ViewVC Help
View File | Revision Log | Show Annotations | Download File
/cvs/AnyEvent-MP/MP.pm
(Generate patch)

Comparing AnyEvent-MP/MP.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.75 by root, Mon Aug 31 13:18:06 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.126 by root, Sat Mar 3 19:43:41 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
30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
31 31
32 # create a port on another node 32 # create a port on another node
33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
34 34
35 # destroy a port again
36 kil $port; # "normal" kill
37 kil $port, my_error => "everything is broken"; # error kill
38
35 # monitoring 39 # monitoring
36 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 40 mon $localport, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
37 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 41 mon $localport, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
38 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 };
39 51
40=head1 CURRENT STATUS 52=head1 CURRENT STATUS
41 53
42 bin/aemp - stable. 54 bin/aemp - stable.
43 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work. 55 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
44 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - uptodate, but incomplete. 56 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
45 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable. 57 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable API.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API, protocol not yet final. 58 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API.
47
48 stay tuned.
49 59
50=head1 DESCRIPTION 60=head1 DESCRIPTION
51 61
52This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 62This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
53 63
55on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely. 65on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
56 66
57For 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>
58manual page and the examples under F<eg/>. 68manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
59 69
60At the moment, this module family is a bit underdocumented.
61
62=head1 CONCEPTS 70=head1 CONCEPTS
63 71
64=over 4 72=over 4
65 73
66=item port 74=item port
67 75
68A 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).
69 78
70Ports 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
71some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
72anything was listening for them or not. 81anything was listening for them or not.
73 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
74=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
75 86
76A 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<#>)
77separator, 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).
78 90
79=item node 91=item node
80 92
81A 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,
82which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
83ports. 95ports.
84 96
85Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
86(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 98(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
87currently. 99currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
88 100
101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
102
89=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+> 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
90 104
91A 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
92network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 106network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
93hostname, 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
94doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 108doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
95 109
96=item binds - C<ip:port> 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
97 111
98Nodes 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
99each 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
100endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can 116Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
101be 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.
102 119
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
103=item seeds - C<host:port> 149=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
104 150
105When 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
106about the network it first has to contact some other node within the 152TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
107network. This node is called a seed.
108 153
109Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes 154=item global nodes
110are expected to be long-running, and at least one of those should always
111be available. When nodes run out of connections (e.g. due to a network
112error), they try to re-establish connections to some seednodes again to
113join the network.
114 155
115Apart 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
116every 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).
117 170
118=back 171=back
119 172
120=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
121 174
123 176
124=cut 177=cut
125 178
126package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
127 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
128use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
129 184
130use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
131 186
132use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
133 188
134use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
135 191
136use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
137 193
138our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
139 195
140our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
141 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
142 configure 198 configure
143 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
144 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
145); 202);
146 203
147our $SELF; 204our $SELF;
148 205
149sub _self_die() { 206sub _self_die() {
160 217
161=item $nodeid = node_of $port 218=item $nodeid = node_of $port
162 219
163Extracts 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.
164 221
222=item configure $profile, key => value...
223
165=item configure key => value... 224=item configure key => value...
166 225
167Before 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
168"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
169to 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
170some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 229some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
171 230
172This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or 231This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
173never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 232never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
174 233
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
175=over 4 253=over 4
176 254
177=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles 255=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
178 256
179The 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
180L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the 258L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
181named 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
182-n>) will be used as profile name. 260missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
183 261
184The profile data is then gathered as follows: 262The profile data is then gathered as follows:
185 263
186First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conviniently 264First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
187undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration 265undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
188data. 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
189default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of 267default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of
190profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes). 268profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes).
191 269
192That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority 270That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
193and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority, 271and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
194and can only be used to specify defaults. 272and can only be used to specify defaults.
195 273
196If 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
197this 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
198special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID. 276a unique randoms tring (C</%u>) appended.
277
278The node ID can contain some C<%> sequences that are expanded: C<%n>
279is expanded to the local nodename, C<%u> is replaced by a random
280strign to make the node unique. For example, the F<aemp> commandline
281utility uses C<aemp/%n/%u> as nodename, which might expand to
282C<aemp/cerebro/ZQDGSIkRhEZQDGSIkRhE>.
199 283
200=item step 2, bind listener sockets 284=item step 2, bind listener sockets
201 285
202The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding 286The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
203aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid 287aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
209used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every 293used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
210local IP address it finds. 294local IP address it finds.
211 295
212=item step 3, connect to seed nodes 296=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
213 297
214As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the 298As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
215L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 299L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
216connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. 300connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
217 301
218=back 302=back
219 303
220Example: become a distributed node using the locla node name as profile. 304Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
221This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 305This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
222 306
223 configure 307 configure
224 308
225Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 309Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
226clients. 310commandline clients.
227 311
228 configure nodeid => "anon/"; 312 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
229 313
230Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable 314Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
231for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040, 315for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
232customary for aemp). 316customary for aemp).
