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Comparing AnyEvent-MP/MP.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.40 by root, Sat Aug 8 00:22:16 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.67 by root, Fri Aug 28 22:21:53 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;
14 17
15 # ports are message endpoints 18 # ports are message endpoints
16 19
17 # sending messages 20 # sending messages
18 snd $port, type => data...; 21 snd $port, type => data...;
19 snd $port, @msg; 22 snd $port, @msg;
20 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port; 23 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
21 24
22 # miniports 25 # creating/using ports, the simple way
23 my $miniport = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; 26 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 };
24 27
25 # full ports 28 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
26 my $port = port; 29 my $port = port;
27 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->(@msg);
28 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 30 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 };
29 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; 31 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 };
30 32
31 # remote ports 33 # create a port on another node
32 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 34 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 35
38 # monitoring 36 # monitoring
39 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 37 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 38 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
41 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 39 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
42 40
41=head1 CURRENT STATUS
42
43 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work
44 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated
45 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable
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
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
48on the same or other hosts. 57on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
49 58
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 and the examples under F<eg/>.
52 61
53At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented, 62At the moment, this module family is a bit underdocumented.
54so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
55stay tuned! The basic API should be finished, however.
56 63
57=head1 CONCEPTS 64=head1 CONCEPTS
58 65
59=over 4 66=over 4
60 67
61=item port 68=item port
62 69
63A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 70A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function).
64 71
65Some ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match specific 72Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
66messages. All C<rcv> handlers will receive messages they match, messages 73some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
67will not be queued. 74anything was listening for them or not.
68 75
69=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 76=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
70 77
71A port id is normaly the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 78A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) as
72separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 79separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format).
73exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node
74reference.
75 80
76=item node 81=item node
77 82
78A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node 83A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
79port. You can send messages to node ports to find existing ports or to 84which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
80create new ports, among other things. 85ports.
81 86
82Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a 87Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
83master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes). 88(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
89currently.
84 90
85=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> 91=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+>
86 92
87A node reference is a string that either simply identifies the node (for 93A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
88private and slave nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given 94network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
89node (for public nodes). 95hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
96doesn't interpret node IDs in any way.
90 97
91This recipe is simply a comma-separated list of C<address:port> pairs (for 98=item binds - C<ip:port>
92TCP/IP, other protocols might look different).
93 99
94Node references come in two flavours: resolved (containing only numerical 100Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to
95addresses) or unresolved (where hostnames are used instead of addresses). 101each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
102endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can
103be used, which specify TCP ports to listen on.
96 104
97Before using an unresolved node reference in a message you first have to 105=item seeds - C<host:port>
98resolve it. 106
107When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node
108about the network it first has to contact some other node within the
109network. This node is called a seed.
110
111Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes
112are expected to be long-running, and at least one of those should always
113be available. When nodes run out of connections (e.g. due to a network
114error), they try to re-establish connections to some seednodes again to
115join the network.
116
117Apart from being sued for seeding, seednodes are not special in any way -
118every public node can be a seednode.
99 119
100=back 120=back
101 121
102=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 122=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
103 123
105 125
106=cut 126=cut
107 127
108package AnyEvent::MP; 128package AnyEvent::MP;
109 129
110use AnyEvent::MP::Base; 130use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
111 131
112use common::sense; 132use common::sense;
113 133
114use Carp (); 134use Carp ();
115 135
116use AE (); 136use AE ();
117 137
118use base "Exporter"; 138use base "Exporter";
119 139
120our $VERSION = '0.1'; 140our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION;
141
121our @EXPORT = qw( 142our @EXPORT = qw(
122 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 143 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
123 resolve_node initialise_node 144 initialise_node
124 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn 145 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn
125 port 146 port
126); 147);
127 148
128our $SELF; 149our $SELF;
129 150
133 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 154 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
134} 155}
135 156
136=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 157=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
137 158
138The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains 159The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
139the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call 160ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
140to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port 161a call to C<initialise_node>.
141identifiers become invalid.
142 162
143=item $noderef = node_of $port 163=item $nodeid = node_of $port
144 164
145Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. 165Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
146 166
147=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode... 167=item initialise_node $profile_name
148 168
149=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master...
