… | |
… | |
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 | # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages |
|
|
16 | initialise_node; |
|
|
17 | |
|
|
18 | # ports are message endpoints |
|
|
19 | |
|
|
20 | # sending messages |
13 | snd $port, type => data...; |
21 | snd $port, type => data...; |
|
|
22 | snd $port, @msg; |
|
|
23 | snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port; |
14 | |
24 | |
15 | $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks |
25 | # creating/using ports, the simple way |
|
|
26 | my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; |
16 | |
27 | |
17 | rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->($port, @msg); |
28 | # creating/using ports, tagged message matching |
18 | |
29 | my $port = port; |
19 | # examples: |
|
|
20 | rcv $port2, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; |
30 | rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; |
21 | rcv $port1, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" }; |
31 | rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; |
22 | snd $port2, ping => $port1; |
|
|
23 | |
32 | |
24 | # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module) |
33 | # create a port on another node |
25 | rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ... |
34 | my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; |
26 | rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3 |
|
|
27 | |
35 | |
28 | # monitoring |
36 | # monitoring |
29 | mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death |
37 | mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death |
30 | mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death |
38 | mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death |
31 | mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death |
39 | mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death |
32 | |
40 | |
|
|
41 | =head1 CURRENT STATUS |
|
|
42 | |
|
|
43 | AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work |
|
|
44 | AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated |
|
|
45 | AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable |
|
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46 | AnyEvent::MP::Global - mostly stable |
|
|
47 | AnyEvent::MP::Node - mostly stable, but internal anyways |
|
|
48 | AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable, but internal anyways |
|
|
49 | |
|
|
50 | stay tuned. |
|
|
51 | |
33 | =head1 DESCRIPTION |
52 | =head1 DESCRIPTION |
34 | |
53 | |
35 | This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. |
54 | This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. |
36 | |
55 | |
37 | Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running |
56 | Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running |
38 | on the same or other hosts. |
57 | on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely. |
39 | |
58 | |
40 | For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> |
59 | For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> |
41 | manual page. |
60 | manual page and the examples under F<eg/>. |
42 | |
61 | |
43 | At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented, |
62 | At the moment, this module family is a bit underdocumented. |
44 | so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace - |
|
|
45 | stay tuned! The basic API should be finished, however. |
|
|
46 | |
63 | |
47 | =head1 CONCEPTS |
64 | =head1 CONCEPTS |
48 | |
65 | |
49 | =over 4 |
66 | =over 4 |
50 | |
67 | |
51 | =item port |
68 | =item port |
52 | |
69 | |
53 | A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). |
70 | A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). |
54 | |
71 | |
55 | Some ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match specific |
72 | Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just |
56 | messages. All C<rcv> handlers will receive messages they match, messages |
73 | some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of |
57 | will not be queued. |
74 | anything was listening for them or not. |
58 | |
75 | |
59 | =item port id - C<noderef#portname> |
76 | =item port ID - C<nodeid#portname> |
60 | |
77 | |
61 | A port id is normaly the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as |
78 | A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) as |
62 | separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An |
79 | separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). |
63 | exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node |
|
|
64 | reference. |
|
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65 | |
80 | |
66 | =item node |
81 | =item node |
67 | |
82 | |
68 | A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node |
83 | A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port, |
69 | port. You can send messages to node ports to find existing ports or to |
84 | which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new |
70 | create new ports, among other things. |
85 | ports. |
71 | |
86 | |
72 | Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a |
87 | Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private |
73 | master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes). |
88 | (no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes |
|
|
89 | currently. |
74 | |
90 | |
75 | =item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> |
91 | =item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+> |
76 | |
92 | |
77 | A node reference is a string that either simply identifies the node (for |
93 | A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a |
78 | private and slave nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given |
94 | network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a |
79 | node (for public nodes). |
95 | hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself |
|
|
96 | doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. |
80 | |
97 | |
81 | This recipe is simply a comma-separated list of C<address:port> pairs (for |
98 | =item binds - C<ip:port> |
82 | TCP/IP, other protocols might look different). |
|
|
83 | |
99 | |
84 | Node references come in two flavours: resolved (containing only numerical |
100 | Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to |
85 | addresses) or unresolved (where hostnames are used instead of addresses). |
101 | each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport |
|
|
