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Revision 1.125 by root, Sat Mar 3 13:07:19 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 configure; 15 configure;
17 16
18 # ports are message endpoints 17 # ports are message destinations
19 18
20 # sending messages 19 # sending messages
21 snd $port, type => data...; 20 snd $port, type => data...;
22 snd $port, @msg; 21 snd $port, @msg;
23 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port; 22 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
24 23
25 # creating/using ports, the simple way 24 # creating/using ports, the simple way
26 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; 25 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_ };
27 26
28 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching 27 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
29 my $port = port; 28 my $port = port;
30 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 29 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong" };
31 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
32 31
33 # create a port on another node 32 # create a port on another node
34 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
35 34
35 # destroy a port again
36 kil $port; # "normal" kill
37 kil $port, my_error => "everything is broken"; # error kill
38
36 # monitoring 39 # monitoring
37 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 40 mon $localport, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
38 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 41 mon $localport, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
39 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 42 mon $localport, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
43
44 # temporarily execute code in port context
45 peval $port, sub { die "kill the port!" };
46
47 # execute callbacks in $SELF port context
48 my $timer = AE::timer 1, 0, psub {
49 die "kill the port, delayed";
50 };
40 51
41=head1 CURRENT STATUS 52=head1 CURRENT STATUS
42 53
43 bin/aemp - stable. 54 bin/aemp - stable.
44 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work. 55 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
45 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - uptodate, but incomplete. 56 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable. 57 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable API.
47 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API, protocol not yet final. 58 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API.
48
49 stay tuned.
50 59
51=head1 DESCRIPTION 60=head1 DESCRIPTION
52 61
53This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 62This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
54 63
56on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely. 65on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
57 66
58For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> 67For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro>
59manual page and the examples under F<eg/>. 68manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
60 69
61At the moment, this module family is a bit underdocumented.
62
63=head1 CONCEPTS 70=head1 CONCEPTS
64 71
65=over 4 72=over 4
66 73
67=item port 74=item port
68 75
69A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 76Not to be confused with a TCP port, a "port" is something you can send
77messages to (with the C<snd> function).
70 78
71Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just 79Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
72some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
73anything was listening for them or not. 81anything was listening for them or not.
74 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
75=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
76 86
77A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 87A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>)
78separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). 88as separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified
89format created by AnyEvent::MP).
79 90
80=item node 91=item node
81 92
82A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port, 93A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
83which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
84ports. 95ports.
85 96
86Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
87(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 98(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
88currently. 99currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
89 100
101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
102
90=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+> 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
91 104
92A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a 105A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
93network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 106network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
94hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself 107hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
95doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 108doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
96 109
97=item binds - C<ip:port> 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
98 111
99Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to 112Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to
100each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport 113each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
114endpoints - binds.
115
101endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can 116Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
102be used, which specify TCP ports to listen on. 117specify TCP ports to listen on. So a bind is basically just a tcp socket
118in listening mode thta accepts conenctions form other nodes.
103 119
120=item seed nodes
121
122When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network it is in - it
123needs to connect to at least one other node that is already in the
124network. These other nodes are called "seed nodes".
125
126Seed nodes themselves are not special - they are seed nodes only because
127some other node I<uses> them as such, but any node can be used as seed
128node for other nodes, and eahc node cna use a different set of seed nodes.
129
130In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
131maintain the network - all nodes using the same seed node form are part of
132the same network. If a network is split into multiple subnets because e.g.
133the network link between the parts goes down, then using the same seed
134nodes for all nodes ensures that eventually the subnets get merged again.
135
136Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node
137should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a
138seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else.
139
140For small networks, it's best if every node uses the same set of seed
141nodes. For large networks, it can be useful to specify "regional" seed
142nodes for most nodes in an area, and use all seed nodes as seed nodes for
143each other. What's important is that all seed nodes connections form a
144complete graph, so that the network cannot split into separate subnets
145forever.
146
147Seed nodes are represented by seed IDs.
148
104=item seeds - C<host:port> 149=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
105 150
106When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node 151Seed IDs are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
107about the network it first has to contact some other node within the 152TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
108network. This node is called a seed.
109 153
110Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes 154=item global nodes
111are expected to be long-running, and at least one of those should always
112be available. When nodes run out of connections (e.g. due to a network
113error), they try to re-establish connections to some seednodes again to
114join the network.
115 155
116Apart from being sued for seeding, seednodes are not special in any way - 156An AEMP network needs a discovery service - nodes need to know how to
117every public node can be a seednode. 157connect to other nodes they only know by name. In addition, AEMP offers a
158distributed "group database", which maps group names to a list of strings
159- for example, to register worker ports.
160
161A network needs at least one global node to work, and allows every node to
162be a global node.
163
164Any node that loads the L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module becomes a global
165node and tries to keep connections to all other nodes. So while it can
166make sense to make every node "global" in small networks, it usually makes
167sense to only make seed nodes into global nodes in large networks (nodes
168keep connections to seed nodes and global nodes, so makign them the same
169reduces overhead).
118 170
119=back 171=back
120 172
121=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
122 174
124 176
125=cut 177=cut
126 178
127package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
128 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
129use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
130 184
131use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
132 186
133use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
134 188
135use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
136 191
137use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
138 193
139our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
140 195
141our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
142 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
143 configure 198 configure
144 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
145 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
146); 202);
147 203
148our $SELF; 204our $SELF;
149 205
150sub _self_die() { 206sub _self_die() {
161 217
162=item $nodeid = node_of $port 218=item $nodeid = node_of $port
163 219
164Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID. 220Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
165 221
222=item configure $profile, key => value...
223
166=item configure key => value... 224=item configure key => value...
167 225
168Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter 226Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
169"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs 227"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
170to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of 228to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
171some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 229some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
172 230
173This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or 231This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
174never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 232never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
175 233
234The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
235F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with two additions:
236
237=over 4
238
239=item norc => $boolean (default false)
240
241If true, then the rc file (e.g. F<~/.perl-anyevent-mp>) will I<not>
242be consulted - all configuraiton options must be specified in the
243C<configure> call.
244
245=item force => $boolean (default false)
246
247IF true, then the values specified in the C<configure> will take
248precedence over any values configured via the rc file. The default is for
249the rc file to override any options specified in the program.
250
251=back
252
176=over 4 253=over 4
177 254
178=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles 255=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
179 256
180The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the 257The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
181L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the 258L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
182named C<profile> parameter. If it is missing, then the nodename (F<uname 259named C<profile> parameter or can simply be the first parameter). If it is
183-n>) will be used as profile name. 260missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
184 261
185The profile data is then gathered as follows: 262The profile data is then gathered as follows:
186 263
187First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conviniently 264First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
188undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration 265undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
189data. Then they will be overwritten by any values specified in the global 266data. Then they will be overwritten by any values specified in the global
190default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of 267default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of
191profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes). 268profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes).
192 269
193That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority 270That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
194and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority, 271and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
195and can only be used to specify defaults. 272and can only be used to specify defaults.
196 273
197If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of 274If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
198this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The 275this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID, with
199special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID. 276a slash (C</>) attached.
277
278If the node ID (or profile name) ends with a slash (C</>), then a random
279string is appended to make it unique.
200 280
201=item step 2, bind listener sockets 281=item step 2, bind listener sockets
202 282
203The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding 283The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
204aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid 284aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
210used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every 290used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
211local IP address it finds. 291local IP address it finds.
212 292
213=item step 3, connect to seed nodes 293=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
214 294
215As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the 295As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
216L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 296L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
217connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. 297connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
218 298
219=back 299=back
220 300
221Example: become a distributed node using the locla node name as profile. 301Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
222This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 302This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
223 303
224 configure 304 configure
225 305
226Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 306Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline
227clients. 307clients.
228 308
229 configure nodeid => "anon/"; 309 configure nodeid => "anon/";
230 310
231Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable 311Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
232for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040, 312for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
233customary for aemp). 313customary for aemp).
234 314
235 # use the aemp commandline utility 315 # use the aemp commandline utility
236 # aemp profile seed setnodeid anon/ setbinds '*:4040' 316 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
237 317
238 # then use it 318 # then use it
239 configure profile => "seed"; 319 configure profile => "seed";
240 320
241 # or simply use aemp from the shell again: 321 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
311sub _kilme { 391sub _kilme {
312 die "received message on port without callback"; 392 die "received message on port without callback";
313} 393}
314 394
315sub port(;&) { 395sub port(;&) {
316 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 396 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
317 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 397 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
318 398
319 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 399 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
320 400
321 $port 401 $port
360 msg1 => sub { ... }, 440 msg1 => sub { ... },
361 ... 441 ...
362 ; 442 ;
363 443
364Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 444Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
365(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 445(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
366 446
367 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 447 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
368 my @reply = @_; 448 my @reply = @_;
369 449
370 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 450 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
372 452
373=cut 453=cut
374 454
375sub rcv($@) { 455sub rcv($@) {
376 my $port = shift; 456 my $port = shift;
377 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 457 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
378 458
379 $NODE{$noderef} == $NODE{""} 459 $NODE{$nodeid} == $NODE{""}
380 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 460 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
381 461
382 while (@_) { 462 while (@_) {
383 if (ref $_[0]) { 463 if (ref $_[0]) {
384 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 464 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
385 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 465 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
386 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 466 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
387 467
388 $self->[2] = shift; 468 $self->[0] = shift;
389 } else { 469 } else {
390 my $cb = shift; 470 my $cb = shift;
391 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 471 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
392 local $SELF = $port; 472 local $SELF = $port;
393 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 473 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
394 }; 474 };
395 } 475 }
396 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 476 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
397 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 477 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
398 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 478 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
399 479
400 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 480 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
401 local $SELF = $port; 481 local $SELF = $port;
402 482
403 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 483 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
425 } 505 }
426 506
427 $port 507 $port
428} 508}
429 509
510=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
511
512Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
513when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
514
515Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
516be returned to the caller.
517
518This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
519a port.
520
521Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
522
523 my $port = port { ... };
524
525 peval $port, sub {
526 init
527 or die "unable to init";
528 };
529
530=cut
531
532sub peval($$) {
533 local $SELF = shift;
534 my $cb = shift;
535
536 if (wantarray) {
537 my @res = eval { &$cb };
538 _self_die if $@;
539 @res
540 } else {
541 my $res = eval { &$cb };
542 _self_die if $@;
543 $res
544 }
545}
546
430=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 547=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
431 548
432Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 549Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
433closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 550closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
434callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 551callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
552
553The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
554BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
435 555
436This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 556This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
437 557
438 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 558 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
439 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 559 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
475 595
476Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 596Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
477messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 597messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
478to stop monitoring again. 598to stop monitoring again.
479 599
600In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
601number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
602"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
603C<eval> if unsure.
604
605In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
606will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
607"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
608port is killed with the same reason.
609
610The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
611C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
612
613In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
614C<snd>.
615
616Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
617alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
618
619As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
620a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
621lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
622even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
623to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
624these problems do not exist.
625
480C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 626C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
481after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will 627after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
482arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message 628arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
483loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after 629loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
484the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 630the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
485port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 631port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
486delivered again. 632delivered again.
487 633
488Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a 634Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
489monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again. 635used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
636relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
637non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
490 638
491In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 639This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
492number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 640stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
493"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 641to ensure some maximum latency.
494C<eval> if unsure.
495
496In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
497will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
498"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
499port is killed with the same reason.
500
501The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
502C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
503
504In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
505C<snd>.
506
507As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
508a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
509lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
510even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection
511to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
512these problems do not exist.
513 642
514Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 643Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
515 644
516 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 645 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
517 646
524 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 653 mon $port, $self => "restart";
525 654
526=cut 655=cut
527 656
528sub mon { 657sub mon {
529 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 658 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
530 659
531 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 660 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
532 661
533 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 662 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
534 663
535 unless (ref $cb) { 664 unless (ref $cb) {
536 if (@_) { 665 if (@_) {
545 } 674 }
546 675
547 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 676 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
548 677
549 defined wantarray 678 defined wantarray
550 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 679 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
551} 680}
552 681
553=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 682=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
554 683
555Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 684Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
578 707
579=item kil $port[, @reason] 708=item kil $port[, @reason]
580 709
581Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 710Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
582 711
583If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 712If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
584monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 713monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
585"normally"). 714(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
586 715
587Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 716If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
588C<mon>, see above). 717form) get killed with the same reason.
589 718
590Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 719Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
591will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 720will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
592 721
593Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 722Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
612the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 741the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
613C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 742C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
614exists or it runs out of package names. 743exists or it runs out of package names.
615 744
616The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 745The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
617object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 746object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
747call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
748the port might not get created.
618 749
619A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned 750A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
620port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed 751port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
621local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up 752local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
622when there is a problem. 753when there is a problem.
623 754
755C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
756caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
757called for the local node).
758
624Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 759Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
625 760
626 # this node, executed from within a port context: 761 # this node, executed from within a port context:
627 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 762 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
628 mon $server; 763 mon $server;
642 777
643sub _spawn { 778sub _spawn {
644 my $port = shift; 779 my $port = shift;
645 my $init = shift; 780 my $init = shift;
646 781
782 # rcv will create the actual port
647 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 783 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
648 eval { 784 eval {
649 &{ load_func $init } 785 &{ load_func $init }
650 }; 786 };
651 _self_die if $@; 787 _self_die if $@;
652} 788}
653 789
654sub spawn(@) { 790sub spawn(@) {
655 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 791 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
656 792
657 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 793 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
658 794
659 $_[0] =~ /::/ 795 $_[0] =~ /::/
660 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 796 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
661 797
662 snd_to_func $noderef, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 798 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
663 799
664 "$noderef#$id" 800 "$nodeid#$id"
665} 801}
802
666 803
667=item after $timeout, @msg 804=item after $timeout, @msg
668 805
669=item after $timeout, $callback 806=item after $timeout, $callback
670 807
686 ? $action[0]() 823 ? $action[0]()
687 : snd @action; 824 : snd @action;
688 }; 825 };
689} 826}
690 827
828=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
829
830A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
831given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
832
833The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
834the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
835
836A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
837
838If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
839then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
840elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
841
842If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
843monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
844
845Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
846might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
847this is indeed useful for something.
848
849=cut
850
851sub cal(@) {
852 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
853 my $cb = pop;
854
855 my $port = port {
856 undef $timeout;
857 kil $SELF;
858 &$cb;
859 };
860
861 if (defined $timeout) {
862 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
863 undef $timeout;
864 kil $port;
865 $cb->();
866 };
867 } else {
868 mon $_[0], sub {
869 kil $port;
870 $cb->();
871 };
872 }
873
874 push @_, $port;
875 &snd;
876
877 $port
878}
879
880=back
881
882=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
883
884AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
885be mirrored asynchronously at all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one of
886the global nodes for their needs.
887
888The database consists of a two-level hash - a hash contains a hash which
889contains values.
890
891The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
892is simply called "key".
893
894The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
895of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
896pretty much like Perl module names.
897
898As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
899with the name of the application or module using it.
900
901The keys must be strings, with no other limitations.
902
903The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
904work as well (such as undef, arrays and hashes).
905
906Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/key
907combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
908but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
909different values on different nodes.
910
911=item db_set $family => $key => $value
912
913Sets (or replaces) a key to the database.
914
915=item db_del $family => $key
916
917Deletes a key from the database.
918
919=item $guard = db_reg $family => $key [=> $value]
920
921Sets the key on the database and returns a guard. When the guard is
922destroyed, the key is deleted from the database. If C<$value> is missing,
923then C<undef> is used.
924
925=cut
926
691=back 927=back
692 928
693=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 929=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
694 930
695AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 931AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
696== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 932== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
697programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 933programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
698sample: 934sample:
699 935
700 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 936 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
701 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 937 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
702 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 938 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
703 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 939 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
704 940
705Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 941Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
706 942
707=over 4 943=over 4
708 944
709=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 945=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
710 946
711Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 947Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
712way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 948way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
713configuraiton or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 949configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
950will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
714 951
715=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 952=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
716uses "local ports are like remote ports". 953uses "local ports are like remote ports".
717 954
718The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 955The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
727ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 964ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
728occur. 965occur.
729 966
730=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 967=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
731 968
732Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 969Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
733needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 970therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
734useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 971no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
735AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 972of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
736filter messages without dequeing them. 973filter messages without dequeuing them.
737 974
738(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 975This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
976being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
977
978You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
979top of AEMP and Coro threads.
739 980
740=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 981=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
741 982
742Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 983Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
984a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
743so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 985need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
744connection establishment is handled in the background. 986establishment is handled in the background.
745 987
746=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 988=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
747 989
748Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 990Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
749without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 991lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
750and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 992b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
751 993
752AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 994AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
753is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 995guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
754monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 996same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
755sequence. 997no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
998
999If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
1000corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
1001simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
1002link goes down.
756 1003
757=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1004=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
758 1005
759In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 1006In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
760known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1007process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
761destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1008causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1009process.
762 1010
763AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1011AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
764around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1012around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
765 1013
766=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1014=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
767authentication and can use TLS. 1015authentication and can use TLS.
768 1016
771 1019
772=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1020=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
773communications. 1021communications.
774 1022
775The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 1023The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
776language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1024language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
777language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 1025language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
778used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 1026used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
779 1027
780It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1028It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
781with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 1029with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
782protocol simple. 1030protocol simple.
783 1031
784=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1032=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
785 1033
786In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1034In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
787or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1035I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
788difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1036difficult to implement.
789Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1037
790on a per-process basis. 1038Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1039between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
791 1040
792=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1041=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
793 1042
794Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 1043Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
795same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1044same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
817overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1066overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
818 1067
819Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1068Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
820procedures to be "valid". 1069procedures to be "valid".
821 1070
822And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 1071And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
823global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1072code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
824 1073
825=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1074=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
826 1075
827In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1076In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
828format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1077format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
844 1093
845L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1094L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
846 1095
847L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1096L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
848 1097
849L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1098L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
850your applications. 1099your applications.
1100
1101L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1102
1103L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1104all nodes.
851 1105
852L<AnyEvent>. 1106L<AnyEvent>.
853 1107
854=head1 AUTHOR 1108=head1 AUTHOR
855 1109

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