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1NAME 1NAME
2 AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 2 AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops
3 3
4 EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event 4 EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt and POE are various supported
5 loops 5 event loops.
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 { ... });
11 12
13 # one-shot or repeating timers
12 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... }); 14 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
13 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ... 15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
14 16
15 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time 17 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
16 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time. 18 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
17 19
20 # POSIX signal
18 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... }); 21 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
19 22
23 # child process exit
20 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { 24 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
21 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 25 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
22 ... 26 ...
23 }); 27 });
28
29 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
30 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
24 31
25 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 32 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
26 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 33 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
27 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 34 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
28 # use a condvar in callback mode: 35 # use a condvar in callback mode:
162 169
163 I/O WATCHERS 170 I/O WATCHERS
164 You can create an I/O watcher by calling the "AnyEvent->io" method with 171 You can create an I/O watcher by calling the "AnyEvent->io" method with
165 the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 172 the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
166 173
167 "fh" is the Perl *file handle* (*not* file descriptor) to watch for 174 "fh" is the Perl *file handle* (or a naked file descriptor) to watch for
168 events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file 175 events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
169 handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which 176 handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
170 non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets, 177 non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
171 most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example 178 most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example
172 files or block devices. 179 files or block devices.
314 In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you 321 In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
315 can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking 322 can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking
316 the difference between "AnyEvent->time" and "AnyEvent->now" into 323 the difference between "AnyEvent->time" and "AnyEvent->now" into
317 account. 324 account.
318 325
326 AnyEvent->now_update
327 Some event loops (such as EV or AnyEvent::Impl::Perl) cache the
328 current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of
329 AnyEvent->now, above).
330
331 When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps),
332 then this "current" time will differ substantially from the real
333 time, which might affect timers and time-outs.
334
335 When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update
336 the event loop's idea of "current time".
337
338 Note that updating the time *might* cause some events to be handled.
339
319 SIGNAL WATCHERS 340 SIGNAL WATCHERS
320 You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, "signal" is the signal 341 You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, "signal" is the signal
321 *name* in uppercase and without any "SIG" prefix, "cb" is the Perl 342 *name* in uppercase and without any "SIG" prefix, "cb" is the Perl
322 callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 343 callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
323 344
329 invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous 350 invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous
330 means that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the 351 means that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the
331 process, but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 352 process, but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
332 353
333 The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a 354 The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a
334 signal between multiple watchers. 355 signal between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals
356 will not interrupt your program at bad times.
335 357
336 This watcher might use %SIG, so programs overwriting those signals 358 This watcher might use %SIG (depending on the event loop used), so
337 directly will likely not work correctly. 359 programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
360 correctly.
361
362 Also note that many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not
363 support attaching callbacks to signals, which is a pity, as you cannot
364 do race-free signal handling in perl. AnyEvent will try to do it's best,
365 but in some cases, signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal
366 might be delayed is specified in $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY (default:
367 10 seconds). This variable can be changed only before the first signal
368 watcher is created, and should be left alone otherwise. Higher values
369 will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
370 saving. All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
371 Async::Interrupt module.
338 372
339 Example: exit on SIGINT 373 Example: exit on SIGINT
340 374
341 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 375 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
342 376
359 393
360 There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start 394 There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start
361 them *after* the child process was created, and this means the process 395 them *after* the child process was created, and this means the process
362 could have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 396 could have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
363 397
364 Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 398 Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async
399 do, see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event
365 event models that *do* handle this correctly, they usually need to be 400 models that *do* handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded
366 loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first 401 before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place).
367 place). 402 AnyEvent's pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless
403 of when you start the watcher.
368 404
369 This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in 405 This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in
370 an AnyEvent program, you *have* to create at least one watcher before 406 an AnyEvent program, you *have* to create at least one watcher before
371 you "fork" the child (alternatively, you can call "AnyEvent::detect"). 407 you "fork" the child (alternatively, you can call "AnyEvent::detect").
372 408
409 As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will
410 be emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race
411 problems mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
412
373 Example: fork a process and wait for it 413 Example: fork a process and wait for it
374 414
375 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 415 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
376 416
377 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 417 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
378 418
379 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 419 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
380 pid => $pid, 420 pid => $pid,
381 cb => sub { 421 cb => sub {
382 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 422 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
383 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 423 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
384 $done->send; 424 $done->send;
385 }, 425 },
386 ); 426 );
387 427
388 # do something else, then wait for process exit 428 # do something else, then wait for process exit
389 $done->recv; 429 $done->recv;
430
431 IDLE WATCHERS
432 Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important to
433 do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
434 "nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
435 attention by the event loop".
436
437 Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing better
438 to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new events.
439 Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
440
441 Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
442 EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
443 will simply call the callback "from time to time".
444
445 Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the program
446 is otherwise idle:
447
448 my @lines; # read data
449 my $idle_w;
450 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
451 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
452
453 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
454 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
455 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
456 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
457 print "handled when idle: $line";
458 } else {
459 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
460 undef $idle_w;
461 }
462 });
463 });
390 464
391 CONDITION VARIABLES 465 CONDITION VARIABLES
392 If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 466 If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
393 require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 467 require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
394 will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 468 will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
395 469
396 AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop 470 AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the
397 and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 471 event loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the
472 user).
398 473
399 The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 474 The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
400 because they represent a condition that must become true. 475 because they represent a condition that must become true.
401 476
477 Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
478
402 Condition variables can be created by calling the "AnyEvent->condvar" 479 Condition variables can be created by calling the "AnyEvent->condvar"
403 method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 480 method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
404
405 "cb", which specifies a callback to be called when the condition 481 "cb", which specifies a callback to be called when the condition
406 variable becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument 482 variable becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument
407 (but not the results). 483 (but not the results).
408 484
409 After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes 485 After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes
458 after => 1, 534 after => 1,
459 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 535 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
460 ); 536 );
461 537
462 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 538 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
463 # calls send 539 # calls -<send
464 $result_ready->recv; 540 $result_ready->recv;
465 541
466 Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition 542 Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
467 variables are also code references. 543 variables are also callable directly.
468 544
469 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 545 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
470 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 546 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
471 $done->recv; 547 $done->recv;
472 548
478 554
479 ... 555 ...
480 556
481 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 557 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
482 558
483 And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 559 And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
484 results are available: 560 results are available:
485 561
486 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 562 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
487 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 563 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
488 }); 564 });
503 579
504 Any arguments passed to the "send" call will be returned by all 580 Any arguments passed to the "send" call will be returned by all
505 future "->recv" calls. 581 future "->recv" calls.
506 582
507 Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as 583 Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as
508 a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 584 if they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as
509 "send". Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 585 calling "send".
510 overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition
511 variable instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and
512 EV loops support overloading, however, as well as all functions that
513 use perl to invoke a callback (as in AnyEvent::Socket and
514 AnyEvent::DNS for example).
515 586
516 $cv->croak ($error) 587 $cv->croak ($error)
517 Similar to send, but causes all call's to "->recv" to invoke 588 Similar to send, but causes all call's to "->recv" to invoke
518 "Carp::croak" with the given error message/object/scalar. 589 "Carp::croak" with the given error message/object/scalar.
519 590
520 This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 591 This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
521 user/consumer. 592 user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling "croak" directly
593 delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that
594 it diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected,
595 and not deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual
596 code causing the problem.
522 597
523 $cv->begin ([group callback]) 598 $cv->begin ([group callback])
524 $cv->end 599 $cv->end
525 These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
526
527 These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events 600 These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events
528 into one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel 601 into one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel
529 might want to use a condition variable for the whole process. 602 might want to use a condition variable for the whole process.
530 603
531 Every call to "->begin" will increment a counter, and every call to 604 Every call to "->begin" will increment a counter, and every call to
532 "->end" will decrement it. If the counter reaches 0 in "->end", the 605 "->end" will decrement it. If the counter reaches 0 in "->end", the
533 (last) callback passed to "begin" will be executed. That callback is 606 (last) callback passed to "begin" will be executed. That callback is
534 *supposed* to call "->send", but that is not required. If no 607 *supposed* to call "->send", but that is not required. If no
535 callback was set, "send" will be called without any arguments. 608 callback was set, "send" will be called without any arguments.
536 609
537 Let's clarify this with the ping example: 610 You can think of "$cv->send" giving you an OR condition (one call
611 sends), while "$cv->begin" and "$cv->end" giving you an AND
612 condition (all "begin" calls must be "end"'ed before the condvar
613 sends).
614
615 Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for
616 example, STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for
617 both streams to close before activating a condvar:
618
619 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
620
621 $cv->begin; # first watcher
622 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
623 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
624 or $cv->end;
625 });
626
627 $cv->begin; # second watcher
628 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
629 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
630 or $cv->end;
631 });
632
633 $cv->recv;
634
635 This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle),
636 there is one call to "begin", so the condvar waits for all calls to
637 "end" before sending.
638
639 The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as
640 the there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks
641 that are begung can potentially be zero:
538 642
539 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 643 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
540 644
541 my %result; 645 my %result;
542 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 646 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
562 the loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the 666 the loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the
563 callback to be called once the counter reaches 0, and second, it 667 callback to be called once the counter reaches 0, and second, it
564 ensures that "send" is called even when "no" hosts are being pinged 668 ensures that "send" is called even when "no" hosts are being pinged
565 (the loop doesn't execute once). 669 (the loop doesn't execute once).
566 670
567 This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple 671 This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
568 subrequests: use an outer "begin"/"end" pair to set the callback and 672 potentially none) subrequests: use an outer "begin"/"end" pair to
569 ensure "end" is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest 673 set the callback and ensure "end" is called at least once, and then,
570 you start, call "begin" and for each subrequest you finish, call 674 for each subrequest you start, call "begin" and for each subrequest
571 "end". 675 you finish, call "end".
572 676
573 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 677 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
574 These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the code 678 These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the code
575 awaits the condition. 679 awaits the condition.
576 680
585 function will call "croak". 689 function will call "croak".
586 690
587 In list context, all parameters passed to "send" will be returned, 691 In list context, all parameters passed to "send" will be returned,
588 in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 692 in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
589 693
694 Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by
695 any event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking "->recv"
696 is not allowed, and the "recv" call will "croak" if such a condition
697 is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
698 Coro::AnyEvent, which allows you to do a blocking "->recv" from any
699 thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
700
590 Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 701 Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
591 (programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so *if you are 702 (programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so *if you are
592 using this from a module, never require a blocking wait*, but let 703 using this from a module, never require a blocking wait*. Instead,
593 the caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, 704 let the caller decide whether the call will block or not (for
594 by coupling condition variables with some kind of request results 705 example, by coupling condition variables with some kind of request
595 and supporting callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result 706 results and supporting callbacks so the caller knows that getting
596 will not block, while still supporting blocking waits if the caller 707 the result will not block, while still supporting blocking waits if
597 so desires). 708 the caller so desires).
598
599 Another reason *never* to "->recv" in a module is that you cannot
600 sensibly have two "->recv"'s in parallel, as that would require
601 multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which
602 "AnyEvent" can supply.
603
604 The Coro module, however, *can* and *does* supply coroutines and, in
605 fact, Coro::AnyEvent replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
606 versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making
607 blocking "->recv" calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from
608 another coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
609 709
610 You can ensure that "-recv" never blocks by setting a callback and 710 You can ensure that "-recv" never blocks by setting a callback and
611 only calling "->recv" from within that callback (or at a later 711 only calling "->recv" from within that callback (or at a later
612 time). This will work even when the event loop does not support 712 time). This will work even when the event loop does not support
613 blocking waits otherwise. 713 blocking waits otherwise.
623 The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. 723 The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e.
624 when "send" or "croak" are called, with the only argument being the 724 when "send" or "croak" are called, with the only argument being the
625 condition variable itself. Calling "recv" inside the callback or at 725 condition variable itself. Calling "recv" inside the callback or at
626 any later time is guaranteed not to block. 726 any later time is guaranteed not to block.
627 727
728SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
729 The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
730
731 Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
732 EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
733 use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will try Event, and,
734 failing that, will fall back to its own pure-perl implementation,
735 which is available everywhere as it comes with AnyEvent itself.
736
737 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
738 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
739 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
740
741 Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
742 These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first
743 watcher is created, in which case it is assumed that the application
744 is using them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the
745 right backend when the main program loads an event module before
746 anything starts to create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done
747 by the main program.
748
749 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
750 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
751 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
752 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
753
754 Backends with special needs.
755 Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
756 otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
757 instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are
758 created, everything should just work.
759
760 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
761
762 Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
763 architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also is
764 the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so it
765 can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
766 AnyEvent::Impl::Async for the gory details.
767
768 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
769
770 Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
771 Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
772
773 There is no direct support for WxWidgets (Wx) or Prima.
774
775 WxWidgets has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
776 use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that
777 simply polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too
778 horrible to even consider for AnyEvent.
779
780 Prima is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a
781 POE backend, so it can be supported through POE.
782
783 AnyEvent knows about both Prima and Wx, however, and will try to
784 load POE when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them
785 up, in which case everything will be automatic.
786
628GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 787GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
788 These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
789 write AnyEvent extension modules.
790
629 $AnyEvent::MODEL 791 $AnyEvent::MODEL
630 Contains "undef" until the first watcher is being created. Then it 792 Contains "undef" until the first watcher is being created, before
793 the backend has been autodetected.
794
631 contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of 795 Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is
632 the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of 796 the name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is
633 the "AnyEvent::Impl:xxx" modules, but can be any other class in the 797 usually one of the "AnyEvent::Impl:xxx" modules, but can be any
634 case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in *rxvt-unicode*). 798 other class in the case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g.
635 799 in *rxvt-unicode* it will be "urxvt::anyevent").
636 The known classes so far are:
637
638 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
639 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
640 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
641 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
642 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
643 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
644 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
645 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
646
647 There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
648 watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
649 POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
650 second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
651 AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by
652 using it's adaptor.
653
654 AnyEvent knows about Prima and Wx and will try to use POE when
655 autodetecting them.
656 800
657 AnyEvent::detect 801 AnyEvent::detect
658 Returns $AnyEvent::MODEL, forcing autodetection of the event model 802 Returns $AnyEvent::MODEL, forcing autodetection of the event model
659 if necessary. You should only call this function right before you 803 if necessary. You should only call this function right before you
660 would have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as 804 would have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as
661 possible at runtime. 805 possible at runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
806
807 If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
808 created, use "post_detect".
662 809
663 $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 810 $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
664 Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event 811 Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event
665 model is autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 812 model is autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
813
814 The block will be executed *after* the actual backend has been
815 detected ($AnyEvent::MODEL is set), but *before* any watchers have
816 been created, so it is possible to e.g. patch @AnyEvent::ISA or do
817 other initialisations - see the sources of AnyEvent::Strict or
818 AnyEvent::AIO to see how this is used.
819
820 The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without
821 forcing event module detection too early, for example, AnyEvent::AIO
822 creates and installs the global IO::AIO watcher in a "post_detect"
823 block to avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
666 824
667 If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an 825 If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an
668 object that automatically removes the callback again when it is 826 object that automatically removes the callback again when it is
669 destroyed. See Coro::BDB for a case where this is useful. 827 destroyed. See Coro::BDB for a case where this is useful.
670 828
672 If there are any code references in this array (you can "push" to it 830 If there are any code references in this array (you can "push" to it
673 before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly 831 before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly
674 after the event loop has been chosen. 832 after the event loop has been chosen.
675 833
676 You should check $AnyEvent::MODEL before adding to this array, 834 You should check $AnyEvent::MODEL before adding to this array,
677 though: if it contains a true value then the event loop has already 835 though: if it is defined then the event loop has already been
678 been detected, and the array will be ignored. 836 detected, and the array will be ignored.
679 837
680 Best use "AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }" instead. 838 Best use "AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }" when your application
839 allows it,as it takes care of these details.
840
841 This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something
842 useful when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is
843 initialised, but do not need to even load it by default. This array
844 provides the means to hook into AnyEvent passively, without loading
845 it.
681 846
682WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 847WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
683 As a module author, you should "use AnyEvent" and call AnyEvent methods 848 As a module author, you should "use AnyEvent" and call AnyEvent methods
684 freely, but you should not load a specific event module or rely on it. 849 freely, but you should not load a specific event module or rely on it.
685 850
736 variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program 901 variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program
737 should exit cleanly. 902 should exit cleanly.
738 903
739OTHER MODULES 904OTHER MODULES
740 The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 905 The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
741 AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 906 AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other
742 in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 907 AnyEvent modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the
743 available via CPAN. 908 modules come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
744 909
745 AnyEvent::Util 910 AnyEvent::Util
746 Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but 911 Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but
747 blocking functions such as "inet_aton" by event-/callback-based 912 blocking functions such as "inet_aton" by event-/callback-based
748 versions. 913 versions.
754 more. 919 more.
755 920
756 AnyEvent::Handle 921 AnyEvent::Handle
757 Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and 922 Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and
758 writes, supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully 923 writes, supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully
759 transparent and non-blocking SSL/TLS. 924 transparent and non-blocking SSL/TLS (via AnyEvent::TLS.
760 925
761 AnyEvent::DNS 926 AnyEvent::DNS
762 Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 927 Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
763 928
764 AnyEvent::HTTP 929 AnyEvent::HTTP
785 950
786 AnyEvent::GPSD 951 AnyEvent::GPSD
787 A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS 952 A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS
788 information. 953 information.
789 954
955 AnyEvent::IRC
956 AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older
957 Net::IRC3).
958
959 AnyEvent::XMPP
960 AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the
961 older Net::XMPP2>.
962
790 AnyEvent::IGS 963 AnyEvent::IGS
791 A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by 964 A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
792 App::IGS). 965 App::IGS).
793 966
794 AnyEvent::IRC
795 AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older
796 Net::IRC3).
797
798 Net::XMPP2
799 AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
800
801 Net::FCP 967 Net::FCP
802 AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, 968 AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol,
803 birthplace of AnyEvent. 969 birthplace of AnyEvent.
804 970
805 Event::ExecFlow 971 Event::ExecFlow
806 High level API for event-based execution flow control. 972 High level API for event-based execution flow control.
807 973
808 Coro 974 Coro
809 Has special support for AnyEvent via Coro::AnyEvent. 975 Has special support for AnyEvent via Coro::AnyEvent.
810
811 IO::Lambda
812 The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use
813 AnyEvent.
814 976
815ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING 977ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
816 In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the 978 In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
817 caller to do that if required. The AnyEvent::Strict module (see also the 979 caller to do that if required. The AnyEvent::Strict module (see also the
818 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT" environment variable, below) provides strict 980 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT" environment variable, below) provides strict
828 "condvar->recv"), the Event and EV modules call "$Event/EV::DIED->()", 990 "condvar->recv"), the Event and EV modules call "$Event/EV::DIED->()",
829 Glib uses "install_exception_handler" and so on. 991 Glib uses "install_exception_handler" and so on.
830 992
831ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 993ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
832 The following environment variables are used by this module or its 994 The following environment variables are used by this module or its
833 submodules: 995 submodules.
996
997 Note that AnyEvent will remove *all* environment variables starting with
998 "PERL_ANYEVENT_" from %ENV when it is loaded while taint mode is
999 enabled.
834 1000
835 "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE" 1001 "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE"
836 By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal 1002 By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
837 conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent 1003 conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent
838 more talkative. 1004 more talkative.
841 conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified 1007 conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified
842 by "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL". 1008 by "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL".
843 1009
844 When set to 2 or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which 1010 When set to 2 or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which
845 event model it chooses. 1011 event model it chooses.
1012
1013 When set to 8 or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information
1014 on which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain
1015 features.
846 1016
847 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT" 1017 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT"
848 AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1018 AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
849 argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true 1019 argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true
850 value will cause AnyEvent to load "AnyEvent::Strict" and then to 1020 value will cause AnyEvent to load "AnyEvent::Strict" and then to
851 thoroughly check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it 1021 thoroughly check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it
852 finds any problems it will croak. 1022 finds any problems, it will croak.
853 1023
854 In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1024 In other words, enables "strict" mode.
855 1025
856 Unlike "use strict", it is definitely recommended ot keep it off in 1026 Unlike "use strict" (or it's modern cousin, "use common::sense", it
857 production. Keeping "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1" in your environment 1027 is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1028 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1" in your environment while developing
858 while developing programs can be very useful, however. 1029 programs can be very useful, however.
859 1030
860 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL" 1031 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL"
861 This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, 1032 This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent,
862 before auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string 1033 before auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string
863 consisting entirely of ASCII letters. The string "AnyEvent::Impl::" 1034 consisting entirely of ASCII letters. The string "AnyEvent::Impl::"
904 EDNS0 in its DNS requests. 1075 EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
905 1076
906 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS" 1077 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS"
907 The maximum number of child processes that 1078 The maximum number of child processes that
908 "AnyEvent::Util::fork_call" will create in parallel. 1079 "AnyEvent::Util::fork_call" will create in parallel.
1080
1081 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS"
1082 The default value for the "max_outstanding" parameter for the
1083 default DNS resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS
1084 requests that are sent to the DNS server.
1085
1086 "PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF"
1087 The file to use instead of /etc/resolv.conf (or OS-specific
1088 configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty
1089 string, no default config will be used.
1090
1091 "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE", "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH".
1092 When neither "ca_file" nor "ca_path" was specified during
1093 AnyEvent::TLS context creation, and either of these environment
1094 variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate
1095 locations instead of a system-dependent default.
1096
1097 "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD" and "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT"
1098 When these are set to 1, then the respective modules are not loaded.
1099 Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
909 1100
910SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1101SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
911 This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent 1102 This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent
912 in a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want 1103 in a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want
913 to provide AnyEvent compatibility. 1104 to provide AnyEvent compatibility.
1149 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 1340 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1150 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 1341 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1151 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 1342 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1152 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 1343 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1153 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 1344 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1345 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
1346 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1154 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 1347 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1155 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 1348 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1156 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 1349 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1157 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 1350 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1158 1351
1187 few of them active), of course, but this was not subject of this 1380 few of them active), of course, but this was not subject of this
1188 benchmark. 1381 benchmark.
1189 1382
1190 The "Event" module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 1383 The "Event" module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1191 cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 1384 cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
1385
1386 "IO::Async" performs admirably well, about on par with "Event", even
1387 when using its pure perl backend.
1192 1388
1193 "Glib"'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a faster 1389 "Glib"'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a faster
1194 callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as "Event". 1390 callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as "Event".
1195 However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of watchers 1391 However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of watchers
1196 increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, making it 1392 increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, making it
1267 single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and 1463 single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and
1268 forwarding it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout 1464 forwarding it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout
1269 and creating a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 1465 and creating a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1270 1466
1271 Results 1467 Results
1272 name sockets create request 1468 name sockets create request
1273 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 1469 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1274 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 1470 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
1471 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll
1472 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll
1275 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 1473 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1276 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 1474 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1277 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 1475 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1278 1476
1279 Discussion 1477 Discussion
1280 This benchmark *does* measure scalability and overall performance of the 1478 This benchmark *does* measure scalability and overall performance of the
1281 particular event loop. 1479 particular event loop.
1282 1480
1283 EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup 1481 EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup
1284 time is relatively high, though. 1482 time is relatively high, though.
1285 1483
1286 Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 1484 Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1287 loops Event and Glib. 1485 loops Event and Glib.
1486
1487 IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still
1488 quite good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1288 1489
1289 Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you 1490 Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you
1290 will understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead 1491 will understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead
1291 compared to the "$_->() for .."-style loop that the Perl event loop 1492 compared to the "$_->() for .."-style loop that the Perl event loop
1292 uses. Event uses select or poll in basically all documented 1493 uses. Event uses select or poll in basically all documented
1343 1544
1344 Summary 1545 Summary
1345 * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of watchers, 1546 * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of watchers,
1346 as the management overhead dominates. 1547 as the management overhead dominates.
1347 1548
1549 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
1550 Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
1551 could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the
1552 benchmark simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks
1553 better (which shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the
1554 benchmark is fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from
1555 IO::Lambda isn't very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used
1556 without the extra baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent
1557 benchmark for AnyEvent.
1558
1559 The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
1560 connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
1561 creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it
1562 doesn't test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O,
1563 but it is a benchmark nevertheless.
1564
1565 name runtime
1566 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
1567 + optimized 0.122 sec
1568 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
1569 + optimized 0.138 sec
1570 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
1571 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
1572 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
1573 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
1574
1575 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
1576 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
1577 +state machine 0.134 sec
1578
1579 The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
1580 benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
1581 defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
1582 written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
1583 AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
1584 resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking
1585 connects generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling
1586 than blocking connects (which involve a single syscall only).
1587
1588 The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses AnyEvent::Handle, which
1589 offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using
1590 conventional Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the
1591 client are 100% non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
1592
1593 As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
1594 hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
1595 backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
1596
1597 And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
1598 slow :) AnyEvent::Handle abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
1599 large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
1600 in a non-blocking way.
1601
1602 The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as eg/ae0.pl and
1603 eg/ae2.pl in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
1604 part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
1605
1348SIGNALS 1606SIGNALS
1349 AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 1607 AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1350 1608
1351 SIGCHLD 1609 SIGCHLD
1352 A handler for "SIGCHLD" is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher 1610 A handler for "SIGCHLD" is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1353 emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, 1611 emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also,
1354 some event loops install a similar handler. 1612 some event loops install a similar handler.
1613
1614 Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE,
1615 then AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit
1616 statuses.
1355 1617
1356 SIGPIPE 1618 SIGPIPE
1357 A no-op handler is installed for "SIGPIPE" when $SIG{PIPE} is 1619 A no-op handler is installed for "SIGPIPE" when $SIG{PIPE} is
1358 "undef" when AnyEvent gets loaded. 1620 "undef" when AnyEvent gets loaded.
1359 1621
1367 it is that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on 1629 it is that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on
1368 exec. 1630 exec.
1369 1631
1370 Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults. 1632 Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
1371 1633
1634RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
1635 One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
1636 it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
1637
1638 That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
1639 modules if they are installed.
1640
1641 This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how
1642 they affect AnyEvent's operetion.
1643
1644 Async::Interrupt
1645 This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal
1646 handling: To my knowledge, there is no way to do completely
1647 race-free and quick signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that
1648 signals still get delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer
1649 to wake up perl (and catch the signals) with soemd elay (default is
1650 10 seconds, look for $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY).
1651
1652 If this module is available, then it will be used to implement
1653 signal catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and
1654 the event loop will not be interrupted regularly, which is more
1655 efficient (And good for battery life on laptops).
1656
1657 This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event
1658 loops that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
1659
1660 EV This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the
1661 backend event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the
1662 best event loop available in terms of features, speed and stability:
1663 It supports the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher
1664 types in XS, does automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic
1665 clock is available, can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces
1666 such as "epoll" and "kqueue", and is the fastest backend *by far*.
1667 You can even embed Glib/Gtk2 in it (or vice versa, see EV::Glib and
1668 Glib::EV).
1669
1670 Guard
1671 The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
1672 "AnyEvent::Util::guard". This speeds up guards considerably (and
1673 uses a lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard
1674 operation much. It is purely used for performance.
1675
1676 JSON and JSON::XS
1677 This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
1678 AnyEvent::Handle. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
1679 advantage of the ulta-high-speed JSON::XS module when it is
1680 installed.
1681
1682 In fact, AnyEvent::Handle will use JSON::XS by default if it is
1683 installed.
1684
1685 Net::SSLeay
1686 Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
1687 worthwhile: If this module is installed, then AnyEvent::Handle (with
1688 the help of AnyEvent::TLS), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
1689
1690 Time::HiRes
1691 This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used
1692 when the chosen event library does not come with a timing source on
1693 it's own. The pure-perl event loop (AnyEvent::Impl::Perl) will
1694 additionally use it to try to use a monotonic clock for timing
1695 stability.
1696
1372FORK 1697FORK
1373 Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 1698 Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1374 because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe "select" or "poll" calls. 1699 because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe "select" or "poll" calls.
1375 Only EV is fully fork-aware. 1700 Only EV is fully fork-aware.
1376 1701
1377 If you have to fork, you must either do so *before* creating your first 1702 If you have to fork, you must either do so *before* creating your first
1378 watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 1703 watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
1704 something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1379 1705
1380SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1706SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1381 AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 1707 AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1382 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}. While this cannot (to my knowledge) be used 1708 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}. While this cannot (to my knowledge) be used
1383 to execute arbitrary code or directly gain access, it can easily be used 1709 to execute arbitrary code or directly gain access, it can easily be used
1387 1713
1388 You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 1714 You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1389 before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a "BEGIN" block: 1715 before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a "BEGIN" block:
1390 1716
1391 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 1717 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1392 1718
1393 use AnyEvent; 1719 use AnyEvent;
1394 1720
1395 Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 1721 Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1396 be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which 1722 be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which
1397 is probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), 1723 is probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL),
1398 and $ENV{PERL_ANYEGENT_STRICT}. 1724 and $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
1725
1726 Note that AnyEvent will remove *all* environment variables starting with
1727 "PERL_ANYEVENT_" from %ENV when it is loaded while taint mode is
1728 enabled.
1399 1729
1400BUGS 1730BUGS
1401 Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are 1731 Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are
1402 hard to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 1732 hard to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl
1403 5.10 and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other 1733 5.10 and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other
1410 Event modules: EV, EV::Glib, Glib::EV, Event, Glib::Event, Glib, Tk, 1740 Event modules: EV, EV::Glib, Glib::EV, Event, Glib::Event, Glib, Tk,
1411 Event::Lib, Qt, POE. 1741 Event::Lib, Qt, POE.
1412 1742
1413 Implementations: AnyEvent::Impl::EV, AnyEvent::Impl::Event, 1743 Implementations: AnyEvent::Impl::EV, AnyEvent::Impl::Event,
1414 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib, AnyEvent::Impl::Tk, AnyEvent::Impl::Perl, 1744 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib, AnyEvent::Impl::Tk, AnyEvent::Impl::Perl,
1415 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib, AnyEvent::Impl::Qt, AnyEvent::Impl::POE. 1745 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib, AnyEvent::Impl::Qt, AnyEvent::Impl::POE,
1746 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync.
1416 1747
1417 Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and servers: 1748 Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and servers:
1418 AnyEvent::Handle, AnyEvent::Socket. 1749 AnyEvent::Handle, AnyEvent::Socket, AnyEvent::TLS.
1419 1750
1420 Asynchronous DNS: AnyEvent::DNS. 1751 Asynchronous DNS: AnyEvent::DNS.
1421 1752
1422 Coroutine support: Coro, Coro::AnyEvent, Coro::EV, Coro::Event, 1753 Coroutine support: Coro, Coro::AnyEvent, Coro::EV, Coro::Event,
1423 1754
1424 Nontrivial usage examples: Net::FCP, Net::XMPP2, AnyEvent::DNS. 1755 Nontrivial usage examples: AnyEvent::GPSD, AnyEvent::XMPP,
1756 AnyEvent::HTTP.
1425 1757
1426AUTHOR 1758AUTHOR
1427 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1759 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1428 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1760 http://home.schmorp.de/
1429 1761

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