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Revision 1.83 by root, Tue Sep 8 01:38:16 2009 UTC

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 $simple_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
38 # monitoring 35 # monitoring
40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 37 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
41 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 38 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
42 39
43=head1 CURRENT STATUS 40=head1 CURRENT STATUS
44 41
42 bin/aemp - stable.
45 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work 43 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated 44 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
47 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - WIP
48 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable 45 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable but incomplete, protocol not yet final.
49 47
50 stay tuned. 48stay tuned.
51 49
52=head1 DESCRIPTION 50=head1 DESCRIPTION
53 51
54This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 52This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
55 53
56Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 54Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
57on the same or other hosts. 55on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
58 56
59For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> 57For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro>
60manual page. 58manual 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 59
66=head1 CONCEPTS 60=head1 CONCEPTS
67 61
68=over 4 62=over 4
69 63
70=item port 64=item port
71 65
72A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 66Not to be confused with a TCP port, a "port" is something you can send
67messages to (with the C<snd> function).
73 68
74Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just 69Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
75some messages. Messages will not be queued. 70some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
71anything was listening for them or not.
76 72
77=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 73=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
78 74
79A port ID is the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 75A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) as
80separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 76separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format).
81exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node
82reference.
83 77
84=item node 78=item node
85 79
86A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port, 80A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
87which provides nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 81which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
88ports. 82ports.
89 83
90Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a 84Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
91master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes). 85(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
86currently.
92 87
93=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> 88=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+>
94 89
95A node reference is a string that either simply identifies the node (for 90A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
96private and slave nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given 91network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
97node (for public nodes). 92hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
93doesn't interpret node IDs in any way.
98 94
99This recipe is simply a comma-separated list of C<address:port> pairs (for 95=item binds - C<ip:port>
100TCP/IP, other protocols might look different).
101 96
102Node references come in two flavours: resolved (containing only numerical 97Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to
103addresses) or unresolved (where hostnames are used instead of addresses). 98each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
99endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can
100be used, which specify TCP ports to listen on.
104 101
105Before using an unresolved node reference in a message you first have to 102=item seed nodes
106resolve it. 103
104When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node
105about the network it first has to contact some other node within the
106network. This node is called a seed.
107
108Apart from the fact that other nodes know them as seed nodes and they have
109to have fixed listening addresses, seed nodes are perfectly normal nodes -
110any node can function as a seed node for others.
111
112In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
113maintain the network and to connect nodes that otherwise would have
114trouble connecting. They form the backbone of the AnyEvent::MP network.
115
116Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node
117should always be available.
118
119=item seeds - C<host:port>
120
121Seeds are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
122TCP port) of nodes thta should be used as seed nodes.
123
124The nodes listening on those endpoints are expected to be long-running,
125and at least one of those should always be available. When nodes run out
126of connections (e.g. due to a network error), they try to re-establish
127connections to some seednodes again to join the network.
107 128
108=back 129=back
109 130
110=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 131=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
111 132
126use base "Exporter"; 147use base "Exporter";
127 148
128our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 149our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION;
129 150
130our @EXPORT = qw( 151our @EXPORT = qw(
131 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 152 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
132 resolve_node initialise_node 153 configure
133 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn 154 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn
134 port 155 port
135); 156);
136 157
137our $SELF; 158our $SELF;
138 159
142 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 163 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
143} 164}
144 165
145=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 166=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
146 167
147The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains the 168The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
148noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call to 169ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
149C<initialise_node>. 170a call to C<configure>.
150 171
151=item $noderef = node_of $port 172=item $nodeid = node_of $port
152 173
153Extracts and returns the noderef from a port ID or a noderef. 174Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
154 175
155=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode... 176=item configure $profile, key => value...
156 177
157=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master... 178=item configure key => value...
158 179
159Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise 180Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
160itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally 181"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
161it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network. 182to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
183some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
162 184
163This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 185This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
164never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 186never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
165 187
166All arguments (optionally except for the first) are noderefs, which can be
167either resolved or unresolved.
168
169The first argument will be looked up in the configuration database first
170(if it is C<undef> then the current nodename will be used instead) to find
171the relevant configuration profile (see L<aemp>). If none is found then
172the default configuration is used. The configuration supplies additional
173seed/master nodes and can override the actual noderef.
174
175There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
176
177=over 4 188=over 4
178 189
179=item public nodes 190=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
180 191
181For public nodes, C<$noderef> (supplied either directly to 192The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
182C<initialise_node> or indirectly via a profile or the nodename) must be a 193L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
183noderef (possibly unresolved, in which case it will be resolved). 194named C<profile> parameter or can simply be the first parameter). If it is
195missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
184 196
185After resolving, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to 197The profile data is then gathered as follows:
186connect to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are
187optional and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing
188network.
