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 1.77 by elmex, Thu Sep 3 07:57:30 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.127 by root, Sat Mar 3 20:35:10 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 - explains most concepts. 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
61 71
62=over 4 72=over 4
63 73
64=item port 74=item port
65 75
66A 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).
67 78
68Ports 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
69some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
70anything was listening for them or not. 81anything was listening for them or not.
71 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
72=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
73 86
74A 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<#>)
75separator, 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).
76 90
77=item node 91=item node
78 92
79A 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,
80which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
81ports. 95ports.
82 96
83Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
84(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 98(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
85currently. 99currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
86 100
101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
102
87=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+> 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
88 104
89A 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
90network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 106network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
91hostname, 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
92doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 108doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
93 109
94=item binds - C<ip:port> 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
95 111
96Nodes 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
97each 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
98endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can 116Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
99be 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.
100 119
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
101=item seeds - C<host:port> 149=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
102 150
103When 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
104about the network it first has to contact some other node within the 152TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
105network. This node is called a seed.
106 153
107Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes 154=item global nodes
108are expected to be long-running, and at least one of those should always
109be available. When nodes run out of connections (e.g. due to a network
110error), they try to re-establish connections to some seednodes again to
111join the network.
112 155
113Apart 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
114every 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).
115 170
116=back 171=back
117 172
118=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
119 174
121 176
122=cut 177=cut
123 178
124package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
125 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
126use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
127 184
128use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
129 186
130use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
131 188
132use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
133 191
134use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
135 193
136our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
137 195
138our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
139 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
140 configure 198 configure
141 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
142 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
143); 202);
144 203
145our $SELF; 204our $SELF;
146 205
147sub _self_die() { 206sub _self_die() {
158 217
159=item $nodeid = node_of $port 218=item $nodeid = node_of $port
160 219
161Extracts 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.
162 221
222=item configure $profile, key => value...
223
163=item configure key => value... 224=item configure key => value...
164 225
165Before 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
166"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
167to 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
168some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 229some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
169 230
170This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or 231This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
171never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 232never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
172 233
234The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
235F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with these 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=item secure => $pass->($nodeid)
252
253In addition to specifying a boolean, you can specify a code reference that
254is called for every remote execution attempt - the execution request is
255granted iff the callback returns a true value.
256
257See F<semp setsecure> for more info.
258
259=back
260
173=over 4 261=over 4
174 262
175=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles 263=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
176 264
177The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the 265The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
178L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the 266L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
179named C<profile> parameter. If it is missing, then the nodename (F<uname 267named C<profile> parameter or can simply be the first parameter). If it is
180-n>) will be used as profile name. 268missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
181 269
182The profile data is then gathered as follows: 270The profile data is then gathered as follows:
183 271
184First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently 272First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
185undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration 273undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
190That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority 278That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
191and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority, 279and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
192and can only be used to specify defaults. 280and can only be used to specify defaults.
193 281
194If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of 282If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
195this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The 283this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID, with
196special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID. 284a unique randoms tring (C</%u>) appended.
285
286The node ID can contain some C<%> sequences that are expanded: C<%n>
287is expanded to the local nodename, C<%u> is replaced by a random
288strign to make the node unique. For example, the F<aemp> commandline
289utility uses C<aemp/%n/%u> as nodename, which might expand to
290C<aemp/cerebro/ZQDGSIkRhEZQDGSIkRhE>.
197 291
198=item step 2, bind listener sockets 292=item step 2, bind listener sockets
199 293
200The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding 294The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
201aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid 295aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
207used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every 301used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
208local IP address it finds. 302local IP address it finds.
209 303
210=item step 3, connect to seed nodes 304=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
211 305
212As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the 306As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
213L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 307L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
214connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. 308connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
215 309
216=back 310=back
217 311
218Example: become a distributed node using the locla node name as profile. 312Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
219This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 313This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
220 314
221 configure 315 configure
222 316
223Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 317Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
224clients. 318commandline clients.
225 319
226 configure nodeid => "anon/"; 320 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
227 321
228Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable 322Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
229for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040, 323for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
230customary for aemp). 324customary for aemp).
231 325
232 # use the aemp commandline utility 326 # use the aemp commandline utility
233 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040' 327 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
234 328
235 # then use it 329 # then use it
236 configure profile => "seed"; 330 configure profile => "seed";
237 331
238 # or simply use aemp from the shell again: 332 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
308sub _kilme { 402sub _kilme {
309 die "received message on port without callback"; 403 die "received message on port without callback";
310} 404}
311 405
312sub port(;&) { 406sub port(;&) {
313 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 407 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
314 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 408 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
315 409
316 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 410 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
317 411
318 $port 412 $port
357 msg1 => sub { ... }, 451 msg1 => sub { ... },
358 ... 452 ...