150
151Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise 169Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
152itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally 170"distributed mode") it has to initialise itself - the minimum a node needs
153it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network. 171to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
172some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
154 173
155This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 174This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or
156never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 175never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
157 176
158All arguments are noderefs, which can be either resolved or unresolved. 177The first argument is a profile name. If it is C<undef> or missing, then
178the current nodename will be used instead (i.e. F<uname -n>).
159 179
160There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes: 180The function then looks up the profile in the aemp configuration (see the
181L<aemp> commandline utility).
161 182
162=over 4 183If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
184this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The
185special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID.
163 186
164=item public nodes 187The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
188aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
189to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the
190outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no
191binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes).
165 192
166For public nodes, C<$noderef> must either be a (possibly unresolved) 193If the profile does not specify a binds list, then the node ID will be
167noderef, in which case it will be resolved, or C<undef> (or missing), in 194treated as if it were of the form C<host:port>, which will be resolved and
168which case the noderef will be guessed. 195used as binds list.
169 196
170Afterwards, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to connect 197Lastly, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the
171to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are optional 198L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
172and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing network. 199connectivity with at least on of those seed nodes at any point in time.
173 200
174=item slave nodes 201Example: become a distributed node listening on the guessed noderef, or
175 202the one specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the
176When the C<$noderef> is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will 203most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
177become a slave node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will
178route most of their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
179
180At least one additional noderef is required: The node will try to connect
181to all of them and will become a slave attached to the first node it can
182successfully connect to.
183
184=back
185
186This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave
187nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master
188server.
189
190Example: become a public node listening on the default node.
191 204
192 initialise_node; 205 initialise_node;
193 206
194Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master 207Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline
195servers to become part of the network. 208clients.
196 209
197 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2";
198
199Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>.
200
201 initialise_node 4041; 210 initialise_node "anon/";
202 211
203Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044. 212Example: become a distributed node. If there is no profile of the given
213name, or no binds list was specified, resolve C<localhost:4044> and bind
214on the resulting addresses.
204 215
205 initialise_node "locahost:4044"; 216 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
211=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
212
213Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
214abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
215reference.
216
217In addition to C<address:port> pairs allowed in resolved noderefs, the
218following forms are supported:
219
220=over 4
221
222=item the empty string
223
224An empty-string component gets resolved as if the default port (4040) was
225specified.
226
227=item naked port numbers (e.g. C<1234>)
228
229These are resolved by prepending the local nodename and a colon, to be
230further resolved.
231
232=item hostnames (e.g. C<localhost:1234>, C<localhost>)
233
234These are resolved by using AnyEvent::DNS to resolve them, optionally
235looking up SRV records for the C<aemp=4040> port, if no port was
236specified.
237
238=back
239 217
240=item $SELF 218=item $SELF
241 219
242Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 220Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
243blocks. 221blocks.
244 222
245=item SELF, %SELF, @SELF... 223=item *SELF, SELF, %SELF, @SELF...
246 224
247Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 225Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
248just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 226just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols named C<SELF> are exported by this
249module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 227module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
250 228
251=item snd $port, type => @data 229=item snd $port, type => @data
252 230
253=item snd $port, @msg 231=item snd $port, @msg
254 232
255Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 233Send the given message to the given port, which can identify either a
256a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat 234local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
257stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :).
258 235
259While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a 236While the message can be almost anything, it is highly recommended to
260string as first element (a portid, or some word that indicates a request 237use a string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a
261type etc.). 238request type etc.) and to consist if only simple perl values (scalars,
239arrays, hashes) - if you think you need to pass an object, think again.
262 240
263The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this 241The message data logically becomes read-only after a call to this
264function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many 242function: modifying any argument (or values referenced by them) is
265problems. 243forbidden, as there can be considerable time between the call to C<snd>
244and the time the message is actually being serialised - in fact, it might
245never be copied as within the same process it is simply handed to the
246receiving port.
266 247
267The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when 248The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when
268JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 249JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
269of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 250of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
270that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 251that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
271node, anything can be passed. 252node, anything can be passed. Best rely only on the common denominator of
253these.
272 254
273=item $local_port = port 255=item $local_port = port
274 256
275Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern 257Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
276matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"), 258no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
277depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object.
278 259
279=item $port = port { my @msg = @_; $finished } 260=item $local_port = port { my @msg = @_ }
280 261
281Creates a "miniport", that is, a very lightweight port without any pattern 262Creates 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. 263creating a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
284 264
285The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the 265The block will be called for every message received on the port, with the
286callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port 266global variable C<$SELF> set to the port ID. Runtime errors will cause the
287will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive. 267port to be C<kil>ed. The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument
268(i.e. no port ID) will be passed to the callback.
288 269
289The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will 270If you want to stop/destroy the port, simply C<kil> it:
290be passed to the callback.
291 271
292If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely: 272 my $port = port {
293 273 my @msg = @_;
294 my $port; $port = port { 274 ...
295 snd $otherport, reply => $port; 275 kil $SELF;
296 }; 276 };
297 277
298=cut 278=cut
299 279
300sub rcv($@); 280sub rcv($@);
281
282sub _kilme {
283 die "received message on port without callback";
284}
301 285
302sub port(;&) { 286sub port(;&) {
303 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 287 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++;
304 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 288 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
305 289
306 if (@_) { 290 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
307 rcv $port, shift;
308 } else {
309 $PORT{$id} = sub { }; # nop
310 }
311 291
312 $port 292 $port
313} 293}
314 294
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) 295=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
335 296
336Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (after converting it to 297Replaces the default callback on the specified port. There is no way to
337one if required). 298remove the default callback: use C<sub { }> to disable it, or better
338 299C<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...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
344
345Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full
346port (after converting it to one if required) and return the port.
347
348The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
349which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
350registered.
351 300
352The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 301The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
353executing the callback. 302executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
303result in the port being C<kil>ed.
354 304
355Runtime errors during callback execution will result in the port being 305The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific
356C<kil>ed. 306C<tag> match.
357 307
358If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the 308=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
359first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
360matched.
361 309
362Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function 310Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the
363exported by this module) matches any single element of the message. 311given tag on the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when
312C<$callback> is C<$undef> or missing). There can only be one callback
313registered for each tag.
364 314
365While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching 315The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first
366element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is 316element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same
367also the most efficient match (by far). 317environment as the default callback (see above).
368 318
369Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go. 319Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
370 320
371 my $port = rcv port, 321 my $port = rcv port,
372 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 322 msg1 => sub { ... },
373 msg2 => sub { ...; 0 }, 323 msg2 => sub { ... },
374 ; 324 ;
375 325
376Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere 326Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
377in one go: 327in one go:
378 328
379 snd $otherport, reply => 329 snd $otherport, reply =>
380 rcv port, 330 rcv port,
381 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 331 msg1 => sub { ... },
382 ... 332 ...
383 ; 333 ;
334
335Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
336(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
337
338 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
339 my @reply = @_;
340
341 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
342 };
384 343
385=cut 344=cut
386 345
387sub rcv($@) { 346sub rcv($@) {
388 my $port = shift; 347 my $port = shift;
389 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 348 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
390 349
391 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""} 350 $NODE{$noderef} == $NODE{""}
392 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 351 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
393 352
394 if (@_ == 1) { 353 while (@_) {
354 if (ref $_[0]) {
355 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
356 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
357 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
358
359 $self->[2] = shift;
360 } else {
395 my $cb = shift; 361 my $cb = shift;
396 delete $PORT_DATA{$portid};
397 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 362 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
398 local $SELF = $port; 363 local $SELF = $port;
399 eval { 364 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
400 &$cb 365 };
401 and kil $port;
402 }; 366 }
403 _self_die if $@; 367 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
404 };
405 } else {
406 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 368 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
407 my $self = bless { 369 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
408 id => $port,
409 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
410 370
411 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 371 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
412 local $SELF = $port; 372 local $SELF = $port;
413 373
414 eval {
415 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) { 374 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
416 $_ && &{$_->[0]} 375 shift;
417 && undef $_; 376 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
418 } 377 } else {
419
420 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
421 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
422 && &{$_->[0]} 378 &{ $self->[0] };
423 && undef $_;
424 }
425
426 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
427 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
428 && &{$_->[0]}
429 && undef $_;
430 } 379 }
431 }; 380 };
432 _self_die if $@; 381
382 $self
433 }; 383 };
434 384
435 $self
436 };
437
438 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 385 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
439 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 386 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
440 387
441 while (@_) {
442 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; 388 my ($tag, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
443 389
444 if (!ref $match) { 390 if (defined $cb) {
445 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb]; 391 $self->[1]{$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 { 392 } else {
452 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match]; 393 delete $self->[1]{$tag};
453 } 394 }
454 } 395 }
455 } 396 }
456 397
457 $port 398 $port
493 $res 434 $res
494 } 435 }
495 } 436 }
496} 437}
497 438
498=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) 439=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) # call $cb when $port dies
499 440
500=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport 441=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport # kill $rcvport when $port dies
501 442
502=item $guard = mon $port 443=item $guard = mon $port # kill $SELF when $port dies
503 444
504=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg 445=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg # send a message when $port dies
505 446
506Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed, and 447Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
507optionally return a guard that can be used to stop monitoring again. 448messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
449to stop monitoring again.