102 | endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can |
|
|
103 | be used, which specify TCP ports to listen on. |
86 | |
104 | |
87 | Before using an unresolved node reference in a message you first have to |
105 | =item seeds - C<host:port> |
88 | resolve it. |
106 | |
|
|
107 | When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node |
|
|
108 | about the network it first has to contact some other node within the |
|
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109 | network. This node is called a seed. |
|
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110 | |
|
|
111 | Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes |
|
|
112 | are expected to be long-running, and at least one of those should always |
|
|
113 | be available. When nodes run out of connections (e.g. due to a network |
|
|
114 | error), they try to re-establish connections to some seednodes again to |
|
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115 | join the network. |
|
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116 | |
|
|
117 | Apart from being sued for seeding, seednodes are not special in any way - |
|
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118 | every public node can be a seednode. |
89 | |
119 | |
90 | =back |
120 | =back |
91 | |
121 | |
92 | =head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS |
122 | =head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS |
93 | |
123 | |
… | |
… | |
95 | |
125 | |
96 | =cut |
126 | =cut |
97 | |
127 | |
98 | package AnyEvent::MP; |
128 | package AnyEvent::MP; |
99 | |
129 | |
100 | use AnyEvent::MP::Base; |
130 | use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; |
101 | |
131 | |
102 | use common::sense; |
132 | use common::sense; |
103 | |
133 | |
104 | use Carp (); |
134 | use Carp (); |
105 | |
135 | |
106 | use AE (); |
136 | use AE (); |
107 | |
137 | |
108 | use base "Exporter"; |
138 | use base "Exporter"; |
109 | |
139 | |
110 | our $VERSION = '0.1'; |
140 | our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; |
|
|
141 | |
111 | our @EXPORT = qw( |
142 | our @EXPORT = qw( |
112 | NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ |
143 | NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after |
113 | resolve_node initialise_node |
144 | initialise_node |
114 | snd rcv mon kil reg psub |
145 | snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn |
115 | port |
146 | port |
116 | ); |
147 | ); |
117 | |
148 | |
118 | our $SELF; |
149 | our $SELF; |
119 | |
150 | |
… | |
… | |
123 | kil $SELF, die => $msg; |
154 | kil $SELF, die => $msg; |
124 | } |
155 | } |
125 | |
156 | |
126 | =item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE |
157 | =item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE |
127 | |
158 | |
128 | The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains |
159 | The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node |
129 | the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call |
160 | ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by |
130 | to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port |
161 | a call to C<initialise_node>. |
131 | identifiers become invalid. |
|
|
132 | |
162 | |
133 | =item $noderef = node_of $port |
163 | =item $nodeid = node_of $port |
134 | |
164 | |
135 | Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. |
165 | Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID. |
136 | |
166 | |
137 | =item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode... |
167 | =item initialise_node $profile_name, key => value... |
138 | |
168 | |
139 | =item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master... |
|
|
140 | |
|
|
141 | Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise |
169 | Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter |
142 | itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally |
170 | "distributed mode") it has to initialise itself - the minimum a node needs |
143 | it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network. |
171 | to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of |
|
|
172 | some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. |
144 | |
173 | |
145 | This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or |
174 | This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or |
146 | never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. |
175 | never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. |
147 | |
176 | |
148 | All arguments are noderefs, which can be either resolved or unresolved. |
177 | The first argument is a profile name. If it is C<undef> or missing, then |
|
|
178 | the current nodename will be used instead (i.e. F<uname -n>). |
149 | |
179 | |
150 | There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes: |
180 | The function first looks up the profile in the aemp configuration (see the |
|
|
181 | L<aemp> commandline utility). the profile is calculated as follows: |
151 | |
182 | |
152 | =over 4 |
183 | First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conviniently |
|
|
184 | undocumented at the moment) will be used. Then they will be overwritten by |
|
|
185 | any values specified in the global default configuration (see the F<aemp> |
|
|
186 | utility), then the chain of profiles selected, if any. That means that |
|
|
187 | the values specified in the profile have highest priority and the values |
|
|
188 | specified via C<initialise_node> have lowest priority. |
153 | |
189 | |
154 | =item public nodes |
190 | If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of |
|
|
191 | this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The |
|
|
192 | special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID. |
155 | |
193 | |
156 | For public nodes, C<$noderef> must either be a (possibly unresolved) |
194 | The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding |
157 | noderef, in which case it will be resolved, or C<undef> (or missing), in |
195 | aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid |
158 | which case the noderef will be guessed. |
196 | to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the |
|
|
197 | outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no |
|
|
198 | binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes). |
159 | |
199 | |
160 | Afterwards, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to connect |
200 | If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is |