233 317
234 # use the aemp commandline utility 318 # use the aemp commandline utility
235 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040' 319 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
236 320
237 # then use it 321 # then use it
238 configure profile => "seed"; 322 configure profile => "seed";
239 323
240 # or simply use aemp from the shell again: 324 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
310sub _kilme { 394sub _kilme {
311 die "received message on port without callback"; 395 die "received message on port without callback";
312} 396}
313 397
314sub port(;&) { 398sub port(;&) {
315 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 399 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
316 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 400 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
317 401
318 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 402 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
319 403
320 $port 404 $port
359 msg1 => sub { ... }, 443 msg1 => sub { ... },
360 ... 444 ...
361 ; 445 ;
362 446
363Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 447Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
364(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 448(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
365 449
366 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 450 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
367 my @reply = @_; 451 my @reply = @_;
368 452
369 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 453 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
382 if (ref $_[0]) { 466 if (ref $_[0]) {
383 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 467 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
384 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 468 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
385 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 469 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
386 470
387 $self->[2] = shift; 471 $self->[0] = shift;
388 } else { 472 } else {
389 my $cb = shift; 473 my $cb = shift;
390 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 474 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
391 local $SELF = $port; 475 local $SELF = $port;
392 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 476 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
393 }; 477 };
394 } 478 }
395 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 479 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
396 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 480 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
397 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 481 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
398 482
399 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 483 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
400 local $SELF = $port; 484 local $SELF = $port;
401 485
402 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 486 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
424 } 508 }
425 509
426 $port 510 $port
427} 511}
428 512
513=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
514
515Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
516when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
517
518Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
519be returned to the caller.
520
521This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
522a port.
523
524Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
525
526 my $port = port { ... };
527
528 peval $port, sub {
529 init
530 or die "unable to init";
531 };
532
533=cut
534
535sub peval($$) {
536 local $SELF = shift;
537 my $cb = shift;
538
539 if (wantarray) {
540 my @res = eval { &$cb };
541 _self_die if $@;
542 @res
543 } else {
544 my $res = eval { &$cb };
545 _self_die if $@;
546 $res
547 }
548}
549
429=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 550=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
430 551
431Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 552Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
432closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 553closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
433callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 554callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
555
556The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
557BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
434 558
435This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 559This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
436 560
437 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 561 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
438 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 562 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
474 598
475Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 599Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
476messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 600messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
477to stop monitoring again. 601to stop monitoring again.
478 602
603In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
604number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
605"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
606C<eval> if unsure.
607
608In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
609will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
610"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
611port is killed with the same reason.
612
613The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
614C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
615
616In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
617C<snd>.
618
619Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
620alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
621
622As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
623a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
624lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
625even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
626to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
627these problems do not exist.
628
479C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 629C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
480after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will 630after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
481arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message 631arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
482loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after 632loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
483the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 633the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
484port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 634port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
485delivered again. 635delivered again.
486 636
487Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a 637Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
488monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again. 638used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
639relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
640non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
489 641
490In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 642This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
491number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 643stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
492"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 644to ensure some maximum latency.
493C<eval> if unsure.
494
495In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
496will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on
497"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
498port is killed with the same reason.
499
500The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
501C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
502
503In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
504C<snd>.
505
506As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
507a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
508lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
509even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection
510to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
511these problems do not exist.
512 645
513Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 646Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
514 647
515 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 648 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
516 649
544 } 677 }
545 678
546 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 679 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
547 680
548 defined wantarray 681 defined wantarray
549 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 682 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
550} 683}
551 684
552=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 685=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
553 686
554Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 687Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
577 710
578=item kil $port[, @reason] 711=item kil $port[, @reason]
579 712
580Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 713Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
581 714
582If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 715If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
583monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 716monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
584"normally"). 717(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
585 718
586Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 719If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
587C<mon>, see above). 720form) get killed with the same reason.
588 721
589Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 722Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
590will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 723will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
591 724
592Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 725Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
611the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 744the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
612C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 745C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
613exists or it runs out of package names. 746exists or it runs out of package names.
614 747
615The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 748The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
616object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 749object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
750call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
751the port might not get created.
617 752
618A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned 753A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
619port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed 754port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
620local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up 755local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
621when there is a problem. 756when there is a problem.
622 757
758C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
759caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
760called for the local node).
761
623Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 762Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
624 763
625 # this node, executed from within a port context: 764 # this node, executed from within a port context:
626 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 765 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
627 mon $server; 766 mon $server;
641 780
642sub _spawn { 781sub _spawn {
643 my $port = shift; 782 my $port = shift;
644 my $init = shift; 783 my $init = shift;
645 784
785 # rcv will create the actual port
646 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 786 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
647 eval { 787 eval {
648 &{ load_func $init } 788 &{ load_func $init }
649 }; 789 };
650 _self_die if $@; 790 _self_die if $@;
651} 791}
652 792
653sub spawn(@) { 793sub spawn(@) {
654 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 794 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
655 795
656 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 796 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
657 797
658 $_[0] =~ /::/ 798 $_[0] =~ /::/
659 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 799 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
660 800
661 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 801 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
662 802
663 "$nodeid#$id" 803 "$nodeid#$id"
664} 804}
805
665 806
666=item after $timeout, @msg 807=item after $timeout, @msg
667 808
668=item after $timeout, $callback 809=item after $timeout, $callback
669 810
685 ? $action[0]() 826 ? $action[0]()
686 : snd @action; 827 : snd @action;
687 }; 828 };
688} 829}
689 830
831=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
832
833A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
834given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
835
836The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
837the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
838
839A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
840
841If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
842then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
843elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
844
845If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
846monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
847
848Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
849might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
850this is indeed useful for something.
