kil's nothing happens, while under all
623other conditions, the other port is killed with the same reason.
624
625The second form (kill self) is the same as the first form, except that
626C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
627
628The remaining forms don't distinguish between "normal" and "abnormal" kil's
629- it's up to the callback or receiver to check whether the C<@reason> is
630empty and act accordingly.
631
632In the third form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
633number of C<@reason> elements (empty @reason means that the port was deleted
634"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
635C<eval> if unsure.
636
637In the last form (message), a message of the form C<$rcvport, @msg,
638@reason> will be C<snd>.
639
640Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
641alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again, even if it
642turns out that the port is still alive.
643
644As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a remote
645port locally (using a local C<$rcvport> or a callback). The reason is that
646kill messages might get lost, just like any other message. Another less
647obvious reason is that even monitoring requests can get lost (for example,
648when the connection to the other node goes down permanently). When
649monitoring a port locally these problems do not exist.
650
502C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 651C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
503that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port 652after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
504will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible 653arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
505message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" 654loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
506(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 655the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
507port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 656port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
508delivered again. 657delivered again.
509 658
510Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once released, they are removed 659Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
511and will not trigger again. 660used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
661relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
662non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
512 663
513In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 664This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
514number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 665stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
515"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 666to ensure some maximum latency.
516C<eval> if unsure.
517
518In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
519will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
520"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
521port is killed with the same reason.
522
523The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
524C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
525
526In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
527C<snd>.
528
529As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
530a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
531lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
532even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection
533to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
534these problems do not exist.
535 667
536Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 668Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
537 669
538 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 670 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
539 671
546 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 678 mon $port, $self => "restart";
547 679
548=cut 680=cut
549 681
550sub mon { 682sub mon {
551 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 683 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
552 684
553 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 685 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
554 686
555 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 687 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
556 688
557 unless (ref $cb) { 689 unless (ref $cb) {
558 if (@_) { 690 if (@_) {
567 } 699 }
568 700
569 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 701 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
570 702
571 defined wantarray 703 defined wantarray
572 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 704 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
573} 705}
574 706
575=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 707=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
576 708
577Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 709Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
578is killed, the references will be freed. 710is killed, the references will be freed.
579 711
580Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring. 712Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
581 713
582This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and 714This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
583want to free them when the port gets killed: 715want to free them when the port gets killed (note the use of C<psub>):
584 716
585 $port->rcv (start => sub { 717 $port->rcv (start => sub {
586 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub { 718 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, psub {
587 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand; 719 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
588 }); 720 });
589 }); 721 });
590 722
591=cut 723=cut
600 732
601=item kil $port[, @reason] 733=item kil $port[, @reason]
602 734
603Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 735Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
604 736
605If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 737If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
606ports will not be kileld, or even notified). 738monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
739(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
607 740
608Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 741If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
609C<mon>, see below). 742form) get killed with the same reason.
610 743
611Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 744Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
612will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 745will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
613 746
614Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 747Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
615$message >>. 748$message >>.
616 749
617=cut 750Common idioms:
751
752 # silently remove yourself, do not kill linked ports
753 kil $SELF;
754
755 # report a failure in some detail
756 kil $SELF, failure_mode_1 => "it failed with too high temperature";
757
758 # do not waste much time with killing, just die when something goes wrong
759 open my $fh, "<file"
760 or die "file: $!";
618 761
619=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] 762=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
620 763
621Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which 764Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
622case it's the node where that port resides). 765case it's the node where that port resides).
623 766
624The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is 767The port ID of the newly created port is returned immediately, and it is
625permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port. 768possible to immediately start sending messages or to monitor the port.
626 769
627After the port has been created, the init function is 770After the port has been created, the init function is called on the remote
628called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name 771node, in the same context as a C<rcv> callback. This function must be a
629(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main 772fully-qualified function name (e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To
630program, use C<::name>. 773specify a function in the main program, use C<::name>.
631 774
632If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require> 775If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
633the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 776the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
634C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 777C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
635exists or it runs out of package names. 778exists or it runs out of package names.
636 779
637The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 780The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
638object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 781object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
782call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
783the port might not get created.
