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Revision 1.45 by root, Thu Aug 13 01:16:24 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.77 by elmex, Thu Sep 3 07:57:30 2009 UTC

4 4
5=head1 SYNOPSIS 5=head1 SYNOPSIS
6 6
7 use AnyEvent::MP; 7 use AnyEvent::MP;
8 8
9 $NODE # contains this node's noderef 9 $NODE # contains this node's node ID
10 NODE # returns this node's noderef 10 NODE # returns this node's node ID
11 NODE $port # returns the noderef of the port
12 11
13 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks 12 $SELF # receiving/own port id in rcv callbacks
14 13
14 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages
15 configure;
16
15 # ports are message endpoints 17 # ports are message destinations
16 18
17 # sending messages 19 # sending messages
18 snd $port, type => data...; 20 snd $port, type => data...;
19 snd $port, @msg; 21 snd $port, @msg;
20 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port; 22 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
21 23
22 # miniports 24 # creating/using ports, the simple way
23 my $miniport = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; 25 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_ };
24 26
25 # full ports 27 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
26 my $port = port; 28 my $port = port;
27 rcv $port, smartmatch => $cb->(@msg);
28 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 29 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong" };
29 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
30 31
31 # remote ports 32 # create a port on another node
32 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
33
34 # more, smarter, matches (_any_ is exported by this module)
35 rcv $port, [child_died => $pid] => sub { ...
36 rcv $port, [_any_, _any_, 3] => sub { .. $_[2] is 3
37 34
38 # monitoring 35 # monitoring
39 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death 36 mon $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
40 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 37 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
41 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 38 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
42 39
43=head1 CURRENT STATUS 40=head1 CURRENT STATUS
44 41
42 bin/aemp - stable.
45 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work 43 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated 44 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
47 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - WIP
48 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable 45 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API, protocol not yet final.
49 47
50 stay tuned. 48 stay tuned.
51 49
52=head1 DESCRIPTION 50=head1 DESCRIPTION
53 51
54This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 52This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
55 53
56Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 54Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
57on the same or other hosts. 55on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
58 56
59For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> 57For an introduction to this module family, see the L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro>
60manual page. 58manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
61
62At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented,
63so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
64stay tuned!
65 59
66=head1 CONCEPTS 60=head1 CONCEPTS
67 61
68=over 4 62=over 4
69 63
70=item port 64=item port
71 65
72A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 66A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function).
73 67
74Some ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match specific 68Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
75messages. All C<rcv> handlers will receive messages they match, messages 69some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
76will not be queued. 70anything was listening for them or not.
77 71
78=item port id - C<noderef#portname> 72=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
79 73
80A port id is normaly the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 74A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) as
81separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 75separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format).
82exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node
83reference.
84 76
85=item node 77=item node
86 78
87A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node 79A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
88port. You can send messages to node ports to find existing ports or to 80which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
89create new ports, among other things. 81ports.
90 82
91Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (connected to a 83Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
92master node only) or public nodes (connectable from unrelated nodes). 84(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
85currently.
93 86
94=item noderef - C<host:port,host:port...>, C<id@noderef>, C<id> 87=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+>
95 88
96A node reference is a string that either simply identifies the node (for 89A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
97private and slave nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given 90network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
98node (for public nodes). 91hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
92doesn't interpret node IDs in any way.
99 93
100This recipe is simply a comma-separated list of C<address:port> pairs (for 94=item binds - C<ip:port>
101TCP/IP, other protocols might look different).
102 95
103Node references come in two flavours: resolved (containing only numerical 96Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to
104addresses) or unresolved (where hostnames are used instead of addresses). 97each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
98endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can
99be used, which specify TCP ports to listen on.
105 100
106Before using an unresolved node reference in a message you first have to 101=item seeds - C<host:port>
107resolve it. 102
103When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node
104about the network it first has to contact some other node within the
105network. This node is called a seed.
106
107Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those 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
113Apart from being sued for seeding, seednodes are not special in any way -
114every public node can be a seednode.
108 115
109=back 116=back
110 117
111=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 118=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
112 119
127use base "Exporter"; 134use base "Exporter";
128 135
129our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 136our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION;
130 137
131our @EXPORT = qw( 138our @EXPORT = qw(
132 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of _any_ 139 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
133 resolve_node initialise_node 140 configure
134 snd rcv mon kil reg psub spawn 141 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn
135 port 142 port
136); 143);
137 144
138our $SELF; 145our $SELF;
139 146
143 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 150 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
144} 151}
145 152
146=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 153=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
147 154
148The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains 155The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
149the noderef of the local node. The value is initialised by a call 156ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
150to C<become_public> or C<become_slave>, after which all local port 157a call to C<configure>.
151identifiers become invalid.
152 158
153=item $noderef = node_of $port 159=item $nodeid = node_of $port
154 160
155Extracts and returns the noderef from a portid or a noderef. 161Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
156 162
157=item initialise_node $noderef, $seednode, $seednode... 163=item configure key => value...
158 164
159=item initialise_node "slave/", $master, $master...
160
161Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise 165Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
162itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally 166"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
163it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network. 167to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
168some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
164 169
165This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 170This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
166never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 171never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
167 172
168All arguments are noderefs, which can be either resolved or unresolved.
169
170There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
171
172=over 4 173=over 4
173 174
174=item public nodes 175=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
175 176
176For public nodes, C<$noderef> must either be a (possibly unresolved) 177The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
177noderef, in which case it will be resolved, or C<undef> (or missing), in 178L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
178which case the noderef will be guessed. 179named C<profile> parameter. If it is missing, then the nodename (F<uname
180-n>) will be used as profile name.
179 181
180Afterwards, the node will bind itself on all endpoints and try to connect 182The profile data is then gathered as follows:
181to all additional C<$seednodes> that are specified. Seednodes are optional
182and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing network.
183 183
184=item slave nodes 184First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
185undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
186data. Then they will be overwritten by any values specified in the global
187default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of
188profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes).
185 189
186When the C<$noderef> is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will 190That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
187become a slave node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside and will 191and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
188route most of their traffic to the master node that they attach to. 192and can only be used to specify defaults.
189 193
190At least one additional noderef is required: The node will try to connect 194If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
191to all of them and will become a slave attached to the first node it can 195this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The
192successfully connect to. 196special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID.
197
198=item step 2, bind listener sockets
199
200The 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
202to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the
203outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no
204binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes).
205
206If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is
207used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
208local IP address it finds.
209
210=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
211
212As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the
213L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
214connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
193 215
194=back 216=back
195 217
196This function will block until all nodes have been resolved and, for slave 218Example: become a distributed node using the locla node name as profile.
197nodes, until it has successfully established a connection to a master 219This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
198server.
199 220
200Example: become a public node listening on the default node. 221 configure
201 222
202 initialise_node; 223Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline
224clients.
203 225
204Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master 226 configure nodeid => "anon/";
205servers to become part of the network.
206 227
207 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2"; 228Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable
229for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
230customary for aemp).
208 231
209Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>. 232 # use the aemp commandline utility
233 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040'
210 234
211 initialise_node 4041; 235 # then use it
236 configure profile => "seed";
212 237
213Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044. 238 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
239 # aemp run profile seed
214 240
215 initialise_node "locahost:4044"; 241 # or provide a nicer-to-remember nodeid
216 242 # aemp run profile seed nodeid "$(hostname)"
217Example: become a slave node to any of the specified master servers.
218
219 initialise_node "slave/", "master1", "192.168.13.17", "mp.example.net";
220
221=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
222
223Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
224abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
225reference.
226
227In addition to C<address:port> pairs allowed in resolved noderefs, the
228following forms are supported:
229
230=over 4
231
232=item the empty string
233
234An empty-string component gets resolved as if the default port (4040) was
235specified.
236
237=item naked port numbers (e.g. C<1234>)
238
239These are resolved by prepending the local nodename and a colon, to be
240further resolved.
241
242=item hostnames (e.g. C<localhost:1234>, C<localhost>)
243
244These are resolved by using AnyEvent::DNS to resolve them, optionally
245looking up SRV records for the C<aemp=4040> port, if no port was
246specified.
247
248=back
249 243
250=item $SELF 244=item $SELF
251 245
252Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 246Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
253blocks. 247blocks.
254 248
255=item SELF, %SELF, @SELF... 249=item *SELF, SELF, %SELF, @SELF...
256 250
257Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 251Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
258just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 252just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols named C<SELF> are exported by this
259module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 253module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
260 254
261=item snd $port, type => @data 255=item snd $port, type => @data
262 256
263=item snd $port, @msg 257=item snd $port, @msg
264 258
265Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 259Send the given message to the given port, which can identify either a
266a local or a remote port, and can be either a string or soemthignt hat 260local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
267stringifies a sa port ID (such as a port object :).
