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Revision 1.56 by root, Thu Nov 19 01:55:57 2009 UTC vs.
Revision 1.62 by root, Sun Jun 6 10:13:57 2010 UTC

5 Qt and POE are various supported event loops/environments. 5 Qt and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 6
7SYNOPSIS 7SYNOPSIS
8 use AnyEvent; 8 use AnyEvent;
9 9
10 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
11 # an alternative API.
12
10 # file descriptor readable 13 # file handle or descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... }); 14 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
12 15
13 # one-shot or repeating timers 16 # one-shot or repeating timers
14 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... }); 17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ... 18 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
391 correctly. 394 correctly.
392 395
393 Example: exit on SIGINT 396 Example: exit on SIGINT
394 397
395 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 398 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
399
400 Restart Behaviour
401 While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most
402 will not restart syscalls (that includes Async::Interrupt and AnyEvent's
403 pure perl implementation).
404
405 Safe/Unsafe Signals
406 Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
407 "unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
408 latter might corrupt your memory.
409
410 AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event
411 loop, i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will
412 only be called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer,
413 I/O etc. callbacks, too).
396 414
397 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds 415 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
398 Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching 416 Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
399 callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot do 417 callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot do
400 race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for this. 418 race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for this.
471 $done->recv; 489 $done->recv;
472 490
473 IDLE WATCHERS 491 IDLE WATCHERS
474 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>); 492 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
475 493
476 Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important to 494 Repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle, until
477 do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This 495 either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
478 "nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
479 attention by the event loop".
480 496
481 Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing better 497 Idle watchers are useful when there is a need to do something, but it is
482 to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new events. 498 not so important (or wise) to do it instantly. The callback will be
483 Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked. 499 invoked only when there is "nothing better to do", which is usually
500 defined as "all outstanding events have been handled and no new events
501 have been detected". That means that idle watchers ideally get invoked
502 when the event loop has just polled for new events but none have been
503 detected. Instead of blocking to wait for more events, the idle watchers
504 will be invoked.
484 505
485 Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only 506 Unfortunately, most event loops do not really support idle watchers
486 EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent 507 (only EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest,
487 will simply call the callback "from time to time". 508 AnyEvent will simply call the callback "from time to time".
488 509
489 Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the program 510 Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the program
490 is otherwise idle: 511 is otherwise idle:
491 512
492 my @lines; # read data 513 my @lines; # read data
518 539
519 AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the 540 AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the
520 event loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the 541 event loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the
521 user). 542 user).
522 543
523 The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 544 The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
524 because they represent a condition that must become true. 545 they represent a condition that must become true.
525 546
526 Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below. 547 Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
527 548
528 Condition variables can be created by calling the "AnyEvent->condvar" 549 Condition variables can be created by calling the "AnyEvent->condvar"
529 method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 550 method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
534 After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes 555 After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes
535 "true" by calling the "send" method (or calling the condition variable 556 "true" by calling the "send" method (or calling the condition variable
536 as if it were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for 557 as if it were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for
537 the "->send" method). 558 the "->send" method).
538 559
539 Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 560 Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API,
540 optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 561 here are some different mental models of what they are - pick the ones
541 in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 562 you can connect to:
542 another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can 563
543 be used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and 564 * Condition variables are like callbacks - you can call them (and pass
544 delivers a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a 565 them instead of callbacks). Unlike callbacks however, you can also
545 promise to compute/deliver something that you can wait for. 566 wait for them to be called.
567
568 * Condition variables are signals - one side can emit or send them,
569 the other side can wait for them, or install a handler that is
570 called when the signal fires.
571
572 * Condition variables are like "Merge Points" - points in your program
573 where you merge multiple independent results/control flows into one.
574
575 * Condition variables represent a transaction - function that start
576 some kind of transaction can return them, leaving the caller the
577 choice between waiting in a blocking fashion, or setting a callback.
578
579 * Condition variables represent future values, or promises to deliver
580 some result, long before the result is available.
546 581
547 Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has 582 Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has
548 finished, for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http 583 finished, for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http
549 requests, then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to 584 requests, then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to
550 signal the availability of results. The user can either act when the 585 signal the availability of results. The user can either act when the
571 which eventually calls "-> send", and the "consumer side", which waits 606 which eventually calls "-> send", and the "consumer side", which waits
572 for the send to occur. 607 for the send to occur.
573 608
574 Example: wait for a timer. 609 Example: wait for a timer.
575 610
576 # wait till the result is ready 611 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
577 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 612 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
578 613
579 # do something such as adding a timer 614 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
580 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 615 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
581 # when the "result" is ready. 616 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
582 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 617 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
583 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 618 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
584 after => 1, 619 after => 1,
585 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 620 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
586 ); 621 );
587 622
588 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 623 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
589 # calls ->send 624 # calls ->send
590 $result_ready->recv; 625 $timer_fired->recv;
591 626
592 Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition 627 Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
593 variables are also callable directly. 628 variables are also callable directly.
594 629
595 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 630 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
904 You should check $AnyEvent::MODEL before adding to this array, 939 You should check $AnyEvent::MODEL before adding to this array,
905 though: if it is defined then the event loop has already been 940 though: if it is defined then the event loop has already been
906 detected, and the array will be ignored. 941 detected, and the array will be ignored.
907 942
908 Best use "AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }" when your application 943 Best use "AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }" when your application
909 allows it,as it takes care of these details. 944 allows it, as it takes care of these details.
910 945
911 This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something 946 This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something
912 useful when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is 947 useful when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is
913 initialised, but do not need to even load it by default. This array 948 initialised, but do not need to even load it by default. This array
914 provides the means to hook into AnyEvent passively, without loading 949 provides the means to hook into AnyEvent passively, without loading
915 it. 950 it.
951
952 Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
953 together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used
954 by Coro to accomplish this):
955
956 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
957 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
958 require Coro::AnyEvent;
959 } else {
960 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
961 # as soon as it is
962 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
963 }
916 964
917WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 965WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
918 As a module author, you should "use AnyEvent" and call AnyEvent methods 966 As a module author, you should "use AnyEvent" and call AnyEvent methods
919 freely, but you should not load a specific event module or rely on it. 967 freely, but you should not load a specific event module or rely on it.
920 968
973 1021
974OTHER MODULES 1022OTHER MODULES
975 The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1023 The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
976 AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other 1024 AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other
977 AnyEvent modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the 1025 AnyEvent modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the
978 modules come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN. 1026 modules come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN.
979 1027
980 AnyEvent::Util 1028 AnyEvent::Util
981 Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but 1029 Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but
982 blocking functions such as "inet_aton" by event-/callback-based 1030 blocking functions such as "inet_aton" by event-/callback-based
983 versions. 1031 versions.
994 transparent and non-blocking SSL/TLS (via AnyEvent::TLS. 1042 transparent and non-blocking SSL/TLS (via AnyEvent::TLS.
995 1043
996 AnyEvent::DNS 1044 AnyEvent::DNS
997 Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1045 Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
998 1046
1047 AnyEvent::HTTP, AnyEvent::IRC, AnyEvent::XMPP, AnyEvent::GPSD,
1048 AnyEvent::IGS, AnyEvent::FCP
1049 Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name
1050 (for the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the
1051 Freenet Client Protocol).
1052
1053 AnyEvent::Handle::UDP
1054 Here be danger!
1055
1056 As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even
1057 wrong!" - there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP,
1058 most notably it's use of a stream-based API with a protocol that
1059 isn't streamable, that the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1060
1061 It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and
1062 general confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP
1063 but also fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect
1064 doesn't work with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only
1065 has datagrams, not packets", "I don't need to implement proper error
1066 checking as UDP doesn't support error checking" and so on - he
1067 doesn't even understand what's wrong with his module when it is
1068 explained to him.
1069
999 AnyEvent::HTTP 1070 AnyEvent::DBI
1000 A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of 1071 Executes DBI requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
1001 concurrent HTTP requests. 1072 notifying you in an event-bnased way when the operation is finished.
1073
1074 AnyEvent::AIO
1075 Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in
1076 the toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently
1077 fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to
1078 event-based file I/O, and much more.
1002 1079
1003 AnyEvent::HTTPD 1080 AnyEvent::HTTPD
1004 Provides a simple web application server framework. 1081 A simple embedded webserver.
1005 1082
1006 AnyEvent::FastPing 1083 AnyEvent::FastPing
1007 The fastest ping in the west. 1084 The fastest ping in the west.
1008
1009 AnyEvent::DBI
1010 Executes DBI requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
1011
1012 AnyEvent::AIO
1013 Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
1014 programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
1015 together.
1016
1017 AnyEvent::BDB
1018 Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently
1019 fuses BDB and AnyEvent together.
1020
1021 AnyEvent::GPSD
1022 A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS
1023 information.
1024
1025 AnyEvent::IRC
1026 AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older
1027 Net::IRC3).
1028
1029 AnyEvent::XMPP
1030 AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the
1031 older Net::XMPP2>.
1032
1033 AnyEvent::IGS
1034 A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1035 App::IGS).
1036
1037 Net::FCP
1038 AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol,
1039 birthplace of AnyEvent.
1040
1041 Event::ExecFlow
1042 High level API for event-based execution flow control.
1043 1085
1044 Coro 1086 Coro
1045 Has special support for AnyEvent via Coro::AnyEvent. 1087 Has special support for AnyEvent via Coro::AnyEvent.
1046 1088
1047SIMPLIFIED AE API 1089SIMPLIFIED AE API
1048 Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much 1090 Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1049 simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory 1091 simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1050 overhead. 1092 overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1051 1093
1052 See the AE manpage for details. 1094 See the AE manpage for details.
1053 1095
1054ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING 1096ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1055 In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the 1097 In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1320 1362
1321 The actual code goes further and collects all errors ("die"s, 1363 The actual code goes further and collects all errors ("die"s,
1322 exceptions) that occurred during request processing. The "result" method 1364 exceptions) that occurred during request processing. The "result" method
1323 detects whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn 1365 detects whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn
1324 object) and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and 1366 object) and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and
1325 other problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, 1367 other problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result,
1326 not in a random callback. 1368 not in a random callback.
1327 1369
1328 All of this enables the following usage styles: 1370 All of this enables the following usage styles:
1329 1371
1330 1. Blocking: 1372 1. Blocking:
1709 it's built-in modules) are required to use it. 1751 it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
1710 1752
1711 That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional 1753 That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
1712 modules if they are installed. 1754 modules if they are installed.
1713 1755
1714 This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how 1756 This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how
1715 they affect AnyEvent's operetion. 1757 they affect AnyEvent's operation.
1716 1758
1717 Async::Interrupt 1759 Async::Interrupt
1718 This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal 1760 This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal
1719 handling: To my knowledge, there is no way to do completely 1761 handling: To my knowledge, there is no way to do completely
1720 race-free and quick signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that 1762 race-free and quick signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that
1723 10 seconds, look for $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY). 1765 10 seconds, look for $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY).
1724 1766
1725 If this module is available, then it will be used to implement 1767 If this module is available, then it will be used to implement
1726 signal catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and 1768 signal catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and
1727 the event loop will not be interrupted regularly, which is more 1769 the event loop will not be interrupted regularly, which is more
1728 efficient (And good for battery life on laptops). 1770 efficient (and good for battery life on laptops).
1729 1771
1730 This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event 1772 This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event
1731 loops that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt). 1773 loops that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
1732 1774
1733 Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers 1775 Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers
1743 clock is available, can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces 1785 clock is available, can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces
1744 such as "epoll" and "kqueue", and is the fastest backend *by far*. 1786 such as "epoll" and "kqueue", and is the fastest backend *by far*.
1745 You can even embed Glib/Gtk2 in it (or vice versa, see EV::Glib and 1787 You can even embed Glib/Gtk2 in it (or vice versa, see EV::Glib and
1746 Glib::EV). 1788 Glib::EV).
1747 1789
1790 If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g.
1791 "Tk"), then this module will do nothing for you.
1792
1748 Guard 1793 Guard
1749 The guard module, when used, will be used to implement 1794 The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
1750 "AnyEvent::Util::guard". This speeds up guards considerably (and 1795 "AnyEvent::Util::guard". This speeds up guards considerably (and
1751 uses a lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard 1796 uses a lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard
1752 operation much. It is purely used for performance. 1797 operation much. It is purely used for performance.
1753 1798
1754 JSON and JSON::XS 1799 JSON and JSON::XS
1755 One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON 1800 One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON
1756 data via AnyEvent::Handle. It is also written in pure-perl, but can 1801 data via AnyEvent::Handle. JSON is also written in pure-perl, but
1757 take advantage of the ultra-high-speed JSON::XS module when it is 1802 can take advantage of the ultra-high-speed JSON::XS module when it
1758 installed. 1803 is installed.
1759
1760 In fact, AnyEvent::Handle will use JSON::XS by default if it is
1761 installed.
1762 1804
1763 Net::SSLeay 1805 Net::SSLeay
1764 Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very 1806 Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
1765 worthwhile: If this module is installed, then AnyEvent::Handle (with 1807 worthwhile: If this module is installed, then AnyEvent::Handle (with
1766 the help of AnyEvent::TLS), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL. 1808 the help of AnyEvent::TLS), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
1772 additionally use it to try to use a monotonic clock for timing 1814 additionally use it to try to use a monotonic clock for timing
1773 stability. 1815 stability.
1774 1816
1775FORK 1817FORK
1776 Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 1818 Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1777 because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe "select" or "poll" calls. 1819 because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe "select" or "poll" calls
1778 Only EV is fully fork-aware. 1820 - higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux
1821 epoll are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with
1822 fork in one way or another. Only EV is fully fork-aware and ensures that
1823 you continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you
1824 know what you are doing).
1825
1826 This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
1827 the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
1828 usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the
1829 library is loaded).
1779 1830
1780 If you have to fork, you must either do so *before* creating your first 1831 If you have to fork, you must either do so *before* creating your first
1781 watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do 1832 watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
1782 something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent. 1833 something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1834
1835 The problem of doing event processing in the parent *and* the child is
1836 much more complicated: even for backends that *are* fork-aware or
1837 fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
1838 watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
1839 parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing "exec" to
1840 start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
1841 preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of
1842 having to have another binary.
1783 1843
1784SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1844SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1785 AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 1845 AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1786 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}. While this cannot (to my knowledge) be used 1846 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}. While this cannot (to my knowledge) be used
1787 to execute arbitrary code or directly gain access, it can easily be used 1847 to execute arbitrary code or directly gain access, it can easily be used

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