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Revision 1.26 by root, Tue Aug 4 22:05:43 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.46 by root, Thu Aug 13 01:46:10 2009 UTC

8 8
9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef 9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef
10 NODE # returns this node's noderef 10 NODE # returns this node's noderef
11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port 11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port
12 12
13 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
14
15 # ports are message endpoints
16
17 # sending messages
13 snd $port, type => data...; 18 snd $port, type => data...;
19 snd $port, @msg;
20 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
14 21
15 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks 22 # miniports
23 my $miniport = port { my @msg = @_; 0 };
16 24
25 # full ports
26 my $port = port;
17 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->($port, @msg); 27 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->(@msg);
18
19 # examples:
20 rcv $port2, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 28 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 };
21 rcv $port1, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" }; 29 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 };
22 snd $port2, ping => $port1; 30
31 # remote ports
32 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
23 33
24 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module) 34 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module)
25 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ... 35 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ...
26 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3 36 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3
27 37
38 # monitoring
39 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
41 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
42
43=head1 CURRENT STATUS
44
45 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work
46 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated
47 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - WIP
48 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable
49
50 stay tuned.
51
28=head1 DESCRIPTION 52=head1 DESCRIPTION
29 53
30This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 54This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
31 55
32Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 56Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
35For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> 59For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro>
36manual page. 60manual page.
37 61
38At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented, 62At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented,
39so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace - 63so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
40stay tuned! The basic API should be finished, however. 64stay tuned!
41 65
42=head1 CONCEPTS 66=head1 CONCEPTS
43 67
44=over 4 68=over 4
45 69
46=item port 70=item port
47 71
48A port is something you can send messages to with the C<snd> function, and 72A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function).
49you can register C<rcv> handlers with. All C<rcv> handlers will receive 73
50messages they match, messages will not be queued. 74Some ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match specific
75messages. All C<rcv> handlers will receive messages they match, messages
76will not be queued.
51 77
52=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 78=item port id - C<noderef#portname>
53 79
54A port id is always the noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as separator, followed 80A port id is normaly the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as
55by a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). 81separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An
82exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node
83reference.
56 84
57=item node 85=item node
58 86
59A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node 87A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node
60port. You can send messages to node ports to let them create new ports, 88port. You can send messages to node ports to find existing ports or to
61among other things. 89create new ports, among other things.
62 90
63Initially, nodes are either private (single-process only) or hidden 91Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a
64(connected to a master node only). Only when they epxlicitly "become 92master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes).
65public" can you send them messages from unrelated other nodes.
66 93
67=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> 94=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id>
68 95
69A noderef is a string that either uniquely identifies a given node (for 96A node reference is a string that either simply identifies the node (for
70private and hidden nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given 97private and slave nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given
71node (for public nodes). 98node (for public nodes).
72 99
100This recipe is simply a comma-separated list of C<address:port> pairs (for
101TCP/IP, other protocols might look different).
102
103Node references come in two flavours: resolved (containing only numerical
104addresses) or unresolved (where hostnames are used instead of addresses).
105
106Before using an unresolved node reference in a message you first have to
107resolve it.
108
73=back 109=back
74 110
75=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 111=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
76 112
77=over 4 113=over 4
78 114
79=cut 115=cut
80 116
81package AnyEvent::MP; 117package AnyEvent::MP;
82 118
83use AnyEvent::MP::Base; 119use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
84 120
85use common::sense; 121use common::sense;
86 122
87use Carp (); 123use Carp ();
88 124
89use AE (); 125use AE ();
90 126
91use base "Exporter"; 127use base "Exporter";
92 128
93our $VERSION = '0.1'; 129our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION;
130
94our @EXPORT = qw( 131our @EXPORT = qw(
95 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 132 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_
96 become_slave become_public 133 resolve_node initialise_node
97 snd rcv mon kil reg psub 134 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn
98 port 135 port
99); 136);
100 137
101our $SELF; 138our $SELF;
102 139
111The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains 148The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains
112the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call 149the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call
113to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port 150to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port
114identifiers become invalid. 151identifiers become invalid.
115 152
116=item $noderef = node_of $portid 153=item $noderef = node_of $port
117 154
118Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. 155Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef.
156
157=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode...
158
159=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master...
160
161Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise
162itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally
163it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network.
164
165This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or
166never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
167
168All arguments are noderefs, which can be either resolved or unresolved.
169
170There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
171
172=over 4
173
174=item public nodes
175
176For public nodes, C<$noderef> must either be a (possibly unresolved)
177noderef, in which case it will be resolved, or C<undef> (or missing), in
178which case the noderef will be guessed.
179
180Afterwards, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to connect
181to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are optional
182and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing network.
183
184=item slave nodes
185
186When the C<$noderef> is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will
187become a slave node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will
188route most of their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
189
190At least one additional noderef is required: The node will try to connect
191to all of them and will become a slave attached to the first node it can
192successfully connect to.
193
194=back
195
196This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave
197nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master
198server.
199
200Example: become a public node listening on the default node.
201
202 initialise_node;
203
204Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master
205servers to become part of the network.
206
207 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2";
208
209Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>.
210
211 initialise_node 4041;
212
213Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
214
215 initialise_node "locahost:4044";
216
217Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers.
218
219 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
220
221=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
222
223Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
224abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
225reference.
226
227In addition to C<address:port> pairs allowed in resolved noderefs, the
228following forms are supported:
229
230=over 4
231
232=item the empty string
233
234An empty-string component gets resolved as if the default port (4040) was
235specified.
236
237=item naked port numbers (e.g. C<1234>)
238
239These are resolved by prepending the local nodename and a colon, to be
240further resolved.
241
242=item hostnames (e.g. C<localhost:1234>, C<localhost>)
243
244These are resolved by using AnyEvent::DNS to resolve them, optionally
245looking up SRV records for the C<aemp=4040> port, if no port was
246specified.
247
248=back
119 249
120=item $SELF 250=item $SELF
121 251
122Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 252Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
123blocks. 253blocks.
126 256
127Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 257Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
128just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 258just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this
129module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 259module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
130 260
131=item snd $portid, type => @data 261=item snd $port, type => @data
132 262
133=item snd $portid, @msg 263=item snd $port, @msg
134 264
135Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 265Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either
136a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat 266a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat
137stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :). 267stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :).
138 268
148JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 278JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
149of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 279of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
150that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 280that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
151node, anything can be passed. 281node, anything can be passed.
152 282
153=item kil $portid[, @reason]
154
155Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
156
157If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked
158ports will not be kileld, or even notified).
159
160Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of
161C<mon>, see below).
162
163Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
164will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
165
166Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
167$message >>.
168
169=item $guard = mon $portid, $cb->(@reason)
170
171=item $guard = mon $portid, $otherport
172
173=item $guard = mon $portid, $otherport, @msg
174
175Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed.
176
177In the first form, the callback is simply called with any number
178of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
179"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
180C<eval> if unsure.
181
182In the second form, the other port will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff
183a @reason was specified, i.e. on "normal" kils nothing happens, while
184under all other conditions, the other port is killed with the same reason.
185
186In the last form, a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be C<snd>.
187
188Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
189
190 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
191
192Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally.
193
194 mon $port, $self;
195
196Example: send us a restart message another C<$port> is killed.
197
198 mon $port, $self => "restart";
199
200=cut
201
202sub mon {
203 my ($noderef, $port, $cb) = ((split /#/, shift, 2), shift);
204
205 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef;
206
207 #TODO: ports must not be references
208 if (!ref $cb or "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $cb) {
209 if (@_) {
210 # send a kill info message
211 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_);
212 $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ };
213 } else {
214 # simply kill other port
215 my $port = $cb;
216 $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ };
217 }
218 }
219
220 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
221
222 defined wantarray
223 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) }
224}
225
226=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
227
228Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
229is killed, the references will be freed.
230
231Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
232
233This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
234want to free them when the port gets killed:
235
236 $port->rcv (start => sub {
237 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub {
238 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
239 });
240 });
241
242=cut
243
244sub mon_guard {
245 my ($port, @refs) = @_;
246
247 mon $port, sub { 0 && @refs }
248}
249
250=item lnk $port1, $port2
251
252Link two ports. This is simply a shorthand for:
253
254 mon $port1, $port2;
255 mon $port2, $port1;
256
257It means that if either one is killed abnormally, the other one gets
258killed as well.
259
260=item $local_port = port 283=item $local_port = port
261 284
262Create a new local port object that supports message matching. 285Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern
286matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"),
287depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object.
263 288
264=item $portid = port { my @msg = @_; $finished } 289=item $port = port { my @msg = @_; $finished }
265 290
266Creates a "mini port", that is, a very lightweight port without any 291Creates a "miniport", that is, a very lightweight port without any pattern
267pattern matching behind it, and returns its ID. 292matching behind it, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as creating
293a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
268 294
269The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the 295The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the
270callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port 296callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port
271will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive. 297will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive.
272 298
273The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will 299The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will
274be passed to the callback. 300be passed to the callback.
275 301
276If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely: 302If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely:
277 303
278 my $port; $port = miniport { 304 my $port; $port = port {
279 snd $otherport, reply => $port; 305 snd $otherport, reply => $port;
280 }; 306 };
281 307
282=cut 308=cut
309
310sub rcv($@);
283 311
284sub port(;&) { 312sub port(;&) {
285 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 313 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++;
286 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 314 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
287 315
288 if (@_) { 316 if (@_) {
317 rcv $port, shift;
318 } else {
319 $PORT{$id} = sub { }; # nop
320 }
321
322 $port
323}
324
325=item reg $port, $name
326
327=item reg $name
328
329Registers the given port (or C<$SELF><<< if missing) under the name
330C<$name>. If the name already exists it is replaced.
331
332A port can only be registered under one well known name.
333
334A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
335
336=cut
337
338sub reg(@) {
339 my $port = @_ > 1 ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'reg: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
340
341 $REG{$_[0]} = $port;
342}
343
344=item rcv $port, $callback->(@msg)
345
346Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (after converting it to
347one if required).
348
349=item rcv $port, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
350
351=item rcv $port, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
352
353=item rcv $port, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
354
355Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full
356port (after converting it to one if required) and return the port.
357
358The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
359which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
360registered.
361
362The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
363executing the callback.
364
365Runtime errors during callback execution will result in the port being
366C<kil>ed.
367
368If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the
369first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
370matched.
371
372Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function
373exported by this module) matches any single element of the message.
374
375While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching
376element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is
377also the most efficient match (by far).
378
379Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
380
381 my $port = rcv port,
382 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 },
383 msg2 => sub { ...; 0 },
384 ;
385
386Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
387in one go:
388
389 snd $otherport, reply =>
390 rcv port,
391 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 },
392 ...
393 ;
394
395=cut
396
397sub rcv($@) {
398 my $port = shift;
399 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
400
401 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""}
402 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
403
404 if (@_ == 1) {
289 my $cb = shift; 405 my $cb = shift;
406 delete $PORT_DATA{$portid};
290 $PORT{$id} = sub { 407 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
291 local $SELF = $port; 408 local $SELF = $port;
292 eval { 409 eval {
293 &$cb 410 &$cb
294 and kil $id; 411 and kil $port;
295 }; 412 };
296 _self_die if $@; 413 _self_die if $@;
297 }; 414 };
298 } else { 415 } else {
416 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
299 my $self = bless { 417 my $self = bless {
300 id => "$NODE#$id", 418 id => $port,
301 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 419 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
302 420
303 $PORT_DATA{$id} = $self;
304 $PORT{$id} = sub { 421 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
305 local $SELF = $port; 422 local $SELF = $port;
306 423
307 eval { 424 eval {
308 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) { 425 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) {
309 $_ && &{$_->[0]} 426 $_ && &{$_->[0]}
310 && undef $_; 427 && undef $_;
311 } 428 }
312 429
313 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) { 430 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
314 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1] 431 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
315 && &{$_->[0]} 432 && &{$_->[0]}
316 && undef $_; 433 && undef $_;
317 } 434 }
318 435
319 for (@{ $self->{any} }) { 436 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
320 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1] 437 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
321 && &{$_->[0]} 438 && &{$_->[0]}
322 && undef $_; 439 && undef $_;
440 }
323 } 441 };
442 _self_die if $@;
324 }; 443 };
325 _self_die if $@; 444
445 $self
326 }; 446 };
327 }
328 447
329 $port
330}
331
332=item reg $portid, $name
333
334Registers the given port under the name C<$name>. If the name already
335exists it is replaced.
336
337A port can only be registered under one well known name.
338
339A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
340
341=cut
342
343sub reg(@) {
344 my ($portid, $name) = @_;
345
346 $REG{$name} = $portid;
347}
348
349=item rcv $portid, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
350
351=item rcv $portid, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
352
353=item rcv $portid, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
354
355Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given port.
356
357The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
358which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
359registered.
360
361The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$portid> while
362executing the callback.
363
364Runtime errors wdurign callback execution will result in the port being
365C<kil>ed.
366
367If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the
368first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
369matched.
370
371Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function
372exported by this module) matches any single element of the message.
373
374While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching
375element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is
376also the most efficient match (by far).
377
378=cut
379
380sub rcv($@) {
381 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
382
383 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""}
384 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
385
386 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$port}
387 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
388
389 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 448 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
390 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 449 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
391 450
392 while (@_) { 451 while (@_) {
393 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; 452 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
394 453
395 if (!ref $match) { 454 if (!ref $match) {
396 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb]; 455 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb];
397 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) { 456 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) {
398 my ($type, @match) = @$match; 457 my ($type, @match) = @$match;
399 @match 458 @match
400 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match] 459 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match]
401 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb]; 460 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb];
402 } else { 461 } else {
403 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match]; 462 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match];
463 }
404 } 464 }
405 } 465 }
466
467 $port
406} 468}
407 469
408=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 470=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
409 471
410Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 472Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
441 $res 503 $res
442 } 504 }
443 } 505 }
444} 506}
445 507
446=back 508=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason)
447 509
448=head1 FUNCTIONS FOR NODES 510=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport
449 511
450=over 4 512=item $guard = mon $port
451 513
452=item become_public endpoint... 514=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg
453 515
454Tells the node to become a public node, i.e. reachable from other nodes. 516Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
517messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
518to stop monitoring again.
455 519
456If no arguments are given, or the first argument is C<undef>, then 520C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
457AnyEvent::MP tries to bind on port C<4040> on all IP addresses that the 521that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port
458local nodename resolves to. 522will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible
523message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between"
524(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
525port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
526delivered again.
459 527
460Otherwise the first argument must be an array-reference with transport 528In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
461endpoints ("ip:port", "hostname:port") or port numbers (in which case the 529number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
462local nodename is used as hostname). The endpoints are all resolved and 530"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
463will become the node reference. 531C<eval> if unsure.
464 532
533In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
534will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
535"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
536port is killed with the same reason.
537
538The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
539C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
540
541In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
542C<snd>.
543
544As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
545a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
546lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
547even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection
548to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
549these problems do not exist.
550
551Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
552
553 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
554
555Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally.
556
557 mon $port;
558
559Example: send us a restart message when another C<$port> is killed.
560
561 mon $port, $self => "restart";
562
465=cut 563=cut
564
565sub mon {
566 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
567
568 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef;
569
570 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
571
572 unless (ref $cb) {
573 if (@_) {
574 # send a kill info message
575 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_);
576 $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ };
577 } else {
578 # simply kill other port
579 my $port = $cb;
580 $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ };
581 }
582 }
583
584 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
585
586 defined wantarray
587 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) }
588}
589
590=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
591
592Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
593is killed, the references will be freed.
594
595Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
596
597This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
598want to free them when the port gets killed:
599
600 $port->rcv (start => sub {
601 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub {
602 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
603 });
604 });
605
606=cut
607
608sub mon_guard {
609 my ($port, @refs) = @_;
610
611 #TODO: mon-less form?
612
613 mon $port, sub { 0 && @refs }
614}
615
616=item kil $port[, @reason]
617
618Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
619
620If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked
621ports will not be kileld, or even notified).
622
623Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of
624C<mon>, see below).
625
626Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
627will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
628
629Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
630$message >>.
631
632=cut
633
634=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
635
636Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
637case it's the node where that port resides).
638
639The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is
640permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port.
641
642After the port has been created, the init function is
643called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name
644(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main
645program, use C<::name>.
646
647If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
648the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
649C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
650exists or it runs out of package names.
651
652The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
653object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments.
654
655A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and
656in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring
657ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem.
658
659Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
660
661 # this node, executed from within a port context:
662 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
663 mon $server;
664
665 # init function on C<$othernode>
666 sub connect {
667 my ($srcport) = @_;
668
669 mon $srcport;
670
671 rcv $SELF, sub {
672 ...
673 };
674 }
675
676=cut
677
678sub _spawn {
679 my $port = shift;
680 my $init = shift;
681
682 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
683 eval {
684 &{ load_func $init }
685 };
686 _self_die if $@;
687}
688
689sub spawn(@) {
690 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
691
692 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
693
694 $_[0] =~ /::/
695 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
696
697 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef)
698 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]);
699
700 "$noderef#$id"
701}
466 702
467=back 703=back
468 704
469=head1 NODE MESSAGES 705=head1 NODE MESSAGES
470 706
471Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take 707Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take
472arguments called C<@reply>, which will simply be used to compose a reply 708arguments called C<@reply>, which will simply be used to compose a reply
473message - C<$reply[0]> is the port to reply to, C<$reply[1]> the type and 709message - C<$reply[0]> is the port to reply to, C<$reply[1]> the type and
474the remaining arguments are simply the message data. 710the remaining arguments are simply the message data.
475 711
712While other messages exist, they are not public and subject to change.
713
476=over 4 714=over 4
477 715
478=cut 716=cut
479 717
480=item lookup => $name, @reply 718=item lookup => $name, @reply
510 748
511=back 749=back
512 750
513=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 751=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
514 752
515AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed erlang. Despite the 753AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
516similarities (erlang node == aemp node, erlang process == aemp port and so 754== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
755programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
756sample:
757
758 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
759 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
760 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
761 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
762
517on), there are also some important differences: 763Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
518 764
519=over 4 765=over 4
520 766
521=item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them. 767=item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them.
522 768
523Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the 769Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the
524same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with 770same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with
525convenience functionality. 771convenience functionality.
526 772
773This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the
774cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead.
775
527=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 776=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
528 777
529Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 778Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore
530needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 779needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful
531purpose. 780purpose.
532 781
533(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 782(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
534 783
535=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 784=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
536 785
537Sending messages in erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 786Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP
538sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 787sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the
539background. 788background.
540 789
541=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 790=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot.
542 791
545and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 794and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
546 795
547AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 796AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no
548holes in the message sequence. 797holes in the message sequence.
549 798
550=item * In erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 799=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be
551alive. 800alive.
552 801
553In erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and 802In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and
554linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is 803linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
555still alive - and can receive messages. 804still alive - and can receive messages.
556 805
557In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will 806In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
558eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead 807eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
559and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive. 808and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
560 809
561=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 810=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
562 811
563In erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 812In Erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process
564ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 813ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing
565messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 814messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process.
566 815
567AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 816AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
568around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 817around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
571authentication and can use TLS. 820authentication and can use TLS.
572 821
573AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and 822AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and
574securely authenticate nodes. 823securely authenticate nodes.
575 824
825=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
826communications.
827
828The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both
829language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary,
830language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable).
831
832It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
833with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the
834protocol simple.
835
836=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
837
838In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages
839or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is
840difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in
841Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback
842on a per-process basis.
843
844=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
845
846Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes,
847as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
848
849In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
850that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
851on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor
852the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much
853more reliable.
854
855This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
856(hard to do in Erlang).
857
858=back
859
860=head1 RATIONALE
861
862=over 4
863
864=item Why strings for ports and noderefs, why not objects?
865
866We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
867thatc an be called are very low. Since port IDs and noderefs travel over
868the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
869overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object.
870
871Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
872procedures to be "valid".
873
874=item Why favour JSON, why not real serialising format such as Storable?
875
876In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
877format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
878default.
879
880The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
881faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
882experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
883than it gains: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
884easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
885always have to re-think your design.
886
887Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
888objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
889
576=back 890=back
577 891
578=head1 SEE ALSO 892=head1 SEE ALSO
579 893
580L<AnyEvent>. 894L<AnyEvent>.

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