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Revision 1.87 by root, Fri Sep 11 02:32:23 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
15 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages 14 # initialise the node so it can send/receive messages
16 initialise_node; 15 configure;
17 16
18 # ports are message endpoints 17 # ports are message destinations
19 18
20 # sending messages 19 # sending messages
21 snd $port, type => data...; 20 snd $port, type => data...;
22 snd $port, @msg; 21 snd $port, @msg;
23 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port; 22 snd @msg_with_first_element_being_a_port;
24 23
25 # creating/using ports, the simple way 24 # creating/using ports, the simple way
26 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_; 0 }; 25 my $simple_port = port { my @msg = @_ };
27 26
28 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching 27 # creating/using ports, tagged message matching
29 my $port = port; 28 my $port = port;
30 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong"; 0 }; 29 rcv $port, ping => sub { snd $_[0], "pong" };
31 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n"; 0 }; 30 rcv $port, pong => sub { warn "pong received\n" };
32 31
33 # create a port on another node 32 # create a port on another node
34 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata; 33 my $port = spawn $node, $initfunc, @initdata;
35 34
36 # monitoring 35 # monitoring
38 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death 37 mon $port, $otherport # kill otherport on abnormal death
39 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death 38 mon $port, $otherport, @msg # send message on death
40 39
41=head1 CURRENT STATUS 40=head1 CURRENT STATUS
42 41
42 bin/aemp - stable.
43 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work 43 AnyEvent::MP - stable API, should work.
44 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - outdated 44 AnyEvent::MP::Intro - explains most concepts.
45 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - WIP
46 AnyEvent::MP::Transport - mostly stable 45 AnyEvent::MP::Kernel - mostly stable.
46 AnyEvent::MP::Global - stable but incomplete, protocol not yet final.
47 47
48 stay tuned. 48stay tuned.
49 49
50=head1 DESCRIPTION 50=head1 DESCRIPTION
51 51
52This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework. 52This module (-family) implements a simple message passing framework.
53 53
54Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running 54Despite its simplicity, you can securely message other processes running
55on the same or other hosts. 55on the same or other hosts, and you can supervise entities remotely.
56 56
57For 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>
58manual page. 58manual page and the examples under F<eg/>.
59
60At the moment, this module family is severly broken and underdocumented,
61so do not use. This was uploaded mainly to reserve the CPAN namespace -
62stay tuned!
63 59
64=head1 CONCEPTS 60=head1 CONCEPTS
65 61
66=over 4 62=over 4
67 63
68=item port 64=item port
69 65
70A port is something you can send messages to (with the C<snd> function). 66Not to be confused with a TCP port, a "port" is something you can send
67messages to (with the C<snd> function).
71 68
72Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just 69Ports allow you to register C<rcv> handlers that can match all or just
73some messages. Messages will not be queued. 70some messages. Messages send to ports will not be queued, regardless of
71anything was listening for them or not.
74 72
75=item port ID - C<noderef#portname> 73=item port ID - C<nodeid#portname>
76 74
77A port ID is the concatenation of a noderef, a hash-mark (C<#>) as 75A port ID is the concatenation of a node ID, a hash-mark (C<#>) as
78separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format). An 76separator, and a port name (a printable string of unspecified format).
79exception is the the node port, whose ID is identical to its node
80reference.
81 77
82=item node 78=item node
83 79
84A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port, 80A node is a single process containing at least one port - the node port,
85which provides nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new 81which enables nodes to manage each other remotely, and to create new
86ports. 82ports.
87 83
88Nodes are either private (single-process only), slaves (can only talk to 84Nodes are either public (have one or more listening ports) or private
89public nodes, but do not need an open port) or public nodes (connectable 85(no listening ports). Private nodes cannot talk to other private nodes
90from any other node). 86currently.
91 87
92=item node ID - C<[a-za-Z0-9_\-.:]+> 88=item node ID - C<[A-Z_][a-zA-Z0-9_\-.:]*>
93 89
94A node ID is a string that either simply identifies the node (for 90A node ID is a string that uniquely identifies the node within a
95private and slave nodes), or contains a recipe on how to reach a given 91network. Depending on the configuration used, node IDs can look like a
96node (for public nodes). 92hostname, a hostname and a port, or a random string. AnyEvent::MP itself
93doesn't interpret node IDs in any way.
