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Revision 1.38 by root, Fri Aug 7 22:55:18 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.51 by root, Fri Aug 14 14:07:44 2009 UTC

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 13 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
14
15 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages
16 initialise_node; # -OR-
17 initialise_node "localhost:4040"; # -OR-
18 initialise_node "slave/", "localhost:4040"
14 19
15 # ports are message endpoints 20 # ports are message endpoints
16 21
17 # sending messages 22 # sending messages
18 snd $port, type => data...; 23 snd $port, type => data...;
19 snd $port, @msg; 24 snd $port, @msg;
20 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port; 25 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
21 26
22 # miniports 27 # creating/using ports, the simple way
23 my $miniport = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; 28 my $somple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 };
24 29
25 # full ports 30 # creating/using ports, type matching
26 my $port = port; 31 my $port = port;
27 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->(@msg);
28 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 32 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 };
29 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; 33 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 };
30 34
31 # remote ports 35 # create a port on another node
32 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 36 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
33
34 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module)
35 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ...
36 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3
37 37
38 # monitoring 38 # monitoring
39 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 39 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
41 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 41 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
42 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46 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated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
43=head1 DESCRIPTION 52=head1 DESCRIPTION
44 53
45This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 54This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
46 55
47Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 56Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
50For 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>
51manual page. 60manual page.
52 61
53At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented, 62At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented,
54so 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 -
55stay tuned! The basic API should be finished, however. 64stay tuned!
56 65
57=head1 CONCEPTS 66=head1 CONCEPTS
58 67
59=over 4 68=over 4
60 69
105 114
106=cut 115=cut
107 116
108package AnyEvent::MP; 117package AnyEvent::MP;
109 118
110use AnyEvent::MP::Base; 119use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
111 120
112use common::sense; 121use common::sense;
113 122
114use Carp (); 123use Carp ();
115 124
116use AE (); 125use AE ();
117 126
118use base "Exporter"; 127use base "Exporter";
119 128
120our $VERSION = '0.1'; 129our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION;
130
121our @EXPORT = qw( 131our @EXPORT = qw(
122 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 132 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_
123 resolve_node initialise_node 133 resolve_node initialise_node
124 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn 134 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn
125 port 135 port
153it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network. 163it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network.
154 164
155This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 165This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or
156never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 166never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
157 167
158All arguments are noderefs, which can be either resolved or unresolved. 168All arguments (optionally except for the first) are noderefs, which can be
169either resolved or unresolved.
170
171The first argument will be looked up in the configuration database first
172(if it is C<undef> then the current nodename will be used instead) to find
173the relevant configuration profile (see L<aemp>). If none is found then
174the default configuration is used. The configuration supplies additional
175seed/master nodes and can override the actual noderef.
159 176
160There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes: 177There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
161 178
162=over 4 179=over 4
163 180
164=item public nodes 181=item public nodes
165 182
166For public nodes, C<$noderef> must either be a (possibly unresolved) 183For public nodes, C<$noderef> (supplied either directly to
167noderef, in which case it will be resolved, or C<undef> (or missing), in 184C<initialise_node> or indirectly via a profile or the nodename) must be a
168which case the noderef will be guessed. 185noderef (possibly unresolved, in which case it will be resolved).
169 186
170Afterwards, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to connect 187After resolving, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to
171to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are optional 188connect to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are
172and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing network. 189optional and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing
190network.
173 191
174=item slave nodes 192=item slave nodes
175 193
176When the C<$noderef> is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will 194When the C<$noderef> (either as given or overriden by the config file)
195is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will become a slave
177become a slave node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will 196node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will route most of
178route most of their traffic to the master node that they attach to. 197their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
179 198
180At least one additional noderef is required: The node will try to connect 199At least one additional noderef is required (either by specifying it
181to all of them and will become a slave attached to the first node it can 200directly or because it is part of the configuration profile): The node
182successfully connect to. 201will try to connect to all of them and will become a slave attached to the
202first node it can successfully connect to.
183 203
184=back 204=back
185 205
186This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave 206This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave
187nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master 207nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master
188server. 208server.
189 209
190Example: become a public node listening on the default node. 210Example: become a public node listening on the guessed noderef, or the one
211specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the most common
212form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
191 213
192 initialise_node; 214 initialise_node;
215
216Example: become a slave node to any of the the seednodes specified via
217C<aemp>. This form is often used for commandline clients.
218
219 initialise_node "slave/";
220
221Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers. This
222form is also often used for commandline clients.
223
224 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
193 225
194Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master 226Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master
195servers to become part of the network. 227servers to become part of the network.
196 228
197 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2"; 229 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2";
200 232
201 initialise_node 4041; 233 initialise_node 4041;
202 234
203Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044. 235Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
204 236
205 initialise_node "locahost:4044"; 237 initialise_node "localhost:4044";
206
207Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers.
208
209 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
210 238
211=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef 239=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
212 240
213Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and 241Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
214abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node 242abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
270that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 298that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
271node, anything can be passed. 299node, anything can be passed.
272 300
273=item $local_port = port 301=item $local_port = port
274 302
275Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern 303Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
276matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"), 304no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
277depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object.
278 305
279=item $port = port { my @msg = @_; $finished } 306=item $local_port = port { my @msg = @_ }
280 307
281Creates a "miniport", that is, a very lightweight port without any pattern 308Creates a new local port, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as
282matching behind it, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as creating
283a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it. 309creating a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
284 310
285The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the 311The block will be called for every message received on the port, with the
286callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port 312global variable C<$SELF> set to the port ID. Runtime errors will cause the
287will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive. 313port to be C<kil>ed. The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument
314(i.e. no port ID) will be passed to the callback.
288 315
289The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will 316If you want to stop/destroy the port, simply C<kil> it:
290be passed to the callback.
291 317
292If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely: 318 my $port = port {
293 319 my @msg = @_;
294 my $port; $port = port { 320 ...
295 snd $otherport, reply => $port; 321 kil $SELF;
296 }; 322 };
297 323
298=cut 324=cut
299 325
300sub rcv($@); 326sub rcv($@);
327
328sub _kilme {
329 die "received message on port without callback";
330}
301 331
302sub port(;&) { 332sub port(;&) {
303 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 333 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++;
304 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 334 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
305 335
306 if (@_) { 336 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
307 rcv $port, shift;
308 } else {
309 $PORT{$id} = sub { }; # nop
310 }
311 337
312 $port 338 $port
313} 339}
314 340
315=item reg $port, $name
316
317=item reg $name
318
319Registers the given port (or C<$SELF><<< if missing) under the name
320C<$name>. If the name already exists it is replaced.
321
322A port can only be registered under one well known name.
323
324A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
325
326=cut
327
328sub reg(@) {
329 my $port = @_ > 1 ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'reg: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
330
331 $REG{$_[0]} = $port;
332}
333
334=item rcv $port, $callback->(@msg) 341=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
335 342
336Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (after converting it to 343Replaces the default callback on the specified port. There is no way to
337one if required). 344remove the default callback: use C<sub { }> to disable it, or better
338 345C<kil> the port when it is no longer needed.
339=item rcv $port, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
340
341=item rcv $port, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
342
343=item rcv $port, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
344
345Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full
346port (after converting it to one if required) and return the port.
347
348The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
349which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
350registered.
351 346
352The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 347The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
353executing the callback. 348executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
349result in the port being C<kil>ed.
354 350
355Runtime errors during callback execution will result in the port being 351The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific
356C<kil>ed. 352C<tag> match.
357 353
358If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the 354=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
359first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
360matched.
361 355
362Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function 356Register callbacks to be called on messages starting with the given tag on
363exported by this module) matches any single element of the message. 357the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when C<$callback>
358is C<$undef>).
364 359
365While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching 360The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first
366element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is 361element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same
367also the most efficient match (by far). 362environment as the default callback (see above).
368 363
369Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go. 364Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
370 365
371 my $port = rcv port, 366 my $port = rcv port,
372 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 367 msg1 => sub { ... },
373 msg2 => sub { ...; 0 }, 368 msg2 => sub { ... },
374 ; 369 ;
375 370
376Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere 371Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
377in one go: 372in one go:
378 373
379 snd $otherport, reply => 374 snd $otherport, reply =>
380 rcv port, 375 rcv port,
381 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 376 msg1 => sub { ... },
382 ... 377 ...
383 ; 378 ;
384 379
385=cut 380=cut
386 381
389 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 384 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
390 385
391 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""} 386 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""}
392 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 387 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
393 388
394 if (@_ == 1) { 389 while (@_) {
390 if (ref $_[0]) {
391 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
392 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
393 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
394
395 $self->[2] = shift;
396 } else {
395 my $cb = shift; 397 my $cb = shift;
396 delete $PORT_DATA{$portid};
397 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 398 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
398 local $SELF = $port; 399 local $SELF = $port;
399 eval { 400 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
400 &$cb 401 };
401 and kil $port;
402 }; 402 }
403 _self_die if $@; 403 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
404 };
405 } else {
406 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 404 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
407 my $self = bless { 405 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
408 id => $port,
409 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
410 406
411 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 407 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
412 local $SELF = $port; 408 local $SELF = $port;
413 409
414 eval {
415 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) { 410 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
416 $_ && &{$_->[0]} 411 shift;
417 && undef $_; 412 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
418 } 413 } else {
419
420 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
421 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
422 && &{$_->[0]} 414 &{ $self->[0] };
423 && undef $_;
424 }
425
426 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
427 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
428 && &{$_->[0]}
429 && undef $_;
430 } 415 }
431 }; 416 };
432 _self_die if $@; 417
418 $self
433 }; 419 };
434 420
435 $self
436 };
437
438 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 421 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
439 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 422 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
440 423
441 while (@_) {
442 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; 424 my ($tag, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
443 425
444 if (!ref $match) { 426 if (defined $cb) {
445 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb]; 427 $self->[1]{$tag} = $cb;
446 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) {
447 my ($type, @match) = @$match;
448 @match
449 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match]
450 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb];
451 } else { 428 } else {
452 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match]; 429 delete $self->[1]{$tag};
453 } 430 }
454 } 431 }
455 } 432 }
456 433
457 $port 434 $port
501 478
502=item $guard = mon $port 479=item $guard = mon $port
503 480
504=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg 481=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg
505 482
506Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed, and 483Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
507optionally return a guard that can be used to stop monitoring again. 484messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
485to stop monitoring again.
486
487C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
488that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port
489will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible
490message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between"
491(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
492port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
493delivered again.
508 494
509In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 495In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
510number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 496number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
511"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 497"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
512C<eval> if unsure. 498C<eval> if unsure.
513 499
514In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport) 500In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
515will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on 501will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
516"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other 502"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
517port is killed with the same reason. 503port is killed with the same reason.
518 504
519The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that 505The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
546sub mon { 532sub mon {
547 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 533 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
548 534
549 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 535 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef;
550 536
551 my $cb = @_ ? $_[0] : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 537 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
552 538
553 unless (ref $cb) { 539 unless (ref $cb) {
554 if (@_) { 540 if (@_) {
555 # send a kill info message 541 # send a kill info message
556 my (@msg) = @_; 542 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_);
557 $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ }; 543 $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ };
558 } else { 544 } else {
559 # simply kill other port 545 # simply kill other port
560 my $port = $cb; 546 my $port = $cb;
561 $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ }; 547 $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ };
619 605
620The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is 606The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is
621permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port. 607permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port.
622 608
623After the port has been created, the init function is 609After the port has been created, the init function is
624called. This fucntion must be a fully-qualified function name 610called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name
625(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). 611(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main
612program, use C<::name>.
626 613
627If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require> 614If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
628the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 615the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
629C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 616C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
630exists or it runs out of package names. 617exists or it runs out of package names.
669sub spawn(@) { 656sub spawn(@) {
670 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 657 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
671 658
672 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 659 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
673 660
661 $_[0] =~ /::/
662 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
663
674 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) 664 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef)
675 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]); 665 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]);
676 666
677 "$noderef#$id" 667 "$noderef#$id"
678} 668}
748convenience functionality. 738convenience functionality.
749 739
750This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the 740This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the
751cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead. 741cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead.
752 742
743=item Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
744uses "local ports are like remote ports".
745
746The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
747only) then for remote ports - when a local port dies, you I<know> it dies,
748when a connection to another node dies, you know nothing about the other
749port.
750
751Erlang pretends remote ports are as reliable as local ports, even when
752they are not.
753
754AEMP encourages a "treat remote ports differently" philosophy, with local
755ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
756occur.
757
753=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 758=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
754 759
755Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 760Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore
756needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 761needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no
757purpose. 762useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of
763AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
764filter messages without dequeing them.
758 765
759(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 766(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
760 767
761=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 768=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
762 769
763Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 770Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and
764sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 771so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate,
765background. 772connection establishment is handled in the background.
766 773
767=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 774=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
768 775
769Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 776Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost
770without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 777without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b,
771and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 778and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
772 779
784eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead 791eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
785and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive. 792and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
786 793
787=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 794=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
788 795
789In Erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 796In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID
790ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 797known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages
791messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 798destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process.
792 799
793AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 800AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
794around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 801around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
795 802
796=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 803=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
832This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port 839This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
833(hard to do in Erlang). 840(hard to do in Erlang).
834 841
835=back 842=back
836 843
844=head1 RATIONALE
845
846=over 4
847
848=item Why strings for ports and noderefs, why not objects?
849
850We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
851thatc an be called are very low. Since port IDs and noderefs travel over
852the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
853overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object.
854
855Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
856procedures to be "valid".
857
858And a a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a global hash - it
859can't become much cheaper.
860
861=item Why favour JSON, why not real serialising format such as Storable?
862
863In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
864format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
865default.
866
867The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
868faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
869experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
870than it gains: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
871easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
872always have to re-think your design.
873
874Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
875objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
876
877=back
878
837=head1 SEE ALSO 879=head1 SEE ALSO
838 880
839L<AnyEvent>. 881L<AnyEvent>.
840 882
841=head1 AUTHOR 883=head1 AUTHOR

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