851
852=cut
853
854sub cal(@) {
855 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
856 my $cb = pop;
857
858 my $port = port {
859 undef $timeout;
860 kil $SELF;
861 &$cb;
862 };
863
864 if (defined $timeout) {
865 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
866 undef $timeout;
867 kil $port;
868 $cb->();
869 };
870 } else {
871 mon $_[0], sub {
872 kil $port;
873 $cb->();
874 };
875 }
876
877 push @_, $port;
878 &snd;
879
880 $port
881}
882
883=back
884
885=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
886
887AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
888be mirrored asynchronously at all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one of
889the global nodes for their needs.
890
891The database consists of a two-level hash - a hash contains a hash which
892contains values.
893
894The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
895is called "subkey" or simply "key".
896
897The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
898of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
899pretty much like Perl module names.
900
901As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
902with the name of the application or module using it.
903
904The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions.
905
906The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
907work as well (such as undef, arrays and hashes).
908
909Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey
910combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
911but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
912different values on different nodes.
913
914Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes
915without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker
916pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this:
917
918 db_set my_image_scalers => $port;
919
920And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the
921C<my_image_scalers> keys:
922
923 db_keys "my_image_scalers" => 60 => sub {
924 #d##TODO#
925
926=over
927
928=item db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
929
930Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
931C<undef> is used instead.
932
933=item db_del $family => $subkey
934
935Deletes a key from the database.
936
937=item $guard = db_reg $family => $subkey [=> $value]
938
939Sets the key on the database and returns a guard. When the guard is
940destroyed, the key is deleted from the database. If C<$value> is missing,
941then C<undef> is used.
942
943=cut
944
690=back 945=back
691 946
692=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 947=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
693 948
694AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 949AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
695== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 950== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
696programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 951programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
697sample: 952sample:
698 953
699 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 954 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
700 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 955 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
701 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 956 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
702 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 957 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
703 958
704Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 959Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
705 960
706=over 4 961=over 4
707 962
708=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 963=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
709 964
710Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 965Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
711way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 966way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
712configuraiton or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 967configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
968will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
713 969
714=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 970=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
715uses "local ports are like remote ports". 971uses "local ports are like remote ports".
716 972
717The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 973The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
726ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 982ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
727occur. 983occur.
728 984
729=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 985=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
730 986
731Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 987Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
732needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 988therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
733useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 989no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
734AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 990of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
735filter messages without dequeing them. 991filter messages without dequeuing them.
736 992
737(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 993This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
994being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
995
996You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
997top of AEMP and Coro threads.
738 998
739=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 999=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
740 1000
741Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 1001Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
1002a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
742so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 1003need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
743connection establishment is handled in the background. 1004establishment is handled in the background.
744 1005
745=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 1006=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
746 1007
747Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1008Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
748without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 1009lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
749and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1010b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
750 1011
751AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 1012AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
752is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 1013guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
753monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 1014same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
754sequence. 1015no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
1016
1017If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
1018corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
1019simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
1020link goes down.
755 1021
756=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1022=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
757 1023
758In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 1024In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
759known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1025process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
760destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1026causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1027process.
761 1028
762AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1029AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
763around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1030around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
764 1031
765=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1032=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
766authentication and can use TLS. 1033authentication and can use TLS.
767 1034
770 1037
771=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1038=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
772communications. 1039communications.
773 1040
774The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 1041The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
775language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1042language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
776language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 1043language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
777used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 1044used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
778 1045
779It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1046It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
780with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 1047with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
781protocol simple. 1048protocol simple.
782 1049
783=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1050=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
784 1051
785In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1052In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
786or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1053I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
787difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1054difficult to implement.
788Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1055
789on a per-process basis. 1056Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1057between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
790 1058
791=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1059=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
792 1060
793Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 1061Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
794same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1062same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
816overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1084overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
817 1085
818Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1086Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
819procedures to be "valid". 1087procedures to be "valid".
820 1088
821And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 1089And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
822global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1090code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
823 1091
824=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1092=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
825 1093
826In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1094In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
827format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1095format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
843 1111
844L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1112L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
845 1113
846L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1114L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
847 1115
848L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1116L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
849your applications. 1117your applications.
1118
1119L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1120
1121L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1122all nodes.
850 1123
851L<AnyEvent>. 1124L<AnyEvent>.
852 1125
853=head1 AUTHOR 1126=head1 AUTHOR
854 1127

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines