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Revision 1.81 by root, Mon Sep 7 18:33:44 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.131 by root, Fri Mar 9 19:07:53 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 $port, $cb->(@msg) # callback is invoked on death
37 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 41 mon $port, $localport # kill localport on abnormal death
38 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 42 mon $port, $localport, @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 but incomplete, protocol not yet final. 58 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable API.
47
48stay 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
68 78
69Ports 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
70some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of 80some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
71anything was listening for them or not. 81anything was listening for them or not.
72 82
83Ports are represented by (printable) strings called "port IDs".
84
73=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname> 85=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
74 86
75A 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<#>)
76separator, 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).
77 90
78=item node 91=item node
79 92
80A 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,
81which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 94which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
82ports. 95ports.
83 96
84Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private 97Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
85(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes 98(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
86currently. 99currently, but all nodes can talk to public nodes.
87 100
101Nodes is represented by (printable) strings called "node IDs".
102
88=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+> 103=item node ID - C<[A-Za-z0-9_\-.:]*>
89 104
90A 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
91network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a 106network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
92hostname, 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
93doesn't interpret node IDs in any way. 108doesn't interpret node IDs in any way except to uniquely identify a node.
94 109
95=item binds - C<ip:port> 110=item binds - C<ip:port>
96 111
97Nodes 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
98each 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
99endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can 116Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can be used, which
100be 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.
101 119
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
102=item seeds - C<host:port> 149=item seed IDs - C<host:port>
103 150
104When 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
105about the network it first has to contact some other node within the 152TCP port) of nodes that should be used as seed nodes.
106network. This node is called a seed.
107 153
108Seeds are transport endpoint(s) of as many nodes as one wants. Those nodes 154=item global nodes
109are expected to be long-running, and at least one of those should always
110be available. When nodes run out of connections (e.g. due to a network
111error), they try to re-establish connections to some seednodes again to
112join the network.
113 155
114Apart 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
115every 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).
116 170
117=back 171=back
118 172
119=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 173=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
120 174
122 176
123=cut 177=cut
124 178
125package AnyEvent::MP; 179package AnyEvent::MP;
126 180
181use AnyEvent::MP::Config ();
127use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel; 182use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel;
183use AnyEvent::MP::Kernel qw(%NODE %PORT %PORT_DATA $UNIQ $RUNIQ $ID);
128 184
129use common::sense; 185use common::sense;
130 186
131use Carp (); 187use Carp ();
132 188
133use AE (); 189use AE ();
190use Guard ();
134 191
135use base "Exporter"; 192use base "Exporter";
136 193
137our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 194our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Config::VERSION;
138 195
139our @EXPORT = qw( 196our @EXPORT = qw(
140 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 197 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
141 configure 198 configure
142 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 199 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil psub peval spawn cal
143 port 200 port
201 db_set db_del db_reg
202 db_mon db_family db_keys db_values
144); 203);
145 204
146our $SELF; 205our $SELF;
147 206
148sub _self_die() { 207sub _self_die() {
171some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes. 230some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
172 231
173This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or 232This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
174never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 233never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
175 234
235The key/value pairs are basically the same ones as documented for the
236F<aemp> command line utility (sans the set/del prefix), with these additions:
237
238=over 4
239
240=item norc => $boolean (default false)
241
242If true, then the rc file (e.g. F<~/.perl-anyevent-mp>) will I<not>
243be consulted - all configuraiton options must be specified in the
244C<configure> call.
245
246=item force => $boolean (default false)
247
248IF true, then the values specified in the C<configure> will take
249precedence over any values configured via the rc file. The default is for
250the rc file to override any options specified in the program.
251
252=item secure => $pass->($nodeid)
253
254In addition to specifying a boolean, you can specify a code reference that
255is called for every remote execution attempt - the execution request is
256granted iff the callback returns a true value.
257
258See F<semp setsecure> for more info.
259
260=back
261
176=over 4 262=over 4
177 263
178=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles 264=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
179 265
180The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the 266The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
193That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority 279That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
194and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority, 280and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
195and can only be used to specify defaults. 281and can only be used to specify defaults.
196 282
197If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of 283If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
198this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The 284this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID, with
199special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID. 285a unique randoms tring (C</%u>) appended.
286
287The node ID can contain some C<%> sequences that are expanded: C<%n>
288is expanded to the local nodename, C<%u> is replaced by a random
289strign to make the node unique. For example, the F<aemp> commandline
290utility uses C<aemp/%n/%u> as nodename, which might expand to
291C<aemp/cerebro/ZQDGSIkRhEZQDGSIkRhE>.
200 292
201=item step 2, bind listener sockets 293=item step 2, bind listener sockets
202 294
203The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding 295The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
204aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid 296aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
210used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every 302used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
211local IP address it finds. 303local IP address it finds.
212 304
213=item step 3, connect to seed nodes 305=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
214 306
215As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the 307As the last step, the seed ID list from the profile is passed to the
216L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep 308L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
217connectivity with at least one node at any point in time. 309connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
218 310
219=back 311=back
220 312
221Example: become a distributed node using the locla node name as profile. 313Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
222This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes. 314This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
223 315
224 configure 316 configure
225 317
226Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline 318Example: become a semi-anonymous node. This form is often used for
227clients. 319commandline clients.
228 320
229 configure nodeid => "anon/"; 321 configure nodeid => "myscript/%n/%u";
230 322
231Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable 323Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which is suitable
232for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040, 324for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
233customary for aemp). 325customary for aemp).
234 326
235 # use the aemp commandline utility 327 # use the aemp commandline utility
236 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040' 328 # aemp profile seed binds '*:4040'
237 329
238 # then use it 330 # then use it
239 configure profile => "seed"; 331 configure profile => "seed";
240 332
241 # or simply use aemp from the shell again: 333 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
311sub _kilme { 403sub _kilme {
312 die "received message on port without callback"; 404 die "received message on port without callback";
313} 405}
314 406
315sub port(;&) { 407sub port(;&) {
316 my $id = "$UNIQ." . $ID++; 408 my $id = $UNIQ . ++$ID;
317 my $port = "$NODE#$id"; 409 my $port = "$NODE#$id";
318 410
319 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme; 411 rcv $port, shift || \&_kilme;
320 412
321 $port 413 $port
360 msg1 => sub { ... }, 452 msg1 => sub { ... },
361 ... 453 ...
362 ; 454 ;
363 455
364Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port 456Example: temporarily register a rcv callback for a tag matching some port
365(e.g. for a rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received. 457(e.g. for an rpc reply) and unregister it after a message was received.
366 458
367 rcv $port, $otherport => sub { 459 rcv $port, $otherport => sub {
368 my @reply = @_; 460 my @reply = @_;
369 461
370 rcv $SELF, $otherport; 462 rcv $SELF, $otherport;
383 if (ref $_[0]) { 475 if (ref $_[0]) {
384 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 476 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
385 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self 477 "AnyEvent::MP::Port" eq ref $self
386 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught"; 478 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on message matching ports, caught";
387 479
388 $self->[2] = shift; 480 $self->[0] = shift;
389 } else { 481 } else {
390 my $cb = shift; 482 my $cb = shift;
391 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 483 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
392 local $SELF = $port; 484 local $SELF = $port;
393 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@; 485 eval { &$cb }; _self_die if $@;
394 }; 486 };
395 } 487 }
396 } elsif (defined $_[0]) { 488 } elsif (defined $_[0]) {
397 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do { 489 my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid} ||= do {
398 my $self = bless [$PORT{$port} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port"; 490 my $self = bless [$PORT{$portid} || sub { }, { }, $port], "AnyEvent::MP::Port";
399 491
400 $PORT{$portid} = sub { 492 $PORT{$portid} = sub {
401 local $SELF = $port; 493 local $SELF = $port;
402 494
403 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) { 495 if (my $cb = $self->[1]{$_[0]}) {
425 } 517 }
426 518
427 $port 519 $port
428} 520}
429 521
522=item peval $port, $coderef[, @args]
523
524Evaluates the given C<$codref> within the contetx of C<$port>, that is,
525when the code throews an exception the C<$port> will be killed.
526
527Any remaining args will be passed to the callback. Any return values will
528be returned to the caller.
529
530This is useful when you temporarily want to execute code in the context of
531a port.
532
533Example: create a port and run some initialisation code in it's context.
534
535 my $port = port { ... };
536
537 peval $port, sub {
538 init
539 or die "unable to init";
540 };
541
542=cut
543
544sub peval($$) {
545 local $SELF = shift;
546 my $cb = shift;
547
548 if (wantarray) {
549 my @res = eval { &$cb };
550 _self_die if $@;
551 @res
552 } else {
553 my $res = eval { &$cb };
554 _self_die if $@;
555 $res
556 }
557}
558
430=item $closure = psub { BLOCK } 559=item $closure = psub { BLOCK }
431 560
432Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the 561Remembers C<$SELF> and creates a closure out of the BLOCK. When the
433closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv> 562closure is executed, sets up the environment in the same way as in C<rcv>
434callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed. 563callbacks, i.e. runtime errors will cause the port to get C<kil>ed.
564
565The effect is basically as if it returned C<< sub { peval $SELF, sub {
566BLOCK }, @_ } >>.
435 567
436This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks: 568This is useful when you register callbacks from C<rcv> callbacks:
437 569
438 rcv delayed_reply => sub { 570 rcv delayed_reply => sub {
439 my ($delay, @reply) = @_; 571 my ($delay, @reply) = @_;
512delivered again. 644delivered again.
513 645
514Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport 646Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
515used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP 647used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
516relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a 648relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
517non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle conenctions). 649non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle connections).
518 650
519This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up 651This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
520stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need 652stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
521to ensure some maximum latency. 653to ensure some maximum latency.
522 654
554 } 686 }
555 687
556 $node->monitor ($port, $cb); 688 $node->monitor ($port, $cb);
557 689
558 defined wantarray 690 defined wantarray
559 and AnyEvent::Util::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) } 691 and ($cb += 0, Guard::guard { $node->unmonitor ($port, $cb) })
560} 692}
561 693
562=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref... 694=item $guard = mon_guard $port, $ref, $ref...
563 695
564Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port 696Monitors the given C<$port> and keeps the passed references. When the port
587 719
588=item kil $port[, @reason] 720=item kil $port[, @reason]
589 721
590Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 722Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
591 723
592If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports 724If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" -
593monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies 725monitor callback will be invoked, but the kil will not cause linked ports
594"normally"). 726(C<mon $mport, $lport> form) to get killed.
595 727
596Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 728If a C<@reason> is specified, then linked ports (C<mon $mport, $lport>
597C<mon>, see above). 729form) get killed with the same reason.
598 730
599Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 731Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
600will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 732will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
601 733
602Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 734Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
621the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 753the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
622C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 754C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
623exists or it runs out of package names. 755exists or it runs out of package names.
624 756
625The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 757The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
626object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 758object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
759call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
760the port might not get created.
627 761
628A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned 762A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
629port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed 763port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
630local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up 764local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
631when there is a problem. 765when there is a problem.
655 789
656sub _spawn { 790sub _spawn {
657 my $port = shift; 791 my $port = shift;
658 my $init = shift; 792 my $init = shift;
659 793
794 # rcv will create the actual port
660 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 795 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
661 eval { 796 eval {
662 &{ load_func $init } 797 &{ load_func $init }
663 }; 798 };
664 _self_die if $@; 799 _self_die if $@;
665} 800}
666 801
667sub spawn(@) { 802sub spawn(@) {
668 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 803 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
669 804
670 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 805 my $id = $RUNIQ . ++$ID;
671 806
672 $_[0] =~ /::/ 807 $_[0] =~ /::/
673 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 808 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
674 809
675 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 810 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
676 811
677 "$nodeid#$id" 812 "$nodeid#$id"
678} 813}
814
679 815
680=item after $timeout, @msg 816=item after $timeout, @msg
681 817
682=item after $timeout, $callback 818=item after $timeout, $callback
683 819
699 ? $action[0]() 835 ? $action[0]()
700 : snd @action; 836 : snd @action;
701 }; 837 };
702} 838}
703 839
840#=item $cb2 = timeout $seconds, $cb[, @args]
841
842=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
843
844A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
845given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
846
847The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
848the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
849
850A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
851
852If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
853then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
854elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
855
856If no time-out is given (or it is C<undef>), then the local port will
857monitor the remote port instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
858
859Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
860might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
861this is indeed useful for something.
862
863=cut
864
865sub cal(@) {
866 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
867 my $cb = pop;
868
869 my $port = port {
870 undef $timeout;
871 kil $SELF;
872 &$cb;
873 };
874
875 if (defined $timeout) {
876 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
877 undef $timeout;
878 kil $port;
879 $cb->();
880 };
881 } else {
882 mon $_[0], sub {
883 kil $port;
884 $cb->();
885 };
886 }
887
888 push @_, $port;
889 &snd;
890
891 $port
892}
893
894=back
895
896=head1 DISTRIBUTED DATABASE
897
898AnyEvent::MP comes with a simple distributed database. The database will
899be mirrored asynchronously on all global nodes. Other nodes bind to one
900of the global nodes for their needs. Every node has a "local database"
901which contains all the values that are set locally. All local databases
902are merged together to form the global database, which can be queried.
903
904The database structure is that of a two-level hash - the database hash
905contains hashes which contain values, similarly to a perl hash of hashes,
906i.e.:
907
908 $DATABASE{$family}{$subkey} = $value
909
910The top level hash key is called "family", and the second-level hash key
911is called "subkey" or simply "key".
912
913The family must be alphanumeric, i.e. start with a letter and consist
914of letters, digits, underscores and colons (C<[A-Za-z][A-Za-z0-9_:]*>,
915pretty much like Perl module names.
916
917As the family namespace is global, it is recommended to prefix family names
918with the name of the application or module using it.
919
920The subkeys must be non-empty strings, with no further restrictions.
921
922The values should preferably be strings, but other perl scalars should
923work as well (such as C<undef>, arrays and hashes).
924
925Every database entry is owned by one node - adding the same family/subkey
926combination on multiple nodes will not cause discomfort for AnyEvent::MP,
927but the result might be nondeterministic, i.e. the key might have
928different values on different nodes.
929
930Different subkeys in the same family can be owned by different nodes
931without problems, and in fact, this is the common method to create worker
932pools. For example, a worker port for image scaling might do this:
933
934 db_set my_image_scalers => $port;
935
936And clients looking for an image scaler will want to get the
937C<my_image_scalers> keys from time to time:
938
939 db_keys my_image_scalers => sub {
940 @ports = @{ $_[0] };
941 };
942
943Or better yet, they want to monitor the database family, so they always
944have a reasonable up-to-date copy:
945
946 db_mon my_image_scalers => sub {
947 @ports = keys %{ $_[0] };
948 };
949
950In general, you can set or delete single subkeys, but query and monitor
951whole families only.
952
953If you feel the need to monitor or query a single subkey, try giving it
954it's own family.
955
956=over
957
958=item db_set $family => $subkey [=> $value]
959
960Sets (or replaces) a key to the database - if C<$value> is omitted,
961C<undef> is used instead.
962
963=item db_del $family => $subkey...
964
965Deletes one or more subkeys from the database family.
966
967=item $guard = db_reg $family => $subkey [=> $value]
968
969Sets the key on the database and returns a guard. When the guard is
970destroyed, the key is deleted from the database. If C<$value> is missing,
971then C<undef> is used.
972
973=item db_family $family => $cb->(\%familyhash)
974
975Queries the named database C<$family> and call the callback with the
976family represented as a hash. You can keep and freely modify the hash.
977
978=item db_keys $family => $cb->(\@keys)
979
980Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<subkeys> and passes
981them as array reference to the callback.
982
983=item db_values $family => $cb->(\@values)
984
985Same as C<db_family>, except it only queries the family I<values> and passes them
986as array reference to the callback.
987
988=item $guard = db_mon $family => $cb->($familyhash, \@added, \@changed, \@deleted)
989
990Creates a monitor on the given database family. Each time a key is set
991or or is deleted the callback is called with a hash containing the
992database family and three lists of added, changed and deleted subkeys,
993respectively. If no keys have changed then the array reference might be
994C<undef> or even missing.
995
996The family hash reference and the key arrays belong to AnyEvent::MP and
997B<must not be modified or stored> by the callback. When in doubt, make a
998copy.
999
1000As soon as possible after the monitoring starts, the callback will be
1001called with the intiial contents of the family, even if it is empty,
1002i.e. there will always be a timely call to the callback with the current
1003contents.
1004
1005It is possible that the callback is called with a change event even though
1006the subkey is already present and the value has not changed.
1007
1008The monitoring stops when the guard object is destroyed.
1009
1010Example: on every change to the family "mygroup", print out all keys.
1011
1012 my $guard = db_mon mygroup => sub {
1013 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1014 print "mygroup members: ", (join " ", keys %$family), "\n";
1015 };
1016
1017Exmaple: wait until the family "My::Module::workers" is non-empty.
1018
1019 my $guard; $guard = db_mon My::Module::workers => sub {
1020 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1021 return unless %$family;
1022 undef $guard;
1023 print "My::Module::workers now nonempty\n";
1024 };
1025
1026Example: print all changes to the family "AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module".
1027
1028 my $guard = db_mon AnyRvent::Fantasy::Module => sub {
1029 my ($family, $a, $c, $d) = @_;
1030
1031 print "+$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$a;
1032 print "*$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$c;
1033 print "-$_=$family->{$_}\n" for @$d;
1034 };
1035
1036=cut
1037
704=back 1038=back
705 1039
706=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 1040=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
707 1041
708AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 1042AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
709== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and 1043== aemp node, Erlang process == aemp port), so many of the documents and
710programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a 1044programming techniques employed by Erlang apply to AnyEvent::MP. Here is a
711sample: 1045sample:
712 1046
713 http://www.Erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml 1047 http://www.erlang.se/doc/programming_rules.shtml
714 http://Erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4 1048 http://erlang.org/doc/getting_started/part_frame.html # chapters 3 and 4
715 http://Erlang.org/download/Erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6 1049 http://erlang.org/download/erlang-book-part1.pdf # chapters 5 and 6
716 http://Erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5 1050 http://erlang.org/download/armstrong_thesis_2003.pdf # chapters 4 and 5
717 1051
718Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 1052Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
719 1053
720=over 4 1054=over 4
721 1055
722=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP. 1056=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
723 1057
724Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same 1058Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
725way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by 1059way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
726configuration or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself. 1060configuration or DNS), and possibly the addresses of some seed nodes, but
1061will otherwise discover other nodes (and their IDs) itself.
727 1062
728=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 1063=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
729uses "local ports are like remote ports". 1064uses "local ports are like remote ports".
730 1065
731The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 1066The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
740ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot 1075ports being the special case/exception, where transport errors cannot
741occur. 1076occur.
742 1077
743=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue. 1078=item * Erlang uses processes and a mailbox, AEMP does not queue.
744 1079
745Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 1080Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages out of order, and
746needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 1081therefore needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve
747useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 1082no useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities
748AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 1083of AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
749filter messages without dequeuing them. 1084filter messages without dequeuing them.
750 1085
751(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 1086This is not a philosophical difference, but simply stems from AnyEvent::MP
1087being event-based, while Erlang is process-based.
1088
1089You cna have a look at L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on
1090top of AEMP and Coro threads.
752 1091
753=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 1092=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
754 1093
755Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process (and 1094Sending messages in Erlang is synchronous and blocks the process until
1095a conenction has been established and the message sent (and so does not
756so does not need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends are immediate, 1096need a queue that can overflow). AEMP sends return immediately, connection
757connection establishment is handled in the background. 1097establishment is handled in the background.
758 1098
759=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not. 1099=item * Erlang suffers from silent message loss, AEMP does not.
760 1100
761Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 1101Erlang implements few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get
762without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 1102lost without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a,
763and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 1103b, and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
764 1104
765AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message 1105AEMP guarantees (modulo hardware errors) correct ordering, and the
766is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until 1106guarantee that after one message is lost, all following ones sent to the
767monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message 1107same port are lost as well, until monitoring raises an error, so there are
768sequence. 1108no silent "holes" in the message sequence.
1109
1110If you want your software to be very reliable, you have to cope with
1111corrupted and even out-of-order messages in both Erlang and AEMP. AEMP
1112simply tries to work better in common error cases, such as when a network
1113link goes down.
769 1114
770=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 1115=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
771 1116
772In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 1117In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses an Erlang
773known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 1118process ID known to other nodes for a completely different process,
774destined for that process to end up in an unrelated process. 1119causing messages destined for that process to end up in an unrelated
1120process.
775 1121
776AEMP never reuses port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating 1122AEMP does not reuse port IDs, so old messages or old port IDs floating
777around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 1123around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
778 1124
779=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 1125=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
780authentication and can use TLS. 1126authentication and can use TLS.
781 1127
784 1130
785=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 1131=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
786communications. 1132communications.
787 1133
788The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming 1134The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
789language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 1135language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging), and binary,
790language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is 1136language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
791used, the protocol is actually completely text-based. 1137used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
792 1138
793It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 1139It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
794with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the 1140with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
795protocol simple. 1141protocol simple.
796 1142
797=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 1143=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
798 1144
799In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 1145In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages or
800or I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single processes is 1146I<none>, there is no in-between, so monitoring single Erlang processes is
801difficult to implement. Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in 1147difficult to implement.
802Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 1148
803on a per-process basis. 1149Monitoring in AEMP is more flexible than in Erlang, as one can choose
1150between automatic kill, exit message or callback on a per-port basis.
804 1151
805=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 1152=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
806 1153
807Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the 1154Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
808same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 1155same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
830overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere. 1177overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
831 1178
832Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 1179Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
833procedures to be "valid". 1180procedures to be "valid".
834 1181
835And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a 1182And as a result, a port with just a default receiver consists of a single
836global hash - it can't become much cheaper. 1183code reference stored in a global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
837 1184
838=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable? 1185=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
839 1186
840In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 1187In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing
841format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by 1188format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
857 1204
858L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction. 1205L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
859 1206
860L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff. 1207L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
861 1208
862L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find 1209L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintenance and port groups, to find
863your applications. 1210your applications.
1211
1212L<AnyEvent::MP::DataConn> - establish data connections between nodes.
864 1213
865L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from 1214L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
866all nodes. 1215all nodes.
867 1216
868L<AnyEvent>. 1217L<AnyEvent>.

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