450
451C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
452after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
453arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
454loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
455the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
456port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
457delivered again.
458
459Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a
460monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
508 461
509In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 462In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
510number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 463number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
511"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 464"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
512C<eval> if unsure. 465C<eval> if unsure.
513 466
514In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport) 467In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
515will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on 468will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
516"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other 469"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
517port is killed with the same reason. 470port is killed with the same reason.
518 471
519The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that 472The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
546sub mon { 499sub mon {
547 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 500 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
548 501
549 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 502 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef;
550 503
551 my $cb = @_ ? $_[0] : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 504 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
552 505
553 unless (ref $cb) { 506 unless (ref $cb) {
554 if (@_) { 507 if (@_) {
555 # send a kill info message 508 # send a kill info message
556 my (@msg) = @_; 509 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_);
557 $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ }; 510 $cb = sub { snd @msg, @_ };
558 } else { 511 } else {
559 # simply kill other port 512 # simply kill other port
560 my $port = $cb; 513 my $port = $cb;
561 $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ }; 514 $cb = sub { kil $port, @_ if @_ };
574is killed, the references will be freed. 527is killed, the references will be freed.
575 528
576Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring. 529Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
577 530
578This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and 531This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
579want to free them when the port gets killed: 532want to free them when the port gets killed (note the use of C<psub>):
580 533
581 $port->rcv (start => sub { 534 $port->rcv (start => sub {
582 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub { 535 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, psub {
583 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand; 536 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
584 }); 537 });
585 }); 538 });
586 539
587=cut 540=cut
596 549
597=item kil $port[, @reason] 550=item kil $port[, @reason]
598 551
599Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 552Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
600 553
601If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 554If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports
602ports will not be kileld, or even notified). 555monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies
556"normally").
603 557
604Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 558Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of
605C<mon>, see below). 559C<mon>, see above).
606 560
607Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 561Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
608will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 562will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
609 563
610Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 564Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
615=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] 569=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
616 570
617Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which 571Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
618case it's the node where that port resides). 572case it's the node where that port resides).
619 573
620The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is 574The port ID of the newly created port is returned immediately, and it is
621permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port. 575possible to immediately start sending messages or to monitor the port.
622 576
623After the port has been created, the init function is 577After the port has been created, the init function is called on the remote
624called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name 578node, in the same context as a C<rcv> callback. This function must be a
625(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main 579fully-qualified function name (e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To
626program, use C<::name>. 580specify a function in the main program, use C<::name>.
627 581
628If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require> 582If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
629the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 583the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
630C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 584C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
631exists or it runs out of package names. 585exists or it runs out of package names.
632 586
633The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 587The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
634object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 588object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments.
635 589
636A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and 590A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
637in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring 591port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
638ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem. 592local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
593when there is a problem.
639 594
640Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 595Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
641 596
642 # this node, executed from within a port context: 597 # this node, executed from within a port context:
643 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 598 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
673 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 628 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
674 629
675 $_[0] =~ /::/ 630 $_[0] =~ /::/
676 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 631 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
677 632
678 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) 633 snd_to_func $noderef, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
679 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]);
680 634
681 "$noderef#$id" 635 "$noderef#$id"
682} 636}
683 637
684=back 638=item after $timeout, @msg
685 639
686=head1 NODE MESSAGES 640=item after $timeout, $callback
687 641
688Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take 642Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the
689arguments called C<@reply>, which will simply be used to compose a reply 643specified number of seconds.
690message - C<$reply[0]> is the port to reply to, C<$reply[1]> the type and
691the remaining arguments are simply the message data.
692 644
693While other messages exist, they are not public and subject to change. 645This is simply a utility function that comes in handy at times - the
646AnyEvent::MP author is not convinced of the wisdom of having it, though,
647so it may go away in the future.
694 648
695=over 4
696
697=cut 649=cut
698 650
699=item lookup => $name, @reply 651sub after($@) {
652 my ($timeout, @action) = @_;
700 653
701Replies with the port ID of the specified well-known port, or C<undef>. 654 my $t; $t = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
702 655 undef $t;
703=item devnull => ... 656 ref $action[0]
704 657 ? $action[0]()
705Generic data sink/CPU heat conversion. 658 : snd @action;
706 659 };
707=item relay => $port, @msg 660}
708
709Simply forwards the message to the given port.
710
711=item eval => $string[ @reply]
712
713Evaluates the given string. If C<@reply> is given, then a message of the
714form C<@reply, $@, @evalres> is sent.
715
716Example: crash another node.
717
718 snd $othernode, eval => "exit";
719
720=item time => @reply
721
722Replies the the current node time to C<@reply>.
723
724Example: tell the current node to send the current time to C<$myport> in a
725C<timereply> message.
726
727 snd $NODE, time => $myport, timereply => 1, 2;
728 # => snd $myport, timereply => 1, 2, <time>
729 661
730=back 662=back
731 663
732=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 664=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
733 665
743 675
744Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 676Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
745 677
746=over 4 678=over 4
747 679
748=item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them. 680=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
749 681
750Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the 682Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
751same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with 683way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
752convenience functionality. 684configuraiton or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself.
753 685
754This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the 686=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
755cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead. 687uses "local ports are like remote ports".
688
689The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
690only) then for remote ports - when a local port dies, you I<know> it dies,
691when a connection to another node dies, you know nothing about the other
692port.
693
694Erlang pretends remote ports are as reliable as local ports, even when
695they are not.
696
697AEMP encourages a "treat remote ports differently" philosophy, with local
698ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
699occur.
756 700
757=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 701=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
758 702
759Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 703Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore
760needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 704needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no
761purpose. 705useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of
706AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
707filter messages without dequeing them.
762 708
763(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 709(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
764 710
765=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 711=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
766 712
767Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 713Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and
768sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 714so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate,
769background. 715connection establishment is handled in the background.
770 716
771=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 717=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
772 718
773Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 719Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost
774without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 720without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b,
775and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 721and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
776 722
777AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 723AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message
778holes in the message sequence. 724is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until
779 725monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message
780=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 726sequence.
781alive.
782
783In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and
784linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
785still alive - and can receive messages.
786
787In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
788eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
789and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
790 727
791=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 728=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
792 729
793In Erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 730In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID
794ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 731known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages
795messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 732destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process.
796 733
797AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 734AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
798around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 735around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
799 736
800=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 737=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
801authentication and can use TLS. 738authentication and can use TLS.
802 739
803AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and 740AEMP can use a proven protocol - TLS - to protect connections and
804securely authenticate nodes. 741securely authenticate nodes.
805 742
806=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 743=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
807communications. 744communications.
808 745
809The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both 746The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
810language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 747language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary,
811language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 748language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
749used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
812 750
813It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 751It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
814with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 752with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
815protocol simple. 753protocol simple.
816 754
817=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 755=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
818 756
819In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 757In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages
822Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 760Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback
823on a per-process basis. 761on a per-process basis.
824 762
825=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 763=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
826 764
827Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, 765Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
828as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 766same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
829 767
830In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports 768In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
831that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port 769that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
832on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor 770on the remote node. The init function monitors you, and you monitor the
833the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much 771remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much more
834more reliable. 772reliable (no need for C<spawn_link>).
835 773
836This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port 774This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
837(hard to do in Erlang). 775(hard to do in Erlang).
838 776
839=back 777=back
840 778
779=head1 RATIONALE
780
781=over 4
782
783=item Why strings for port and node IDs, why not objects?
784
785We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
786that can be called are quite low. Since port and node IDs travel over
787the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
788overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
789
790Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
791procedures to be "valid".
792
793And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a
794global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
795
796=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
797
798In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
799format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
800default (although all nodes will accept it).
801
802The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
803faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
804experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
805than it solves: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
806easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
807always have to re-think your design.
808
809Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
810objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
811
812=back
813
841=head1 SEE ALSO 814=head1 SEE ALSO
842 815
843L<AnyEvent>. 816L<AnyEvent>.
844 817
845=head1 AUTHOR 818=head1 AUTHOR

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