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Revision 1.37 by root, Fri Aug 7 16:47:23 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.153 by root, Sat Nov 2 01:30:49 2019 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent::MP - multi-processing/message-passing framework 3AnyEvent::MP - erlang-style multi-processing/message-passing framework
4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 use AnyEvent::MP; 7 use AnyEvent::MP;
8 8
9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef 9 $NODE # contains this node's node ID
10 NODE # returns this node's noderef 10 NODE # returns this node's node ID
11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port
12 11
12 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
13
14 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages
15 configure;
16
17 # ports are message destinations
18
19 # sending messages
13 snd $port, type => data...; 20 snd $port, type => data...;
21 snd $port, @msg;
22 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
14 23
15 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks 24 # creating/using ports, the simple way
25 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_ };
16 26
17 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->($port, @msg); 27 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
18 28 my $port = port;
19 # examples:
20 rcv $port2, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 29 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong" };
21 rcv $port1, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
22 snd $port2, ping => $port1;
23 31
24 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module) 32 # create a port on another node
25 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ... 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
26 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3 34
35 # destroy a port again
36 kil $port; # "normal" kill
37 kil $port, my_error => "everything is broken"; # error kill
27 38
28 # monitoring 39 # monitoring
29 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 40 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
30 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 41 mon $port, $localport # kill localport on abnormal death
31 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 };
51
52 # distributed database - modification
53 db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value] # add a subkey
54 db_del $family => $subkey... # delete one or more subkeys
55 db_reg $family => $port [=> $value] # register a port
56
57 # distributed database - queries
58 db_family $family => $cb->(\%familyhash)
59 db_keys $family => $cb->(\@keys)
60 db_values $family => $cb->(\@values)
61
62 # distributed database - monitoring a family
63 db_mon $family => $cb->(\%familyhash, \@added, \@changed, \@deleted)
32 64
33=head1 DESCRIPTION 65=head1 DESCRIPTION
34 66
35This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 67This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
36 68
37Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 69Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
38on the same or other hosts. 70on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
39 71
40For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> 72For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro>
41manual page. 73manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
42
43At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented,
44so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
45stay tuned! The basic API should be finished, however.
46 74
47=head1 CONCEPTS 75=head1 CONCEPTS
48 76
49=over 4 77=over 4
50 78
51=item port 79=item port
52 80
53A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 81Not to be confused with a TCP port, a "port" is something you can send
82messages to (with the C<snd> function).
54 83
55Some ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match specific 84Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
56messages. All C<rcv> handlers will receive messages they match, messages 85some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
57will not be queued. 86anything was listening for them or not.
58 87
88Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
89
59=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 90=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
60 91
61A port id is normaly the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 92A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>)
62separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 93as separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified
63exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node 94format created by AnyEvent::MP).
64reference.
65 95
66=item node 96=item node
67 97
68A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node 98A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
69port. You can send messages to node ports to find existing ports or to 99which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
70create new ports, among other things. 100ports.
71 101
72Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a 102Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
73master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes). 103(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
104currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
74 105
75=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> 106Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
76 107
77A node reference is a string that either simply identifies the node (for 108=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
78private and slave nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given
79node (for public nodes).
80 109
81This recipe is simply a comma-separated list of C<address:port> pairs (for 110A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
82TCP/IP, other protocols might look different). 111network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
112hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
113doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
83 114
84Node references come in two flavours: resolved (containing only numerical 115=item binds - C<ip:port>
85addresses) or unresolved (where hostnames are used instead of addresses).
86 116
87Before using an unresolved node reference in a message you first have to 117Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to
88resolve it. 118each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
119endpoints - binds.
120
121Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
122specify TCP ports to listen on. So a bind is basically just a tcp socket
123in listening mode that accepts connections from other nodes.
124
125=item seed nodes
126
127When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network it is in - it
128needs to connect to at least one other node that is already in the
129network. These other nodes are called "seed nodes".
130
131Seed nodes themselves are not special - they are seed nodes only because
132some other node I<uses> them as such, but any node can be used as seed
133node for other nodes, and eahc node can use a different set of seed nodes.
134
135In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
136maintain the network - all nodes using the same seed node are part of the
137same network. If a network is split into multiple subnets because e.g. the
138network link between the parts goes down, then using the same seed nodes
139for all nodes ensures that eventually the subnets get merged again.
140
141Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node
142should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a
143seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else.
144
145For small networks, it's best if every node uses the same set of seed
146nodes. For large networks, it can be useful to specify "regional" seed
147nodes for most nodes in an area, and use all seed nodes as seed nodes for
148each other. What's important is that all seed nodes connections form a
149complete graph, so that the network cannot split into separate subnets
150forever.
151
152Seed nodes are represented by seed IDs.
153
154=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
155
156Seed IDs are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
157TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
158
159=item global nodes
160
161An AEMP network needs a discovery service - nodes need to know how to
162connect to other nodes they only know by name. In addition, AEMP offers a
163distributed "group database", which maps group names to a list of strings
164- for example, to register worker ports.
165
166A network needs at least one global node to work, and allows every node to
167be a global node.
168
169Any node that loads the L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module becomes a global
170node and tries to keep connections to all other nodes. So while it can
171make sense to make every node "global" in small networks, it usually makes
172sense to only make seed nodes into global nodes in large networks (nodes
173keep connections to seed nodes and global nodes, so making them the same
174reduces overhead).
89 175
90=back 176=back
91 177
92=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 178=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
93 179
95 181
96=cut 182=cut
97 183
98package AnyEvent::MP; 184package AnyEvent::MP;
99 185
186use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
100use AnyEvent::MP::Base; 187use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
188use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(
189 %NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID
190 add_node load_func
191
192 NODE $NODE
193 configure
194 node_of port_is_local
195 snd kil
196 db_set db_del
197 db_mon db_family db_keys db_values
198);
101 199
102use common::sense; 200use common::sense;
103 201
104use Carp (); 202use Carp ();
105 203
106use AE (); 204use AnyEvent ();
205use Guard ();
107 206
108use base "Exporter"; 207use base "Exporter";
109 208
110our $VERSION = '0.1'; 209our $VERSION = '2.02'; # also in MP/Config.pm
210
111our @EXPORT = qw( 211our @EXPORT = qw(
112 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 212 configure
113 resolve_node initialise_node 213
114 snd rcv mon kil reg psub 214 NODE $NODE
115 port 215 *SELF
216
217 node_of port_is_local
218
219 snd kil
220 port rcv mon mon_guard psub peval spawn cal
221 db_set db_del db_reg
222 db_mon db_family db_keys db_values
223
224 after
116); 225);
117 226
118our $SELF; 227our $SELF;
119 228
120sub _self_die() { 229sub _self_die() {
123 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 232 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
124} 233}
125 234
126=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 235=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
127 236
128The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains 237The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
129the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call 238ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
130to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port 239a call to C<configure>.
131identifiers become invalid.
132 240
133=item $noderef = node_of $port 241=item $nodeid = node_of $port
134 242
135Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. 243Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
136 244
137=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode... 245=item $is_local = port_is_local $port
138 246
139=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master... 247Returns true iff the port is a local port.
140 248
249=item configure $profile, key => value...
250
251=item configure key => value...
252
141Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise 253Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
142itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally 254"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
143it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network. 255to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
256some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
144 257
145This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 258This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
146never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 259never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
147 260
148All arguments are noderefs, which can be either resolved or unresolved. 261The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
149 262F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with these additions:
150There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
151 263
152=over 4 264=over 4
153 265
154=item public nodes 266=item norc => $boolean (default false)
155 267
156For public nodes, C<$noderef> must either be a (possibly unresolved) 268If true, then the rc file (e.g. F<~/.perl-anyevent-mp>) will I<not>
157noderef, in which case it will be resolved, or C<undef> (or missing), in 269be consulted - all configuration options must be specified in the
158which case the noderef will be guessed. 270C<configure> call.
159 271
160Afterwards, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to connect 272=item force => $boolean (default false)
161to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are optional
162and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing network.
163 273
164=item slave nodes 274IF true, then the values specified in the C<configure> will take
165 275precedence over any values configured via the rc file. The default is for
166When the C<$noderef> is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will 276the rc file to override any options specified in the program.
167become a slave node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will
168route most of their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
169
170At least one additional noderef is required: The node will try to connect
171to all of them and will become a slave attached to the first node it can
172successfully connect to.
173 277
174=back 278=back
175 279
176This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave
177nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master
178server.
179
180Example: become a public node listening on the default node.
181
182 initialise_node;
183
184Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master
185servers to become part of the network.
186
187 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2";
188
189Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>.
190
191 initialise_node 4041;
192
193Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
194
195 initialise_node "locahost:4044";
196
197Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers.
198
199 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
200
201=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
202
203Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
204abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
205reference.
206
207In addition to C<address:port> pairs allowed in resolved noderefs, the
208following forms are supported:
209
210=over 4 280=over 4
211 281
212=item the empty string 282=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
213 283
214An empty-string component gets resolved as if the default port (4040) was 284The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
215specified. 285L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
286named C<profile> parameter or can simply be the first parameter). If it is
287missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
216 288
217=item naked port numbers (e.g. C<1234>) 289The profile data is then gathered as follows:
218 290
219These are resolved by prepending the local nodename and a colon, to be 291First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
220further resolved. 292undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
293data. Then they will be overwritten by any values specified in the global
294default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of
295profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes).
221 296
222=item hostnames (e.g. C<localhost:1234>, C<localhost>) 297That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
298and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
299and can only be used to specify defaults.
223 300
224These are resolved by using AnyEvent::DNS to resolve them, optionally 301If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
225looking up SRV records for the C<aemp=4040> port, if no port was 302this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID, with
226specified. 303a unique randoms tring (C</%u>) appended.
