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Revision 1.30 by root, Tue Aug 4 23:35:51 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.52 by root, Fri Aug 14 15:13:20 2009 UTC

8 8
9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef 9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef
10 NODE # returns this node's noderef 10 NODE # returns this node's noderef
11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port 11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port
12 12
13 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
14
15 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages
16 initialise_node; # -OR-
17 initialise_node "localhost:4040"; # -OR-
18 initialise_node "slave/", "localhost:4040"
19
20 # ports are message endpoints
21
22 # sending messages
13 snd $port, type => data...; 23 snd $port, type => data...;
24 snd $port, @msg;
25 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
14 26
15 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks 27 # creating/using ports, the simple way
28 my $somple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 };
16 29
17 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->($port, @msg); 30 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
18 31 my $port = port;
19 # examples:
20 rcv $port2, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 32 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 };
21 rcv $port1, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" }; 33 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 };
22 snd $port2, ping => $port1;
23 34
24 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module) 35 # create a port on another node
25 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ... 36 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
26 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3 37
38 # monitoring
39 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
41 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
42
43=head1 CURRENT STATUS
44
45 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work
46 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated
47 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - WIP
48 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable
49
50 stay tuned.
27 51
28=head1 DESCRIPTION 52=head1 DESCRIPTION
29 53
30This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 54This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
31 55
35For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> 59For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro>
36manual page. 60manual page.
37 61
38At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented, 62At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented,
39so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace - 63so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
40stay tuned! The basic API should be finished, however. 64stay tuned!
41 65
42=head1 CONCEPTS 66=head1 CONCEPTS
43 67
44=over 4 68=over 4
45 69
90 114
91=cut 115=cut
92 116
93package AnyEvent::MP; 117package AnyEvent::MP;
94 118
95use AnyEvent::MP::Base; 119use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
96 120
97use common::sense; 121use common::sense;
98 122
99use Carp (); 123use Carp ();
100 124
101use AE (); 125use AE ();
102 126
103use base "Exporter"; 127use base "Exporter";
104 128
105our $VERSION = '0.1'; 129our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION;
130
106our @EXPORT = qw( 131our @EXPORT = qw(
107 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 132 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_
108 resolve_node 133 resolve_node initialise_node
109 become_slave become_public
110 snd rcv mon kil reg psub 134 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn
111 port 135 port
112); 136);
113 137
114our $SELF; 138our $SELF;
115 139
119 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 143 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
120} 144}
121 145
122=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 146=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
123 147
124The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains 148The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains the
125the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call 149noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call to
126to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port 150C<initialise_node>.
127identifiers become invalid.
128 151
129=item $noderef = node_of $portid 152=item $noderef = node_of $port
130 153
131Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. 154Extracts and returns the noderef from a port ID or a noderef.
155
156=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode...
157
158=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master...
159
160Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise
161itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally
162it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network.
163
164This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or
165never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
166
167All arguments (optionally except for the first) are noderefs, which can be
168either resolved or unresolved.
169
170The first argument will be looked up in the configuration database first
171(if it is C<undef> then the current nodename will be used instead) to find
172the relevant configuration profile (see L<aemp>). If none is found then
173the default configuration is used. The configuration supplies additional
174seed/master nodes and can override the actual noderef.
175
176There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
177
178=over 4
179
180=item public nodes
181
182For public nodes, C<$noderef> (supplied either directly to
183C<initialise_node> or indirectly via a profile or the nodename) must be a
184noderef (possibly unresolved, in which case it will be resolved).
185
186After resolving, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to
187connect to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are
188optional and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing
189network.
190
191=item slave nodes
192
193When the C<$noderef> (either as given or overriden by the config file)
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
203=back
204
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";
132 237
133=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef 238=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
134 239
135Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and 240Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
136abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node 241abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
168 273
169Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 274Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
170just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 275just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this
171module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 276module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
172 277
173=item snd $portid, type => @data 278=item snd $port, type => @data
174 279
175=item snd $portid, @msg 280=item snd $port, @msg
176 281
177Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 282Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either
178a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat 283a local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
179stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :).
180 284
181While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a 285While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a
182string as first element (a portid, or some word that indicates a request 286string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a request
183type etc.). 287type etc.).
184 288
185The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this 289The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this
186function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many 290function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many
187problems. 291problems.
190JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 294JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
191of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 295of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
192that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 296that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
193node, anything can be passed. 297node, anything can be passed.
194 298
195=item kil $portid[, @reason] 299=item $local_port = port
196 300
197Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 301Create 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.