161 | to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are optional |
201 | used. |
162 | and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing network. |
|
|
163 | |
202 | |
164 | =item slave nodes |
203 | Lastly, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the |
|
|
204 | L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep |
|
|
205 | connectivity with at least on of those seed nodes at any point in time. |
165 | |
206 | |
166 | When the C<$noderef> is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will |
207 | Example: become a distributed node listening on the guessed noderef, or |
167 | become a slave node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will |
208 | the one specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the |
168 | route most of their traffic to the master node that they attach to. |
209 | most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. |
169 | |
|
|
170 | At least one additional noderef is required: The node will try to connect |
|
|
171 | to all of them and will become a slave attached to the first node it can |
|
|
172 | successfully connect to. |
|
|
173 | |
|
|
174 | =back |
|
|
175 | |
|
|
176 | This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave |
|
|
177 | nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master |
|
|
178 | server. |
|
|
179 | |
|
|
180 | Example: become a public node listening on the default node. |
|
|
181 | |
210 | |
182 | initialise_node; |
211 | initialise_node; |
183 | |
212 | |
184 | Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master |
213 | Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline |
185 | servers to become part of the network. |
214 | clients. |
186 | |
215 | |
187 | initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2"; |
|
|
188 | |
|
|
189 | Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>. |
|
|
190 | |
|
|
191 | initialise_node 4041; |
216 | initialise_node "anon/"; |
192 | |
217 | |
193 | Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044. |
218 | Example: become a distributed node. If there is no profile of the given |
|
|
219 | name, or no binds list was specified, resolve C<localhost:4044> and bind |
|
|
220 | on the resulting addresses. |
194 | |
221 | |
195 | initialise_node "locahost:4044"; |
222 | initialise_node "localhost:4044"; |
196 | |
|
|
197 | Example: 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 | |
|
|
203 | Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and |
|
|
204 | abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node |
|
|
205 | reference. |
|
|
206 | |
|
|
207 | In addition to C<address:port> pairs allowed in resolved noderefs, the |
|
|
208 | following forms are supported: |
|
|
209 | |
|
|
210 | =over 4 |
|
|
211 | |
|
|
212 | =item the empty string |
|
|
213 | |
|
|
214 | An empty-string component gets resolved as if the default port (4040) was |
|
|
215 | specified. |
|
|
216 | |
|
|
217 | =item naked port numbers (e.g. C<1234>) |
|
|
218 | |
|
|
219 | These are resolved by prepending the local nodename and a colon, to be |
|
|
220 | further resolved. |
|
|
221 | |
|
|
222 | =item hostnames (e.g. C<localhost:1234>, C<localhost>) |
|
|
223 | |
|
|
224 | These are resolved by using AnyEvent::DNS to resolve them, optionally |
|
|
225 | looking up SRV records for the C<aemp=4040> port, if no port was |
|
|
226 | specified. |
|
|
227 | |
|
|
228 | =back |
|
|
229 | |
223 | |
230 | =item $SELF |
224 | =item $SELF |
231 | |
225 | |
232 | Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> |
226 | Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> |
233 | blocks. |
227 | blocks. |
234 | |
228 | |
235 | =item SELF, %SELF, @SELF... |
229 | =item *SELF, SELF, %SELF, @SELF... |
236 | |
230 | |
237 | Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to |
231 | Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to |
238 | just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this |
232 | just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols named C<SELF> are exported by this |
239 | module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. |
233 | module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. |
240 | |
234 | |
241 | =item snd $port, type => @data |
235 | =item snd $port, type => @data |
242 | |
236 | |
243 | =item snd $port, @msg |
237 | =item snd $port, @msg |
244 | |
238 | |
245 | Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either |
239 | Send the given message to the given port, which can identify either a |
246 | a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat |
240 | local or a remote port, and must be a port ID. |
247 | stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :). |
|
|
248 | |
241 | |
249 | While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a |
242 | While the message can be almost anything, it is highly recommended to |
250 | string as first element (a portid, or some word that indicates a request |
243 | use a string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a |
251 | type etc.). |
244 | request type etc.) and to consist if only simple perl values (scalars, |
|
|
245 | arrays, hashes) - if you think you need to pass an object, think again. |
252 | |
246 | |
253 | The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this |
247 | The message data logically becomes read-only after a call to this |
254 | function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many |
248 | function: modifying any argument (or values referenced by them) is |
255 | problems. |
249 | forbidden, as there can be considerable time between the call to C<snd> |
|
|
250 | and the time the message is actually being serialised - in fact, it might |
|
|
251 | never be copied as within the same process it is simply handed to the |
|
|
252 | receiving port. |
256 | |
253 | |
257 | The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when |
254 | The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when |
258 | JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting |
255 | JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting |
259 | of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything |
256 | of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything |
260 | that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local |
257 | that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local |
261 | node, anything can be passed. |