268 261
269While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a 262While the message can be almost anything, it is highly recommended to
270string as first element (a portid, or some word that indicates a request 263use a string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a
271type etc.). 264request type etc.) and to consist if only simple perl values (scalars,
265arrays, hashes) - if you think you need to pass an object, think again.
272 266
273The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this 267The message data logically becomes read-only after a call to this
274function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many 268function: modifying any argument (or values referenced by them) is
275problems. 269forbidden, as there can be considerable time between the call to C<snd>
270and the time the message is actually being serialised - in fact, it might
271never be copied as within the same process it is simply handed to the
272receiving port.
276 273
277The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when 274The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when
278JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 275JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
279of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 276of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
280that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 277that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
281node, anything can be passed. 278node, anything can be passed. Best rely only on the common denominator of
279these.
282 280
283=item $local_port = port 281=item $local_port = port
284 282
285Create a new local port object that can be used either as a pattern 283Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
286matching port ("full port") or a single-callback port ("miniport"), 284no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
287depending on how C<rcv> callbacks are bound to the object.
288 285
289=item $port = port { my @msg = @_; $finished } 286=item $local_port = port { my @msg = @_ }
290 287
291Creates a "miniport", that is, a very lightweight port without any pattern 288Creates a new local port, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as
292matching behind it, and returns its ID. Semantically the same as creating
293a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it. 289creating a port and calling C<rcv $port, $callback> on it.
294 290
295The block will be called for every message received on the port. When the 291The block will be called for every message received on the port, with the
296callback returns a true value its job is considered "done" and the port 292global variable C<$SELF> set to the port ID. Runtime errors will cause the
297will be destroyed. Otherwise it will stay alive. 293port to be C<kil>ed. The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument
294(i.e. no port ID) will be passed to the callback.
298 295
299The message will be passed as-is, no extra argument (i.e. no port id) will 296If you want to stop/destroy the port, simply C<kil> it:
300be passed to the callback.
301 297
302If you need the local port id in the callback, this works nicely: 298 my $port = port {
303 299 my @msg = @_;
304 my $port; $port = port { 300 ...
305 snd $otherport, reply => $port; 301 kil $SELF;
306 }; 302 };
307 303
308=cut 304=cut
309 305
310sub rcv($@); 306sub rcv($@);
307
308sub _kilme {
309 die "received message on port without callback";
310}
311 311
312sub port(;&) { 312sub port(;&) {
313 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 313 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++;
314 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 314 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
315 315
316 if (@_) { 316 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
317 rcv $port, shift;
318 } else {
319 $PORT{$id} = sub { }; # nop
320 }
321 317
322 $port 318 $port
323} 319}
324 320
325=item reg $port, $name
326
327=item reg $name
328
329Registers the given port (or C<$SELF><<< if missing) under the name
330C<$name>. If the name already exists it is replaced.
331
332A port can only be registered under one well known name.
333
334A port automatically becomes unregistered when it is killed.
335
336=cut
337
338sub reg(@) {
339 my $port = @_ > 1 ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'reg: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
340
341 $REG{$_[0]} = $port;
342}
343
344=item rcv $port, $callback->(@msg) 321=item rcv $local_port, $callback->(@msg)
345 322
346Replaces the callback on the specified miniport (after converting it to 323Replaces the default callback on the specified port. There is no way to
347one if required). 324remove the default callback: use C<sub { }> to disable it, or better
348 325C<kil> the port when it is no longer needed.
349=item rcv $port, tagstring => $callback->(@msg), ...
350
351=item rcv $port, $smartmatch => $callback->(@msg), ...
352
353=item rcv $port, [$smartmatch...] => $callback->(@msg), ...
354
355Register callbacks to be called on matching messages on the given full
356port (after converting it to one if required) and return the port.
357
358The callback has to return a true value when its work is done, after
359which is will be removed, or a false value in which case it will stay
360registered.
361 326
362The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while 327The global C<$SELF> (exported by this module) contains C<$port> while
363executing the callback. 328executing the callback. Runtime errors during callback execution will
329result in the port being C<kil>ed.
364 330
365Runtime errors during callback execution will result in the port being 331The default callback received all messages not matched by a more specific
366C<kil>ed. 332C<tag> match.
367 333
368If the match is an array reference, then it will be matched against the 334=item rcv $local_port, tag => $callback->(@msg_without_tag), ...
