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Revision 1.52 by root, Fri Aug 14 15:13:20 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.143 by root, Fri Mar 23 17:54:36 2012 UTC

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

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