639 784
640A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and 785A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
641in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring 786port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
642ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem. 787local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
788when there is a problem.
789
790C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
791caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
792called for the local node).
643 793
644Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 794Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
645 795
646 # this node, executed from within a port context: 796 # this node, executed from within a port context:
647 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 797 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
662 812
663sub _spawn { 813sub _spawn {
664 my $port = shift; 814 my $port = shift;
665 my $init = shift; 815 my $init = shift;
666 816
817 # rcv will create the actual port
667 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 818 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
668 eval { 819 eval {
669 &{ load_func $init } 820 &{ load_func $init }
670 }; 821 };
671 _self_die if $@; 822 _self_die if $@;
672} 823}
673 824
674sub spawn(@) { 825sub spawn(@) {
675 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 826 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
676 827
677 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 828 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
678 829
679 $_[0] =~ /::/ 830 $_[0] =~ /::/
680 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 831 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
681 832
682 snd_to_func $noderef, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 833 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
683 834
684 "$noderef#$id" 835 "$nodeid#$id"
685} 836}
837
686 838
687=item after $timeout, @msg 839=item after $timeout, @msg
688 840
689=item after $timeout, $callback 841=item after $timeout, $callback
690 842
691Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the 843Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the
692specified number of seconds. 844specified number of seconds.
693 845
694This is simply a utility function that come sin handy at times. 846This is simply a utility function that comes in handy at times - the
847AnyEvent::MP author is not convinced of the wisdom of having it, though,
848so it may go away in the future.
695 849
696=cut 850=cut
697 851
698sub after($@) { 852sub after($@) {
699 my ($timeout, @action) = @_; 853 my ($timeout, @action) = @_;
704 ? $action[0]() 858 ? $action[0]()
705 : snd @action; 859 : snd @action;
706 }; 860 };
707} 861}
708 862
863#=item $cb2 = timeout $seconds, $cb[, @args]
864
865=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
866
867A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
868given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
869
870The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
871the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
872
873A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
874
875If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
876then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
877elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
878
879If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
880monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
881
882Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
883might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
884this is indeed useful for something.
885
886=cut
887
888sub cal(@) {
889 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
890 my $cb = pop;
891
892 my $port = port {
893 undef $timeout;
894 kil $SELF;
895 &$cb;
896 };
897
898 if (defined $timeout) {
899 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
900 undef $timeout;
901 kil $port;
902 $cb->();
903 };
904 } else {
905 mon $_[0], sub {
906 kil $port;
907 $cb->();
908 };
909 }
910
911 push @_, $port;
912 &snd;
913
914 $port
915}
916
917=back
918
919=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
920
921AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
922be mirrored asynchronously on all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one
923of the global nodes for their needs. Every node has a "local database"
924which contains all the values that are set locally. All local databases
925are merged together to form the global database, which can be queried.
926
927The database structure is that of a two-level hash - the database hash
928contains hashes which contain values, similarly to a perl hash of hashes,
929i.e.:
930
931 $DATABASE{$family}{$subkey} = $value
932
933The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
934is called "subkey" or simply "key".
935
936The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
937of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
938pretty much like Perl module names.
939
940As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
941with the name of the application or module using it.
942
943The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions.
944
945The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
946work as well (such as C<undef>, arrays and hashes).
947
948Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey
949combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
950but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
951different values on different nodes.
952
953Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes
954without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker
955pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this:
956
957 db_set my_image_scalers => $port;
958
959And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the
960C<my_image_scalers> keys from time to time:
961
962 db_keys my_image_scalers => sub {
963 @ports = @{ $_[0] };
964 };
965
966Or better yet, they want to monitor the database family, so they always
967have a reasonable up-to-date copy:
968
969 db_mon my_image_scalers => sub {
970 @ports = keys %{ $_[0] };
971 };
972
973In general, you can set or delete single subkeys, but query and monitor
974whole families only.
975
976If you feel the need to monitor or query a single subkey, try giving it
977it's own family.
978
979=over
980
981=item $guard = db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
982
983Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
984C<undef> is used instead.
985
986When called in non-void context, C<db_set> returns a guard that
987automatically calls C<db_del> when it is destroyed.
988
989=item db_del $family => $subkey...
990
991Deletes one or more subkeys from the database family.
992
993=item $guard = db_reg $family => $port => $value
994
995=item $guard = db_reg $family => $port
996
997=item $guard = db_reg $family
998
999Registers a port in the given family and optionally returns a guard to
1000remove it.
1001
1002This function basically does the same as:
1003
1004 db_set $family => $port => $value
1005
1006Except that the port is monitored and automatically removed from the
1007database family when it is kil'ed.
1008
1009If C<$value> is missing, C<undef> is used. If C<$port> is missing, then
1010C<$SELF> is used.
1011
1012This function is most useful to register a port in some port group (which
1013is just another name for a database family), and have it removed when the
1014port is gone. This works best when the port is a local port.
1015
1016=cut
1017
1018sub db_reg($$;$) {
1019 my $family = shift;
1020 my $port = @_ ? shift : $SELF;
1021
1022 my $clr = sub { db_del $family => $port };
1023 mon $port, $clr;
1024
1025 db_set $family => $port => $_[0];
1026
1027 defined wantarray
1028 and &Guard::guard ($clr)
1029}
1030
1031=item db_family $family => $cb->(\%familyhash)
1032
1033Queries the named database C<$family> and call the callback with the
1034family represented as a hash. You can keep and freely modify the hash.
1035
1036=item db_keys $family => $cb->(\@keys)
1037
1038Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<subkeys> and passes
1039them as array reference to the callback.
1040
1041=item db_values $family => $cb->(\@values)
1042
1043Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<values> and passes them
1044as array reference to the callback.
1045
1046=item $guard = db_mon $family => $cb->($familyhash, \@added, \@changed, \@deleted)
1047
1048Creates a monitor on the given database family. Each time a key is set
1049or or is deleted the callback is called with a hash containing the
1050database family and three lists of added, changed and deleted subkeys,
1051respectively. If no keys have changed then the array reference might be
1052C<undef> or even missing.
1053
1054If not called in void context, a guard object is returned that, when
1055destroyed, stops the monitor.
1056
1057The family hash reference and the key arrays belong to AnyEvent::MP and
1058B<must not be modified or stored> by the callback. When in doubt, make a
1059copy.
1060
1061As soon as possible after the monitoring starts, the callback will be
1062called with the intiial contents of the family, even if it is empty,
1063i.e. there will always be a timely call to the callback with the current
1064contents.
1065
1066It is possible that the callback is called with a change event even though
1067the subkey is already present and the value has not changed.
1068
1069The monitoring stops when the guard object is destroyed.
1070
1071Example: on every change to the family "mygroup", print out all keys.
1072
1073 my $guard = db_mon mygroup => sub {
1074 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1075 print "mygroup members: ", (join " ", keys %$family), "\n";
1076 };
1077
1078Exmaple: wait until the family "My::Module::workers" is non-empty.
1079
1080 my $guard; $guard = db_mon My::Module::workers => sub {
1081 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1082 return unless %$family;
1083 undef $guard;
1084 print "My::Module::workers now nonempty\n";
1085 };
1086
1087Example: print all changes to the family "AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module".
1088
1089 my $guard = db_mon AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module => sub {
1090 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1091
1092 print "+$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$a;
1093 print "*$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$c;
1094 print "-$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$d;
1095 };
1096
1097=cut
1098
709=back 1099=back
710 1100
711=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 1101=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
712 1102
713AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 1103AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
714== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 1104== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
715programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 1105programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
716sample: 1106sample:
717 1107
718 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 1108 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
719 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 1109 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
720 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 1110 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
721 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 1111 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
722 1112
723Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 1113Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
724 1114
725=over 4 1115=over 4
726 1116
727=item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them. 1117=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
728 1118
729Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the 1119Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
730same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with 1120way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
731convenience functionality. 1121configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
732 1122will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
733This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the
734cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead.
735 1123
736=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 1124=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
737uses "local ports are like remote ports". 1125uses "local ports are like remote ports".
738 1126
739The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 1127The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
748ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 1136ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
749occur. 1137occur.
750 1138
751=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 1139=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
752 1140
753Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 1141Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
754needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 1142therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
755useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 1143no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
756AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 1144of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
757filter messages without dequeing them. 1145filter messages without dequeuing them.
758 1146
759(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 1147This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
1148being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
1149
1150You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
1151top of AEMP and Coro threads.
760 1152
761=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1153=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
762 1154
763Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 1155Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
1156a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
764so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 1157need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
765connection establishment is handled in the background. 1158establishment is handled in the background.
766 1159
767=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 1160=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
768 1161
769Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1162Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
770without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 1163lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
771and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1164b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
772 1165
773AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 1166AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
1167guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
1168same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
774holes in the message sequence. 1169no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
775 1170
776=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 1171If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
777alive. 1172corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
778 1173simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
779In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and 1174link goes down.
780linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
781still alive - and can receive messages.
782
783In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
784eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
785and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
786 1175
787=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1176=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
788 1177
789In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 1178In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
790known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1179process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
791destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1180causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1181process.
792 1182
793AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1183AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
794around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1184around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
795 1185
796=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1186=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
797authentication and can use TLS. 1187authentication and can use TLS.
798 1188
799AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and 1189AEMP can use a proven protocol - TLS - to protect connections and
800securely authenticate nodes. 1190securely authenticate nodes.
801 1191
802=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1192=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
803communications. 1193communications.
804 1194
805The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both 1195The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
806language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1196language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
807language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 1197language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
1198used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
808 1199
809It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1200It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
810with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 1201with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
811protocol simple. 1202protocol simple.
812 1203
813=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1204=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
814 1205
815In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1206In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
816or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1207I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
817difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1208difficult to implement.
818Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1209
819on a per-process basis. 1210Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1211between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
820 1212
821=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1213=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
822 1214
823Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, 1215Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
824as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1216same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
825 1217
826In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports 1218In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
827that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port 1219that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
828on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor 1220on the remote node. The init function monitors you, and you monitor the
829the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much 1221remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much more
830more reliable. 1222reliable (no need for C<spawn_link>).
831 1223
832This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port 1224This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
833(hard to do in Erlang). 1225(hard to do in Erlang).
834 1226
835=back 1227=back
836 1228
837=head1 RATIONALE 1229=head1 RATIONALE
838 1230
839=over 4 1231=over 4
840 1232
841=item Why strings for ports and noderefs, why not objects? 1233=item Why strings for port and node IDs, why not objects?
842 1234
843We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods 1235We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
844thatc an be called are very low. Since port IDs and noderefs travel over 1236that can be called are quite low. Since port and node IDs travel over
845the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of 1237the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
846overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object. 1238overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
847 1239
848Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1240Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
849procedures to be "valid". 1241procedures to be "valid".
850 1242
851And a a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a global hash - it 1243And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
852can't become much cheaper. 1244code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
853 1245
854=item Why favour JSON, why not real serialising format such as Storable? 1246=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
855 1247
856In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1248In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
857format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1249format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
858default. 1250default (although all nodes will accept it).
859 1251
860The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times 1252The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
861faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of 1253faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
862experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems 1254experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
863than it gains: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel 1255than it solves: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
864easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you 1256easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
865always have to re-think your design. 1257always have to re-think your design.
866 1258
867Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than 1259Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
868objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient. 1260objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
869 1261
870=back 1262=back
871 1263
1264=head1 PORTING FROM AnyEvent::MP VERSION 1.X
1265
1266AEMP version 2 has a few major incompatible changes compared to version 1:
1267
1268=over 4
1269
1270=item AnyEvent::MP::Global no longer has group management functions.
1271
1272AnyEvent::MP now comes with a distributed database that is more
1273powerful. Its database families map closely to port groups, but the API
1274has changed (the functions are also now exported by AnyEvent::MP). Here is
1275a rough porting guide:
1276
1277 grp_reg $group, $port # old
1278 db_reg $group, $port # new
1279
1280 $list = grp_get $group # old
1281 db_keys $group, sub { my $list = shift } # new
1282
1283 grp_mon $group, $cb->(\@ports, $add, $del) # old
1284 db_mon $group, $cb->(\%ports, $add, $change, $del) # new
1285
1286C<grp_reg> is a no-brainer (just replace by C<db_reg>), but C<grp_get> is
1287no longer instant, because the local node might not have a copy of the
1288group. You can either modify your code to allow for a callback, or use
1289C<db_mon> to keep an updated copy of the group:
1290
1291 my $local_group_copy;
1292 db_mon $group => sub { $local_group_copy = $_[0] };
1293
1294 # now "keys %$local_group_copy" always returns the most up-to-date
1295 # list of ports in the group.
1296
1297C<grp_mon> can be replaced by C<db_mon> with minor changes - C<db_mon>
1298passes a hash as first argument, and an extra C<$chg> argument that can be
1299ignored:
1300
1301 db_mon $group => sub {
1302 my ($ports, $add, $chg, $lde) = @_;
1303 $ports = [keys %$ports];
1304
1305 # now $ports, $add and $del are the same as
1306 # were originally passed by grp_mon.
1307 ...
1308 };
1309
1310=item Nodes not longer connect to all other nodes.
1311
1312In AEMP 1.x, every node automatically loads the L<AnyEvent::MP::Global>
1313module, which in turn would create connections to all other nodes in the
1314network (helped by the seed nodes).
1315
1316In version 2.x, global nodes still connect to all other global nodes, but
1317other nodes don't - now every node either is a global node itself, or
1318attaches itself to another global node.
1319
1320If a node isn't a global node itself, then it attaches itself to one
1321of its seed nodes. If that seed node isn't a global node yet, it will
1322automatically be upgraded to a global node.
1323
1324So in many cases, nothing needs to be changed - one just has to make sure
1325that all seed nodes are meshed together with the other seed nodes (as with
1326AEMP 1.x), and other nodes specify them as seed nodes. This is most easily
1327achieved by specifying the same set of seed nodes for all nodes in the
1328network.
1329
1330Not opening a connection to every other node is usually an advantage,
1331except when you need the lower latency of an already established
1332connection. To ensure a node establishes a connection to another node,
1333you can monitor the node port (C<mon $node, ...>), which will attempt to
1334create the connection (and notify you when the connection fails).
1335
1336=item Listener-less nodes (nodes without binds) are gone.
1337
1338And are not coming back, at least not in their old form. If no C<binds>
1339are specified for a node, AnyEvent::MP assumes a default of C<*:*>.
1340
1341There are vague plans to implement some form of routing domains, which
1342might or might not bring back listener-less nodes, but don't count on it.
1343
1344The fact that most connections are now optional somewhat mitigates this,
1345as a node can be effectively unreachable from the outside without any
1346problems, as long as it isn't a global node and only reaches out to other
1347nodes (as opposed to being contacted from other nodes).
1348
1349=item $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::WARN has gone.
1350
1351AnyEvent has acquired a logging framework (L<AnyEvent::Log>), and AEMP now
1352uses this, and so should your programs.
1353
1354Every module now documents what kinds of messages it generates, with
1355AnyEvent::MP acting as a catch all.
1356
1357On the positive side, this means that instead of setting
1358C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MP_WARNLEVEL>, you can get away by setting C<AE_VERBOSE> -
1359much less to type.
1360
1361=back
1362
1363=head1 LOGGING
1364
1365AnyEvent::MP does not normally log anything by itself, but sinc eit is the
1366root of the contetx hierarchy for AnyEvent::MP modules, it will receive
1367all log messages by submodules.
1368
872=head1 SEE ALSO 1369=head1 SEE ALSO
1370
1371L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
1372
1373L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
1374
1375L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
1376your applications.
1377
1378L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1379
1380L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1381all nodes.
873 1382
874L<AnyEvent>. 1383L<AnyEvent>.
875 1384
876=head1 AUTHOR 1385=head1 AUTHOR
877 1386

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