97 94
98This recipe is simply a comma-separated list of C<address:port> pairs (for 95=item binds - C<ip:port>
99TCP/IP, other protocols might look different).
100 96
101Node references come in two flavours: resolved (containing only numerical 97Nodes can only talk to each other by creating some kind of connection to
102addresses) or unresolved (where hostnames are used instead of addresses). 98each other. To do this, nodes should listen on one or more local transport
99endpoints - binds. Currently, only standard C<ip:port> specifications can
100be used, which specify TCP ports to listen on.
103 101
104Before using an unresolved node reference in a message you first have to 102=item seed nodes
105resolve it. 103
104When a node starts, it knows nothing about the network. To teach the node
105about the network it first has to contact some other node within the
106network. This node is called a seed.
107
108Apart from the fact that other nodes know them as seed nodes and they have
109to have fixed listening addresses, seed nodes are perfectly normal nodes -
110any node can function as a seed node for others.
111
112In addition to discovering the network, seed nodes are also used to
113maintain the network and to connect nodes that otherwise would have
114trouble connecting. They form the backbone of an AnyEvent::MP network.
115
116Seed nodes are expected to be long-running, and at least one seed node
117should always be available. They should also be relatively responsive - a
118seed node that blocks for long periods will slow down everybody else.
119
120=item seeds - C<host:port>
121
122Seeds are transport endpoint(s) (usually a hostname/IP address and a
123TCP port) of nodes thta should be used as seed nodes.
124
125The nodes listening on those endpoints are expected to be long-running,
126and at least one of those should always be available. When nodes run out
127of connections (e.g. due to a network error), they try to re-establish
128connections to some seednodes again to join the network.
106 129
107=back 130=back
108 131
109=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS 132=head1 VARIABLES/FUNCTIONS
110 133
126 149
127our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION; 150our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::MP::Kernel::VERSION;
128 151
129our @EXPORT = qw( 152our @EXPORT = qw(
130 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after 153 NODE $NODE *SELF node_of after
131 resolve_node initialise_node 154 configure
132 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn 155 snd rcv mon mon_guard kil reg psub spawn cal
133 port 156 port
134); 157);
135 158
136our $SELF; 159our $SELF;
137 160
141 kil $SELF, die => $msg; 164 kil $SELF, die => $msg;
142} 165}
143 166
144=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE 167=item $thisnode = NODE / $NODE
145 168
146The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains the 169The C<NODE> function returns, and the C<$NODE> variable contains, the node
147node id of the local node. The value is initialised by a call to 170ID of the node running in the current process. This value is initialised by
148C<initialise_node>. 171a call to C<configure>.
149 172
150=item $nodeid = node_of $port 173=item $nodeid = node_of $port
151 174
152Extracts and returns the noderef from a port ID or a node ID. 175Extracts and returns the node ID from a port ID or a node ID.
153 176
154=item initialise_node $profile_name 177=item configure $profile, key => value...
155 178
179=item configure key => value...
180
156Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network it has to initialise 181Before a node can talk to other nodes on the network (i.e. enter
157itself - the minimum a node needs to know is it's own name, and optionally 182"distributed mode") it has to configure itself - the minimum a node needs
158it should know the noderefs of some other nodes in the network. 183to know is its own name, and optionally it should know the addresses of
184some other nodes in the network to discover other nodes.
159 185
160This function initialises a node - it must be called exactly once (or 186This function configures a node - it must be called exactly once (or
161never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions. 187never) before calling other AnyEvent::MP functions.
162 188
163All arguments (optionally except for the first) are noderefs, which can be
164either resolved or unresolved.
165
166The first argument will be looked up in the configuration database first
167(if it is C<undef> then the current nodename will be used instead) to find
168the relevant configuration profile (see L<aemp>). If none is found then
169the default configuration is used. The configuration supplies additional
170seed/master nodes and can override the actual noderef.
171
172There are two types of networked nodes, public nodes and slave nodes:
173
174=over 4 189=over 4
175 190
176=item public nodes 191=item step 1, gathering configuration from profiles
177 192
178For public nodes, C<$noderef> (supplied either directly to 193The function first looks up a profile in the aemp configuration (see the
179C<initialise_node> or indirectly via a profile or the nodename) must be a 194L<aemp> commandline utility). The profile name can be specified via the
180noderef (possibly unresolved, in which case it will be resolved). 195named C<profile> parameter or can simply be the first parameter). If it is
196missing, then the nodename (F<uname -n>) will be used as profile name.