198 303
199If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 304=item $local_port = port { my @msg = @_ }
200ports will not be kileld, or even notified).
201 305
202Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 306Creates a new local port, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as
203C<mon>, see below). 307creating a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
204 308
205Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 309The block will be called for every message received on the port, with the
206will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 310global variable C<$SELF> set to the port ID. Runtime errors will cause the
311port to be C<kil>ed. The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument
312(i.e. no port ID) will be passed to the callback.
207 313
208Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 314If you want to stop/destroy the port, simply C<kil> it:
209$message >>.
210 315
316 my $port = port {
317 my @msg = @_;
318 ...
319 kil $SELF;
320 };
321
322=cut
323
324sub rcv($@);
325
326sub _kilme {
327 die "received message on port without callback";
328}
329
330sub port(;&) {
331 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++;
332 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
333
334 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
335
336 $port
337}
338
339=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
340
341Replaces the default callback on the specified port. There is no way to
342remove the default callback: use C<sub { }> to disable it, or better
343C<kil> the port when it is no longer needed.
344
345The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
346executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
347result in the port being C<kil>ed.
348
349The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific
350C<tag> match.
351
352=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
353
354Register callbacks to be called on messages starting with the given tag on
355the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when C<$callback>
356is C<$undef>).
357
358The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first
359element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same
360environment as the default callback (see above).
361
362Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
363
364 my $port = rcv port,
365 msg1 => sub { ... },
366 msg2 => sub { ... },
367 ;
368
369Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
370in one go:
371
372 snd $otherport, reply =>
373 rcv port,
374 msg1 => sub { ... },
375 ...
376 ;
377
378=cut
379
380sub rcv($@) {
381 my $port = shift;
382 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
383
384 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""}
385 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
386
387 while (@_) {
388 if (ref $_[0]) {
389 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
390 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
391 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
392
393 $self->[2] = shift;
394 } else {
395 my $cb = shift;
396 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
397 local $SELF = $port;
398 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
399 };
400 }
401 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
402 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
403 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
404
405 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
406 local $SELF = $port;
407
408 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
409 shift;
410 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
411 } else {
412 &{ $self->[0] };
413 }
414 };
415
416 $self
417 };
418
419 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
420 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
421
422 my ($tag, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
423
424 if (defined $cb) {
425 $self->[1]{$tag} = $cb;
426 } else {
427 delete $self->[1]{$tag};
428 }
429 }
430 }
431
432 $port
433}
434
435=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
436
437Remembers C<$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>
439callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
440
441This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
442
443 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
444 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
445 my $timer = AE::timer $delay, 0, psub {
446 snd @reply, $SELF;
447 };
448 };
449
450=cut
451
452sub psub(&) {
453 my $cb = shift;
454
455 my $port = $SELF
456 or Carp::croak "psub can only be called from within rcv or psub callbacks, not";
457
458 sub {
459 local $SELF = $port;
460
461 if (wantarray) {
462 my @res = eval { &$cb };
463 _self_die if $@;
464 @res
465 } else {
466 my $res = eval { &$cb };
467 _self_die if $@;
468 $res
469 }
470 }
471}
472
211=item $guard = mon $portid, $cb->(@reason) 473=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason)
212 474
213=item $guard = mon $portid, $otherport 475=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport
214 476
477=item $guard = mon $port
478
215=item $guard = mon $portid, $otherport, @msg 479=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg
216 480
217Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed. 481Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
482messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
483to stop monitoring again.
218 484
485C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
486that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port
487will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible
488message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between"
489(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
490port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
491delivered again.
492
219In the first form, the callback is simply called with any number 493In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
220of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 494number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
221"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 495"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
222C<eval> if unsure. 496C<eval> if unsure.
223 497
224In the second form, the other port will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff 498In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
225a @reason was specified, i.e. on "normal" kils nothing happens, while 499will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
226under all other conditions, the other port is killed with the same reason. 500"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
501port is killed with the same reason.
227 502
503The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
504C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
505
228In the last form, a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be C<snd>. 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.
229 515
230Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 516Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
231 517
232 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 518 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
233 519
234Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally. 520Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally.
235 521
236 mon $port, $self; 522 mon $port;
237 523
238Example: send us a restart message another C<$port> is killed. 524Example: send us a restart message when another C<$port> is killed.