369first elements of the message, otherwise only the first element is being
370matched.
371 335
372Any element in the match that is specified as C<_any_> (a function 336Register (or replace) callbacks to be called on messages starting with the
373exported by this module) matches any single element of the message. 337given tag on the given port (and return the port), or unregister it (when
338C<$callback> is C<$undef> or missing). There can only be one callback
339registered for each tag.
374 340
375While not required, it is highly recommended that the first matching 341The original message will be passed to the callback, after the first
376element is a string identifying the message. The one-string-only match is 342element (the tag) has been removed. The callback will use the same
377also the most efficient match (by far). 343environment as the default callback (see above).
378 344
379Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go. 345Example: create a port and bind receivers on it in one go.
380 346
381 my $port = rcv port, 347 my $port = rcv port,
382 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 348 msg1 => sub { ... },
383 msg2 => sub { ...; 0 }, 349 msg2 => sub { ... },
384 ; 350 ;
385 351
386Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere 352Example: create a port, bind receivers and send it in a message elsewhere
387in one go: 353in one go:
388 354
389 snd $otherport, reply => 355 snd $otherport, reply =>
390 rcv port, 356 rcv port,
391 msg1 => sub { ...; 0 }, 357 msg1 => sub { ... },
392 ... 358 ...
393 ; 359 ;
394 360
361Example: 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.
363
364 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
365 my @reply = @_;
366
367 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
368 };
369
395=cut 370=cut
396 371
397sub rcv($@) { 372sub rcv($@) {
398 my $port = shift; 373 my $port = shift;
399 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 374 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
400 375
401 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) == $NODE{""} 376 $NODE{$nodeid} == $NODE{""}
402 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 377 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
403 378
404 if (@_ == 1) { 379 while (@_) {
380 if (ref $_[0]) {
381 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
382 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
383 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
384
385 $self->[2] = shift;
386 } else {
405 my $cb = shift; 387 my $cb = shift;
406 delete $PORT_DATA{$portid};
407 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 388 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
408 local $SELF = $port; 389 local $SELF = $port;
409 eval { 390 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
410 &$cb 391 };
411 and kil $port;
412 }; 392 }
413 _self_die if $@; 393 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
414 };
415 } else {
416 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 394 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
417 my $self = bless { 395 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
418 id => $port,
419 }, "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
420 396
421 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 397 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
422 local $SELF = $port; 398 local $SELF = $port;
423 399
424 eval {
425 for (@{ $self->{rc0}{$_[0]} }) { 400 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
426 $_ && &{$_->[0]} 401 shift;
427 && undef $_; 402 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
428 } 403 } else {
429
430 for (@{ $self->{rcv}{$_[0]} }) {
431 $_ && [@_[1 .. @{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
432 && &{$_->[0]} 404 &{ $self->[0] };
433 && undef $_;
434 }
435
436 for (@{ $self->{any} }) {
437 $_ && [@_[0 .. $#{$_->[1]}]] ~~ $_->[1]
438 && &{$_->[0]}
439 && undef $_;
440 } 405 }
441 }; 406 };
442 _self_die if $@; 407
408 $self
443 }; 409 };
444 410
445 $self
446 };
447
448 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 411 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
449 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 412 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
450 413
451 while (@_) {
452 my ($match, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2; 414 my ($tag, $cb) = splice @_, 0, 2;
453 415
454 if (!ref $match) { 416 if (defined $cb) {
455 push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match} }, [$cb]; 417 $self->[1]{$tag} = $cb;
456 } elsif (("ARRAY" eq ref $match && !ref $match->[0])) {
457 my ($type, @match) = @$match;
458 @match
459 ? push @{ $self->{rcv}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb, \@match]
460 : push @{ $self->{rc0}{$match->[0]} }, [$cb];
461 } else { 418 } else {
462 push @{ $self->{any} }, [$cb, $match]; 419 delete $self->[1]{$tag};
463 } 420 }
464 } 421 }
465 } 422 }
466 423
467 $port 424 $port
503 $res 460 $res
504 } 461 }
505 } 462 }
506} 463}
507 464
508=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) 465=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) # call $cb when $port dies
509 466
510=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport 467=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport # kill $rcvport when $port dies
511 468
512=item $guard = mon $port 469=item $guard = mon $port # kill $SELF when $port dies
513 470
514=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg 471=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg # send a message when $port dies
515 472
516Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 473Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
517messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 474messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
518to stop monitoring again. 475to stop monitoring again.
519 476
520C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures, 477C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
521that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port 478after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
522will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible 479arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
523message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" 480loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
524(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the 481the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
525port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get 482port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
526delivered again. 483delivered again.
484
485Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a
486monitoring alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
527 487
528In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 488In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
529number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 489number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
530"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 490"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
531C<eval> if unsure. 491C<eval> if unsure.
532 492
533In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>) 493In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
534will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on 494will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
535"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other 495"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
536port is killed with the same reason. 496port is killed with the same reason.
537 497
538The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that 498The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
539C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>. 499C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
542C<snd>. 502C<snd>.
543 503
544As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from 504As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
545a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get 505a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
546lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that 506lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
547even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection 507even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
548to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally 508to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
549these problems do not exist. 509these problems do not exist.
550 510
551Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 511Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
552 512
561 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 521 mon $port, $self => "restart";
562 522
563=cut 523=cut
564 524
565sub mon { 525sub mon {
566 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 526 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
567 527
568 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 528 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
569 529
570 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 530 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
571 531
572 unless (ref $cb) { 532 unless (ref $cb) {
573 if (@_) { 533 if (@_) {
593is killed, the references will be freed. 553is killed, the references will be freed.
594 554
595Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring. 555Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
596 556
597This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and 557This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
598want to free them when the port gets killed: 558want to free them when the port gets killed (note the use of C<psub>):
599 559
600 $port->rcv (start => sub { 560 $port->rcv (start => sub {
601 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub { 561 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, psub {
602 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand; 562 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
603 }); 563 });
604 }); 564 });
605 565
606=cut 566=cut
615 575
616=item kil $port[, @reason] 576=item kil $port[, @reason]
617 577
618Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 578Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
619 579
620If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 580If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports
621ports will not be kileld, or even notified). 581monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies
582"normally").
622 583
623Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 584Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of
624C<mon>, see below). 585C<mon>, see above).
625 586
626Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 587Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
627will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 588will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
628 589
629Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 590Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
634=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] 595=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
635 596
636Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which 597Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
637case it's the node where that port resides). 598case it's the node where that port resides).
638 599
639The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is 600The port ID of the newly created port is returned immediately, and it is
640permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port. 601possible to immediately start sending messages or to monitor the port.
641 602
642After the port has been created, the init function is 603After the port has been created, the init function is called on the remote
643called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name 604node, in the same context as a C<rcv> callback. This function must be a
644(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main 605fully-qualified function name (e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To
645program, use C<::name>. 606specify a function in the main program, use C<::name>.
646 607
647If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require> 608If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
648the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 609the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
649C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 610C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
650exists or it runs out of package names. 611exists or it runs out of package names.
651 612
652The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 613The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
653object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 614object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments.
654 615
655A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and 616A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
656in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring 617port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
657ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem. 618local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
619when there is a problem.
658 620
659Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 621Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
660 622
661 # this node, executed from within a port context: 623 # this node, executed from within a port context:
662 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 624 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
685 }; 647 };
686 _self_die if $@; 648 _self_die if $@;
687} 649}
688 650
689sub spawn(@) { 651sub spawn(@) {
690 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 652 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
691 653
692 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 654 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
693 655
694 $_[0] =~ /::/ 656 $_[0] =~ /::/
695 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 657 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
696 658
697 ($NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef) 659 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
698 ->send (["", "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_]);
699 660
700 "$noderef#$id" 661 "$nodeid#$id"
701} 662}
702 663
703=back 664=item after $timeout, @msg
704 665
705=head1 NODE MESSAGES 666=item after $timeout, $callback
706 667
707Nodes understand the following messages sent to them. Many of them take 668Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the
708arguments called C<@reply>, which will simply be used to compose a reply 669specified number of seconds.
709message - C<$reply[0]> is the port to reply to, C<$reply[1]> the type and
710the remaining arguments are simply the message data.
711 670
712While other messages exist, they are not public and subject to change. 671This is simply a utility function that comes in handy at times - the
672AnyEvent::MP author is not convinced of the wisdom of having it, though,
673so it may go away in the future.