181 197
182After resolving, the node will bind itself on all endpoints. 198The profile data is then gathered as follows:
183 199
184=item slave nodes 200First, all remaining key => value pairs (all of which are conveniently
201undocumented at the moment) will be interpreted as configuration
202data. Then they will be overwritten by any values specified in the global
203default configuration (see the F<aemp> utility), then the chain of
204profiles chosen by the profile name (and any C<parent> attributes).
185 205
186When the C<$noderef> (either as given or overriden by the config file) 206That means that the values specified in the profile have highest priority
187is the special string C<slave/>, then the node will become a slave 207and the values specified directly via C<configure> have lowest priority,
188node. Slave nodes cannot be contacted from outside, and cannot talk to 208and can only be used to specify defaults.
189each other (at least in this version of AnyEvent::MP).
190 209
191Slave nodes work by creating connections to all public nodes, using the 210If the profile specifies a node ID, then this will become the node ID of
192L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> service. 211this process. If not, then the profile name will be used as node ID. The
212special node ID of C<anon/> will be replaced by a random node ID.
213
214=item step 2, bind listener sockets
215
216The next step is to look up the binds in the profile, followed by binding
217aemp protocol listeners on all binds specified (it is possible and valid
218to have no binds, meaning that the node cannot be contacted form the
219outside. This means the node cannot talk to other nodes that also have no
220binds, but it can still talk to all "normal" nodes).
221
222If the profile does not specify a binds list, then a default of C<*> is
223used, meaning the node will bind on a dynamically-assigned port on every
224local IP address it finds.
225
226=item step 3, connect to seed nodes
227
228As the last step, the seeds list from the profile is passed to the
229L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> module, which will then use it to keep
230connectivity with at least one node at any point in time.
193 231
194=back 232=back
195 233
196After initialising itself, the node will connect to all additional 234Example: become a distributed node using the local node name as profile.
197C<$seednodes> that are specified diretcly or via a profile. Seednodes are 235This should be the most common form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
198optional and can be used to quickly bootstrap the node into an existing
199network.
200 236
201All the seednodes will also be specially marked to automatically retry 237 configure
202connecting to them indefinitely, so make sure that seednodes are really
203reliable and up (this might also change in the future).
204 238
205Example: become a public node listening on the guessed noderef, or the one 239Example: become an anonymous node. This form is often used for commandline
206specified via C<aemp> for the current node. This should be the most common 240clients.
207form of invocation for "daemon"-type nodes.
208 241
209 initialise_node; 242 configure nodeid => "anon/";
210 243
211Example: become a slave node to any of the the seednodes specified via 244Example: configure a node using a profile called seed, which si suitable
212C<aemp>. This form is often used for commandline clients. 245for a seed node as it binds on all local addresses on a fixed port (4040,
246customary for aemp).
213 247
214 initialise_node "slave/"; 248 # use the aemp commandline utility
249 # aemp profile seed nodeid anon/ binds '*:4040'
215 250
216Example: become a public node, and try to contact some well-known master 251 # then use it
217servers to become part of the network. 252 configure profile => "seed";
218 253
219 initialise_node undef, "master1", "master2"; 254 # or simply use aemp from the shell again:
255 # aemp run profile seed
220 256
221Example: become a public node listening on port C<4041>. 257 # or provide a nicer-to-remember nodeid
222 258 # aemp run profile seed nodeid "$(hostname)"
223 initialise_node 4041;
224
225Example: become a public node, only visible on localhost port 4044.
226
227 initialise_node "localhost:4044";
228
229=item $cv = resolve_node $noderef
230
231Takes an unresolved node reference that may contain hostnames and
232abbreviated IDs, resolves all of them and returns a resolved node
233reference.
234
235In addition to C<address:port> pairs allowed in resolved noderefs, the
236following forms are supported:
237
238=over 4
239
240=item the empty string
241
242An empty-string component gets resolved as if the default port (4040) was
243specified.
244
245=item naked port numbers (e.g. C<1234>)
246
247These are resolved by prepending the local nodename and a colon, to be
248further resolved.
249
250=item hostnames (e.g. C<localhost:1234>, C<localhost>)
251
252These are resolved by using AnyEvent::DNS to resolve them, optionally
253looking up SRV records for the C<aemp=4040> port, if no port was
254specified.
255
256=back
257 259
258=item $SELF 260=item $SELF
259 261
260Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub> 262Contains the current port id while executing C<rcv> callbacks or C<psub>
261blocks. 263blocks.
262 264
263=item SELF, %SELF, @SELF... 265=item *SELF, SELF, %SELF, @SELF...
264 266
265Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to 267Due to some quirks in how perl exports variables, it is impossible to
266just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols called C<SELF> are exported by this 268just export C<$SELF>, all the symbols named C<SELF> are exported by this
267module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used. 269module, but only C<$SELF> is currently used.
268 270
269=item snd $port, type => @data 271=item snd $port, type => @data
270 272
271=item snd $port, @msg 273=item snd $port, @msg
272 274
273Send the given message to the given port ID, which can identify either 275Send the given message to the given port, which can identify either a
274a local or a remote port, and must be a port ID. 276local or a remote port, and must be a port ID.
275 277
276While the message can be about anything, it is highly recommended to use a 278While the message can be almost anything, it is highly recommended to
277string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a request 279use a string as first element (a port ID, or some word that indicates a
278type etc.). 280request type etc.) and to consist if only simple perl values (scalars,
281arrays, hashes) - if you think you need to pass an object, think again.
279 282
280The message data effectively becomes read-only after a call to this 283The message data logically becomes read-only after a call to this
281function: modifying any argument is not allowed and can cause many 284function: modifying any argument (or values referenced by them) is
282problems. 285forbidden, as there can be considerable time between the call to C<snd>
286and the time the message is actually being serialised - in fact, it might
287never be copied as within the same process it is simply handed to the
288receiving port.
283 289
284The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when 290The type of data you can transfer depends on the transport protocol: when
285JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting 291JSON is used, then only strings, numbers and arrays and hashes consisting
286of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything 292of those are allowed (no objects). When Storable is used, then anything
287that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local 293that Storable can serialise and deserialise is allowed, and for the local
288node, anything can be passed. 294node, anything can be passed. Best rely only on the common denominator of
295these.
289 296
290=item $local_port = port 297=item $local_port = port
291 298
292Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has 299Create a new local port object and returns its port ID. Initially it has
293no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages. 300no callbacks set and will throw an error when it receives messages.
378 385
379=cut 386=cut
380 387
381sub rcv($@) { 388sub rcv($@) {
382 my $port = shift; 389 my $port = shift;
383 my ($noderef, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2; 390 my ($nodeid, $portid) = split /#/, $port, 2;
384 391
385 $NODE{$noderef} == $NODE{""} 392 $NODE{$nodeid} == $NODE{""}
386 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught"; 393 or Carp::croak "$port: rcv can only be called on local ports, caught";
387 394
388 while (@_) { 395 while (@_) {
389 if (ref $_[0]) { 396 if (ref $_[0]) {
390 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) { 397 if (my $self = $PORT_DATA{$portid}) {
469 $res 476 $res
470 } 477 }
471 } 478 }
472} 479}
473 480
474=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) 481=item $guard = mon $port, $cb->(@reason) # call $cb when $port dies
475 482
476=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport 483=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport # kill $rcvport when $port dies
477 484
478=item $guard = mon $port 485=item $guard = mon $port # kill $SELF when $port dies
479 486
480=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg 487=item $guard = mon $port, $rcvport, @msg # send a message when $port dies
481 488
482Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or 489Monitor the given port and do something when the port is killed or
483messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used 490messages to it were lost, and optionally return a guard that can be used
484to stop monitoring again. 491to stop monitoring again.
485
486C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
487that after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port
488will arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible
489message loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between"
490(after the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
491port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
492delivered again.
493
494Note that monitoring-actions are one-shot: once released, they are removed
495and will not trigger again.
496 492
497In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any 493In the first form (callback), the callback is simply called with any
498number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted 494number of C<@reason> elements (no @reason means that the port was deleted
499"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use 495"normally"). Note also that I<< the callback B<must> never die >>, so use
500C<eval> if unsure. 496C<eval> if unsure.
501 497
502In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>) 498In the second form (another port given), the other port (C<$rcvport>)
503will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, iff a @reason was specified, i.e. on 499will be C<kil>'ed with C<@reason>, if a @reason was specified, i.e. on
504"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other 500"normal" kils nothing happens, while under all other conditions, the other
505port is killed with the same reason. 501port is killed with the same reason.
506 502
507The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that 503The third form (kill self) is the same as the second form, except that
508C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>. 504C<$rvport> defaults to C<$SELF>.
509 505
510In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be 506In the last form (message), a message of the form C<@msg, @reason> will be
511C<snd>. 507C<snd>.
508
509Monitoring-actions are one-shot: once messages are lost (and a monitoring
510alert was raised), they are removed and will not trigger again.
512 511
513As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from 512As a rule of thumb, monitoring requests should always monitor a port from
514a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get 513a local port (or callback). The reason is that kill messages might get
515lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that 514lost, just like any other message. Another less obvious reason is that
516even monitoring requests can get lost (for exmaple, when the connection 515even monitoring requests can get lost (for example, when the connection
517to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally 516to the other node goes down permanently). When monitoring a port locally
518these problems do not exist. 517these problems do not exist.
519 518
519C<mon> effectively guarantees that, in the absence of hardware failures,
520after starting the monitor, either all messages sent to the port will
521arrive, or the monitoring action will be invoked after possible message
522loss has been detected. No messages will be lost "in between" (after
523the first lost message no further messages will be received by the
524port). After the monitoring action was invoked, further messages might get
525delivered again.
526
527Inter-host-connection timeouts and monitoring depend on the transport
528used. The only transport currently implemented is TCP, and AnyEvent::MP
529relies on TCP to detect node-downs (this can take 10-15 minutes on a
530non-idle connection, and usually around two hours for idle conenctions).
531
532This means that monitoring is good for program errors and cleaning up
533stuff eventually, but they are no replacement for a timeout when you need
534to ensure some maximum latency.
535
520Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed. 536Example: call a given callback when C<$port> is killed.
521 537
522 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" }; 538 mon $port, sub { warn "port died because of <@_>\n" };
523 539
524Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally. 540Example: kill ourselves when C<$port> is killed abnormally.
530 mon $port, $self => "restart"; 546 mon $port, $self => "restart";
531 547
532=cut 548=cut
533 549
534sub mon { 550sub mon {
535 my ($noderef, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2; 551 my ($nodeid, $port) = split /#/, shift, 2;
536 552
537 my $node = $NODE{$noderef} || add_node $noderef; 553 my $node = $NODE{$nodeid} || add_node $nodeid;
538 554
539 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,'; 555 my $cb = @_ ? shift : $SELF || Carp::croak 'mon: called with one argument only, but $SELF not set,';
540 556
541 unless (ref $cb) { 557 unless (ref $cb) {
542 if (@_) { 558 if (@_) {
562is killed, the references will be freed. 578is killed, the references will be freed.
563 579
564Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring. 580Optionally returns a guard that will stop the monitoring.
565 581
566This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and 582This function is useful when you create e.g. timers or other watchers and
567want to free them when the port gets killed: 583want to free them when the port gets killed (note the use of C<psub>):
568 584
569 $port->rcv (start => sub { 585 $port->rcv (start => sub {
570 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, sub { 586 my $timer; $timer = mon_guard $port, AE::timer 1, 1, psub {
571 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand; 587 undef $timer if 0.9 < rand;
572 }); 588 });
573 }); 589 });
574 590
575=cut 591=cut
584 600
585=item kil $port[, @reason] 601=item kil $port[, @reason]
586 602
587Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>. 603Kill the specified port with the given C<@reason>.
588 604
589If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (linked 605If no C<@reason> is specified, then the port is killed "normally" (ports
590ports will not be kileld, or even notified). 606monitoring other ports will not necessarily die because a port dies
607"normally").
591 608
592Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of 609Otherwise, linked ports get killed with the same reason (second form of
593C<mon>, see below). 610C<mon>, see above).
594 611
595Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks 612Runtime errors while evaluating C<rcv> callbacks or inside C<psub> blocks
596will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>. 613will be reported as reason C<< die => $@ >>.
597 614
598Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error => 615Transport/communication errors are reported as C<< transport_error =>
603=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata] 620=item $port = spawn $node, $initfunc[, @initdata]
604 621
605Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which 622Creates a port on the node C<$node> (which can also be a port ID, in which
606case it's the node where that port resides). 623case it's the node where that port resides).
607 624
608The port ID of the newly created port is return immediately, and it is 625The port ID of the newly created port is returned immediately, and it is
609permissible to immediately start sending messages or monitor the port. 626possible to immediately start sending messages or to monitor the port.
610 627
611After the port has been created, the init function is 628After the port has been created, the init function is called on the remote
612called. This function must be a fully-qualified function name 629node, in the same context as a C<rcv> callback. This function must be a
613(e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To specify a function in the main 630fully-qualified function name (e.g. C<MyApp::Chat::Server::init>). To
614program, use C<::name>. 631specify a function in the main program, use C<::name>.
615 632
616If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require> 633If the function doesn't exist, then the node tries to C<require>
617the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g. 634the package, then the package above the package and so on (e.g.
618C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function 635C<MyApp::Chat::Server>, C<MyApp::Chat>, C<MyApp>) until the function
619exists or it runs out of package names. 636exists or it runs out of package names.
620 637
621The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context 638The init function is then called with the newly-created port as context
622object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. 639object (C<$SELF>) and the C<@initdata> values as arguments. It I<must>
640call one of the C<rcv> functions to set callbacks on C<$SELF>, otherwise
641the port might not get created.
623 642
624A common idiom is to pass your own port, monitor the spawned port, and 643A common idiom is to pass a local port, immediately monitor the spawned
625in the init function, monitor the original port. This two-way monitoring 644port, and in the remote init function, immediately monitor the passed
626ensures that both ports get cleaned up when there is a problem. 645local port. This two-way monitoring ensures that both ports get cleaned up
646when there is a problem.
647
648C<spawn> guarantees that the C<$initfunc> has no visible effects on the
649caller before C<spawn> returns (by delaying invocation when spawn is
650called for the local node).
627 651
628Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>. 652Example: spawn a chat server port on C<$othernode>.
629 653
630 # this node, executed from within a port context: 654 # this node, executed from within a port context:
631 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF; 655 my $server = spawn $othernode, "MyApp::Chat::Server::connect", $SELF;
646 670
647sub _spawn { 671sub _spawn {
648 my $port = shift; 672 my $port = shift;
649 my $init = shift; 673 my $init = shift;
650 674
675 # rcv will create the actual port
651 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port"; 676 local $SELF = "$NODE#$port";
652 eval { 677 eval {
653 &{ load_func $init } 678 &{ load_func $init }
654 }; 679 };
655 _self_die if $@; 680 _self_die if $@;
656} 681}
657 682
658sub spawn(@) { 683sub spawn(@) {
659 my ($noderef, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2; 684 my ($nodeid, undef) = split /#/, shift, 2;
660 685
661 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++; 686 my $id = "$RUNIQ." . $ID++;
662 687
663 $_[0] =~ /::/ 688 $_[0] =~ /::/
664 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught"; 689 or Carp::croak "spawn init function must be a fully-qualified name, caught";
665 690
666 snd_to_func $noderef, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_; 691 snd_to_func $nodeid, "AnyEvent::MP::_spawn" => $id, @_;
667 692
668 "$noderef#$id" 693 "$nodeid#$id"
669} 694}
670 695
671=item after $timeout, @msg 696=item after $timeout, @msg
672 697
673=item after $timeout, $callback 698=item after $timeout, $callback
674 699
675Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the 700Either sends the given message, or call the given callback, after the
676specified number of seconds. 701specified number of seconds.
677 702
678This is simply a utility function that come sin handy at times. 703This is simply a utility function that comes in handy at times - the
704AnyEvent::MP author is not convinced of the wisdom of having it, though,
705so it may go away in the future.
679 706
680=cut 707=cut
681 708
682sub after($@) { 709sub after($@) {
683 my ($timeout, @action) = @_; 710 my ($timeout, @action) = @_;
688 ? $action[0]() 715 ? $action[0]()
689 : snd @action; 716 : snd @action;
690 }; 717 };
691} 718}
692 719
720=item cal $port, @msg, $callback[, $timeout]
721
722A simple form of RPC - sends a message to the given C<$port> with the
723given contents (C<@msg>), but adds a reply port to the message.