359 ; 453 ;
360 454
361Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 455Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
362(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 456(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
363 457
364 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 458 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
365 my @reply = @_; 459 my @reply = @_;
366 460
367 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 461 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
380 if (ref $_[0]) { 474 if (ref $_[0]) {
381 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 475 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
382 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 476 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
383 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 477 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
384 478
385 $self->[2] = shift; 479 $self->[0] = shift;
386 } else { 480 } else {
387 my $cb = shift; 481 my $cb = shift;
388 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 482 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
389 local $SELF = $port; 483 local $SELF = $port;
390 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 484 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
391 }; 485 };
392 } 486 }
393 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 487 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
394 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 488 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
395 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 489 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
396 490
397 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 491 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
398 local $SELF = $port; 492 local $SELF = $port;
399 493
400 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 494 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
422 } 516 }
423 517
424 $port 518 $port
425} 519}
426 520
521=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
522
523Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
524when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
525
526Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
527be returned to the caller.
528
529This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
530a port.
531
532Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
533
534 my $port = port { ... };
535
536 peval $port, sub {
537 init
538 or die "unable to init";
539 };
540
541=cut
542
543sub peval($$) {
544 local $SELF = shift;
545 my $cb = shift;
546
547 if (wantarray) {
548 my @res = eval { &$cb };
549 _self_die if $@;
550 @res
551 } else {
552 my $res = eval { &$cb };
553 _self_die if $@;
554 $res
555 }
556}
557
427=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 558=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
428 559
429Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 560Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
430closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 561closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
431callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 562callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
563
564The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
565BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
432 566
433This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 567This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
434 568
435 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 569 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
436 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 570 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
472 606
473Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 607Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
474messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 608messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
475to stop monitoring again. 609to stop monitoring again.
476 610
611In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
612number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
613"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
614C<eval> if unsure.
615
616In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
617will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
618"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
619port is killed with the same reason.
620
621The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
622C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
623
624In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
625C<snd>.
626
627Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
628alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
629
630As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
631a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
632lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
633even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
634to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
635these problems do not exist.
636
477C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 637C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
478after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will 638after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
479arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message 639arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
480loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after 640loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
481the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 641the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
482port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 642port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
483delivered again. 643delivered again.
484 644
485Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a 645Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
486monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again. 646used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
647relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
648non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
487 649
488In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 650This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
489number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 651stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
490"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 652to ensure some maximum latency.
491C<eval> if unsure.
492
493In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
494will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
495"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
496port is killed with the same reason.
497
498The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
499C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
500
501In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
502C<snd>.
503
504As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
505a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
506lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
507even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
508to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
509these problems do not exist.
510 653
511Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 654Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
512 655
513 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 656 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
514 657
542 } 685 }
543 686
544 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 687 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
545 688
546 defined wantarray 689 defined wantarray
547 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 690 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
548} 691}
549 692
550=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 693=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
551 694
552Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 695Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
575 718
576=item kil $port[, @reason] 719=item kil $port[, @reason]
577 720
578Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 721Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
579 722
580If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 723If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
581monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 724monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
582"normally"). 725(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
583 726
584Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 727If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
585C<mon>, see above). 728form) get killed with the same reason.
586 729
587Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 730Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
588will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 731will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
589 732
590Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 733Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
609the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 752the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
610C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 753C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
611exists or it runs out of package names. 754exists or it runs out of package names.
612 755
613The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 756The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
614object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 757object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
758call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
759the port might not get created.
615 760
616A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned 761A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
617port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed 762port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
618local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up 763local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
619when there is a problem. 764when there is a problem.
620 765
766C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
767caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
768called for the local node).
769
621Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 770Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
622 771
623 # this node, executed from within a port context: 772 # this node, executed from within a port context:
624 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 773 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
625 mon $server; 774 mon $server;
639 788
640sub _spawn { 789sub _spawn {
641 my $port = shift; 790 my $port = shift;
642 my $init = shift; 791 my $init = shift;
643 792
793 # rcv will create the actual port
644 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 794 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
645 eval { 795 eval {
646 &{ load_func $init } 796 &{ load_func $init }
647 }; 797 };
648 _self_die if $@; 798 _self_die if $@;
649} 799}
650 800
651sub spawn(@) { 801sub spawn(@) {
652 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 802 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
653 803
654 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 804 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
655 805
656 $_[0] =~ /::/ 806 $_[0] =~ /::/
657 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 807 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
658 808
659 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 809 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
660 810
661 "$nodeid#$id" 811 "$nodeid#$id"
662} 812}
813
663 814
664=item after $timeout, @msg 815=item after $timeout, @msg
665 816
666=item after $timeout, $callback 817=item after $timeout, $callback
667 818
683 ? $action[0]() 834 ? $action[0]()
684 : snd @action; 835 : snd @action;
685 }; 836 };
686} 837}
687 838
839=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
840
841A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
842given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
843
844The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
845the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
846
847A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
848
849If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
850then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
851elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
852
853If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
854monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
855
856Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
857might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
858this is indeed useful for something.