304
305The node ID can contain some C<%> sequences that are expanded: C<%n>
306is expanded to the local nodename, C<%u> is replaced by a random
307strign to make the node unique. For example, the F<aemp> commandline
308utility uses C<aemp/%n/%u> as nodename, which might expand to
309C<aemp/cerebro/ZQDGSIkRhEZQDGSIkRhE>.
310
311=item step 2, bind listener sockets
312
313The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
314aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
315to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted from the
316outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no
317binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes).
318
319If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is
320used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
321local IP address it finds.
322
323=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
324
325As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
326L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
327connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
227 328
228=back 329=back
330
331Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
332This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
333
334 configure
335
336Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
337commandline clients.
338
339 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
340
341Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
342for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
343customary for aemp).
344
345 # use the aemp commandline utility
346 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
347
348 # then use it
349 configure profile => "seed";
350
351 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
352 # aemp run profile seed
353
354 # or provide a nicer-to-remember nodeid
355 # aemp run profile seed nodeid "$(hostname)"
229 356
230=item $SELF 357=item $SELF
231 358
232Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 359Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
233blocks. 360blocks.
234 361
235=item SELF, %SELF, @SELF... 362=item *SELF, SELF, %SELF, @SELF...
236 363
237Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 364Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
238just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 365just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols named C<SELF> are exported by this
239module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 366module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
240 367
241=item snd $port, type => @data 368=item snd $port, type => @data
242 369
243=item snd $port, @msg 370=item snd $port, @msg
244 371
245Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 372Send the given message to the given port, which can identify either a
246a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat 373local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
247stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :).
248 374
249While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a 375While the message can be almost anything, it is highly recommended to
250string as first element (a portid, or some word that indicates a request 376use a string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a
251type etc.). 377request type etc.) and to consist if only simple perl values (scalars,
378arrays, hashes) - if you think you need to pass an object, think again.
252 379
253The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this 380The message data logically becomes read-only after a call to this
254function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many 381function: modifying any argument (or values referenced by them) is
255problems. 382forbidden, as there can be considerable time between the call to C<snd>
383and the time the message is actually being serialised - in fact, it might
384never be copied as within the same process it is simply handed to the
385receiving port.
256 386
257The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when 387The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when
258JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 388JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
259of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 389of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
260that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 390that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
261node, anything can be passed. 391node, anything can be passed. Best rely only on the common denominator of
392these.
262 393
263=item $local_port = port 394=item $local_port = port
264 395
265Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern 396Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
266matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"), 397no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
267depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object.
268 398
269=item $port = port { my @msg = @_; $finished } 399=item $local_port = port { my @msg = @_ }
270 400
271Creates a "miniport", that is, a very lightweight port without any pattern 401Creates a new local port, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as
272matching behind it, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as creating
273a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it. 402creating a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
274 403
275The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the 404The block will be called for every message received on the port, with the
276callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port 405global variable C<$SELF> set to the port ID. Runtime errors will cause the
277will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive. 406port to be C<kil>ed. The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument
407(i.e. no port ID) will be passed to the callback.
278 408
279The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will 409If you want to stop/destroy the port, simply C<kil> it:
280be passed to the callback.
281 410
282If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely: 411 my $port = port {
283 412 my @msg = @_;
284 my $port; $port = port { 413 ...
285 snd $otherport, reply => $port; 414 kil $SELF;
286 }; 415 };
287 416
288=cut 417=cut
289 418
290sub rcv($@); 419sub rcv($@);
291 420
421my $KILME = sub {
422 (my $tag = substr $_[0], 0, 30) =~ s/([^\x20-\x7e])/./g;
423 kil $SELF, unhandled_message => "no callback found for message '$tag'";
424};
425
292sub port(;&) { 426sub port(;&) {
293 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 427 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
294 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 428 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
295 429
296 if (@_) {
297 rcv $port, shift; 430 rcv $port, shift || $KILME;
298 } else {
299 $PORT{$id} = sub { }; # nop
300 }
301 431
302 $port 432 $port
303} 433}
304 434
305=item reg $port, $name
306
307=item reg $name
308
309Registers the given port (or C<$SELF><<< if missing) under the name
310C<$name>. If the name already exists it is replaced.
311
312A port can only be registered under one well known name.
313
314A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
315
316=cut
317
318sub reg(@) {
319 my $port = @_ > 1 ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'reg: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
320
321 $REG{$_[0]} = $port;
322}
323
324=item rcv $port, $callback->(@msg) 435=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
325 436
326Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (after converting it to 437Replaces the default callback on the specified port. There is no way to
327one if required). 438remove the default callback: use C<sub { }> to disable it, or better
328 439C<kil> the port when it is no longer needed.
329=item rcv $port, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
330
331=item rcv $port, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
332
333=item rcv $port, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
334
335Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full
336port (after converting it to one if required) and return the port.
337
338The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
339which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
340registered.
341 440
342The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 441The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
343executing the callback. 442executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
443result in the port being C<kil>ed.
344 444
345Runtime errors wdurign callback execution will result in the port being 445The default callback receives all messages not matched by a more specific
346C<kil>ed. 446C<tag> match.
347 447
348If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the 448=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
349first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
350matched.