189 198
190=item slave nodes 199First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
200undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
201data. Then they will be overwritten by any values specified in the global
202default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of
203profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes).
191 204
192When the C<$noderef> (either as given or overriden by the config file) 205That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
193is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will become a slave 206and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
194node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will route most of 207and can only be used to specify defaults.
195their traffic to the master node that they attach to.
196 208
197At least one additional noderef is required (either by specifying it 209If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
198directly or because it is part of the configuration profile): The node 210this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The
199will try to connect to all of them and will become a slave attached to the 211special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID.
200first node it can successfully connect to. 212
213=item step 2, bind listener sockets
214
215The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
216aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
217to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the
218outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no
219binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes).
220
221If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is
222used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
223local IP address it finds.
224
225=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
226
227As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the
228L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
229connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
201 230
202=back 231=back
203 232
204This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave 233Example: become a distributed node using the locla node name as profile.
205nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master 234This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
206server.
207 235
208Example: become a public node listening on the guessed noderef, or the one 236 configure
209specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the most common
210form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
211 237
212 initialise_node; 238Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline
239clients.
213 240
214Example: become a slave node to any of the the seednodes specified via 241 configure nodeid => "anon/";
215C<aemp>. This form is often used for commandline clients.
216 242
217 initialise_node "slave/"; 243Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable
244for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
245customary for aemp).
218 246
219Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers. This 247 # use the aemp commandline utility
220form is also often used for commandline clients. 248 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040'
221 249
222 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net"; 250 # then use it
251 configure profile => "seed";
223 252
224Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master 253 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
225servers to become part of the network. 254 # aemp run profile seed
226 255
227 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2"; 256 # or provide a nicer-to-remember nodeid
228 257 # aemp run profile seed nodeid "$(hostname)"
229Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>.
230
231 initialise_node 4041;
232
233Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
234
235 initialise_node "localhost:4044";
236
237=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
238
239Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
240abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
241reference.
242
243In addition to C<address:port> pairs allowed in resolved noderefs, the
244following forms are supported:
245
246=over 4
247
248=item the empty string
249
250An empty-string component gets resolved as if the default port (4040) was
251specified.
252
253=item naked port numbers (e.g. C<1234>)
254
255These are resolved by prepending the local nodename and a colon, to be
256further resolved.
257
258=item hostnames (e.g. C<localhost:1234>, C<localhost>)
259
260These are resolved by using AnyEvent::DNS to resolve them, optionally
261looking up SRV records for the C<aemp=4040> port, if no port was
262specified.
263
264=back
265 258
266=item $SELF 259=item $SELF
267 260
268Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 261Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
269blocks. 262blocks.
270 263
271=item SELF, %SELF, @SELF... 264=item *SELF, SELF, %SELF, @SELF...
272 265
273Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 266Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
274just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 267just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols named C<SELF> are exported by this
275module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 268module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
276 269
277=item snd $port, type => @data 270=item snd $port, type => @data
278 271
279=item snd $port, @msg 272=item snd $port, @msg
280 273
281Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 274Send the given message to the given port, which can identify either a
282a local or a remote port, and must be a port ID. 275local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
283 276
284While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a 277While the message can be almost anything, it is highly recommended to
285string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a request 278use a string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a
286type etc.). 279request type etc.) and to consist if only simple perl values (scalars,
280arrays, hashes) - if you think you need to pass an object, think again.
287 281
288The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this 282The message data logically becomes read-only after a call to this
289function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many 283function: modifying any argument (or values referenced by them) is
290problems. 284forbidden, as there can be considerable time between the call to C<snd>
285and the time the message is actually being serialised - in fact, it might
286never be copied as within the same process it is simply handed to the
287receiving port.
291 288
292The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when 289The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when
293JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 290JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
294of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 291of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
295that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 292that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
296node, anything can be passed. 293node, anything can be passed. Best rely only on the common denominator of
294these.
297 295
298=item $local_port = port 296=item $local_port = port
299 297
300Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has 298Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
301no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages. 299no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
386 384
387=cut 385=cut
388 386
389sub rcv($@) { 387sub rcv($@) {
390 my $port = shift; 388 my $port = shift;
391 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 389 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
392 390
393 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""} 391 $NODE{$nodeid} == $NODE{""}
394 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 392 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
395 393
396 while (@_) { 394 while (@_) {
397 if (ref $_[0]) { 395 if (ref $_[0]) {
398 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 396 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
477 $res 475 $res
478 } 476 }
479 } 477 }
480} 478}
481 479
482=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) 480=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) # call $cb when $port dies
483 481
484=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport 482=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport # kill $rcvport when $port dies
485 483
486=item $guard = mon $port 484=item $guard = mon $port # kill $SELF when $port dies
487 485
488=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg 486=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg # send a message when $port dies
489 487
490Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 488Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
491messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 489messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
492to stop monitoring again. 490to stop monitoring again.