713 674
714=over 4
715
716=cut 675=cut
717 676
718=item lookup => $name, @reply 677sub after($@) {
678 my ($timeout, @action) = @_;
719 679
720Replies with the port ID of the specified well-known port, or C<undef>. 680 my $t; $t = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
721 681 undef $t;
722=item devnull => ... 682 ref $action[0]
723 683 ? $action[0]()
724Generic data sink/CPU heat conversion. 684 : snd @action;
725 685 };
726=item relay => $port, @msg 686}
727
728Simply forwards the message to the given port.
729
730=item eval => $string[ @reply]
731
732Evaluates the given string. If C<@reply> is given, then a message of the
733form C<@reply, $@, @evalres> is sent.
734
735Example: crash another node.
736
737 snd $othernode, eval => "exit";
738
739=item time => @reply
740
741Replies the the current node time to C<@reply>.
742
743Example: tell the current node to send the current time to C<$myport> in a
744C<timereply> message.
745
746 snd $NODE, time => $myport, timereply => 1, 2;
747 # => snd $myport, timereply => 1, 2, <time>
748 687
749=back 688=back
750 689
751=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 690=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
752 691
762 701
763Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 702Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
764 703
765=over 4 704=over 4
766 705
767=item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them. 706=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
768 707
769Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the 708Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
770same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with 709way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
771convenience functionality. 710configuration or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself.
772 711
773This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the 712=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
774cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead. 713uses "local ports are like remote ports".
714
715The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
716only) then for remote ports - when a local port dies, you I<know> it dies,
717when a connection to another node dies, you know nothing about the other
718port.
719
720Erlang pretends remote ports are as reliable as local ports, even when
721they are not.
722
723AEMP encourages a "treat remote ports differently" philosophy, with local
724ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
725occur.
775 726
776=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 727=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
777 728
778Erlang uses processes that selctively receive messages, and therefore 729Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore
779needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no useful 730needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no
780purpose. 731useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of
732AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
733filter messages without dequeuing them.
781 734
782(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 735(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
783 736
784=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 737=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
785 738
786Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process. AEMP 739Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and
787sends are immediate, connection establishment is handled in the 740so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate,
788background. 741connection establishment is handled in the background.
789 742
790=item * Erlang can silently lose messages, AEMP cannot. 743=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
791 744
792Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 745Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost
793without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 746without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b,
794and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 747and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
795 748
796AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 749AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message
797holes in the message sequence. 750is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until
798 751monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message
799=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 752sequence.
800alive.
801
802In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and
803linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
804still alive - and can receive messages.
805
806In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
807eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
808and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
809 753
810=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 754=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
811 755
812In Erlang it is quite possible that a node that restarts reuses a process 756In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID
813ID known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing 757known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages
814messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 758destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process.
815 759
816AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 760AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
817around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 761around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
818 762
819=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 763=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
820authentication and can use TLS. 764authentication and can use TLS.
821 765
822AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and 766AEMP can use a proven protocol - TLS - to protect connections and
823securely authenticate nodes. 767securely authenticate nodes.
824 768
825=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 769=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
826communications. 770communications.
827 771
828The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both 772The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
829language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 773language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary,
830language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 774language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
775used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
831 776
832It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 777It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
833with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 778with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
834protocol simple. 779protocol simple.
835 780
836=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 781=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
837 782
838In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 783In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages
841Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 786Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback
842on a per-process basis. 787on a per-process basis.
843 788
844=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 789=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
845 790
846Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, 791Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
847as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 792same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
848 793
849In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports 794In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
850that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port 795that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
851on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor 796on the remote node. The init function monitors you, and you monitor the
852the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much 797remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much more
853more reliable. 798reliable (no need for C<spawn_link>).
854 799
855This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port 800This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
856(hard to do in Erlang). 801(hard to do in Erlang).
857 802
858=back 803=back
859 804
805=head1 RATIONALE
806
807=over 4
808
809=item Why strings for port and node IDs, why not objects?
810
811We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
812that can be called are quite low. Since port and node IDs travel over
813the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
814overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
815
816Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
817procedures to be "valid".
818
819And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a
820global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
821
822=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
823
824In 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
826default (although all nodes will accept it).
827
828The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
829faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
830experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
831than it solves: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
832easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
833always have to re-think your design.
834
835Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
836objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
837
838=back
839
860=head1 SEE ALSO 840=head1 SEE ALSO
841
842L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
843
844L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
845
846L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find
847your applications.
861 848
862L<AnyEvent>. 849L<AnyEvent>.
863 850
864=head1 AUTHOR 851=head1 AUTHOR
865 852

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