351 449
352Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function 450Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the
353exported by this module) matches any single element of the message. 451given tag on the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when
452C<$callback> is C<$undef> or missing). There can only be one callback
453registered for each tag.
354 454
355While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching 455The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first
356element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is 456element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same
357also the most efficient match (by far). 457environment as the default callback (see above).
358 458
359Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go. 459Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
360 460
361 my $port = rcv port, 461 my $port = rcv port,
362 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 462 msg1 => sub { ... },
363 msg2 => sub { ...; 0 }, 463 msg2 => sub { ... },
364 ; 464 ;
365 465
366Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere 466Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
367in one go: 467in one go:
368 468
369 snd $otherport, reply => 469 snd $otherport, reply =>
370 rcv port, 470 rcv port,
371 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 471 msg1 => sub { ... },
372 ... 472 ...
373 ; 473 ;
374 474
475Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
476(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
477
478 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
479 my @reply = @_;
480
481 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
482 };
483
375=cut 484=cut
376 485
377sub rcv($@) { 486sub rcv($@) {
378 my $port = shift; 487 my $port = shift;
379 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 488 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
380 489
381 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""} 490 $nodeid eq $NODE
382 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 491 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
383 492
384 if (@_ == 1) { 493 while (@_) {
494 if (ref $_[0]) {
495 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
496 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
497 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
498
499 $self->[0] = shift;
500 } else {
385 my $cb = shift; 501 my $cb = shift;
386 delete $PORT_DATA{$portid};
387 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 502 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
388 local $SELF = $port; 503 local $SELF = $port;
389 eval { 504 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
390 &$cb 505 };
391 and kil $port;
392 }; 506 }
393 _self_die if $@; 507 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
394 };
395 } else {
396 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 508 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
397 my $self = bless { 509 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
398 id => $port,
399 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
400 510
401 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 511 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
402 local $SELF = $port; 512 local $SELF = $port;
403 513
404 eval {
405 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) { 514 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
406 $_ && &{$_->[0]} 515 shift;
407 && undef $_; 516 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
408 } 517 } else {
409
410 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
411 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
412 && &{$_->[0]} 518 &{ $self->[0] };
413 && undef $_;
414 }
415
416 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
417 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
418 && &{$_->[0]}
419 && undef $_;
420 } 519 }
421 }; 520 };
422 _self_die if $@; 521
522 $self
423 }; 523 };
424 524
425 $self
426 };
427
428 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 525 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
429 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 526 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
430 527
431 while (@_) {
432 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; 528 my ($tag, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
433 529
434 if (!ref $match) { 530 if (defined $cb) {
435 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb]; 531 $self->[1]{$tag} = $cb;
436 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) {
437 my ($type, @match) = @$match;
438 @match
439 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match]
440 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb];
441 } else { 532 } else {
442 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match]; 533 delete $self->[1]{$tag};
443 } 534 }
444 } 535 }
445 } 536 }
446 537
447 $port 538 $port
448} 539}
449 540
541=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
542
543Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the context of C<$port>, that is,
544when the code throws an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
545
546Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
547be returned to the caller.
548
549This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
550a port.
551
552Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
553
554 my $port = port { ... };
555
556 peval $port, sub {
557 init
558 or die "unable to init";
559 };
560
561=cut
562
563sub peval($$) {
564 local $SELF = shift;
565 my $cb = shift;
566
567 if (wantarray) {
568 my @res = eval { &$cb };
569 _self_die if $@;
570 @res
571 } else {
572 my $res = eval { &$cb };
573 _self_die if $@;
574 $res
575 }
576}
577
450=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 578=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
451 579
452Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 580Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
453closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 581closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
454callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 582callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
583
584The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
585BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
455 586
456This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 587This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
457 588
458 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 589 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
459 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 590 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
483 $res 614 $res
484 } 615 }
485 } 616 }
486} 617}
487 618
488=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) 619=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport # kill $rcvport when $port dies
489 620
490=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport 621=item $guard = mon $port # kill $SELF when $port dies
491 622
492=item $guard = mon $port 623=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) # call $cb when $port dies
493 624
494=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg 625=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg # send a message when $port dies
495 626
496Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed, and 627Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
497optionally return a guard that can be used to stop monitoring again. 628messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
629to stop monitoring again.
498 630
631The first two forms distinguish between "normal" and "abnormal" kil's:
632
633In the first form (another port given), if the C<$port> is C<kil>'ed with
634a non-empty reason, the other port (C<$rcvport>) will be kil'ed with the
635same reason. That is, on "normal" kil's nothing happens, while under all
636other conditions, the other port is killed with the same reason.
637
638The second form (kill self) is the same as the first form, except that
639C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
640
641The remaining forms don't distinguish between "normal" and "abnormal" kil's
642- it's up to the callback or receiver to check whether the C<@reason> is
643empty and act accordingly.
644
499In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 645In the third form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
500number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 646number of C<@reason> elements (empty @reason means that the port was deleted
501"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 647"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
502C<eval> if unsure. 648C<eval> if unsure.
503 649
504In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport)
505will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
506"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
507port is killed with the same reason.
508
509The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
510C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
511
512In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be 650In the last form (message), a message of the form C<$rcvport, @msg,
513C<snd>. 651@reason> will be C<snd>.
514 652
653Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
654alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again, even if it
655turns out that the port is still alive.
656
515As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from 657As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a remote
516a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get 658port locally (using a local C<$rcvport> or a callback). The reason is that
517lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that 659kill messages might get lost, just like any other message. Another less
518even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection 660obvious reason is that even monitoring requests can get lost (for example,
519to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally 661when the connection to the other node goes down permanently). When
520these problems do not exist. 662monitoring a port locally these problems do not exist.
663
664C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
665after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
666arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
667loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
668the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
669port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
670delivered again.
671
672Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
673used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
674relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
675non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
676
677This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
678stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
679to ensure some maximum latency.
521 680
522Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 681Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
523 682
524 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 683 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
525 684
532 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 691 mon $port, $self => "restart";
533 692
534=cut 693=cut
535 694
536sub mon { 695sub mon {
537 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 696 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
538 697
539 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 698 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
540 699
541 my $cb = @_ ? $_[0] : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 700 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
542 701
543 unless (ref $cb) { 702 unless (ref $cb) {
544 if (@_) { 703 if (@_) {
545 # send a kill info message 704 # send a kill info message
546 my (@msg) = @_; 705 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_);
547 $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ }; 706 $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ };
548 } else { 707 } else {
549 # simply kill other port 708 # simply kill other port
550 my $port = $cb; 709 my $port = $cb;
551 $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ }; 710 $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ };
553 } 712 }
554 713
555 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 714 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
556 715
557 defined wantarray 716 defined wantarray
558 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 717 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
559} 718}
560 719
561=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 720=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
562 721
563Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 722Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
564is killed, the references will be freed. 723is killed, the references will be freed.
565 724
566Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring. 725Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
567 726
568This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and 727This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
569want to free them when the port gets killed: 728want to free them when the port gets killed (note the use of C<psub>):
570 729
571 $port->rcv (start => sub { 730 $port->rcv (start => sub {
572 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub { 731 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, psub {
573 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand; 732 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
574 }); 733 });
575 }); 734 });
576 735
577=cut 736=cut
586 745
587=item kil $port[, @reason] 746=item kil $port[, @reason]
588 747
589Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 748Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
590 749
591If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 750If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
592ports will not be kileld, or even notified). 751monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
752(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
593 753
594Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 754If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
595C<mon>, see below). 755form) get killed with the same reason.
596 756
597Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 757Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
598will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 758will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
599 759
600Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 760Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
601$message >>. 761$message >>.
602 762
763Common idioms:
764
765 # silently remove yourself, do not kill linked ports
766 kil $SELF;
767
768 # report a failure in some detail
769 kil $SELF, failure_mode_1 => "it failed with too high temperature";
770
771 # do not waste much time with killing, just die when something goes wrong
772 open my $fh, "<file"
773 or die "file: $!";
774
775=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
776
777Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
778case it's the node where that port resides).
779
780The port ID of the newly created port is returned immediately, and it is
781possible to immediately start sending messages or to monitor the port.
782
783After the port has been created, the init function is called on the remote
784node, in the same context as a C<rcv> callback. This function must be a
785fully-qualified function name (e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To
786specify a function in the main program, use C<::name>.
787
788If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
789the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
790C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
791exists or it runs out of package names.
792
793The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
794object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
795call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
796the port might not get created.
797
798A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
799port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
800local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
801when there is a problem.
802
803C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
804caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
805called for the local node).
806
807Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
808
809 # this node, executed from within a port context:
810 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
811 mon $server;
812
813 # init function on C<$othernode>
814 sub connect {
815 my ($srcport) = @_;
816
817 mon $srcport;
818
819 rcv $SELF, sub {
820 ...
821 };
822 }
823
824=cut
825
826sub _spawn {
827 my $port = shift;
828 my $init = shift;
829
830 # rcv will create the actual port
831 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
832 eval {
833 &{ load_func $init }
834 };
835 _self_die if $@;
836}
837
838sub spawn(@) {
839 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
840
841 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
842
843 $_[0] =~ /::/
844 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
845
846 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
847
848 "$nodeid#$id"
849}
850
851
852=item after $timeout, @msg
853
854=item after $timeout, $callback
855
856Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the
857specified number of seconds.
858
859This is simply a utility function that comes in handy at times - the
860AnyEvent::MP author is not convinced of the wisdom of having it, though,
861so it may go away in the future.
862
863=cut
864
865sub after($@) {
866 my ($timeout, @action) = @_;
867
868 my $t; $t = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
869 undef $t;
870 ref $action[0]
871 ? $action[0]()
872 : snd @action;
873 };
874}
875
876#=item $cb2 = timeout $seconds, $cb[, @args]
877
878=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
879
880A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
881given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
882
883The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
884the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
885
886A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
887
888If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
889then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
890elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
891
892If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
893monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
894
895Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
896might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
897this is indeed useful for something.
898
899=cut
900
901sub cal(@) {
902 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
903 my $cb = pop;
904
905 my $port = port {
906 undef $timeout;
907 kil $SELF;
908 &$cb;
909 };
910
911 if (defined $timeout) {
912 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
913 undef $timeout;
914 kil $port;
915 $cb->();
916 };
917 } else {
918 mon $_[0], sub {
919 kil $port;
920 $cb->();
921 };
922 }
923
924 push @_, $port;
925 &snd;
926
927 $port
928}
929
603=back 930=back
604 931
605=head1 NODE MESSAGES 932=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
606 933
607Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take 934AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
608arguments called C<@reply>, which will simply be used to compose a reply 935be mirrored asynchronously on all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one
609message - C<$reply[0]> is the port to reply to, C<$reply[1]> the type and 936of the global nodes for their needs. Every node has a "local database"
610the remaining arguments are simply the message data. 937which contains all the values that are set locally. All local databases
938are merged together to form the global database, which can be queried.
611 939
612While other messages exist, they are not public and subject to change. 940The database structure is that of a two-level hash - the database hash
941contains hashes which contain values, similarly to a perl hash of hashes,
942i.e.:
613 943
944 $DATABASE{$family}{$subkey} = $value
945
946The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
947is called "subkey" or simply "key".
948
949The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
950of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
951pretty much like Perl module names.
952
953As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
954with the name of the application or module using it.
955
956The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions.
957
958The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
959work as well (such as C<undef>, arrays and hashes).
960
961Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey
962combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
963but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
964different values on different nodes.
965
966Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes
967without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker
968pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this:
969
970 db_set my_image_scalers => $port;
971
972And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the
973C<my_image_scalers> keys from time to time:
974
975 db_keys my_image_scalers => sub {
976 @ports = @{ $_[0] };
977 };
978
979Or better yet, they want to monitor the database family, so they always
980have a reasonable up-to-date copy:
981
982 db_mon my_image_scalers => sub {
983 @ports = keys %{ $_[0] };
984 };
985
986In general, you can set or delete single subkeys, but query and monitor
987whole families only.
988
989If you feel the need to monitor or query a single subkey, try giving it
990it's own family.
991
614=over 4 992=over
993
994=item $guard = db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
995
996Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
997C<undef> is used instead.
998
999When called in non-void context, C<db_set> returns a guard that
1000automatically calls C<db_del> when it is destroyed.
1001
1002=item db_del $family => $subkey...
1003
1004Deletes one or more subkeys from the database family.
1005
1006=item $guard = db_reg $family => $port => $value
1007
1008=item $guard = db_reg $family => $port
1009
1010=item $guard = db_reg $family
1011
1012Registers a port in the given family and optionally returns a guard to
1013remove it.
1014
1015This function basically does the same as:
1016
1017 db_set $family => $port => $value
1018
1019Except that the port is monitored and automatically removed from the
1020database family when it is kil'ed.
1021
1022If C<$value> is missing, C<undef> is used. If C<$port> is missing, then
1023C<$SELF> is used.
1024
1025This function is most useful to register a port in some port group (which
1026is just another name for a database family), and have it removed when the
1027port is gone. This works best when the port is a local port.
615 1028
616=cut 1029=cut
617 1030
618=item lookup => $name, @reply 1031sub db_reg($$;$) {
1032 my $family = shift;
1033 my $port = @_ ? shift : $SELF;
619 1034
620Replies with the port ID of the specified well-known port, or C<undef>. 1035 my $clr = sub { db_del $family => $port };
1036 mon $port, $clr;
621 1037
622=item devnull => ... 1038 db_set $family => $port => $_[0];
623 1039
624Generic data sink/CPU heat conversion. 1040 defined wantarray
1041 and &Guard::guard ($clr)
1042}
625 1043
626=item relay => $port, @msg 1044=item db_family $family => $cb->(\%familyhash)
627 1045
628Simply forwards the message to the given port. 1046Queries the named database C<$family> and call the callback with the
1047family represented as a hash. You can keep and freely modify the hash.
629 1048
630=item eval => $string[ @reply] 1049=item db_keys $family => $cb->(\@keys)
631 1050
632Evaluates the given string. If C<@reply> is given, then a message of the 1051Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<subkeys> and passes
633form C<@reply, $@, @evalres> is sent. 1052them as array reference to the callback.
634 1053
635Example: crash another node. 1054=item db_values $family => $cb->(\@values)
636 1055
637 snd $othernode, eval => "exit"; 1056Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<values> and passes them
1057as array reference to the callback.
638 1058
639=item time => @reply 1059=item $guard = db_mon $family => $cb->(\%familyhash, \@added, \@changed, \@deleted)
640 1060
641Replies the the current node time to C<@reply>. 1061Creates a monitor on the given database family. Each time a key is
1062set or is deleted the callback is called with a hash containing the
1063database family and three lists of added, changed and deleted subkeys,
1064respectively. If no keys have changed then the array reference might be
1065C<undef> or even missing.