258 | node, anything can be passed. Best rely only on the common denominator of |
|
|
259 | these. |
262 | |
260 | |
263 | =item $local_port = port |
261 | =item $local_port = port |
264 | |
262 | |
265 | Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern |
263 | Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has |
266 | matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"), |
264 | no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages. |
267 | depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object. |
|
|
268 | |
265 | |
269 | =item $port = port { my @msg = @_; $finished } |
266 | =item $local_port = port { my @msg = @_ } |
270 | |
267 | |
271 | Creates a "miniport", that is, a very lightweight port without any pattern |
268 | Creates a new local port, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as |
272 | matching behind it, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as creating |
|
|
273 | a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it. |
269 | creating a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it. |
274 | |
270 | |
275 | The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the |
271 | The block will be called for every message received on the port, with the |
276 | callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port |
272 | global variable C<$SELF> set to the port ID. Runtime errors will cause the |
277 | will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive. |
273 | port to be C<kil>ed. The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument |
|
|
274 | (i.e. no port ID) will be passed to the callback. |
278 | |
275 | |
279 | The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will |
276 | If you want to stop/destroy the port, simply C<kil> it: |
280 | be passed to the callback. |
|
|
281 | |
277 | |
282 | If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely: |
278 | my $port = port { |
283 | |
279 | my @msg = @_; |
284 | my $port; $port = port { |
280 | ... |
285 | snd $otherport, reply => $port; |
281 | kil $SELF; |
286 | }; |
282 | }; |
287 | |
283 | |
288 | =cut |
284 | =cut |
289 | |
285 | |
290 | sub rcv($@); |
286 | sub rcv($@); |
|
|
287 | |
|
|
288 | sub _kilme { |
|
|
289 | die "received message on port without callback"; |
|
|
290 | } |
291 | |
291 | |
292 | sub port(;&) { |
292 | sub port(;&) { |
293 | my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; |
293 | my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; |
294 | my $port = "$NODE#$id"; |
294 | my $port = "$NODE#$id"; |
295 | |
295 | |
296 | if (@_) { |
296 | rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; |
297 | rcv $port, shift; |
|
|
298 | } else { |
|
|
299 | $PORT{$id} = sub { }; # nop |
|
|
300 | } |
|
|
301 | |
297 | |
302 | $port |
298 | $port |
303 | } |
299 | } |
304 | |
300 | |
305 | =item reg $port, $name |
|
|
306 | |
|
|
307 | =item reg $name |
|
|
308 | |
|
|
309 | Registers the given port (or C<$SELF><<< if missing) under the name |
|
|
310 | C<$name>. If the name already exists it is replaced. |
|
|
311 | |
|
|
312 | A port can only be registered under one well known name. |
|
|
313 | |
|
|
314 | A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed. |
|
|
315 | |
|
|
316 | =cut |
|
|
317 | |
|
|
318 | sub 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) |
301 | =item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg) |
325 | |
302 | |
326 | Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (after converting it to |
303 | Replaces the default callback on the specified port. There is no way to |
327 | one if required). |
304 | remove the default callback: use C<sub { }> to disable it, or better |
328 | |
305 | C<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...] => $callback->(@msg), ... |
|
|
334 | |
|
|
335 | Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full |
|
|
336 | port (after converting it to one if required) and return the port. |
|
|
337 | |
|
|
338 | The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after |
|
|
339 | which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay |
|
|
340 | registered. |
|
|
341 | |
306 | |
342 | The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while |
307 | The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while |
343 | executing the callback. |
308 | executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will |
|
|
309 | result in the port being C<kil>ed. |
344 | |
310 | |
345 | Runtime errors wdurign callback execution will result in the port being |
311 | The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific |
346 | C<kil>ed. |
312 | C<tag> match. |
347 | |
313 | |
348 | If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the |
314 | =item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ... |
349 | first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being |
|
|
350 | matched. |
|
|
351 | |
315 | |
352 | Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function |
316 | Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the |
353 | exported by this module) matches any single element of the message. |
317 | given tag on the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when |
|
|
318 | C<$callback> is C<$undef> or missing). There can only be one callback |
|
|
319 | registered for each tag. |
354 | |
320 | |
355 | While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching |
321 | The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first |
356 | element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is |
322 | element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same |
357 | also the most efficient match (by far). |
323 | environment as the default callback (see above). |
358 | |
324 | |
359 | Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go. |
325 | Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go. |
360 | |
326 | |
361 | my $port = rcv port, |
327 | my $port = rcv port, |
362 | msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, |
328 | msg1 => sub { ... }, |
363 | msg2 => sub { ...; 0 }, |
329 | msg2 => sub { ... }, |
364 | ; |
330 | ; |
365 | |
331 | |
366 | Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere |
332 | Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere |
367 | in one go: |
333 | in one go: |
368 | |
334 | |
369 | snd $otherport, reply => |
335 | snd $otherport, reply => |
370 | rcv port, |
336 | rcv port, |
371 | msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, |
337 | msg1 => sub { ... }, |
372 | ... |
338 | ... |
373 | ; |
339 | ; |
|
|
340 | |
|
|
341 | Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port |
|
|
342 | (e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. |
|
|
343 | |
|
|
344 | rcv $port, $otherport => sub { |
|
|
345 | my @reply = @_; |
|
|
346 | |
|
|
347 | rcv $SELF, $otherport; |
|
|
348 | }; |
374 | |
349 | |
375 | =cut |
350 | =cut |
376 | |
351 | |
377 | sub rcv($@) { |
352 | sub rcv($@) { |
378 | my $port = shift; |
353 | my $port = shift; |
379 | my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; |
354 | my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; |
380 | |
355 | |
381 | ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""} |
356 | $NODE{$noderef} == $NODE{""} |
382 | or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; |
357 | or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; |
383 | |
358 | |
384 | if (@_ == 1) { |
359 | while (@_) { |
|
|
360 | if (ref $_[0]) { |
|
|
361 | if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { |
|
|
362 | "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self |
|
|
363 | or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; |
|
|
364 | |
|
|
365 | $self->[2] = shift; |
|
|
366 | } else { |
385 | my $cb = shift; |
367 | my $cb = shift; |
386 | delete $PORT_DATA{$portid}; |
|
|
387 | $PORT{$portid} = sub { |
368 | $PORT{$portid} = sub { |
388 | local $SELF = $port; |
369 | local $SELF = $port; |
389 | eval { |
370 | eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; |
390 | &$cb |
371 | }; |
391 | and kil $port; |
|
|
392 | }; |
372 | } |
393 | _self_die if $@; |
373 | } elsif (defined $_[0]) { |
394 | }; |
|
|
395 | } else { |
|
|
396 | my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { |
374 | my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { |
397 | my $self = bless { |
375 | my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; |
398 | id => $port, |
|
|
399 | }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; |
|
|
400 | |
376 | |
401 | $PORT{$portid} = sub { |
377 | $PORT{$portid} = sub { |
402 | local $SELF = $port; |
378 | local $SELF = $port; |
403 | |
379 | |
404 | eval { |
|
|
405 | for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) { |
380 | if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { |
406 | $_ && &{$_->[0]} |
381 | shift; |
407 | && undef $_; |
382 | eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; |
408 | } |
383 | } else { |
409 | |
|
|
410 | for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) { |
|
|
411 | $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1] |
|
|
412 | && &{$_->[0]} |
384 | &{ $self->[0] }; |
413 | && undef $_; |
|
|
414 | } |
|
|
415 | |
|
|
416 | for (@{ $self->{any} }) { |
|
|
417 | $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1] |
|
|
418 | && &{$_->[0]} |
|
|
419 | && undef $_; |
|
|
420 | } |
385 | } |
421 | }; |
386 | }; |
422 | _self_die if $@; |
387 | |
|
|
388 | $self |
423 | }; |
389 | }; |
424 | |
390 | |
425 | $self |
|
|
426 | }; |
|
|
427 | |
|
|
428 | "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self |
391 | "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self |
429 | or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; |
392 | or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; |
430 | |
393 | |
431 | while (@_) { |
|
|
432 | my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; |
394 | my ($tag, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; |
433 | |
395 | |
434 | if (!ref $match) { |
396 | if (defined $cb) { |
435 | push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb]; |
397 | $self->[1]{$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 { |
398 | } else { |
442 | push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match]; |
399 | delete $self->[1]{$tag}; |
443 | } |
400 | } |
444 | } |
401 | } |
445 | } |
402 | } |
446 | |
403 | |
447 | $port |
404 | $port |
… | |
… | |
483 | $res |
440 | $res |
484 | } |
441 | } |
485 | } |
442 | } |
486 | } |
443 | } |
487 | |
444 | |
488 | =item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) |
445 | =item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) # call $cb when $port dies |
489 | |
446 | |
490 | =item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport |
447 | =item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport # kill $rcvport when $port dies |
491 | |
448 | |
492 | =item $guard = mon $port |
449 | =item $guard = mon $port # kill $SELF when $port dies |
493 | |
450 | |
494 | =item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg |
451 | =item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg # send a message when $port dies |
495 | |
452 | |
496 | Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed, and |
453 | Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or |
497 | optionally return a guard that can be used to stop monitoring again. |
454 | messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used |
|
|
455 | to stop monitoring again. |
|
|
456 | |
|
|
457 | C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, |
|
|
458 | after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will |
|
|
459 | arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message |
|
|
460 | loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after |
|
|
461 | the first lost message no further messages will be received by the |
|
|
462 | port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get |
|
|
463 | delivered again. |
|
|
464 | |
|
|
465 | Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a |
|
|
466 | monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again. |
498 | |
467 | |
499 | In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any |
468 | In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any |
500 | number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted |
469 | number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted |
501 | "normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use |
470 | "normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use |
502 | C<eval> if unsure. |
471 | C<eval> if unsure. |
503 | |
472 | |
504 | In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport) |
473 | In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>) |
505 | will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on |
474 | will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on |