724
725The reply port is created temporarily just for the purpose of receiving
726the reply, and will be C<kil>ed when no longer needed.
727
728A reply message sent to the port is passed to the C<$callback> as-is.
729
730If an optional time-out (in seconds) is given and it is not C<undef>,
731then the callback will be called without any arguments after the time-out
732elapsed and the port is C<kil>ed.
733
734If no time-out is given, then the local port will monitor the remote port
735instead, so it eventually gets cleaned-up.
736
737Currently this function returns the temporary port, but this "feature"
738might go in future versions unless you can make a convincing case that
739this is indeed useful for something.
740
741=cut
742
743sub cal(@) {
744 my $timeout = ref $_[-1] ? undef : pop;
745 my $cb = pop;
746
747 my $port = port {
748 undef $timeout;
749 kil $SELF;
750 &$cb;
751 };
752
753 if (defined $timeout) {
754 $timeout = AE::timer $timeout, 0, sub {
755 undef $timeout;
756 kil $port;
757 $cb->();
758 };
759 } else {
760 mon $_[0], sub {
761 kil $port;
762 $cb->();
763 };
764 }
765
766 push @_, $port;
767 &snd;
768
769 $port
770}
771
693=back 772=back
694 773
695=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang 774=head1 AnyEvent::MP vs. Distributed Erlang
696 775
697AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node 776AnyEvent::MP got lots of its ideas from distributed Erlang (Erlang node
706 785
707Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences: 786Despite the similarities, there are also some important differences:
708 787
709=over 4 788=over 4
710 789
711=item * Node references contain the recipe on how to contact them. 790=item * Node IDs are arbitrary strings in AEMP.
712 791
713Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the 792Erlang relies on special naming and DNS to work everywhere in the same
714same way. AEMP relies on each node knowing it's own address(es), with 793way. AEMP relies on each node somehow knowing its own address(es) (e.g. by
715convenience functionality. 794configuration or DNS), but will otherwise discover other odes itself.
716
717This means that AEMP requires a less tightly controlled environment at the
718cost of longer node references and a slightly higher management overhead.
719 795
720=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP 796=item * Erlang has a "remote ports are like local ports" philosophy, AEMP
721uses "local ports are like remote ports". 797uses "local ports are like remote ports".
722 798
723The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors 799The failure modes for local ports are quite different (runtime errors
736 812
737Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore 813Erlang uses processes that selectively receive messages, and therefore
738needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no 814needs a queue. AEMP is event based, queuing messages would serve no
739useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of 815useful purpose. For the same reason the pattern-matching abilities of
740AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to 816AnyEvent::MP are more limited, as there is little need to be able to
741filter messages without dequeing them. 817filter messages without dequeuing them.
742 818
743(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP). 819(But see L<Coro::MP> for a more Erlang-like process model on top of AEMP).
744 820
745=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous. 821=item * Erlang sends are synchronous, AEMP sends are asynchronous.
746 822
752 828
753Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost 829Erlang makes few guarantees on messages delivery - messages can get lost
754without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b, 830without any of the processes realising it (i.e. you send messages a, b,
755and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c). 831and c, and the other side only receives messages a and c).
756 832
757AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that there are no 833AEMP guarantees correct ordering, and the guarantee that after one message
758holes in the message sequence. 834is lost, all following ones sent to the same port are lost as well, until
759 835monitoring raises an error, so there are no silent "holes" in the message
760=item * In Erlang, processes can be declared dead and later be found to be 836sequence.
761alive.
762
763In Erlang it can happen that a monitored process is declared dead and
764linked processes get killed, but later it turns out that the process is
765still alive - and can receive messages.
766
767In AEMP, when port monitoring detects a port as dead, then that port will
768eventually be killed - it cannot happen that a node detects a port as dead
769and then later sends messages to it, finding it is still alive.
770 837
771=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not. 838=item * Erlang can send messages to the wrong port, AEMP does not.
772 839
773In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID 840In Erlang it is quite likely that a node that restarts reuses a process ID
774known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages 841known to other nodes for a completely different process, causing messages
778around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port. 845around in the network will not be sent to an unrelated port.
779 846
780=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure 847=item * Erlang uses unprotected connections, AEMP uses secure
781authentication and can use TLS. 848authentication and can use TLS.