642 1066
643Example: tell the current node to send the current time to C<$myport> in a 1067If not called in void context, a guard object is returned that, when
644C<timereply> message. 1068destroyed, stops the monitor.
645 1069
646 snd $NODE, time => $myport, timereply => 1, 2; 1070The family hash reference and the key arrays belong to AnyEvent::MP and
647 # => snd $myport, timereply => 1, 2, <time> 1071B<must not be modified or stored> by the callback. When in doubt, make a
1072copy.
1073
1074As soon as possible after the monitoring starts, the callback will be
1075called with the intiial contents of the family, even if it is empty,
1076i.e. there will always be a timely call to the callback with the current
1077contents.
1078
1079It is possible that the callback is called with a change event even though
1080the subkey is already present and the value has not changed.
1081
1082The monitoring stops when the guard object is destroyed.
1083
1084Example: on every change to the family "mygroup", print out all keys.
1085
1086 my $guard = db_mon mygroup => sub {
1087 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1088 print "mygroup members: ", (join " ", keys %$family), "\n";
1089 };
1090
1091Exmaple: wait until the family "My::Module::workers" is non-empty.
1092
1093 my $guard; $guard = db_mon My::Module::workers => sub {
1094 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1095 return unless %$family;
1096 undef $guard;
1097 print "My::Module::workers now nonempty\n";
1098 };
1099
1100Example: print all changes to the family "AnyEvent::Fantasy::Module".
1101
1102 my $guard = db_mon AnyEvent::Fantasy::Module => sub {
1103 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1104
1105 print "+$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$a;
1106 print "*$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$c;
1107 print "-$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$d;
1108 };
1109
1110=cut
648 1111
649=back 1112=back
650 1113
651=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 1114=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
652 1115
653AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 1116AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
654== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 1117== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
655programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 1118programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
656sample: 1119sample:
657 1120
658 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 1121 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
659 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 1122 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
660 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 1123 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
661 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 1124 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
662 1125
663Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 1126Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
664 1127
665=over 4 1128=over 4
666 1129
667=item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them. 1130=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
668 1131
669Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the 1132Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
670same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with 1133way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
671convenience functionality. 1134configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
1135will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
672 1136
673This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the 1137=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
674cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead. 1138uses "local ports are like remote ports".
1139
1140The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
1141only) then for remote ports - when a local port dies, you I<know> it dies,
1142when a connection to another node dies, you know nothing about the other
1143port.
1144
1145Erlang pretends remote ports are as reliable as local ports, even when
1146they are not.
1147
1148AEMP encourages a "treat remote ports differently" philosophy, with local
1149ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
1150occur.
675 1151
676=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 1152=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
677 1153
678Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 1154Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
679needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 1155therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
680purpose. 1156no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
1157of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
1158filter messages without dequeuing them.
681 1159
682(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 1160This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
1161being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
1162
1163You can have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
1164top of AEMP and Coro threads.
683 1165
684=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1166=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
685 1167
686Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 1168Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
687sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 1169a connection has been established and the message sent (and so does not
688background. 1170need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
1171establishment is handled in the background.
689 1172
690=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 1173=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
691 1174
692Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1175Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
693without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 1176lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
694and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1177b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
695 1178
696AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 1179AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
1180guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
1181same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
697holes in the message sequence. 1182no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
698 1183
699=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 1184If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
700alive. 1185corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
701 1186simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
702In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and 1187link goes down.
703linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
704still alive - and can receive messages.
705
706In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
707eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
708and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
709 1188
710=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1189=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
711 1190
712In Erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 1191In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
713ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 1192process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
714messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1193causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1194process.
715 1195
716AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1196AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
717around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1197around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
718 1198
719=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1199=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
720authentication and can use TLS. 1200authentication and can use TLS.
721 1201
722AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and 1202AEMP can use a proven protocol - TLS - to protect connections and
723securely authenticate nodes. 1203securely authenticate nodes.
724 1204
725=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1205=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
726communications. 1206communications.
727 1207
728The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both 1208The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
729language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1209language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
730language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 1210language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
1211used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
731 1212
732It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1213It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
733with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 1214with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
734protocol simple. 1215protocol simple.
735 1216
736=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1217=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
737 1218
738In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1219In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
739or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1220I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
740difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1221difficult to implement.
741Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1222
742on a per-process basis. 1223Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1224between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
743 1225
744=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1226=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
745 1227
746Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, 1228Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
747as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1229same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
748 1230
749In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports 1231In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
750that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port 1232that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
751on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor 1233on the remote node. The init function monitors you, and you monitor the
752the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much 1234remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much more
753more reliable. 1235reliable (no need for C<spawn_link>).
754 1236
755This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port 1237This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
756(hard to do in Erlang). 1238(hard to do in Erlang).
757 1239
758=back 1240=back
759 1241
1242=head1 RATIONALE
1243
1244=over 4
1245
1246=item Why strings for port and node IDs, why not objects?
1247
1248We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
1249that can be called are quite low. Since port and node IDs travel over
1250the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
1251overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
1252
1253Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
1254procedures to be "valid".
1255
1256And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
1257code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
1258
1259=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
1260
1261In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
1262format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
1263default (although all nodes will accept it).
1264
1265The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
1266faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
1267experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
1268than it solves: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
1269easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
1270always have to re-think your design.
1271
1272Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
1273objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
1274
1275=back
1276
1277=head1 PORTING FROM AnyEvent::MP VERSION 1.X
1278
1279AEMP version 2 has a few major incompatible changes compared to version 1:
1280
1281=over 4
1282
1283=item AnyEvent::MP::Global no longer has group management functions.
1284
1285At least not officially - the grp_* functions are still exported and might
1286work, but they will be removed in some later release.
1287
1288AnyEvent::MP now comes with a distributed database that is more
1289powerful. Its database families map closely to port groups, but the API
1290has changed (the functions are also now exported by AnyEvent::MP). Here is
1291a rough porting guide:
1292
1293 grp_reg $group, $port # old
1294 db_reg $group, $port # new
1295
1296 $list = grp_get $group # old
1297 db_keys $group, sub { my $list = shift } # new
1298
1299 grp_mon $group, $cb->(\@ports, $add, $del) # old
1300 db_mon $group, $cb->(\%ports, $add, $change, $del) # new
1301
1302C<grp_reg> is a no-brainer (just replace by C<db_reg>), but C<grp_get> is
1303no longer instant, because the local node might not have a copy of the
1304group. You can either modify your code to allow for a callback, or use
1305C<db_mon> to keep an updated copy of the group:
1306
1307 my $local_group_copy;
1308 db_mon $group => sub { $local_group_copy = $_[0] };
1309
1310 # now "keys %$local_group_copy" always returns the most up-to-date
1311 # list of ports in the group.
1312
1313C<grp_mon> can be replaced by C<db_mon> with minor changes - C<db_mon>
1314passes a hash as first argument, and an extra C<$chg> argument that can be
1315ignored:
1316
1317 db_mon $group => sub {
1318 my ($ports, $add, $chg, $del) = @_;
1319 $ports = [keys %$ports];
1320
1321 # now $ports, $add and $del are the same as
1322 # were originally passed by grp_mon.
1323 ...
1324 };
1325
1326=item Nodes not longer connect to all other nodes.
1327
1328In AEMP 1.x, every node automatically loads the L<AnyEvent::MP::Global>
1329module, which in turn would create connections to all other nodes in the
1330network (helped by the seed nodes).
1331
1332In version 2.x, global nodes still connect to all other global nodes, but
1333other nodes don't - now every node either is a global node itself, or
1334attaches itself to another global node.
1335
1336If a node isn't a global node itself, then it attaches itself to one
1337of its seed nodes. If that seed node isn't a global node yet, it will
1338automatically be upgraded to a global node.
1339
1340So in many cases, nothing needs to be changed - one just has to make sure
1341that all seed nodes are meshed together with the other seed nodes (as with
1342AEMP 1.x), and other nodes specify them as seed nodes. This is most easily
1343achieved by specifying the same set of seed nodes for all nodes in the
1344network.
1345
1346Not opening a connection to every other node is usually an advantage,
1347except when you need the lower latency of an already established
1348connection. To ensure a node establishes a connection to another node,
1349you can monitor the node port (C<mon $node, ...>), which will attempt to
1350create the connection (and notify you when the connection fails).
1351
1352=item Listener-less nodes (nodes without binds) are gone.
1353
1354And are not coming back, at least not in their old form. If no C<binds>
1355are specified for a node, AnyEvent::MP assumes a default of C<*:*>.
1356
1357There are vague plans to implement some form of routing domains, which
1358might or might not bring back listener-less nodes, but don't count on it.
1359
1360The fact that most connections are now optional somewhat mitigates this,
1361as a node can be effectively unreachable from the outside without any
1362problems, as long as it isn't a global node and only reaches out to other
1363nodes (as opposed to being contacted from other nodes).
1364
1365=item $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::WARN has gone.
1366
1367AnyEvent has acquired a logging framework (L<AnyEvent::Log>), and AEMP now
1368uses this, and so should your programs.
1369
1370Every module now documents what kinds of messages it generates, with
1371AnyEvent::MP acting as a catch all.
1372
1373On the positive side, this means that instead of setting
1374C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MP_WARNLEVEL>, you can get away by setting C<AE_VERBOSE> -
1375much less to type.
1376
1377=back
1378
1379=head1 LOGGING
1380
1381AnyEvent::MP does not normally log anything by itself, but since it is the
1382root of the context hierarchy for AnyEvent::MP modules, it will receive
1383all log messages by submodules.
1384
760=head1 SEE ALSO 1385=head1 SEE ALSO
1386
1387L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
1388
1389L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
1390
1391L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
1392your applications.
1393
1394L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1395
1396L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1397all nodes.
761 1398
762L<AnyEvent>. 1399L<AnyEvent>.
763 1400
764=head1 AUTHOR 1401=head1 AUTHOR
765 1402

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