859
860=cut
861
862sub cal(@) {
863 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
864 my $cb = pop;
865
866 my $port = port {
867 undef $timeout;
868 kil $SELF;
869 &$cb;
870 };
871
872 if (defined $timeout) {
873 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
874 undef $timeout;
875 kil $port;
876 $cb->();
877 };
878 } else {
879 mon $_[0], sub {
880 kil $port;
881 $cb->();
882 };
883 }
884
885 push @_, $port;
886 &snd;
887
888 $port
889}
890
891=back
892
893=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
894
895AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
896be mirrored asynchronously at all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one of
897the global nodes for their needs.
898
899The database consists of a two-level hash - a hash contains a hash which
900contains values.
901
902The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
903is called "subkey" or simply "key".
904
905The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
906of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
907pretty much like Perl module names.
908
909As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
910with the name of the application or module using it.
911
912The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions.
913
914The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
915work as well (such as undef, arrays and hashes).
916
917Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey
918combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
919but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
920different values on different nodes.
921
922Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes
923without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker
924pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this:
925
926 db_set my_image_scalers => $port;
927
928And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the
929C<my_image_scalers> keys:
930
931 db_keys "my_image_scalers" => 60 => sub {
932 #d##TODO#
933
934=over
935
936=item db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
937
938Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
939C<undef> is used instead.
940
941=item db_del $family => $subkey
942
943Deletes a key from the database.
944
945=item $guard = db_reg $family => $subkey [=> $value]
946
947Sets the key on the database and returns a guard. When the guard is
948destroyed, the key is deleted from the database. If C<$value> is missing,
949then C<undef> is used.
950
951=cut
952
688=back 953=back
689 954
690=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 955=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
691 956
692AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 957AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
693== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 958== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
694programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 959programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
695sample: 960sample:
696 961
697 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 962 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
698 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 963 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
699 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 964 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
700 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 965 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
701 966
702Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 967Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
703 968
704=over 4 969=over 4
705 970
706=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 971=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
707 972
708Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 973Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
709way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 974way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
710configuration or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 975configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
976will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
711 977
712=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 978=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
713uses "local ports are like remote ports". 979uses "local ports are like remote ports".
714 980
715The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 981The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
724ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 990ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
725occur. 991occur.
726 992
727=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 993=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
728 994
729Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 995Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
730needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 996therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
731useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 997no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
732AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 998of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
733filter messages without dequeuing them. 999filter messages without dequeuing them.
734 1000
735(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 1001This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
1002being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
1003
1004You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
1005top of AEMP and Coro threads.
736 1006
737=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1007=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
738 1008
739Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 1009Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
1010a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
740so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 1011need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
741connection establishment is handled in the background. 1012establishment is handled in the background.
742 1013
743=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 1014=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
744 1015
745Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1016Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
746without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 1017lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
747and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1018b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
748 1019
749AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 1020AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
750is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 1021guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
751monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 1022same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
752sequence. 1023no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
1024
1025If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
1026corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
1027simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
1028link goes down.
753 1029
754=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1030=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
755 1031
756In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 1032In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
757known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1033process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
758destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1034causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1035process.
759 1036
760AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1037AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
761around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1038around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
762 1039
763=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1040=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
764authentication and can use TLS. 1041authentication and can use TLS.
765 1042
768 1045
769=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1046=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
770communications. 1047communications.
771 1048
772The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 1049The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
773language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1050language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
774language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 1051language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
775used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 1052used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
776 1053
777It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1054It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
778with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 1055with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
779protocol simple. 1056protocol simple.
780 1057
781=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1058=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
782 1059
783In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1060In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
784or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1061I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
785difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1062difficult to implement.
786Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1063
787on a per-process basis. 1064Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1065between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
788 1066
789=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1067=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
790 1068
791Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 1069Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
792same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1070same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
814overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1092overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
815 1093
816Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1094Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
817procedures to be "valid". 1095procedures to be "valid".
818 1096
819And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 1097And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
820global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1098code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
821 1099
822=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1100=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
823 1101
824In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1102In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
825format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1103format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
841 1119
842L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1120L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
843 1121
844L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1122L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
845 1123
846L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1124L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
847your applications. 1125your applications.
1126
1127L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
1128
1129L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
1130all nodes.
848 1131
849L<AnyEvent>. 1132L<AnyEvent>.
850 1133
851=head1 AUTHOR 1134=head1 AUTHOR
852 1135

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines