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1=> NAME 1NAME
2 AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 2 AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
3 3
4 EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event 4 EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async,
5 loops 5 Qt and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 6
7SYNOPSIS 7SYNOPSIS
8 use AnyEvent; 8 use AnyEvent;
9 9
10 # file descriptor readable
10 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
12
13 # one-shot or repeating timers
14 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
16
17 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
18 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
19
20 # POSIX signal
21 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
22
23 # child process exit
24 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
25 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
11 ... 26 ...
12 }); 27 });
13 28
14 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 29 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
15 ... 30 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
16 });
17 31
18 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 32 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
19 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 33 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
20 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 34 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
35 # use a condvar in callback mode:
36 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
37
38INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
39 This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested in a
40 tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the AnyEvent::Intro
41 manpage.
42
43SUPPORT
44 There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
45 channel, too.
46
47 See the AnyEvent project page at the Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
48 Repository, at <http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
21 49
22WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 50WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
23 Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 51 Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
24 nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 52 nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
25 53
26 Executive Summary: AnyEvent is *compatible*, AnyEvent is *free of 54 Executive Summary: AnyEvent is *compatible*, AnyEvent is *free of
27 policy* and AnyEvent is *small and efficient*. 55 policy* and AnyEvent is *small and efficient*.
28 56
29 First and foremost, *AnyEvent is not an event model* itself, it only 57 First and foremost, *AnyEvent is not an event model* itself, it only
30 interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use in a 58 interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
31 pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 59 pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
32 the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 60 the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general,
33 only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. 61 only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process.
34 AnyEvent helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 62 AnyEvent cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between
63 those event loops.
35 64
36 The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 65 The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event
37 programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 66 programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
38 religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 67 religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
39 module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 68 module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
40 model you use. 69 model you use.
41 70
42 For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 71 For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
43 actually doing all I/O *synchronously*...), using them in your module is 72 actually doing all I/O *synchronously*...), using them in your module is
44 like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 73 like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you
45 cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything 74 cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
46 that isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module 75 that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your module
47 are *also* forced to use the same event loop you use. 76 are *also* forced to use the same event loop you use.
48 77
49 AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 78 AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
50 fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 79 fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
51 with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if your 80 with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if your
52 module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, too. 81 module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, too.
53 But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event 82 But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event
54 models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long as 83 models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those use
55 those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 84 one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops
56 event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 85 to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
57 86
58 In addition to being free of having to use *the one and only true event 87 In addition to being free of having to use *the one and only true event
59 model*, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 88 model*, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
60 modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 89 modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
61 follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by 90 follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by
117 These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 146 These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
118 creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 147 creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
119 callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model is 148 callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model is
120 in control). 149 in control).
121 150
151 Note that callbacks must not permanently change global variables
152 potentially in use by the event loop (such as $_ or $[) and that
153 callbacks must not "die". The former is good programming practise in
154 Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
155 widely between event loops.
156
122 To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 157 To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
123 variable you store it in to "undef" or otherwise deleting all references 158 variable you store it in to "undef" or otherwise deleting all references
124 to it). 159 to it).
125 160
126 All watchers are created by calling a method on the "AnyEvent" class. 161 All watchers are created by calling a method on the "AnyEvent" class.
128 Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 163 Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
129 example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 164 example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
130 165
131 An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 166 An any way to achieve that is this pattern:
132 167
133 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 168 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
134 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 169 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
135 undef $w; 170 undef $w;
136 }); 171 });
137 172
138 Note that "my $w; $w =" combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 173 Note that "my $w; $w =" combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
139 my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 174 my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
140 declared. 175 declared.
141 176
142 I/O WATCHERS 177 I/O WATCHERS
178 $w = AnyEvent->io (
179 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
180 poll => <"r" or "w">,
181 cb => <callback>,
182 );
183
143 You can create an I/O watcher by calling the "AnyEvent->io" method with 184 You can create an I/O watcher by calling the "AnyEvent->io" method with
144 the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 185 the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
145 186
146 "fh" the Perl *file handle* (*not* file descriptor) to watch for events. 187 "fh" is the Perl *file handle* (or a naked file descriptor) to watch for
188 events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
189 handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
190 non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
191 most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example
192 files or block devices.
193
147 "poll" must be a string that is either "r" or "w", which creates a 194 "poll" must be a string that is either "r" or "w", which creates a
148 watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively. "cb" 195 watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
196
149 is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready. 197 "cb" is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
150 198
151 Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 199 Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
152 presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 200 presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
153 callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 201 callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
154 202
158 206
159 Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 207 Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
160 always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 208 always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
161 handles. 209 handles.
162 210
163 Example:
164
165 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 211 Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
212 watcher.
213
166 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 214 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
167 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 215 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
168 warn "read: $input\n"; 216 warn "read: $input\n";
169 undef $w; 217 undef $w;
170 }); 218 });
171 219
172 TIME WATCHERS 220 TIME WATCHERS
221 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
222
223 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
224 after => <fractional_seconds>,
225 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
226 cb => <callback>,
227 );
228
173 You can create a time watcher by calling the "AnyEvent->timer" method 229 You can create a time watcher by calling the "AnyEvent->timer" method
174 with the following mandatory arguments: 230 with the following mandatory arguments:
175 231
176 "after" specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 232 "after" specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
177 supported) the callback should be invoked. "cb" is the callback to 233 supported) the callback should be invoked. "cb" is the callback to
179 235
180 Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 236 Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
181 presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 237 presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
182 callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 238 callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
183 239
184 The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 240 The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another
185 timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 241 parameter, "interval", as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
186 and Glib). 242 callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
243 seconds) after the first invocation. If "interval" is specified with a
244 false value, then it is treated as if it were missing.
187 245
188 Example: 246 The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
247 attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval
248 is only approximate.
189 249
190 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 250 Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
251
191 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 252 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
192 warn "timeout\n"; 253 warn "timeout\n";
193 }); 254 });
194 255
195 # to cancel the timer: 256 # to cancel the timer:
196 undef $w; 257 undef $w;
197 258
198 Example 2:
199
200 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 259 Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
201 my $w;
202 260
203 my $cb = sub {
204 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
205 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 261 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
262 warn "timeout\n";
206 }; 263 };
207
208 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
209 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
210 264
211 TIMING ISSUES 265 TIMING ISSUES
212 There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 266 There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
213 in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 267 in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
214 o'clock"). 268 o'clock").
288 In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you 342 In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
289 can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking 343 can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking
290 the difference between "AnyEvent->time" and "AnyEvent->now" into 344 the difference between "AnyEvent->time" and "AnyEvent->now" into
291 account. 345 account.
292 346
347 AnyEvent->now_update
348 Some event loops (such as EV or AnyEvent::Impl::Perl) cache the
349 current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of
350 AnyEvent->now, above).
351
352 When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps),
353 then this "current" time will differ substantially from the real
354 time, which might affect timers and time-outs.
355
356 When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update
357 the event loop's idea of "current time".
358
359 Note that updating the time *might* cause some events to be handled.
360
293 SIGNAL WATCHERS 361 SIGNAL WATCHERS
362 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
363
294 You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, "signal" is the signal 364 You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, "signal" is the signal
295 *name* without any "SIG" prefix, "cb" is the Perl callback to be invoked 365 *name* in uppercase and without any "SIG" prefix, "cb" is the Perl
296 whenever a signal occurs. 366 callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
297 367
298 Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 368 Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
299 presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 369 presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
300 callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 370 callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
301 371
303 invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous 373 invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous
304 means that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the 374 means that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the
305 process, but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 375 process, but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
306 376
307 The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a 377 The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a
308 signal between multiple watchers. 378 signal between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals
379 will not interrupt your program at bad times.
309 380
310 This watcher might use %SIG, so programs overwriting those signals 381 This watcher might use %SIG (depending on the event loop used), so
311 directly will likely not work correctly. 382 programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
383 correctly.
312 384
313 Example: exit on SIGINT 385 Example: exit on SIGINT
314 386
315 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 387 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
316 388
389 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
390 Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
391 callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot do
392 race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for this.
393 AnyEvent will try to do it's best, which means in some cases, signals
394 will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is specified
395 in $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY (default: 10 seconds). This variable
396 can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created, and
397 should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
398 AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
399 will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
400 saving.
401
402 All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
403 Async::Interrupt module, which works with most event loops. It will not
404 work with inherently broken event loops such as Event or Event::Lib (and
405 not with POE currently, as POE does it's own workaround with one-second
406 latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
407
317 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 408 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
409 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
410
318 You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 411 You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
319 412
320 The child process is specified by the "pid" argument (if set to 0, it 413 The child process is specified by the "pid" argument (one some backends,
321 watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 414 using 0 watches for any child process exit, on others this will croak).
322 as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 415 The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has finished
323 signal handler for "SIGCHLD". The callback will be called with the pid 416 and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
324 and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 417 (stopped/continued).
325 you *can* rely on child watcher callback arguments. 418
419 The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
420 waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you *can* rely on child watcher
421 callback arguments.
422
423 This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for "SIGCHLD",
424 and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
425 random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g.
426 inside "system", is just fine).
326 427
327 There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start 428 There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start
328 them *after* the child process was created, and this means the process 429 them *after* the child process was created, and this means the process
329 could have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 430 could have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
330 431
331 Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 432 Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async
433 do, see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event
332 event models that *do* handle this correctly, they usually need to be 434 models that *do* handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded
333 loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first 435 before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place).
334 place). 436 AnyEvent's pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless
437 of when you start the watcher.
335 438
336 This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in 439 This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in
337 an AnyEvent program, you *have* to create at least one watcher before 440 an AnyEvent program, you *have* to create at least one watcher before
338 you "fork" the child (alternatively, you can call "AnyEvent::detect"). 441 you "fork" the child (alternatively, you can call "AnyEvent::detect").
339 442
443 As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will
444 be emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race
445 problems mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
446
340 Example: fork a process and wait for it 447 Example: fork a process and wait for it
341 448
342 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 449 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
343 450
344 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 451 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
345 452
346 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 453 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
347 pid => $pid, 454 pid => $pid,
348 cb => sub { 455 cb => sub {
349 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 456 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
350 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 457 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
351 $done->send; 458 $done->send;
352 }, 459 },
353 ); 460 );
354 461
355 # do something else, then wait for process exit 462 # do something else, then wait for process exit
356 $done->recv; 463 $done->recv;
464
465 IDLE WATCHERS
466 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
467
468 Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important to
469 do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
470 "nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
471 attention by the event loop".
472
473 Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing better
474 to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new events.
475 Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
476
477 Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
478 EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
479 will simply call the callback "from time to time".
480
481 Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the program
482 is otherwise idle:
483
484 my @lines; # read data
485 my $idle_w;
486 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
487 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
488
489 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
490 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
491 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
492 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
493 print "handled when idle: $line";
494 } else {
495 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
496 undef $idle_w;
497 }
498 });
499 });
357 500
358 CONDITION VARIABLES 501 CONDITION VARIABLES
502 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
503
504 $cv->send (<list>);
505 my @res = $cv->recv;
506
359 If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 507 If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
360 require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 508 require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
361 will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 509 will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
362 510
363 AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop 511 AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the
364 and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 512 event loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the
513 user).
365 514
366 The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 515 The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
367 because they represent a condition that must become true. 516 because they represent a condition that must become true.
517
518 Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
368 519
369 Condition variables can be created by calling the "AnyEvent->condvar" 520 Condition variables can be created by calling the "AnyEvent->condvar"
370 method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 521 method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
371 "cb", which specifies a callback to be called when the condition 522 "cb", which specifies a callback to be called when the condition
372 variable becomes true. 523 variable becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument
524 (but not the results).
373 525
374 After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes 526 After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes
375 "true" by calling the "send" method (or calling the condition variable 527 "true" by calling the "send" method (or calling the condition variable
376 as if it were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for 528 as if it were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for
377 the "->send" method). 529 the "->send" method).
379 Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 531 Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
380 optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 532 optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
381 in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 533 in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
382 another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can 534 another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can
383 be used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and 535 be used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and
384 delivers a result. 536 delivers a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a
537 promise to compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
385 538
386 Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has 539 Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has
387 finished, for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http 540 finished, for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http
388 requests, then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to 541 requests, then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to
389 signal the availability of results. The user can either act when the 542 signal the availability of results. The user can either act when the
423 after => 1, 576 after => 1,
424 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 577 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
425 ); 578 );
426 579
427 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 580 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
428 # calls send 581 # calls -<send
429 $result_ready->recv; 582 $result_ready->recv;
430 583
431 Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition 584 Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
432 variables are also code references. 585 variables are also callable directly.
433 586
434 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 587 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
435 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 588 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
436 $done->recv; 589 $done->recv;
590
591 Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
592 callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from the
593 main program:
594
595 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
596
597 ...
598
599 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
600
601 And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
602 results are available:
603
604 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
605 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
606 });
437 607
438 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 608 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
439 These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 609 These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
440 code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also the 610 code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also the
441 producer side which creates the condvar in most cases, but it isn't 611 producer side which creates the condvar in most cases, but it isn't
451 621
452 Any arguments passed to the "send" call will be returned by all 622 Any arguments passed to the "send" call will be returned by all
453 future "->recv" calls. 623 future "->recv" calls.
454 624
455 Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as 625 Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as
456 a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 626 if they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as
457 "send". Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 627 calling "send".
458 overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition
459 variable instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and
460 EV loops support overloading, however, as well as all functions that
461 use perl to invoke a callback (as in AnyEvent::Socket and
462 AnyEvent::DNS for example).
463 628
464 $cv->croak ($error) 629 $cv->croak ($error)
465 Similar to send, but causes all call's to "->recv" to invoke 630 Similar to send, but causes all call's to "->recv" to invoke
466 "Carp::croak" with the given error message/object/scalar. 631 "Carp::croak" with the given error message/object/scalar.
467 632
468 This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 633 This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
469 user/consumer. 634 user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling "croak" directly
635 delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that
636 it diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected,
637 and not deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual
638 code causing the problem.
470 639
471 $cv->begin ([group callback]) 640 $cv->begin ([group callback])
472 $cv->end 641 $cv->end
473 These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
474
475 These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events 642 These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events
476 into one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel 643 into one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel
477 might want to use a condition variable for the whole process. 644 might want to use a condition variable for the whole process.
478 645
479 Every call to "->begin" will increment a counter, and every call to 646 Every call to "->begin" will increment a counter, and every call to
480 "->end" will decrement it. If the counter reaches 0 in "->end", the 647 "->end" will decrement it. If the counter reaches 0 in "->end", the
481 (last) callback passed to "begin" will be executed. That callback is 648 (last) callback passed to "begin" will be executed. That callback is
482 *supposed* to call "->send", but that is not required. If no 649 *supposed* to call "->send", but that is not required. If no
483 callback was set, "send" will be called without any arguments. 650 callback was set, "send" will be called without any arguments.
484 651
485 Let's clarify this with the ping example: 652 You can think of "$cv->send" giving you an OR condition (one call
653 sends), while "$cv->begin" and "$cv->end" giving you an AND
654 condition (all "begin" calls must be "end"'ed before the condvar
655 sends).
656
657 Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for
658 example, STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for
659 both streams to close before activating a condvar:
660
661 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
662
663 $cv->begin; # first watcher
664 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
665 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
666 or $cv->end;
667 });
668
669 $cv->begin; # second watcher
670 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
671 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
672 or $cv->end;
673 });
674
675 $cv->recv;
676
677 This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle),
678 there is one call to "begin", so the condvar waits for all calls to
679 "end" before sending.
680
681 The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as
682 the there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks
683 that are begung can potentially be zero:
486 684
487 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 685 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
488 686
489 my %result; 687 my %result;
490 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 688 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
510 the loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the 708 the loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the
511 callback to be called once the counter reaches 0, and second, it 709 callback to be called once the counter reaches 0, and second, it
512 ensures that "send" is called even when "no" hosts are being pinged 710 ensures that "send" is called even when "no" hosts are being pinged
513 (the loop doesn't execute once). 711 (the loop doesn't execute once).
514 712
515 This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple 713 This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
516 subrequests: use an outer "begin"/"end" pair to set the callback and 714 potentially none) subrequests: use an outer "begin"/"end" pair to
517 ensure "end" is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest 715 set the callback and ensure "end" is called at least once, and then,
518 you start, call "begin" and for each subrequest you finish, call 716 for each subrequest you start, call "begin" and for each subrequest
519 "end". 717 you finish, call "end".
520 718
521 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 719 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
522 These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the code 720 These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the code
523 awaits the condition. 721 awaits the condition.
524 722
533 function will call "croak". 731 function will call "croak".
534 732
535 In list context, all parameters passed to "send" will be returned, 733 In list context, all parameters passed to "send" will be returned,
536 in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 734 in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
537 735
736 Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by
737 any event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking "->recv"
738 is not allowed, and the "recv" call will "croak" if such a condition
739 is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
740 Coro::AnyEvent, which allows you to do a blocking "->recv" from any
741 thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
742
538 Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 743 Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
539 (programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so *if you are 744 (programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so *if you are
540 using this from a module, never require a blocking wait*, but let 745 using this from a module, never require a blocking wait*. Instead,
541 the caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, 746 let the caller decide whether the call will block or not (for
542 by coupling condition variables with some kind of request results 747 example, by coupling condition variables with some kind of request
543 and supporting callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result 748 results and supporting callbacks so the caller knows that getting
544 will not block, while still supporting blocking waits if the caller 749 the result will not block, while still supporting blocking waits if
545 so desires). 750 the caller so desires).
546
547 Another reason *never* to "->recv" in a module is that you cannot
548 sensibly have two "->recv"'s in parallel, as that would require
549 multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which
550 "AnyEvent" can supply.
551
552 The Coro module, however, *can* and *does* supply coroutines and, in
553 fact, Coro::AnyEvent replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
554 versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making
555 blocking "->recv" calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from
556 another coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
557 751
558 You can ensure that "-recv" never blocks by setting a callback and 752 You can ensure that "-recv" never blocks by setting a callback and
559 only calling "->recv" from within that callback (or at a later 753 only calling "->recv" from within that callback (or at a later
560 time). This will work even when the event loop does not support 754 time). This will work even when the event loop does not support
561 blocking waits otherwise. 755 blocking waits otherwise.
562 756
563 $bool = $cv->ready 757 $bool = $cv->ready
564 Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether "send" or 758 Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether "send" or
565 "croak" have been called. 759 "croak" have been called.
566 760
567 $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 761 $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
568 This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and 762 This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and
569 optionally replaces it before doing so. 763 optionally replaces it before doing so.
570 764
571 The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. 765 The callback will be called when the condition becomes (or already
572 when "send" or "croak" are called. Calling "recv" inside the 766 was) "true", i.e. when "send" or "croak" are called (or were
573 callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 767 called), with the only argument being the condition variable itself.
768 Calling "recv" inside the callback or at any later time is
769 guaranteed not to block.
770
771SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
772 The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
773
774 Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
775 EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
776 use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will try Event, and,
777 failing that, will fall back to its own pure-perl implementation,
778 which is available everywhere as it comes with AnyEvent itself.
779
780 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
781 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
782 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
783
784 Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
785 These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first
786 watcher is created, in which case it is assumed that the application
787 is using them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the
788 right backend when the main program loads an event module before
789 anything starts to create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done
790 by the main program.
791
792 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
793 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
794 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
795 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
796 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
797
798 Backends with special needs.
799 Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
800 otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
801 instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are
802 created, everything should just work.
803
804 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
805
806 Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
807 architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also is
808 the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so it
809 can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
810 AnyEvent::Impl::Async for the gory details.
811
812 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
813
814 Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
815 Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
816
817 There is no direct support for WxWidgets (Wx) or Prima.
818
819 WxWidgets has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
820 use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that
821 simply polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too
822 horrible to even consider for AnyEvent.
823
824 Prima is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a
825 POE backend, so it can be supported through POE.
826
827 AnyEvent knows about both Prima and Wx, however, and will try to
828 load POE when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them
829 up, in which case everything will be automatic.
574 830
575GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 831GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
832 These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
833 write AnyEvent extension modules.
834
576 $AnyEvent::MODEL 835 $AnyEvent::MODEL
577 Contains "undef" until the first watcher is being created. Then it 836 Contains "undef" until the first watcher is being created, before
837 the backend has been autodetected.
838
578 contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of 839 Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is
579 the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of 840 the name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is
580 the "AnyEvent::Impl:xxx" modules, but can be any other class in the 841 usually one of the "AnyEvent::Impl:xxx" modules, but can be any
581 case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in *rxvt-unicode*). 842 other class in the case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g.
582 843 in *rxvt-unicode* it will be "urxvt::anyevent").
583 The known classes so far are:
584
585 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
586 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
587 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
588 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
589 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
590 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
591 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
592 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
593
594 There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
595 watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
596 POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
597 second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
598 AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by
599 using it's adaptor.
600
601 AnyEvent knows about Prima and Wx and will try to use POE when
602 autodetecting them.
603 844
604 AnyEvent::detect 845 AnyEvent::detect
605 Returns $AnyEvent::MODEL, forcing autodetection of the event model 846 Returns $AnyEvent::MODEL, forcing autodetection of the event model
606 if necessary. You should only call this function right before you 847 if necessary. You should only call this function right before you
607 would have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as 848 would have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as
608 possible at runtime. 849 possible at runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
850
851 If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
852 created, use "post_detect".
609 853
610 $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 854 $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
611 Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event 855 Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event
612 model is autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 856 model is autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
613 857
858 The block will be executed *after* the actual backend has been
859 detected ($AnyEvent::MODEL is set), but *before* any watchers have
860 been created, so it is possible to e.g. patch @AnyEvent::ISA or do
861 other initialisations - see the sources of AnyEvent::Strict or
862 AnyEvent::AIO to see how this is used.
863
864 The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without
865 forcing event module detection too early, for example, AnyEvent::AIO
866 creates and installs the global IO::AIO watcher in a "post_detect"
867 block to avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
868
614 If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an 869 If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an
615 object that automatically removes the callback again when it is 870 object that automatically removes the callback again when it is
871 destroyed (or "undef" when the hook was immediately executed). See
616 destroyed. See Coro::BDB for a case where this is useful. 872 AnyEvent::AIO for a case where this is useful.