493
494C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
495that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port
496will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible
497message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between"
498(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
499port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
500delivered again.
501 491
502In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 492In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
503number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 493number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
504"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 494"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
505C<eval> if unsure. 495C<eval> if unsure.
506 496
507In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>) 497In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
508will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on 498will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
509"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other 499"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
510port is killed with the same reason. 500port is killed with the same reason.
511 501
512The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that 502The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
513C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>. 503C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
514 504
515In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be 505In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
516C<snd>. 506C<snd>.
507
508Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
509alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
517 510
518As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from 511As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
519a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get 512a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
520lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that 513lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
521even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection 514even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
522to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally 515to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
523these problems do not exist. 516these problems do not exist.
524 517
518C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
519after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
520arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
521loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
522the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
523port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
524delivered again.
525
526Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
527used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
528relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
529non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle conenctions).
530
531This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
532stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
533to ensure some maximum latency.
534
525Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 535Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
526 536
527 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 537 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
528 538
529Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally. 539Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally.
535 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 545 mon $port, $self => "restart";
536 546
537=cut 547=cut
538 548
539sub mon { 549sub mon {
540 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 550 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
541 551
542 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 552 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
543 553
544 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 554 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
545 555
546 unless (ref $cb) { 556 unless (ref $cb) {
547 if (@_) { 557 if (@_) {
567is killed, the references will be freed. 577is killed, the references will be freed.
568 578
569Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring. 579Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
570 580
571This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and 581This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
572want to free them when the port gets killed: 582want to free them when the port gets killed (note the use of C<psub>):
573 583
574 $port->rcv (start => sub { 584 $port->rcv (start => sub {
575 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub { 585 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, psub {
576 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand; 586 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
577 }); 587 });
578 }); 588 });
579 589
580=cut 590=cut
589 599
590=item kil $port[, @reason] 600=item kil $port[, @reason]
591 601
592Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 602Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
593 603
594If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 604If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports
595ports will not be kileld, or even notified). 605monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies
606"normally").
596 607
597Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 608Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of
598C<mon>, see below). 609C<mon>, see above).
599 610
600Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 611Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
601will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 612will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
602 613
603Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 614Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
608=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] 619=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
609 620
610Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which 621Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
611case it's the node where that port resides). 622case it's the node where that port resides).
612 623
613The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is 624The port ID of the newly created port is returned immediately, and it is
614permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port. 625possible to immediately start sending messages or to monitor the port.
615 626
616After the port has been created, the init function is 627After the port has been created, the init function is called on the remote
617called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name 628node, in the same context as a C<rcv> callback. This function must be a
618(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main 629fully-qualified function name (e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To
619program, use C<::name>. 630specify a function in the main program, use C<::name>.
620 631
621If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require> 632If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
622the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 633the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
623C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 634C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
624exists or it runs out of package names. 635exists or it runs out of package names.
625 636
626The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 637The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
627object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 638object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
639call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
640the port might not get created.
628 641
629A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and 642A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
630in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring 643port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
631ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem. 644local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
645when there is a problem.
646
647C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
648caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
649called for the local node).
632 650
633Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 651Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
634 652
635 # this node, executed from within a port context: 653 # this node, executed from within a port context:
636 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 654 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
651 669
652sub _spawn { 670sub _spawn {
653 my $port = shift; 671 my $port = shift;
654 my $init = shift; 672 my $init = shift;
655 673
674 # rcv will create the actual port
656 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 675 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
657 eval { 676 eval {
658 &{ load_func $init } 677 &{ load_func $init }
659 }; 678 };
660 _self_die if $@; 679 _self_die if $@;
661} 680}
662 681
663sub spawn(@) { 682sub spawn(@) {
664 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 683 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
665 684
666 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 685 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
667 686
668 $_[0] =~ /::/ 687 $_[0] =~ /::/
669 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 688 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
670 689
671 snd_to_func $noderef, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 690 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
672 691
673 "$noderef#$id" 692 "$nodeid#$id"
674} 693}
675 694
676=back 695=item after $timeout, @msg
677 696
678=head1 NODE MESSAGES 697=item after $timeout, $callback
679 698
680Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take 699Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the
681arguments called C<@reply>, which will simply be used to compose a reply 700specified number of seconds.
682message - C<$reply[0]> is the port to reply to, C<$reply[1]> the type and
683the remaining arguments are simply the message data.
684 701
685While other messages exist, they are not public and subject to change. 702This is simply a utility function that comes in handy at times - the
703AnyEvent::MP author is not convinced of the wisdom of having it, though,
704so it may go away in the future.
686 705
687=over 4
688
689=cut 706=cut
690 707
691=item lookup => $name, @reply 708sub after($@) {
709 my ($timeout, @action) = @_;
692 710
693Replies with the port ID of the specified well-known port, or C<undef>. 711 my $t; $t = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
694 712 undef $t;
695=item devnull => ... 713 ref $action[0]
696 714 ? $action[0]()
697Generic data sink/CPU heat conversion. 715 : snd @action;
698 716 };
699=item relay => $port, @msg 717}
700
701Simply forwards the message to the given port.
702
703=item eval => $string[ @reply]
704
705Evaluates the given string. If C<@reply> is given, then a message of the
706form C<@reply, $@, @evalres> is sent.
707
708Example: crash another node.
709
710 snd $othernode, eval => "exit";
711
712=item time => @reply
713
714Replies the the current node time to C<@reply>.
715
716Example: tell the current node to send the current time to C<$myport> in a
717C<timereply> message.
718
719 snd $NODE, time => $myport, timereply => 1, 2;
720 # => snd $myport, timereply => 1, 2, <time>
721 718
722=back 719=back
723 720
724=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 721=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
725 722
735 732
736Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 733Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
737 734
738=over 4 735=over 4
739 736
740=item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them. 737=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
741 738
742Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the 739Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
743same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with 740way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
744convenience functionality. 741configuration or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself.
745
746This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the
747cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead.
748 742
749=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 743=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
750uses "local ports are like remote ports". 744uses "local ports are like remote ports".
751 745
752The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 746The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
765 759
766Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 760Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore
767needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 761needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no
768useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 762useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of
769AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 763AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
770filter messages without dequeing them. 764filter messages without dequeuing them.
771 765
772(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 766(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
773 767
774=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 768=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
775 769
781 775
782Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 776Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost
783without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 777without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b,
784and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 778and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
785 779
786AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 780AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message
787holes in the message sequence. 781is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until
788 782monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message
789=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 783sequence.
790alive.
791
792In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and
793linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
794still alive - and can receive messages.
795
796In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
797eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
798and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
799 784
800=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 785=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
801 786
802In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 787In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID
803known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 788known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages
807around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 792around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
808 793
809=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 794=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
810authentication and can use TLS. 795authentication and can use TLS.
811 796
812AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and 797AEMP can use a proven protocol - TLS - to protect connections and
813securely authenticate nodes. 798securely authenticate nodes.
814 799
815=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 800=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
816communications. 801communications.
817 802
818The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both 803The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
819language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 804language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary,
820language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 805language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
806used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
821 807
822It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 808It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
823with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 809with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
824protocol simple. 810protocol simple.
825 811
826=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 812=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
827 813
828In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 814In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages
831Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 817Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback
832on a per-process basis. 818on a per-process basis.
833 819
834=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 820=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
835 821
836Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, 822Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
837as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 823same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
838 824
839In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports 825In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
840that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port 826that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
841on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor 827on the remote node. The init function monitors you, and you monitor the
842the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much 828remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much more
843more reliable. 829reliable (no need for C<spawn_link>).
844 830
845This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port 831This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
846(hard to do in Erlang). 832(hard to do in Erlang).
847 833
848=back 834=back
849 835
850=head1 RATIONALE 836=head1 RATIONALE
851 837
852=over 4 838=over 4
853 839
854=item Why strings for ports and noderefs, why not objects? 840=item Why strings for port and node IDs, why not objects?
855 841
856We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods 842We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
857thatc an be called are very low. Since port IDs and noderefs travel over 843that can be called are quite low. Since port and node IDs travel over
858the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of 844the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
859overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object. 845overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
860 846
861Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 847Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
862procedures to be "valid". 848procedures to be "valid".
863 849
864And a a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a global hash - it 850And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a
865can't become much cheaper. 851global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
866 852
867=item Why favour JSON, why not real serialising format such as Storable? 853=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
868 854
869In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 855In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
870format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 856format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
871default. 857default (although all nodes will accept it).
872 858
873The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times 859The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
874faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of 860faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
875experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems 861experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
876than it gains: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel 862than it solves: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
877easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you 863easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
878always have to re-think your design. 864always have to re-think your design.
879 865
880Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than 866Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
881objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient. 867objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
882 868
883=back 869=back
884 870
885=head1 SEE ALSO 871=head1 SEE ALSO
886 872
873L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
874
875L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
876
877L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find
878your applications.
879
880L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
881all nodes.
882
887L<AnyEvent>. 883L<AnyEvent>.
888 884
889=head1 AUTHOR 885=head1 AUTHOR
890 886
891 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 887 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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