782 849
783AEMP can use a proven protocol - SSL/TLS - to protect connections and 850AEMP can use a proven protocol - TLS - to protect connections and
784securely authenticate nodes. 851securely authenticate nodes.
785 852
786=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary 853=item * The AEMP protocol is optimised for both text-based and binary
787communications. 854communications.
788 855
789The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both 856The AEMP protocol, unlike the Erlang protocol, supports both programming
790language-independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary, 857language independent text-only protocols (good for debugging) and binary,
791language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). 858language-specific serialisers (e.g. Storable). By default, unless TLS is
859used, the protocol is actually completely text-based.
792 860
793It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages 861It has also been carefully designed to be implementable in other languages
794with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading fucntionality to make the 862with a minimum of work while gracefully degrading functionality to make the
795protocol simple. 863protocol simple.
796 864
797=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang. 865=item * AEMP has more flexible monitoring options than Erlang.
798 866
799In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages 867In Erlang, you can chose to receive I<all> exit signals as messages
802Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback 870Erlang, as one can choose between automatic kill, exit message or callback
803on a per-process basis. 871on a per-process basis.
804 872
805=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not. 873=item * Erlang tries to hide remote/local connections, AEMP does not.
806 874
807Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, 875Monitoring in Erlang is not an indicator of process death/crashes, in the
808as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang). 876same way as linking is (except linking is unreliable in Erlang).
809 877
810In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports 878In AEMP, you don't "look up" registered port names or send to named ports
811that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port 879that might or might not be persistent. Instead, you normally spawn a port
812on the remote node. The init function monitors the you, and you monitor 880on the remote node. The init function monitors you, and you monitor the
813the remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much 881remote port. Since both monitors are local to the node, they are much more
814more reliable. 882reliable (no need for C<spawn_link>).
815 883
816This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port 884This also saves round-trips and avoids sending messages to the wrong port
817(hard to do in Erlang). 885(hard to do in Erlang).
818 886
819=back 887=back
820 888
821=head1 RATIONALE 889=head1 RATIONALE
822 890
823=over 4 891=over 4
824 892
825=item Why strings for ports and noderefs, why not objects? 893=item Why strings for port and node IDs, why not objects?
826 894
827We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods 895We considered "objects", but found that the actual number of methods
828thatc an be called are very low. Since port IDs and noderefs travel over 896that can be called are quite low. Since port and node IDs travel over
829the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of 897the network frequently, the serialising/deserialising would add lots of
830overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object. 898overhead, as well as having to keep a proxy object everywhere.
831 899
832Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special 900Strings can easily be printed, easily serialised etc. and need no special
833procedures to be "valid". 901procedures to be "valid".
834 902
835And a a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a global hash - it 903And as a result, a miniport consists of a single closure stored in a
836can't become much cheaper. 904global hash - it can't become much cheaper.
837 905
838=item Why favour JSON, why not real serialising format such as Storable? 906=item Why favour JSON, why not a real serialising format such as Storable?
839 907
840In fact, any AnyEvent::MP node will happily accept Storable as framing 908In 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 909format, but currently there is no way to make a node use Storable by
842default. 910default (although all nodes will accept it).
843 911
844The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times 912The default framing protocol is JSON because a) JSON::XS is many times
845faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of 913faster for small messages and b) most importantly, after years of
846experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems 914experience we found that object serialisation is causing more problems
847than it gains: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel 915than it solves: Just like function calls, objects simply do not travel
848easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you 916easily over the network, mostly because they will always be a copy, so you
849always have to re-think your design. 917always have to re-think your design.
850 918
851Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than 919Keeping your messages simple, concentrating on data structures rather than
852objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient. 920objects, will keep your messages clean, tidy and efficient.
853 921
854=back 922=back
855 923
856=head1 SEE ALSO 924=head1 SEE ALSO
857 925
926L<AnyEvent::MP::Intro> - a gentle introduction.
927
928L<AnyEvent::MP::Kernel> - more, lower-level, stuff.
929
930L<AnyEvent::MP::Global> - network maintainance and port groups, to find
931your applications.
932
933L<AnyEvent::MP::LogCatcher> - simple service to display log messages from
934all nodes.
935
858L<AnyEvent>. 936L<AnyEvent>.
859 937
860=head1 AUTHOR 938=head1 AUTHOR
861 939
862 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 940 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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