873
874 Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
875 $WATCHER. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
876
877 our WATCHER;
878
879 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
880 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
881 };
882
883 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
884 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
885 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
886 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
887
888 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
617 889
618 @AnyEvent::post_detect 890 @AnyEvent::post_detect
619 If there are any code references in this array (you can "push" to it 891 If there are any code references in this array (you can "push" to it
620 before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly 892 before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly
621 after the event loop has been chosen. 893 after the event loop has been chosen.
622 894
623 You should check $AnyEvent::MODEL before adding to this array, 895 You should check $AnyEvent::MODEL before adding to this array,
624 though: if it contains a true value then the event loop has already 896 though: if it is defined then the event loop has already been
625 been detected, and the array will be ignored. 897 detected, and the array will be ignored.
626 898
627 Best use "AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }" instead. 899 Best use "AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }" when your application
900 allows it,as it takes care of these details.
901
902 This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something
903 useful when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is
904 initialised, but do not need to even load it by default. This array
905 provides the means to hook into AnyEvent passively, without loading
906 it.
628 907
629WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 908WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
630 As a module author, you should "use AnyEvent" and call AnyEvent methods 909 As a module author, you should "use AnyEvent" and call AnyEvent methods
631 freely, but you should not load a specific event module or rely on it. 910 freely, but you should not load a specific event module or rely on it.
632 911
683 variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program 962 variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program
684 should exit cleanly. 963 should exit cleanly.
685 964
686OTHER MODULES 965OTHER MODULES
687 The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 966 The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
688 AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 967 AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other
689 in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 968 AnyEvent modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the
690 available via CPAN. 969 modules come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
691 970
692 AnyEvent::Util 971 AnyEvent::Util
693 Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but 972 Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but
694 blocking functions such as "inet_aton" by event-/callback-based 973 blocking functions such as "inet_aton" by event-/callback-based
695 versions. 974 versions.
696
697 AnyEvent::Handle
698 Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and
699 writes.
700 975
701 AnyEvent::Socket 976 AnyEvent::Socket
702 Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 977 Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
703 addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking 978 addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking
704 tcp connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and 979 tcp connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and
705 more. 980 more.
706 981
982 AnyEvent::Handle
983 Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and
984 writes, supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully
985 transparent and non-blocking SSL/TLS (via AnyEvent::TLS.
986
707 AnyEvent::DNS 987 AnyEvent::DNS
708 Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 988 Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
709 989
990 AnyEvent::HTTP
991 A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of
992 concurrent HTTP requests.
993
710 AnyEvent::HTTPD 994 AnyEvent::HTTPD
711 Provides a simple web application server framework. 995 Provides a simple web application server framework.
712 996
713 AnyEvent::FastPing 997 AnyEvent::FastPing
714 The fastest ping in the west. 998 The fastest ping in the west.
715 999
1000 AnyEvent::DBI
1001 Executes DBI requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
1002
1003 AnyEvent::AIO
1004 Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
1005 programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
1006 together.
1007
1008 AnyEvent::BDB
1009 Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently
1010 fuses BDB and AnyEvent together.
1011
1012 AnyEvent::GPSD
1013 A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS
1014 information.
1015
1016 AnyEvent::IRC
1017 AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older
716 Net::IRC3 1018 Net::IRC3).
717 AnyEvent based IRC client module family.
718 1019
719 Net::XMPP2 1020 AnyEvent::XMPP
720 AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family. 1021 AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the
1022 older Net::XMPP2>.
1023
1024 AnyEvent::IGS
1025 A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1026 App::IGS).
721 1027
722 Net::FCP 1028 Net::FCP
723 AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, 1029 AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol,
724 birthplace of AnyEvent. 1030 birthplace of AnyEvent.
725 1031
727 High level API for event-based execution flow control. 1033 High level API for event-based execution flow control.
728 1034
729 Coro 1035 Coro
730 Has special support for AnyEvent via Coro::AnyEvent. 1036 Has special support for AnyEvent via Coro::AnyEvent.
731 1037
732 AnyEvent::AIO, IO::AIO 1038ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
733 Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event 1039 In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
734 programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent 1040 caller to do that if required. The AnyEvent::Strict module (see also the
735 together. 1041 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT" environment variable, below) provides strict
1042 checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1043 development.
736 1044
737 AnyEvent::BDB, BDB 1045 As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown
738 Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently 1046 while executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop
739 fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent together. 1047 specific, but also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the
1048 job of the main program.
740 1049
741 IO::Lambda 1050 The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually within
742 The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use 1051 "condvar->recv"), the Event and EV modules call "$Event/EV::DIED->()",
743 AnyEvent. 1052 Glib uses "install_exception_handler" and so on.
744
745SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
746 This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent
747 in a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want
748 to provide AnyEvent compatibility.
749
750 If you need to support another event library which isn't directly
751 supported by AnyEvent, you can supply your own interface to it by
752 pushing, before the first watcher gets created, the package name of the
753 event module and the package name of the interface to use onto
754 @AnyEvent::REGISTRY. You can do that before and even without loading
755 AnyEvent, so it is reasonably cheap.
756
757 Example:
758
759 push @AnyEvent::REGISTRY, [urxvt => urxvt::anyevent::];
760
761 This tells AnyEvent to (literally) use the "urxvt::anyevent::"
762 package/class when it finds the "urxvt" package/module is already
763 loaded.
764
765 When AnyEvent is loaded and asked to find a suitable event model, it
766 will first check for the presence of urxvt by trying to "use" the
767 "urxvt::anyevent" module.
768
769 The class should provide implementations for all watcher types. See
770 AnyEvent::Impl::EV (source code), AnyEvent::Impl::Glib (Source code) and
771 so on for actual examples. Use "perldoc -m AnyEvent::Impl::Glib" to see
772 the sources.
773
774 If you don't provide "signal" and "child" watchers than AnyEvent will
775 provide suitable (hopefully) replacements.
776
777 The above example isn't fictitious, the *rxvt-unicode* (a.k.a. urxvt)
778 terminal emulator uses the above line as-is. An interface isn't included
779 in AnyEvent because it doesn't make sense outside the embedded
780 interpreter inside *rxvt-unicode*, and it is updated and maintained as
781 part of the *rxvt-unicode* distribution.
782
783 *rxvt-unicode* also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
784 condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
785 "die". This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls
786 must not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
787 1053
788ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 1054ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
789 The following environment variables are used by this module: 1055 The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1056 submodules.
1057
1058 Note that AnyEvent will remove *all* environment variables starting with
1059 "PERL_ANYEVENT_" from %ENV when it is loaded while taint mode is
1060 enabled.
790 1061
791 "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE" 1062 "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE"
792 By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal 1063 By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
793 conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent 1064 conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent
794 more talkative. 1065 more talkative.
797 conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified 1068 conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified
798 by "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL". 1069 by "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL".
799 1070
800 When set to 2 or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which 1071 When set to 2 or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which
801 event model it chooses. 1072 event model it chooses.
1073
1074 When set to 8 or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information
1075 on which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain
1076 features.
1077
1078 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT"
1079 AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1080 argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true
1081 value will cause AnyEvent to load "AnyEvent::Strict" and then to
1082 thoroughly check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it
1083 finds any problems, it will croak.
1084
1085 In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1086
1087 Unlike "use strict" (or it's modern cousin, "use common::sense", it
1088 is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1089 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1" in your environment while developing
1090 programs can be very useful, however.
802 1091
803 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL" 1092 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL"
804 This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, 1093 This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent,
805 before auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string 1094 before auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string
806 consisting entirely of ASCII letters. The string "AnyEvent::Impl::" 1095 consisting entirely of ASCII letters. The string "AnyEvent::Impl::"
811 This functionality might change in future versions. 1100 This functionality might change in future versions.
812 1101
813 For example, to force the pure perl model (AnyEvent::Impl::Perl) you 1102 For example, to force the pure perl model (AnyEvent::Impl::Perl) you
814 could start your program like this: 1103 could start your program like this:
815 1104
816 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ... 1105 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
817 1106
818 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS" 1107 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS"
819 Used by both AnyEvent::DNS and AnyEvent::Socket to determine 1108 Used by both AnyEvent::DNS and AnyEvent::Socket to determine
820 preferences for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might 1109 preferences for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might
821 change, or be the result of auto probing). 1110 change, or be the result of auto probing).
825 mentioned will be used, and preference will be given to protocols 1114 mentioned will be used, and preference will be given to protocols
826 mentioned earlier in the list. 1115 mentioned earlier in the list.
827 1116
828 This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks 1117 This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
829 against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is 1118 against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is
830 likely small, as the program has to handle connection errors 1119 likely small, as the program has to handle conenction and other
831 already- 1120 failures anyways.
832 1121
833 Examples: "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6" - prefer IPv4 over 1122 Examples: "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6" - prefer IPv4 over
834 IPv6, but support both and try to use both. 1123 IPv6, but support both and try to use both.
835 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4" - only support IPv4, never try to 1124 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4" - only support IPv4, never try to
836 resolve or contact IPv6 addresses. 1125 resolve or contact IPv6 addresses.
847 EDNS0 in its DNS requests. 1136 EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
848 1137
849 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS" 1138 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS"
850 The maximum number of child processes that 1139 The maximum number of child processes that
851 "AnyEvent::Util::fork_call" will create in parallel. 1140 "AnyEvent::Util::fork_call" will create in parallel.
1141
1142 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS"
1143 The default value for the "max_outstanding" parameter for the
1144 default DNS resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS
1145 requests that are sent to the DNS server.
1146
1147 "PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF"
1148 The file to use instead of /etc/resolv.conf (or OS-specific
1149 configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty
1150 string, no default config will be used.
1151
1152 "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE", "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH".
1153 When neither "ca_file" nor "ca_path" was specified during
1154 AnyEvent::TLS context creation, and either of these environment
1155 variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate
1156 locations instead of a system-dependent default.
1157
1158 "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD" and "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT"
1159 When these are set to 1, then the respective modules are not loaded.
1160 Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1161
1162SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1163 This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent
1164 in a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want
1165 to provide AnyEvent compatibility.
1166
1167 If you need to support another event library which isn't directly
1168 supported by AnyEvent, you can supply your own interface to it by
1169 pushing, before the first watcher gets created, the package name of the
1170 event module and the package name of the interface to use onto
1171 @AnyEvent::REGISTRY. You can do that before and even without loading
1172 AnyEvent, so it is reasonably cheap.
1173
1174 Example:
1175
1176 push @AnyEvent::REGISTRY, [urxvt => urxvt::anyevent::];
1177
1178 This tells AnyEvent to (literally) use the "urxvt::anyevent::"
1179 package/class when it finds the "urxvt" package/module is already
1180 loaded.
1181
1182 When AnyEvent is loaded and asked to find a suitable event model, it
1183 will first check for the presence of urxvt by trying to "use" the
1184 "urxvt::anyevent" module.
1185
1186 The class should provide implementations for all watcher types. See
1187 AnyEvent::Impl::EV (source code), AnyEvent::Impl::Glib (Source code) and
1188 so on for actual examples. Use "perldoc -m AnyEvent::Impl::Glib" to see
1189 the sources.
1190
1191 If you don't provide "signal" and "child" watchers than AnyEvent will
1192 provide suitable (hopefully) replacements.
1193
1194 The above example isn't fictitious, the *rxvt-unicode* (a.k.a. urxvt)
1195 terminal emulator uses the above line as-is. An interface isn't included
1196 in AnyEvent because it doesn't make sense outside the embedded
1197 interpreter inside *rxvt-unicode*, and it is updated and maintained as
1198 part of the *rxvt-unicode* distribution.
1199
1200 *rxvt-unicode* also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1201 condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1202 "die". This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls
1203 must not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
852 1204
853EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1205EXAMPLE PROGRAM
854 The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a 1206 The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a
855 timer to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to 1207 timer to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to
856 quit the program when the user enters quit: 1208 quit the program when the user enters quit:
1043 *destroy* is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a 1395 *destroy* is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a
1044 single watcher. 1396 single watcher.
1045 1397
1046 Results 1398 Results
1047 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 1399 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1048 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 1400 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface
1049 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 1401 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1050 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 1402 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1051 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 1403 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1052 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 1404 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1053 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 1405 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1406 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
1407 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1054 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 1408 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1055 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 1409 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1056 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 1410 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1057 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 1411 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1058 1412
1059 Discussion 1413 Discussion
1060 The benchmark does *not* measure scalability of the event loop very 1414 The benchmark does *not* measure scalability of the event loop very
1061 well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 1415 well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1062 can never compete with an event loop that uses epoll when the number of 1416 can never compete with an event loop that uses epoll when the number of
1087 few of them active), of course, but this was not subject of this 1441 few of them active), of course, but this was not subject of this
1088 benchmark. 1442 benchmark.
1089 1443
1090 The "Event" module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 1444 The "Event" module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1091 cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 1445 cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
1446
1447 "IO::Async" performs admirably well, about on par with "Event", even
1448 when using its pure perl backend.
1092 1449
1093 "Glib"'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a faster 1450 "Glib"'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a faster
1094 callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as "Event". 1451 callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as "Event".
1095 However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of watchers 1452 However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of watchers
1096 increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, making it 1453 increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, making it
1167 single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and 1524 single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and
1168 forwarding it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout 1525 forwarding it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout
1169 and creating a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 1526 and creating a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1170 1527
1171 Results 1528 Results
1172 name sockets create request 1529 name sockets create request
1173 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 1530 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1174 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 1531 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
1532 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll
1533 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll
1175 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 1534 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1176 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 1535 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1177 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 1536 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1178 1537
1179 Discussion 1538 Discussion
1180 This benchmark *does* measure scalability and overall performance of the 1539 This benchmark *does* measure scalability and overall performance of the
1181 particular event loop. 1540 particular event loop.
1182 1541
1183 EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup 1542 EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup
1184 time is relatively high, though. 1543 time is relatively high, though.
1185 1544
1186 Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 1545 Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1187 loops Event and Glib. 1546 loops Event and Glib.
1547
1548 IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still
1549 quite good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1188 1550
1189 Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you 1551 Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you
1190 will understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead 1552 will understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead
1191 compared to the "$_->() for .."-style loop that the Perl event loop 1553 compared to the "$_->() for .."-style loop that the Perl event loop
1192 uses. Event uses select or poll in basically all documented 1554 uses. Event uses select or poll in basically all documented
1243 1605
1244 Summary 1606 Summary
1245 * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of watchers, 1607 * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of watchers,
1246 as the management overhead dominates. 1608 as the management overhead dominates.
1247 1609
1610 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
1611 Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
1612 could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the
1613 benchmark simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks
1614 better (which shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the
1615 benchmark is fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from
1616 IO::Lambda isn't very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used
1617 without the extra baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent
1618 benchmark for AnyEvent.
1619
1620 The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
1621 connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
1622 creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it
1623 doesn't test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O,
1624 but it is a benchmark nevertheless.
1625
1626 name runtime
1627 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
1628 + optimized 0.122 sec
1629 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
1630 + optimized 0.138 sec
1631 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
1632 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
1633 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
1634 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
1635
1636 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
1637 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
1638 +state machine 0.134 sec
1639
1640 The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
1641 benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
1642 defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
1643 written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
1644 AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
1645 resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking
1646 connects generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling
1647 than blocking connects (which involve a single syscall only).
1648
1649 The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses AnyEvent::Handle, which
1650 offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using
1651 conventional Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the
1652 client are 100% non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
1653
1654 As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
1655 hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
1656 backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
1657
1658 And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
1659 slow :) AnyEvent::Handle abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
1660 large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
1661 in a non-blocking way.
1662
1663 The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as eg/ae0.pl and
1664 eg/ae2.pl in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
1665 part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
1666
1667SIGNALS
1668 AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1669
1670 SIGCHLD
1671 A handler for "SIGCHLD" is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1672 emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also,
1673 some event loops install a similar handler.
1674
1675 Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE,
1676 then AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit
1677 statuses.
1678
1679 SIGPIPE
1680 A no-op handler is installed for "SIGPIPE" when $SIG{PIPE} is
1681 "undef" when AnyEvent gets loaded.
1682
1683 The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really
1684 depend on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for
1685 shell use, or badly-written programs), but "SIGPIPE" can cause
1686 spurious and rare program exits as a lot of people do not expect
1687 "SIGPIPE" when writing to some random socket.
1688
1689 The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring
1690 it is that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on
1691 exec.
1692
1693 Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
1694
1695RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
1696 One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
1697 it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
1698
1699 That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
1700 modules if they are installed.
1701
1702 This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how
1703 they affect AnyEvent's operetion.
1704
1705 Async::Interrupt
1706 This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal
1707 handling: To my knowledge, there is no way to do completely
1708 race-free and quick signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that
1709 signals still get delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer
1710 to wake up perl (and catch the signals) with some delay (default is
1711 10 seconds, look for $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY).
1712
1713 If this module is available, then it will be used to implement
1714 signal catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and
1715 the event loop will not be interrupted regularly, which is more
1716 efficient (And good for battery life on laptops).
1717
1718 This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event
1719 loops that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
1720
1721 Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers
1722 natively, and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use
1723 AnyEvent's workaround (using $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY).
1724 Installing Async::Interrupt does nothing for those backends.
1725
1726 EV This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the
1727 backend event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the
1728 best event loop available in terms of features, speed and stability:
1729 It supports the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher
1730 types in XS, does automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic
1731 clock is available, can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces
1732 such as "epoll" and "kqueue", and is the fastest backend *by far*.
1733 You can even embed Glib/Gtk2 in it (or vice versa, see EV::Glib and
1734 Glib::EV).
1735
1736 Guard
1737 The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
1738 "AnyEvent::Util::guard". This speeds up guards considerably (and
1739 uses a lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard
1740 operation much. It is purely used for performance.
1741
1742 JSON and JSON::XS
1743 This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
1744 AnyEvent::Handle. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
1745 advantage of the ultra-high-speed JSON::XS module when it is
1746 installed.
1747
1748 In fact, AnyEvent::Handle will use JSON::XS by default if it is
1749 installed.
1750
1751 Net::SSLeay
1752 Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
1753 worthwhile: If this module is installed, then AnyEvent::Handle (with
1754 the help of AnyEvent::TLS), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
1755
1756 Time::HiRes
1757 This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used
1758 when the chosen event library does not come with a timing source on
1759 it's own. The pure-perl event loop (AnyEvent::Impl::Perl) will
1760 additionally use it to try to use a monotonic clock for timing
1761 stability.
1762
1248FORK 1763FORK
1249 Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 1764 Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1250 because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe "select" or "poll" calls. 1765 because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe "select" or "poll" calls.
1251 Only EV is fully fork-aware. 1766 Only EV is fully fork-aware.
1252 1767
1253 If you have to fork, you must either do so *before* creating your first 1768 If you have to fork, you must either do so *before* creating your first
1254 watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 1769 watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
1770 something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1255 1771
1256SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1772SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1257 AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 1773 AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1258 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}. While this cannot (to my knowledge) be used 1774 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}. While this cannot (to my knowledge) be used
1259 to execute arbitrary code or directly gain access, it can easily be used 1775 to execute arbitrary code or directly gain access, it can easily be used
1262 model than specified in the variable. 1778 model than specified in the variable.
1263 1779
1264 You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 1780 You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1265 before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a "BEGIN" block: 1781 before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a "BEGIN" block:
1266 1782
1267 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 1783 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1268 1784
1269 use AnyEvent; 1785 use AnyEvent;
1270 1786
1271 Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 1787 Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1272 be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which 1788 be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which
1273 is probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 1789 is probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL),
1790 and $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
1791
1792 Note that AnyEvent will remove *all* environment variables starting with
1793 "PERL_ANYEVENT_" from %ENV when it is loaded while taint mode is
1794 enabled.
1795
1796BUGS
1797 Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are
1798 hard to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl
1799 5.10 and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other
1800 annoying memleaks, such as leaking on "map" and "grep" but it is usually
1801 not as pronounced).
1274 1802
1275SEE ALSO 1803SEE ALSO
1276 Utility functions: AnyEvent::Util. 1804 Utility functions: AnyEvent::Util.
1277 1805
1278 Event modules: EV, EV::Glib, Glib::EV, Event, Glib::Event, Glib, Tk, 1806 Event modules: EV, EV::Glib, Glib::EV, Event, Glib::Event, Glib, Tk,
1279 Event::Lib, Qt, POE. 1807 Event::Lib, Qt, POE.
1280 1808
1281 Implementations: AnyEvent::Impl::EV, AnyEvent::Impl::Event, 1809 Implementations: AnyEvent::Impl::EV, AnyEvent::Impl::Event,
1282 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib, AnyEvent::Impl::Tk, AnyEvent::Impl::Perl, 1810 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib, AnyEvent::Impl::Tk, AnyEvent::Impl::Perl,
1283 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib, AnyEvent::Impl::Qt, AnyEvent::Impl::POE. 1811 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib, AnyEvent::Impl::Qt, AnyEvent::Impl::POE,
1812 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync, Anyevent::Impl::Irssi.
1284 1813
1285 Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and servers: 1814 Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and servers:
1286 AnyEvent::Handle, AnyEvent::Socket. 1815 AnyEvent::Handle, AnyEvent::Socket, AnyEvent::TLS.
1287 1816
1288 Asynchronous DNS: AnyEvent::DNS. 1817 Asynchronous DNS: AnyEvent::DNS.
1289 1818
1290 Coroutine support: Coro, Coro::AnyEvent, Coro::EV, Coro::Event, 1819 Coroutine support: Coro, Coro::AnyEvent, Coro::EV, Coro::Event,
1291 1820
1292 Nontrivial usage examples: Net::FCP, Net::XMPP2, AnyEvent::DNS. 1821 Nontrivial usage examples: AnyEvent::GPSD, AnyEvent::XMPP,
1822 AnyEvent::HTTP.
1293 1823
1294AUTHOR 1824AUTHOR
1295 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1825 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1296 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1826 http://home.schmorp.de/
1297 1827

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