506 | "normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other |
475 | "normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other |
507 | port is killed with the same reason. |
476 | port is killed with the same reason. |
508 | |
477 | |
509 | The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that |
478 | The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that |
… | |
… | |
536 | sub mon { |
505 | sub mon { |
537 | my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; |
506 | my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; |
538 | |
507 | |
539 | my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; |
508 | my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; |
540 | |
509 | |
541 | my $cb = @_ ? $_[0] : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; |
510 | my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; |
542 | |
511 | |
543 | unless (ref $cb) { |
512 | unless (ref $cb) { |
544 | if (@_) { |
513 | if (@_) { |
545 | # send a kill info message |
514 | # send a kill info message |
546 | my (@msg) = @_; |
515 | my (@msg) = ($cb, @_); |
547 | $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ }; |
516 | $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ }; |
548 | } else { |
517 | } else { |
549 | # simply kill other port |
518 | # simply kill other port |
550 | my $port = $cb; |
519 | my $port = $cb; |
551 | $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ }; |
520 | $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ }; |
… | |
… | |
564 | is killed, the references will be freed. |
533 | is killed, the references will be freed. |
565 | |
534 | |
566 | Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring. |
535 | Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring. |
567 | |
536 | |
568 | This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and |
537 | This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and |
569 | want to free them when the port gets killed: |
538 | want to free them when the port gets killed (note the use of C<psub>): |
570 | |
539 | |
571 | $port->rcv (start => sub { |
540 | $port->rcv (start => sub { |
572 | my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub { |
541 | my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, psub { |
573 | undef $timer if 0.9 < rand; |
542 | undef $timer if 0.9 < rand; |
574 | }); |
543 | }); |
575 | }); |
544 | }); |
576 | |
545 | |
577 | =cut |
546 | =cut |
… | |
… | |
586 | |
555 | |
587 | =item kil $port[, @reason] |
556 | =item kil $port[, @reason] |
588 | |
557 | |
589 | Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. |
558 | Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. |
590 | |
559 | |
591 | If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked |
560 | If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports |
592 | ports will not be kileld, or even notified). |
561 | monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies |
|
|
562 | "normally"). |
593 | |
563 | |
594 | Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of |
564 | Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of |
595 | C<mon>, see below). |
565 | C<mon>, see above). |
596 | |
566 | |
597 | Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks |
567 | Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks |
598 | will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. |
568 | will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. |
599 | |
569 | |
600 | Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => |
570 | Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => |
601 | $message >>. |
571 | $message >>. |
602 | |
572 | |
603 | =back |
|
|
604 | |
|
|
605 | =head1 NODE MESSAGES |
|
|
606 | |
|
|
607 | Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take |
|
|
608 | arguments called C<@reply>, which will simply be used to compose a reply |
|
|
609 | message - C<$reply[0]> is the port to reply to, C<$reply[1]> the type and |
|
|
610 | the remaining arguments are simply the message data. |
|
|
611 | |
|
|
612 | While other messages exist, they are not public and subject to change. |
|
|
613 | |
|
|
614 | =over 4 |
|
|
615 | |
|
|
616 | =cut |
573 | =cut |
617 | |
574 | |
618 | =item lookup => $name, @reply |
575 | =item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] |
619 | |
576 | |
620 | Replies with the port ID of the specified well-known port, or C<undef>. |
577 | Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which |
|
|
578 | case it's the node where that port resides). |
621 | |
579 | |
622 | =item devnull => ... |
580 | The port ID of the newly created port is returned immediately, and it is |
|
|
581 | possible to immediately start sending messages or to monitor the port. |
623 | |
582 | |
624 | Generic data sink/CPU heat conversion. |
583 | After the port has been created, the init function is called on the remote |
|
|
584 | node, in the same context as a C<rcv> callback. This function must be a |
|
|
585 | fully-qualified function name (e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To |
|
|
586 | specify a function in the main program, use C<::name>. |
625 | |
587 | |
626 | =item relay => $port, @msg |
588 | If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require> |
|
|
589 | the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. |
|
|
590 | C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function |
|
|
591 | exists or it runs out of package names. |
627 | |
592 | |
628 | Simply forwards the message to the given port. |
593 | The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context |
|
|
594 | object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. |
629 | |
595 | |
630 | =item eval => $string[ @reply] |
596 | A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned |
|
|
597 | port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed |
|
|
598 | local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up |
|
|
599 | when there is a problem. |
631 | |
600 | |
632 | Evaluates the given string. If C<@reply> is given, then a message of the |
601 | Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. |
633 | form C<@reply, $@, @evalres> is sent. |
|
|
634 | |
602 | |
635 | Example: crash another node. |
603 | # this node, executed from within a port context: |
|
|
604 | my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; |
|
|
605 | mon $server; |
636 | |
606 | |
637 | snd $othernode, eval => "exit"; |
607 | # init function on C<$othernode> |
|
|
608 | sub connect { |
|
|
609 | my ($srcport) = @_; |
638 | |
610 | |
639 | =item time => @reply |
611 | mon $srcport; |
640 | |
612 | |
641 | Replies the the current node time to C<@reply>. |
613 | rcv $SELF, sub { |
|
|
614 | ... |
|
|
615 | }; |
|
|
616 | } |
642 | |
617 | |
643 | Example: tell the current node to send the current time to C<$myport> in a |
618 | =cut |
644 | C<timereply> message. |
|
|
645 | |
619 | |
646 | snd $NODE, time => $myport, timereply => 1, 2; |
620 | sub _spawn { |
647 | # => snd $myport, timereply => 1, 2, <time> |
621 | my $port = shift; |
|
|
622 | my $init = shift; |
|
|
623 | |
|
|
624 | local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; |
|
|
625 | eval { |
|
|
626 | &{ load_func $init } |
|
|
627 | }; |
|
|
628 | _self_die if $@; |
|
|
629 | } |
|
|
630 | |
|
|
631 | sub spawn(@) { |
|
|
632 | my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; |
|
|
633 | |
|
|
634 | my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; |
|
|
635 | |
|
|
636 | $_[0] =~ /::/ |
|
|
637 | or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; |
|
|
638 | |
|
|
639 | snd_to_func $noderef, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; |
|
|
640 | |
|
|
641 | "$noderef#$id" |
|
|
642 | } |
|
|
643 | |
|
|
644 | =item after $timeout, @msg |
|
|
645 | |
|
|
646 | =item after $timeout, $callback |
|
|
647 | |
|
|
648 | Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the |
|
|
649 | specified number of seconds. |
|
|
650 | |
|
|
651 | This is simply a utility function that comes in handy at times - the |
|
|
652 | AnyEvent::MP author is not convinced of the wisdom of having it, though, |
|
|
653 | so it may go away in the future. |
|
|
654 | |
|
|
655 | =cut |
|
|
656 | |
|
|
657 | sub after($@) { |
|
|
658 | my ($timeout, @action) = @_; |
|
|
659 | |
|
|
660 | my $t; $t = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub { |
|
|
661 | undef $t; |
|
|
662 | ref $action[0] |
|
|
663 | ? $action[0]() |
|
|
664 | : snd @action; |
|
|
665 | }; |
|
|
666 | } |
648 | |
667 | |
649 | =back |
668 | =back |
650 | |
669 | |
651 | =head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang |
670 | =head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang |
652 | |
671 | |
… | |
… | |
662 | |
681 | |
663 | Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: |
682 | Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: |
664 | |
683 | |
665 | =over 4 |
684 | =over 4 |
666 | |
685 | |
667 | =item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them. |
686 | =item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. |
668 | |
687 | |
669 | Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the |
688 | Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same |
670 | same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with |
689 | way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by |
671 | convenience functionality. |
690 | configuraiton or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. |
672 | |
691 | |
673 | This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the |
692 | =item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP |
674 | cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead. |
693 | uses "local ports are like remote ports". |
|
|
694 | |
|
|
695 | The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors |
|
|
696 | only) then for remote ports - when a local port dies, you I<know> it dies, |
|
|
697 | when a connection to another node dies, you know nothing about the other |
|
|
698 | port. |
|
|
699 | |
|
|
700 | Erlang pretends remote ports are as reliable as local ports, even when |
|
|
701 | they are not. |
|
|
702 | |
|
|
703 | AEMP encourages a "treat remote ports differently" philosophy, with local |
|
|
704 | ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot |
|
|
705 | occur. |
675 | |
706 | |
676 | =item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. |
707 | =item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. |
677 | |
708 | |
678 | Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore |
709 | Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore |
679 | needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful |
710 | needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no |
680 | purpose. |
711 | useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of |
|
|
712 | AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to |
|
|
713 | filter messages without dequeing them. |
681 | |
714 | |
682 | (But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). |
715 | (But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). |
683 | |
716 | |
684 | =item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. |
717 | =item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. |
685 | |
718 | |
686 | Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP |
719 | Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and |
687 | sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the |
720 | so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, |
688 | background. |
721 | connection establishment is handled in the background. |
689 | |
722 | |
690 | =item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. |
723 | =item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. |
691 | |
724 | |
692 | Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost |
725 | Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost |
693 | without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, |
726 | without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, |
694 | and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). |
727 | and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). |
695 | |
728 | |
696 | AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no |
729 | AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message |
697 | holes in the message sequence. |
730 | is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until |
698 | |
731 | monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message |
699 | =item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be |
732 | sequence. |
700 | alive. |
|
|
701 | |
|
|
702 | In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and |
|
|
703 | linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is |
|
|
704 | still alive - and can receive messages. |
|
|
705 | |
|
|
706 | In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will |
|
|
707 | eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead |
|
|
708 | and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive. |
|
|
709 | |
733 | |
710 | =item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. |
734 | =item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. |
711 | |
735 | |
712 | In Erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process |
736 | In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID |
713 | ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing |
737 | known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages |
714 | messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. |
738 | destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. |
715 | |
739 | |
716 | AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating |
740 | AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating |
717 | around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. |
741 | around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. |
718 | |
742 | |
719 | =item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure |
743 | =item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure |
720 | authentication and can use TLS. |
744 | authentication and can use TLS. |
721 | |
745 | |
722 | AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and |
746 | AEMP can use a proven protocol - TLS - to protect connections and |
723 | securely authenticate nodes. |
747 | securely authenticate nodes. |
724 | |
748 | |
725 | =item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary |
749 | =item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary |
726 | communications. |
750 | communications. |
727 | |
751 | |
728 | The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both |
752 | The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming |
729 | language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, |
753 | language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, |
730 | language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). |
754 | language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is |
|
|
755 | used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. |
731 | |
756 | |
732 | It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages |
757 | It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages |
733 | with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the |
758 | with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the |
734 | protocol simple. |
759 | protocol simple. |
735 | |
760 | |
736 | =item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. |
761 | =item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. |
737 | |
762 | |
738 | In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages |
763 | In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages |
… | |
… | |
741 | Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback |
766 | Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback |
742 | on a per-process basis. |
767 | on a per-process basis. |
743 | |
768 | |
744 | =item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. |
769 | =item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. |
745 | |
770 | |
746 | Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, |
771 | Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the |
747 | as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). |
772 | same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). |
748 | |
773 | |
749 | In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports |
774 | In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports |
750 | that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port |
775 | that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port |
751 | on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor |
776 | on the remote node. The init function monitors you, and you monitor the |
752 | the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much |
777 | remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much more |
753 | more reliable. |
778 | reliable (no need for C<spawn_link>). |
754 | |
779 | |
755 | This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port |
780 | This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port |
756 | (hard to do in Erlang). |
781 | (hard to do in Erlang). |
757 | |
782 | |
758 | =back |
783 | =back |
759 | |
784 | |
|
|
785 | =head1 RATIONALE |
|
|
786 | |
|
|
787 | =over 4 |
|
|
788 | |
|
|
789 | =item Why strings for port and node IDs, why not objects? |
|
|
790 | |
|
|
791 | We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods |
|
|
792 | that can be called are quite low. Since port and node IDs travel over |
|
|
793 | the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of |
|
|
794 | overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. |
|
|
795 | |
|
|
796 | Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special |
|
|
797 | procedures to be "valid". |
|
|
798 | |
|
|
799 | And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a |
|
|
800 | global hash - it can't become much cheaper. |
|
|
801 | |
|
|
802 | =item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? |
|
|
803 | |
|
|
804 | In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing |
|
|
805 | format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by |
|
|
806 | default (although all nodes will accept it). |
|
|
807 | |
|
|
808 | The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times |
|
|
809 | faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of |
|
|
810 | experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems |
|
|
811 | than it solves: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel |
|
|
812 | easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you |
|
|
813 | always have to re-think your design. |
|
|
814 | |
|
|
815 | Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than |
|
|
816 | objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient. |
|
|
817 | |
|
|
818 | =back |
|
|
819 | |
760 | =head1 SEE ALSO |
820 | =head1 SEE ALSO |
|
|
821 | |
|
|
822 | L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. |
|
|
823 | |
|
|
824 | L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. |
|
|
825 | |
|
|
826 | L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find |
|
|
827 | your applications. |
761 | |
828 | |
762 | L<AnyEvent>. |
829 | L<AnyEvent>. |
763 | |
830 | |
764 | =head1 AUTHOR |
831 | =head1 AUTHOR |
765 | |
832 | |