239 525
240 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 526 mon $port, $self => "restart";
241 527
242=cut 528=cut
243 529
244sub mon { 530sub mon {
245 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 531 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
246 532
247 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 533 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef;
248 534
249 my $cb = shift; 535 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
250 536
251 unless (ref $cb) { 537 unless (ref $cb) {
252 if (@_) { 538 if (@_) {
253 # send a kill info message 539 # send a kill info message
254 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_); 540 my (@msg) = ($cb, @_);
285=cut 571=cut
286 572
287sub mon_guard { 573sub mon_guard {
288 my ($port, @refs) = @_; 574 my ($port, @refs) = @_;
289 575
576 #TODO: mon-less form?
577
290 mon $port, sub { 0 && @refs } 578 mon $port, sub { 0 && @refs }
291} 579}
292 580
293=item lnk $port1, $port2 581=item kil $port[, @reason]
294 582
295Link two ports. This is simply a shorthand for: 583Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
296 584
297 mon $port1, $port2; 585If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked
298 mon $port2, $port1; 586ports will not be kileld, or even notified).
299 587
300It means that if either one is killed abnormally, the other one gets 588Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of
301killed as well. 589C<mon>, see below).
302 590
303=item $local_port = port 591Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
592will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
304 593
305Create a new local port object that supports message matching. 594Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
595$message >>.
306 596
307=item $portid = port { my @msg = @_; $finished }
308
309Creates a "mini port", that is, a very lightweight port without any
310pattern matching behind it, and returns its ID.
311
312The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the
313callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port
314will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive.
315
316The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will
317be passed to the callback.
318
319If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely:
320
321 my $port; $port = miniport {
322 snd $otherport, reply => $port;
323 };
324
325=cut 597=cut
326 598
327sub port(;&) { 599=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
328 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++;
329 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
330 600
331 if (@_) { 601Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
332 my $cb = shift; 602case it's the node where that port resides).
333 $PORT{$id} = sub { 603
334 local $SELF = $port; 604The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is
335 eval { 605permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port.
336 &$cb 606
337 and kil $id; 607After the port has been created, the init function is
608called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name
609(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main
610program, use C<::name>.
611
612If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
613the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
614C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
615exists or it runs out of package names.
616
617The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
618object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments.
619
620A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and
621in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring
622ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem.
623
624Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
625
626 # this node, executed from within a port context:
627 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
628 mon $server;
629
630 # init function on C<$othernode>
631 sub connect {
632 my ($srcport) = @_;
633
634 mon $srcport;
635
636 rcv $SELF, sub {
338 }; 637 ...
339 _self_die if $@;
340 };
341 } else {
342 my $self = bless {
343 id => "$NODE#$id",
344 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
345
346 $PORT_DATA{$id} = $self;
347 $PORT{$id} = sub {
348 local $SELF = $port;
349
350 eval {
351 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) {
352 $_ && &{$_->[0]}
353 && undef $_;
354 }
355
356 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
357 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
358 && &{$_->[0]}
359 && undef $_;
360 }
361
362 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
363 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
364 && &{$_->[0]}
365 && undef $_;
366 }
367 };
368 _self_die if $@;
369 }; 638 };
370 } 639 }
371 640
372 $port 641=cut
642
643sub _spawn {
644 my $port = shift;
645 my $init = shift;
646
647 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
648 eval {
649 &{ load_func $init }
650 };
651 _self_die if $@;
373} 652}
374 653
375=item reg $portid, $name 654sub spawn(@) {
655 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
376 656
377Registers the given port under the name C<$name>. If the name already 657 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
378exists it is replaced.
379 658
380A port can only be registered under one well known name. 659 $_[0] =~ /::/
660 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
381 661
382A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed. 662 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef)
663 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]);
383 664
384=cut 665 "$noderef#$id"
385
386sub reg(@) {
387 my ($portid, $name) = @_;
388
389 $REG{$name} = $portid;
390} 666}
391
392=item rcv $portid, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
393
394=item rcv $portid, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
395
396=item rcv $portid, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
397
398Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given port.
399
400The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
401which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
402registered.
403
404The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$portid> while
405executing the callback.
406
407Runtime errors wdurign callback execution will result in the port being
408C<kil>ed.
409
410If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the
411first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
412matched.
413
414Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function
415exported by this module) matches any single element of the message.
416
417While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching
418element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is
419also the most efficient match (by far).
420
421=cut
422
423sub rcv($@) {
424 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
425
426 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""}
427 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
428
429 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$port}
430 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
431
432 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
433 or Carp::croak "$noderef#$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
434
435 while (@_) {
436 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
437
438 if (!ref $match) {
439 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb];
440 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) {
441 my ($type, @match) = @$match;
442 @match
443 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match]
444 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb];
445 } else {
446 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match];
447 }
448 }
449}
450
451=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
452
453Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
454closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
455callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
456
457This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
458
459 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
460 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
461 my $timer = AE::timer $delay, 0, psub {
462 snd @reply, $SELF;
463 };
464 };
465
466=cut
467
468sub psub(&) {
469 my $cb = shift;
470
471 my $port = $SELF
472 or Carp::croak "psub can only be called from within rcv or psub callbacks, not";
473
474 sub {
475 local $SELF = $port;
476
477 if (wantarray) {
478 my @res = eval { &$cb };
479 _self_die if $@;
480 @res
481 } else {
482 my $res = eval { &$cb };
483 _self_die if $@;
484 $res
485 }
486 }
487}
488
489=back
490
491=head1 FUNCTIONS FOR NODES
492
493=over 4
494
495=item become_public $noderef
496
497Tells the node to become a public node, i.e. reachable from other nodes.
498
499The first argument is the (unresolved) node reference of the local node
500(if missing then the empty string is used).
501
502It is quite common to not specify anything, in which case the local node
503tries to listen on the default port, or to only specify a port number, in
504which case AnyEvent::MP tries to guess the local addresses.
505
506=cut
507 667
508=back 668=back
509 669
510=head1 NODE MESSAGES 670=head1 NODE MESSAGES
511 671
553 713
554=back 714=back
555 715
556=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 716=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
557 717
558AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed erlang (erlang node 718AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
559== aemp node, erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 719== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
560programming techniques employed by erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 720programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
561sample: 721sample:
562 722
563 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 723 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
564 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 724 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
565 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 725 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
566 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 726 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
567 727
568Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 728Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
569 729
570=over 4 730=over 4
571 731
576convenience functionality. 736convenience functionality.
577 737
578This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the 738This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the
579cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead. 739cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead.
580 740
741=item Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
742uses "local ports are like remote ports".
743
744The 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,
746when a connection to another node dies, you know nothing about the other
747port.
748
749Erlang pretends remote ports are as reliable as local ports, even when
750they are not.
751
752AEMP encourages a "treat remote ports differently" philosophy, with local
753ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
754occur.
755
581=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 756=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
582 757
583Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 758Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore
584needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 759needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no
585purpose. 760useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of
761AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
762filter messages without dequeing them.
586 763
587(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 764(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
588 765
589=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 766=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
590 767
591Sending messages in erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 768Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and
592sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 769so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate,
593background. 770connection establishment is handled in the background.
594 771
595=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 772=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
596 773
597Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 774Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost
598without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 775without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b,
599and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 776and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
600 777
601AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 778AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no
602holes in the message sequence. 779holes in the message sequence.
603 780
604=item * In erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 781=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be
605alive. 782alive.
606 783
607In erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and 784In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and
608linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is 785linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
609still alive - and can receive messages. 786still alive - and can receive messages.
610 787
611In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will 788In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
612eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead 789eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
613and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive. 790and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
614 791
615=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 792=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
616 793
617In erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 794In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID
618ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 795known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages
619messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 796destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process.
620 797
621AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 798AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
622around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 799around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
623 800
624=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 801=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
628securely authenticate nodes. 805securely authenticate nodes.
629 806
630=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 807=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
631communications. 808communications.
632 809
633The AEMP protocol, unlike the erlang protocol, supports both 810The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both
634language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 811language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary,
635language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 812language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable).
636 813
637It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 814It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
638with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 815with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the
639protocol simple. 816protocol simple.
640 817
818=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
819
820In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages
821or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is
822difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in
823Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback
824on a per-process basis.
825
826=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
827
828Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes,
829as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
830
831In 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
833on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor
834the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much
835more reliable.
836
837This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
838(hard to do in Erlang).
839
840=back
841
842=head1 RATIONALE
843
844=over 4
845
846=item Why strings for ports and noderefs, why not objects?
847
848We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
849thatc an be called are very low. Since port IDs and noderefs travel over
850the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
851overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object.
852
853Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
854procedures to be "valid".
855
856And a a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a global hash - it
857can't become much cheaper.
858
859=item Why favour JSON, why not real serialising format such as Storable?
860
861In 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
863default.
864
865The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
866faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
867experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
868than it gains: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
869easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
870always have to re-think your design.
871
872Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
873objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
874
641=back 875=back
642 876
643=head1 SEE ALSO 877=head1 SEE ALSO
644 878
645L<AnyEvent>. 879L<AnyEvent>.

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