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1NAME 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 and POE are various supported 4 EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async,
5 event loops. 5 Qt, FLTK 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 => ...);
16 19
17 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time 20 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
18 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time. 21 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
19 22
20 # POSIX signal 23 # POSIX signal
37 40
38INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 41INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
39 This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested in a 42 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 43 tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the AnyEvent::Intro
41 manpage. 44 manpage.
45
46SUPPORT
47 An FAQ document is available as AnyEvent::FAQ.
48
49 There also is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an
50 IRC channel, too.
51
52 See the AnyEvent project page at the Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
53 Repository, at <http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
42 54
43WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 55WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
44 Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 56 Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
45 nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 57 nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
46 58
61 module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 73 module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
62 model you use. 74 model you use.
63 75
64 For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 76 For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
65 actually doing all I/O *synchronously*...), using them in your module is 77 actually doing all I/O *synchronously*...), using them in your module is
66 like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 78 like joining a cult: After you join, you are dependent on them and you
67 cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything 79 cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
68 that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your module 80 that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your module
69 are *also* forced to use the same event loop you use. 81 are *also* forced to use the same event loop you use.
70 82
71 AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 83 AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
72 fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 84 fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
73 with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if your 85 with the rest: POE + EV? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if your module
74 module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, too. 86 uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, too. But if
75 But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event 87 your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event models
76 models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those use 88 it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those use one of
77 one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops 89 the supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops to
78 to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 90 AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
79 91
80 In addition to being free of having to use *the one and only true event 92 In addition to being free of having to use *the one and only true event
81 model*, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 93 model*, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
82 modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 94 modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
83 follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by 95 follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and to the point, by only
84 only offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a 96 offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
85 wrapper as technically possible. 97 technically possible.
86 98
87 Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox of 99 Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox of
88 useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100% 100 useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
89 non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms 101 non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
90 such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for 102 such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
93 Now, if you *do want* lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 105 Now, if you *do want* lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat
94 useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 106 useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
95 model, you should *not* use this module. 107 model, you should *not* use this module.
96 108
97DESCRIPTION 109DESCRIPTION
98 AnyEvent provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 110 AnyEvent provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
99 allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 111 allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
100 users to use the same event loop (as only a single event loop can 112 module users to use a specific event loop implementation (since more
101 coexist peacefully at any one time). 113 than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
102 114
103 The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the Event 115 The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the Event
104 module. 116 module.
105 117
106 During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 118 During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
107 to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 119 to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
108 following modules is already loaded: EV, Event, Glib, 120 following modules is already loaded: EV, AnyEvent::Loop, Event, Glib,
109 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl, Tk, Event::Lib, Qt, POE. The first one found is 121 Tk, Event::Lib, Qt, POE. The first one found is used. If none are
110 used. If none are found, the module tries to load these modules 122 detected, the module tries to load the first four modules in the order
111 (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl adaptor should 123 given; but note that if EV is not available, the pure-perl
112 always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can be 124 AnyEvent::Loop should always work, so the other two are not normally
113 successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 125 tried.
114 found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not
115 very efficient, but should work everywhere.
116 126
117 Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, 127 Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded,
118 loading an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will 128 loading an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will
119 likely make that model the default. For example: 129 likely make that model the default. For example:
120 130
122 use AnyEvent; 132 use AnyEvent;
123 133
124 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 134 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
125 135
126 The *likely* means that, if any module loads another event model and 136 The *likely* means that, if any module loads another event model and
127 starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors 137 starts using it, all bets are off - this case should be very rare
128 to use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 138 though, as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this
139 very loudly.
129 140
130 The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 141 The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called "AnyEvent::Loop".
131 "AnyEvent::Impl::Perl". Like other event modules you can load it 142 Like other event modules you can load it explicitly and enjoy the high
132 explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :) 143 availability of that event loop :)
133 144
134WATCHERS 145WATCHERS
135 AnyEvent has the central concept of a *watcher*, which is an object that 146 AnyEvent has the central concept of a *watcher*, which is an object that
136 stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as 147 stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
137 the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc. 148 the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
141 callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model is 152 callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model is
142 in control). 153 in control).
143 154
144 Note that callbacks must not permanently change global variables 155 Note that callbacks must not permanently change global variables
145 potentially in use by the event loop (such as $_ or $[) and that 156 potentially in use by the event loop (such as $_ or $[) and that
146 callbacks must not "die". The former is good programming practise in 157 callbacks must not "die". The former is good programming practice in
147 Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs 158 Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
148 widely between event loops. 159 widely between event loops.
149 160
150 To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 161 To disable a watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
151 variable you store it in to "undef" or otherwise deleting all references 162 variable you store it in to "undef" or otherwise deleting all references
152 to it). 163 to it).
153 164
154 All watchers are created by calling a method on the "AnyEvent" class. 165 All watchers are created by calling a method on the "AnyEvent" class.
155 166
156 Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 167 Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
157 example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 168 example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
158 169
159 An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 170 One way to achieve that is this pattern:
160 171
161 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 172 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
162 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 173 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
163 undef $w; 174 undef $w;
164 }); 175 });
166 Note that "my $w; $w =" combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 177 Note that "my $w; $w =" combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
167 my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 178 my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
168 declared. 179 declared.
169 180
170 I/O WATCHERS 181 I/O WATCHERS
182 $w = AnyEvent->io (
183 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
184 poll => <"r" or "w">,
185 cb => <callback>,
186 );
187
171 You can create an I/O watcher by calling the "AnyEvent->io" method with 188 You can create an I/O watcher by calling the "AnyEvent->io" method with
172 the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 189 the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
173 190
174 "fh" is the Perl *file handle* (*not* file descriptor) to watch for 191 "fh" is the Perl *file handle* (or a naked file descriptor) to watch for
175 events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file 192 events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
176 handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which 193 handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
177 non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets, 194 non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
178 most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example 195 most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example
179 files or block devices. 196 files or block devices.
189 206
190 The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of 207 The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of
191 it. You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on 208 it. You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on
192 the underlying file descriptor. 209 the underlying file descriptor.
193 210
194 Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 211 Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
195 always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 212 always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
196 handles. 213 handles.
197 214
198 Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the 215 Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
199 watcher. 216 watcher.
203 warn "read: $input\n"; 220 warn "read: $input\n";
204 undef $w; 221 undef $w;
205 }); 222 });
206 223
207 TIME WATCHERS 224 TIME WATCHERS
225 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
226
227 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
228 after => <fractional_seconds>,
229 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
230 cb => <callback>,
231 );
232
208 You can create a time watcher by calling the "AnyEvent->timer" method 233 You can create a time watcher by calling the "AnyEvent->timer" method
209 with the following mandatory arguments: 234 with the following mandatory arguments:
210 235
211 "after" specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 236 "after" specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
212 supported) the callback should be invoked. "cb" is the callback to 237 supported) the callback should be invoked. "cb" is the callback to
214 239
215 Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 240 Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
216 presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 241 presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
217 callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 242 callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
218 243
219 The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another 244 The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
220 parameter, "interval", as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the 245 parameter, "interval", as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
221 callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional 246 callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
222 seconds) after the first invocation. If "interval" is specified with a 247 seconds) after the first invocation. If "interval" is specified with a
223 false value, then it is treated as if it were missing. 248 false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
224 249
225 The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no 250 The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
226 attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval 251 attempt is made to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval
227 is only approximate. 252 is only approximate.
228 253
229 Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds. 254 Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
230 255
231 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 256 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
248 273
249 While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, 274 While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way,
250 they use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your 275 they use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your
251 clock "jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards 276 clock "jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards
252 from the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is 277 from the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is
253 supposed to fire "after" a second might actually take six years to 278 supposed to fire "after a second" might actually take six years to
254 finally fire. 279 finally fire.
255 280
256 AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is 281 AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is
257 conscious about these issues is EV, which offers both relative 282 conscious of these issues is EV, which offers both relative (ev_timer,
258 (ev_timer, based on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based 283 based on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on
259 on wallclock time) timers. 284 wallclock time) timers.
260 285
261 AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 286 AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
262 AnyEvent API. 287 AnyEvent API.
263 288
264 AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time": 289 AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
283 *In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the 308 *In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
284 function to call when you want to know the current time.* 309 function to call when you want to know the current time.*
285 310
286 This function is also often faster then "AnyEvent->time", and thus 311 This function is also often faster then "AnyEvent->time", and thus
287 the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example, 312 the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
288 AnyEvent::Handle uses this to update it's activity timeouts). 313 AnyEvent::Handle uses this to update its activity timeouts).
289 314
290 The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very 315 The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very
291 exact with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience. 316 exact with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
292 317
293 For a practical example of when these times differ, consider 318 For a practical example of when these times differ, consider
294 Event::Lib and EV and the following set-up: 319 Event::Lib and EV and the following set-up:
295 320
296 The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback 321 The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callbacks
297 at time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your 322 at time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your
298 callback, you wait a second by executing "sleep 1" (blocking the 323 callback, you wait a second by executing "sleep 1" (blocking the
299 process for a second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative 324 process for a second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative
300 timer that fires after three seconds. 325 timer that fires after three seconds.
301 326
322 can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking 347 can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking
323 the difference between "AnyEvent->time" and "AnyEvent->now" into 348 the difference between "AnyEvent->time" and "AnyEvent->now" into
324 account. 349 account.
325 350
326 AnyEvent->now_update 351 AnyEvent->now_update
327 Some event loops (such as EV or AnyEvent::Impl::Perl) cache the 352 Some event loops (such as EV or AnyEvent::Loop) cache the current
328 current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of 353 time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of AnyEvent->now,
329 AnyEvent->now, above). 354 above).
330 355
331 When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), 356 When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps),
332 then this "current" time will differ substantially from the real 357 then this "current" time will differ substantially from the real
333 time, which might affect timers and time-outs. 358 time, which might affect timers and time-outs.
334 359
335 When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update 360 When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update
336 the event loop's idea of "current time". 361 the event loop's idea of "current time".
337 362
363 A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g.
364 "mod_perl") - when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop
365 will have the wrong idea about the "current time" (being potentially
366 far in the past, when the script ran the last time). In that case
367 you should arrange a call to "AnyEvent->now_update" each time the
368 web server process wakes up again (e.g. at the start of your script,
369 or in a handler).
370
338 Note that updating the time *might* cause some events to be handled. 371 Note that updating the time *might* cause some events to be handled.
339 372
340 SIGNAL WATCHERS 373 SIGNAL WATCHERS
374 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
375
341 You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, "signal" is the signal 376 You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, "signal" is the signal
342 *name* in uppercase and without any "SIG" prefix, "cb" is the Perl 377 *name* in uppercase and without any "SIG" prefix, "cb" is the Perl
343 callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 378 callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
344 379
345 Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 380 Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
350 invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous 385 invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous
351 means that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the 386 means that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the
352 process, but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 387 process, but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
353 388
354 The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a 389 The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a
355 signal between multiple watchers. 390 signal between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals
391 will not interrupt your program at bad times.
356 392
357 This watcher might use %SIG, so programs overwriting those signals 393 This watcher might use %SIG (depending on the event loop used), so
358 directly will likely not work correctly. 394 programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
395 correctly.
359 396
360 Example: exit on SIGINT 397 Example: exit on SIGINT
361 398
362 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 399 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
363 400
401 Restart Behaviour
402 While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most
403 will not restart syscalls (that includes Async::Interrupt and AnyEvent's
404 pure perl implementation).
405
406 Safe/Unsafe Signals
407 Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
408 "unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
409 latter might corrupt your memory.
410
411 AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event
412 loop, i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will
413 only be called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer,
414 I/O etc. callbacks, too).
415
416 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
417 Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
418 callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot do
419 race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for this.
420 AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases, signals
421 will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is specified
422 in $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY (default: 10 seconds). This variable
423 can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created, and
424 should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
425 AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
426 will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
427 saving.
428
429 All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
430 Async::Interrupt module, which works with most event loops. It will not
431 work with inherently broken event loops such as Event or Event::Lib (and
432 not with POE currently, as POE does its own workaround with one-second
433 latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
434
364 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 435 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
436 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
437
365 You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 438 You can also watch for a child process exit and catch its exit status.
366 439
367 The child process is specified by the "pid" argument (if set to 0, it 440 The child process is specified by the "pid" argument (on some backends,
368 watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only 441 using 0 watches for any child process exit, on others this will croak).
369 when the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not 442 The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has finished
370 on any trace events (stopped/continued). 443 and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
444 (stopped/continued).
371 445
372 The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by 446 The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
373 waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you *can* rely on child watcher 447 waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you *can* rely on child watcher
374 callback arguments. 448 callback arguments.
375 449
380 454
381 There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start 455 There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start
382 them *after* the child process was created, and this means the process 456 them *after* the child process was created, and this means the process
383 could have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 457 could have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
384 458
385 Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 459 Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async
460 do, see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event
386 event models that *do* handle this correctly, they usually need to be 461 models that *do* handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded
387 loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first 462 before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place).
388 place). 463 AnyEvent's pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless
464 of when you start the watcher.
389 465
390 This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in 466 This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in
391 an AnyEvent program, you *have* to create at least one watcher before 467 an AnyEvent program, you *have* to create at least one watcher before
392 you "fork" the child (alternatively, you can call "AnyEvent::detect"). 468 you "fork" the child (alternatively, you can call "AnyEvent::detect").
469
470 As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will
471 be emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which case the latency and
472 race problems mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
393 473
394 Example: fork a process and wait for it 474 Example: fork a process and wait for it
395 475
396 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 476 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
397 477
408 488
409 # do something else, then wait for process exit 489 # do something else, then wait for process exit
410 $done->recv; 490 $done->recv;
411 491
412 IDLE WATCHERS 492 IDLE WATCHERS
413 Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important to 493 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
414 do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
415 "nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
416 attention by the event loop".
417 494
418 Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing better 495 This will repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle,
419 to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new events. 496 until either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
420 Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
421 497
422 Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only 498 Idle watchers are useful when there is a need to do something, but it is
499 not so important (or wise) to do it instantly. The callback will be
500 invoked only when there is "nothing better to do", which is usually
501 defined as "all outstanding events have been handled and no new events
502 have been detected". That means that idle watchers ideally get invoked
503 when the event loop has just polled for new events but none have been
504 detected. Instead of blocking to wait for more events, the idle watchers
505 will be invoked.
506
507 Unfortunately, most event loops do not really support idle watchers
423 EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent 508 (only EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest,
424 will simply call the callback "from time to time". 509 AnyEvent will simply call the callback "from time to time".
425 510
426 Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the program 511 Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the program
427 is otherwise idle: 512 is otherwise idle:
428 513
429 my @lines; # read data 514 my @lines; # read data
442 } 527 }
443 }); 528 });
444 }); 529 });
445 530
446 CONDITION VARIABLES 531 CONDITION VARIABLES
532 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
533
534 $cv->send (<list>);
535 my @res = $cv->recv;
536
447 If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 537 If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
448 require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 538 require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
449 will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 539 will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
450 540
451 AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop 541 AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the
452 and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 542 event loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the
543 user).
453 544
454 The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 545 The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
455 because they represent a condition that must become true. 546 they represent a condition that must become true.
547
548 Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
456 549
457 Condition variables can be created by calling the "AnyEvent->condvar" 550 Condition variables can be created by calling the "AnyEvent->condvar"
458 method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 551 method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
459
460 "cb", which specifies a callback to be called when the condition 552 "cb", which specifies a callback to be called when the condition
461 variable becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument 553 variable becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument
462 (but not the results). 554 (but not the results).
463 555
464 After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes 556 After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes
465 "true" by calling the "send" method (or calling the condition variable 557 "true" by calling the "send" method (or calling the condition variable
466 as if it were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for 558 as if it were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for
467 the "->send" method). 559 the "->send" method).
468 560
469 Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 561 Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API,
470 optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 562 here are some different mental models of what they are - pick the ones
471 in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 563 you can connect to:
472 another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can 564
473 be used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and 565 * Condition variables are like callbacks - you can call them (and pass
474 delivers a result. 566 them instead of callbacks). Unlike callbacks however, you can also
567 wait for them to be called.
568
569 * Condition variables are signals - one side can emit or send them,
570 the other side can wait for them, or install a handler that is
571 called when the signal fires.
572
573 * Condition variables are like "Merge Points" - points in your program
574 where you merge multiple independent results/control flows into one.
575
576 * Condition variables represent a transaction - functions that start
577 some kind of transaction can return them, leaving the caller the
578 choice between waiting in a blocking fashion, or setting a callback.
579
580 * Condition variables represent future values, or promises to deliver
581 some result, long before the result is available.
475 582
476 Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has 583 Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has
477 finished, for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http 584 finished, for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http
478 requests, then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to 585 requests, then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to
479 signal the availability of results. The user can either act when the 586 signal the availability of results. The user can either act when the
492 599
493 Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 600 Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
494 used by AnyEvent itself are all named "_ae_XXX" to make subclassing easy 601 used by AnyEvent itself are all named "_ae_XXX" to make subclassing easy
495 (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of 602 (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
496 AnyEvent). To subclass, use "AnyEvent::CondVar" as base class and call 603 AnyEvent). To subclass, use "AnyEvent::CondVar" as base class and call
497 it's "new" method in your own "new" method. 604 its "new" method in your own "new" method.
498 605
499 There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" 606 There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side"
500 which eventually calls "-> send", and the "consumer side", which waits 607 which eventually calls "-> send", and the "consumer side", which waits
501 for the send to occur. 608 for the send to occur.
502 609
503 Example: wait for a timer. 610 Example: wait for a timer.
504 611
505 # wait till the result is ready 612 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
506 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 613 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
507 614
508 # do something such as adding a timer 615 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
509 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 616 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
510 # when the "result" is ready. 617 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
511 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 618 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
512 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 619 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
513 after => 1, 620 after => 1,
514 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 621 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
515 ); 622 );
516 623
517 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 624 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
518 # calls send 625 # calls ->send
519 $result_ready->recv; 626 $timer_fired->recv;
520 627
521 Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition 628 Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
522 variables are also code references. 629 variables are also callable directly.
523 630
524 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 631 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
525 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 632 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
526 $done->recv; 633 $done->recv;
527 634
533 640
534 ... 641 ...
535 642
536 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 643 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
537 644
538 And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 645 And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
539 results are available: 646 results are available:
540 647
541 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 648 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
542 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 649 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
543 }); 650 });
558 665
559 Any arguments passed to the "send" call will be returned by all 666 Any arguments passed to the "send" call will be returned by all
560 future "->recv" calls. 667 future "->recv" calls.
561 668
562 Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as 669 Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as
563 a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 670 if they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as
564 "send". Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 671 calling "send".
565 overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition
566 variable instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and
567 EV loops support overloading, however, as well as all functions that
568 use perl to invoke a callback (as in AnyEvent::Socket and
569 AnyEvent::DNS for example).
570 672
571 $cv->croak ($error) 673 $cv->croak ($error)
572 Similar to send, but causes all call's to "->recv" to invoke 674 Similar to send, but causes all calls to "->recv" to invoke
573 "Carp::croak" with the given error message/object/scalar. 675 "Carp::croak" with the given error message/object/scalar.
574 676
575 This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 677 This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
576 user/consumer. 678 user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling "croak" directly
679 delays the error detection, but has the overwhelming advantage that
680 it diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected,
681 and not deep in some event callback with no connection to the actual
682 code causing the problem.
577 683
578 $cv->begin ([group callback]) 684 $cv->begin ([group callback])
579 $cv->end 685 $cv->end
580 These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
581
582 These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events 686 These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events
583 into one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel 687 into one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel
584 might want to use a condition variable for the whole process. 688 might want to use a condition variable for the whole process.
585 689
586 Every call to "->begin" will increment a counter, and every call to 690 Every call to "->begin" will increment a counter, and every call to
587 "->end" will decrement it. If the counter reaches 0 in "->end", the 691 "->end" will decrement it. If the counter reaches 0 in "->end", the
588 (last) callback passed to "begin" will be executed. That callback is 692 (last) callback passed to "begin" will be executed, passing the
589 *supposed* to call "->send", but that is not required. If no 693 condvar as first argument. That callback is *supposed* to call
694 "->send", but that is not required. If no group callback was set,
590 callback was set, "send" will be called without any arguments. 695 "send" will be called without any arguments.
591 696
592 Let's clarify this with the ping example: 697 You can think of "$cv->send" giving you an OR condition (one call
698 sends), while "$cv->begin" and "$cv->end" giving you an AND
699 condition (all "begin" calls must be "end"'ed before the condvar
700 sends).
701
702 Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for
703 example, STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for
704 both streams to close before activating a condvar:
593 705
594 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 706 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
595 707
708 $cv->begin; # first watcher
709 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
710 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
711 or $cv->end;
712 });
713
714 $cv->begin; # second watcher
715 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
716 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
717 or $cv->end;
718 });
719
720 $cv->recv;
721
722 This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle),
723 there is one call to "begin", so the condvar waits for all calls to
724 "end" before sending.
725
726 The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as
727 the there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks
728 that are begun can potentially be zero:
729
730 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
731
596 my %result; 732 my %result;
597 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 733 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
598 734
599 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 735 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
600 $cv->begin; 736 $cv->begin;
601 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 737 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
602 $result{$host} = ...; 738 $result{$host} = ...;
617 the loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the 753 the loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the
618 callback to be called once the counter reaches 0, and second, it 754 callback to be called once the counter reaches 0, and second, it
619 ensures that "send" is called even when "no" hosts are being pinged 755 ensures that "send" is called even when "no" hosts are being pinged
620 (the loop doesn't execute once). 756 (the loop doesn't execute once).
621 757
622 This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple 758 This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
623 subrequests: use an outer "begin"/"end" pair to set the callback and 759 potentially zero) subrequests: use an outer "begin"/"end" pair to
624 ensure "end" is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest 760 set the callback and ensure "end" is called at least once, and then,
625 you start, call "begin" and for each subrequest you finish, call 761 for each subrequest you start, call "begin" and for each subrequest
626 "end". 762 you finish, call "end".
627 763
628 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 764 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
629 These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the code 765 These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the code
630 awaits the condition. 766 awaits the condition.
631 767
632 $cv->recv 768 $cv->recv
633 Wait (blocking if necessary) until the "->send" or "->croak" methods 769 Wait (blocking if necessary) until the "->send" or "->croak" methods
634 have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers normally. 770 have been called on $cv, while servicing other watchers normally.
635 771
636 You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid 772 You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid
637 but will return immediately. 773 but will return immediately.
638 774
639 If an error condition has been set by calling "->croak", then this 775 If an error condition has been set by calling "->croak", then this
640 function will call "croak". 776 function will call "croak".
641 777
642 In list context, all parameters passed to "send" will be returned, 778 In list context, all parameters passed to "send" will be returned,
643 in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 779 in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
644 780
781 Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by
782 any event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking "->recv"
783 is not allowed, and the "recv" call will "croak" if such a condition
784 is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
785 Coro::AnyEvent, which allows you to do a blocking "->recv" from any
786 thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
787
645 Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 788 Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
646 (programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so *if you are 789 (programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so *if you are
647 using this from a module, never require a blocking wait*, but let 790 using this from a module, never require a blocking wait*. Instead,
648 the caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, 791 let the caller decide whether the call will block or not (for
649 by coupling condition variables with some kind of request results 792 example, by coupling condition variables with some kind of request
650 and supporting callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result 793 results and supporting callbacks so the caller knows that getting
651 will not block, while still supporting blocking waits if the caller 794 the result will not block, while still supporting blocking waits if
652 so desires). 795 the caller so desires).
653 796
654 Another reason *never* to "->recv" in a module is that you cannot
655 sensibly have two "->recv"'s in parallel, as that would require
656 multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which
657 "AnyEvent" can supply.
658
659 The Coro module, however, *can* and *does* supply coroutines and, in
660 fact, Coro::AnyEvent replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
661 versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making
662 blocking "->recv" calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from
663 another coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
664
665 You can ensure that "-recv" never blocks by setting a callback and 797 You can ensure that "->recv" never blocks by setting a callback and
666 only calling "->recv" from within that callback (or at a later 798 only calling "->recv" from within that callback (or at a later
667 time). This will work even when the event loop does not support 799 time). This will work even when the event loop does not support
668 blocking waits otherwise. 800 blocking waits otherwise.
669 801
670 $bool = $cv->ready 802 $bool = $cv->ready
675 This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and 807 This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and
676 optionally replaces it before doing so. 808 optionally replaces it before doing so.
677 809
678 The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. 810 The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e.
679 when "send" or "croak" are called, with the only argument being the 811 when "send" or "croak" are called, with the only argument being the
680 condition variable itself. Calling "recv" inside the callback or at 812 condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
813 callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling "recv" inside
681 any later time is guaranteed not to block. 814 the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
815
816SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
817 The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
818
819 Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
820 EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
821 use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
822 pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes
823 with AnyEvent itself.
824
825 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
826 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl AnyEvent::Loop, fast and portable.
827
828 Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
829 These will be used if they are already loaded when the first watcher
830 is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is
831 using them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the
832 right backend when the main program loads an event module before
833 anything starts to create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done
834 by the main program.
835
836 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
837 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
838 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
839 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
840 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
841 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
842 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async.
843 AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa based on Cocoa::EventLoop.
844 AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK2 based on FLTK (fltk 2 binding).
845
846 Backends with special needs.
847 Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
848 otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
849 instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are
850 created, everything should just work.
851
852 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
853
854 Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
855 Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
856
857 There is no direct support for WxWidgets (Wx) or Prima.
858
859 WxWidgets has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
860 use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that
861 simply polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too
862 horrible to even consider for AnyEvent.
863
864 Prima is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a
865 POE backend, so it can be supported through POE.
866
867 AnyEvent knows about both Prima and Wx, however, and will try to
868 load POE when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them
869 up, in which case everything will be automatic.
682 870
683GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 871GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
872 These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
873 write AnyEvent extension modules.
874
684 $AnyEvent::MODEL 875 $AnyEvent::MODEL
685 Contains "undef" until the first watcher is being created. Then it 876 Contains "undef" until the first watcher is being created, before
877 the backend has been autodetected.
878
686 contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of 879 Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is
687 the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of 880 the name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is
688 the "AnyEvent::Impl:xxx" modules, but can be any other class in the 881 usually one of the "AnyEvent::Impl::xxx" modules, but can be any
689 case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in *rxvt-unicode*). 882 other class in the case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g.
690 883 in *rxvt-unicode* it will be "urxvt::anyevent").
691 The known classes so far are:
692
693 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
694 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
695 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
696 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
697 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
698 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
699 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
700 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
701
702 There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
703 watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
704 POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
705 second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
706 AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by
707 using it's adaptor.
708
709 AnyEvent knows about Prima and Wx and will try to use POE when
710 autodetecting them.
711 884
712 AnyEvent::detect 885 AnyEvent::detect
713 Returns $AnyEvent::MODEL, forcing autodetection of the event model 886 Returns $AnyEvent::MODEL, forcing autodetection of the event model
714 if necessary. You should only call this function right before you 887 if necessary. You should only call this function right before you
715 would have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as 888 would have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as
716 possible at runtime. 889 possible at runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your
890 module.
891
892 The effect of calling this function is as if a watcher had been
893 created (specifically, actions that happen "when the first watcher
894 is created" happen when calling detetc as well).
895
896 If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
897 created, use "post_detect".
717 898
718 $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 899 $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
719 Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event 900 Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event
720 model is autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 901 model is autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
902
903 The block will be executed *after* the actual backend has been
904 detected ($AnyEvent::MODEL is set), but *before* any watchers have
905 been created, so it is possible to e.g. patch @AnyEvent::ISA or do
906 other initialisations - see the sources of AnyEvent::Strict or
907 AnyEvent::AIO to see how this is used.
908
909 The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without
910 forcing event module detection too early, for example, AnyEvent::AIO
911 creates and installs the global IO::AIO watcher in a "post_detect"
912 block to avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
721 913
722 If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an 914 If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an
723 object that automatically removes the callback again when it is 915 object that automatically removes the callback again when it is
916 destroyed (or "undef" when the hook was immediately executed). See
724 destroyed. See Coro::BDB for a case where this is useful. 917 AnyEvent::AIO for a case where this is useful.
918
919 Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
920 $WATCHER, but do so only do so after the event loop is initialised.
921
922 our WATCHER;
923
924 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
925 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
926 };
927
928 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
929 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
930 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
931 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
932
933 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
725 934
726 @AnyEvent::post_detect 935 @AnyEvent::post_detect
727 If there are any code references in this array (you can "push" to it 936 If there are any code references in this array (you can "push" to it
728 before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly 937 before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
729 after the event loop has been chosen. 938 after the event loop has been chosen.
730 939
731 You should check $AnyEvent::MODEL before adding to this array, 940 You should check $AnyEvent::MODEL before adding to this array,
732 though: if it contains a true value then the event loop has already 941 though: if it is defined then the event loop has already been
733 been detected, and the array will be ignored. 942 detected, and the array will be ignored.
734 943
735 Best use "AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }" instead. 944 Best use "AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }" when your application
945 allows it, as it takes care of these details.
946
947 This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something
948 useful when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is
949 initialised, but do not need to even load it by default. This array
950 provides the means to hook into AnyEvent passively, without loading
951 it.
952
953 Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
954 together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used
955 by Coro to accomplish this):
956
957 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
958 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
959 require Coro::AnyEvent;
960 } else {
961 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
962 # as soon as it is
963 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
964 }
965
966 AnyEvent::postpone { BLOCK }
967 Arranges for the block to be executed as soon as possible, but not
968 before the call itself returns. In practise, the block will be
969 executed just before the event loop polls for new events, or shortly
970 afterwards.
971
972 This function never returns anything (to make the "return postpone {
973 ... }" idiom more useful.
974
975 To understand the usefulness of this function, consider a function
976 that asynchronously does something for you and returns some
977 transaction object or guard to let you cancel the operation. For
978 example, "AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect":
979
980 # start a conenction attempt unless one is active
981 $self->{connect_guard} ||= AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect "www.example.net", 80, sub {
982 delete $self->{connect_guard};
983 ...
984 };
985
986 Imagine that this function could instantly call the callback, for
987 example, because it detects an obvious error such as a negative port
988 number. Invoking the callback before the function returns causes
989 problems however: the callback will be called and will try to delete
990 the guard object. But since the function hasn't returned yet, there
991 is nothing to delete. When the function eventually returns it will
992 assign the guard object to "$self->{connect_guard}", where it will
993 likely never be deleted, so the program thinks it is still trying to
994 connect.
995
996 This is where "AnyEvent::postpone" should be used. Instead of
997 calling the callback directly on error:
998
999 $cb->(undef), return # signal error to callback, BAD!
1000 if $some_error_condition;
1001
1002 It should use "postpone":
1003
1004 AnyEvent::postpone { $cb->(undef) }, return # signal error to callback, later
1005 if $some_error_condition;
1006
1007 AnyEvent::log $level, $msg[, @args]
1008 Log the given $msg at the given $level.
1009
1010 Loads AnyEvent::Log on first use and calls "AnyEvent::Log::log" -
1011 consequently, look at the AnyEvent::Log documentation for details.
1012
1013 If you want to sprinkle loads of logging calls around your code,
1014 consider creating a logger callback with the "AnyEvent::Log::logger"
1015 function.
736 1016
737WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1017WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
738 As a module author, you should "use AnyEvent" and call AnyEvent methods 1018 As a module author, you should "use AnyEvent" and call AnyEvent methods
739 freely, but you should not load a specific event module or rely on it. 1019 freely, but you should not load a specific event module or rely on it.
740 1020
748 stall the whole program, and the whole point of using events is to stay 1028 stall the whole program, and the whole point of using events is to stay
749 interactive. 1029 interactive.
750 1030
751 It is fine, however, to call "->recv" when the user of your module 1031 It is fine, however, to call "->recv" when the user of your module
752 requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 1032 requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
753 called "results" that returns the results, it should call "->recv" 1033 called "results" that returns the results, it may call "->recv" freely,
754 freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 1034 as the user of your module knows what she is doing. Always).
755 1035
756WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1036WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
757 There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 1037 There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
758 dictate which event model to use. 1038 dictate which event model to use.
759 1039
760 If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 1040 If the program is not event-based, it need not do anything special, even
761 do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let 1041 when it depends on a module that uses an AnyEvent. If the program itself
762 AnyEvent decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on 1042 uses AnyEvent, but does not care which event loop is used, all it needs
763 it. 1043 to do is "use AnyEvent". In either case, AnyEvent will choose the best
1044 available loop implementation.
764 1045
765 If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in 1046 If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
766 Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the 1047 Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
767 event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: 1048 event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it:
768 generally speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason 1049 generally speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason
769 is that modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent 1050 is that modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent
770 will decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, 1051 will decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers,
771 and it might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one 1052 and it might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one
772 yourself. 1053 yourself.
773 1054
774 You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the 1055 You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
775 "AnyEvent::Impl::Perl" module, which gives you similar behaviour 1056 "AnyEvent::Loop" module, which gives you similar behaviour everywhere,
776 everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better. 1057 but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
777 1058
778 MAINLOOP EMULATION 1059 MAINLOOP EMULATION
779 Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who 1060 Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
780 only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event 1061 only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event
781 loop. 1062 loop.
791 variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program 1072 variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program
792 should exit cleanly. 1073 should exit cleanly.
793 1074
794OTHER MODULES 1075OTHER MODULES
795 The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1076 The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
796 AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1077 AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other
797 in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1078 AnyEvent modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the
798 available via CPAN. 1079 modules come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN (see
1080 <http://search.cpan.org/search?m=module&q=anyevent%3A%3A*> for a longer
1081 non-exhaustive list), and the list is heavily biased towards modules of
1082 the AnyEvent author himself :)
799 1083
800 AnyEvent::Util 1084 AnyEvent::Util
801 Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but 1085 Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
802 blocking functions such as "inet_aton" by event-/callback-based 1086 functions such as "inet_aton" with event/callback-based versions.
803 versions.
804 1087
805 AnyEvent::Socket 1088 AnyEvent::Socket
806 Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1089 Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
807 addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking 1090 addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking
808 tcp connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and 1091 tcp connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and
809 more. 1092 more.
810 1093
811 AnyEvent::Handle 1094 AnyEvent::Handle
812 Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and 1095 Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and
813 writes, supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully 1096 writes, supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully
814 transparent and non-blocking SSL/TLS. 1097 transparent and non-blocking SSL/TLS (via AnyEvent::TLS).
815 1098
816 AnyEvent::DNS 1099 AnyEvent::DNS
817 Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1100 Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
818 1101
1102 AnyEvent::HTTP, AnyEvent::IRC, AnyEvent::XMPP, AnyEvent::GPSD,
1103 AnyEvent::IGS, AnyEvent::FCP
1104 Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name
1105 (for the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the
1106 Freenet Client Protocol).
1107
1108 AnyEvent::Handle::UDP
1109 Here be danger!
1110
1111 As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even
1112 wrong!" - there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP,
1113 most notably its use of a stream-based API with a protocol that
1114 isn't streamable, that the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1115
1116 It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and
1117 general confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP
1118 but also fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect
1119 doesn't work with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only
1120 has datagrams, not packets", "I don't need to implement proper error
1121 checking as UDP doesn't support error checking" and so on - he
1122 doesn't even understand what's wrong with his module when it is
1123 explained to him.
1124
819 AnyEvent::HTTP 1125 AnyEvent::DBI
820 A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of 1126 Executes DBI requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
821 concurrent HTTP requests. 1127 notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1128
1129 AnyEvent::AIO
1130 Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in
1131 the toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently
1132 fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to
1133 event-based file I/O, and much more.
822 1134
823 AnyEvent::HTTPD 1135 AnyEvent::HTTPD
824 Provides a simple web application server framework. 1136 A simple embedded webserver.
825 1137
826 AnyEvent::FastPing 1138 AnyEvent::FastPing
827 The fastest ping in the west. 1139 The fastest ping in the west.
828 1140
829 AnyEvent::DBI
830 Executes DBI requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
831
832 AnyEvent::AIO
833 Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
834 programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
835 together.
836
837 AnyEvent::BDB
838 Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently
839 fuses BDB and AnyEvent together.
840
841 AnyEvent::GPSD
842 A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS
843 information.
844
845 AnyEvent::IGS
846 A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
847 App::IGS).
848
849 AnyEvent::IRC
850 AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older
851 Net::IRC3).
852
853 Net::XMPP2
854 AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
855
856 Net::FCP
857 AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol,
858 birthplace of AnyEvent.
859
860 Event::ExecFlow
861 High level API for event-based execution flow control.
862
863 Coro 1141 Coro
864 Has special support for AnyEvent via Coro::AnyEvent. 1142 Has special support for AnyEvent via Coro::AnyEvent.
865 1143
866 IO::Lambda 1144SIMPLIFIED AE API
867 The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use 1145 Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
868 AnyEvent. 1146 simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1147 overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1148
1149 See the AE manpage for details.
869 1150
870ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING 1151ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
871 In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the 1152 In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
872 caller to do that if required. The AnyEvent::Strict module (see also the 1153 caller to do that if required. The AnyEvent::Strict module (see also the
873 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT" environment variable, below) provides strict 1154 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT" environment variable, below) provides strict
894 "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE" 1175 "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE"
895 By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal 1176 By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
896 conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent 1177 conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent
897 more talkative. 1178 more talkative.
898 1179
899 When set to 1 or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected 1180 When set to 5 or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
900 conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified 1181 conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified
901 by "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL". 1182 by "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL".
902 1183
903 When set to 2 or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which 1184 When set to 7 or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which
904 event model it chooses. 1185 event model it chooses.
1186
1187 When set to 8 or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information
1188 on which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain
1189 features.
905 1190
906 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT" 1191 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT"
907 AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1192 AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
908 argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true 1193 argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true
909 value will cause AnyEvent to load "AnyEvent::Strict" and then to 1194 value will cause AnyEvent to load "AnyEvent::Strict" and then to
910 thoroughly check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it 1195 thoroughly check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it
911 finds any problems it will croak. 1196 finds any problems, it will croak.
912 1197
913 In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1198 In other words, enables "strict" mode.
914 1199
915 Unlike "use strict", it is definitely recommended ot keep it off in 1200 Unlike "use strict" (or its modern cousin, "use common::sense", it
916 production. Keeping "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1" in your environment 1201 is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1202 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1" in your environment while developing
917 while developing programs can be very useful, however. 1203 programs can be very useful, however.
1204
1205 "PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL"
1206 If this env variable is set, then its contents will be interpreted
1207 by "AnyEvent::Socket::parse_hostport" (after replacing every
1208 occurance of $$ by the process pid) and an "AnyEvent::Debug::shell"
1209 is bound on that port. The shell object is saved in
1210 $AnyEvent::Debug::SHELL.
1211
1212 This takes place when the first watcher is created.
1213
1214 For example, to bind a debug shell on a unix domain socket in
1215 /tmp/debug<pid>.sock, you could use this:
1216
1217 PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL=/tmp/debug\$\$.sock perlprog
1218
1219 Note that creating sockets in /tmp is very unsafe on multiuser
1220 systems.
1221
1222 "PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP"
1223 Can be set to 0, 1 or 2 and enables wrapping of all watchers for
1224 debugging purposes. See "AnyEvent::Debug::wrap" for details.
918 1225
919 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL" 1226 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL"
920 This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, 1227 This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent,
921 before auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string 1228 before auto detection and -probing kicks in.
922 consisting entirely of ASCII letters. The string "AnyEvent::Impl::" 1229
923 gets prepended and the resulting module name is loaded and if the 1230 It normally is a string consisting entirely of ASCII letters (e.g.
924 load was successful, used as event model. If it fails to load 1231 "EV" or "IOAsync"). The string "AnyEvent::Impl::" gets prepended and
1232 the resulting module name is loaded and - if the load was successful
1233 - used as event model backend. If it fails to load then AnyEvent
925 AnyEvent will proceed with auto detection and -probing. 1234 will proceed with auto detection and -probing.
926 1235
927 This functionality might change in future versions. 1236 If the string ends with "::" instead (e.g. "AnyEvent::Impl::EV::")
1237 then nothing gets prepended and the module name is used as-is (hint:
1238 "::" at the end of a string designates a module name and quotes it
1239 appropriately).
928 1240
929 For example, to force the pure perl model (AnyEvent::Impl::Perl) you 1241 For example, to force the pure perl model (AnyEvent::Loop::Perl) you
930 could start your program like this: 1242 could start your program like this:
931 1243
932 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ... 1244 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
933 1245
934 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS" 1246 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS"
963 EDNS0 in its DNS requests. 1275 EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
964 1276
965 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS" 1277 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS"
966 The maximum number of child processes that 1278 The maximum number of child processes that
967 "AnyEvent::Util::fork_call" will create in parallel. 1279 "AnyEvent::Util::fork_call" will create in parallel.
1280
1281 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS"
1282 The default value for the "max_outstanding" parameter for the
1283 default DNS resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS
1284 requests that are sent to the DNS server.
1285
1286 "PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF"
1287 The file to use instead of /etc/resolv.conf (or OS-specific
1288 configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty
1289 string, no default config will be used.
1290
1291 "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE", "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH".
1292 When neither "ca_file" nor "ca_path" was specified during
1293 AnyEvent::TLS context creation, and either of these environment
1294 variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate
1295 locations instead of a system-dependent default.
1296
1297 "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD" and "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT"
1298 When these are set to 1, then the respective modules are not loaded.
1299 Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
968 1300
969SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1301SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
970 This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent 1302 This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent
971 in a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want 1303 in a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want
972 to provide AnyEvent compatibility. 1304 to provide AnyEvent compatibility.
1027 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1359 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1028 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1360 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1029 }, 1361 },
1030 ); 1362 );
1031 1363
1032 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1033
1034 sub new_timer {
1035 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 1364 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1036 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 1365 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1037 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1038 });
1039 } 1366 });
1040
1041 new_timer; # create first timer
1042 1367
1043 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1368 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1044 1369
1045REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1370REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1046 Consider the Net::FCP module. It features (among others) the following 1371 Consider the Net::FCP module. It features (among others) the following
1118 1443
1119 The actual code goes further and collects all errors ("die"s, 1444 The actual code goes further and collects all errors ("die"s,
1120 exceptions) that occurred during request processing. The "result" method 1445 exceptions) that occurred during request processing. The "result" method
1121 detects whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn 1446 detects whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn
1122 object) and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and 1447 object) and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and
1123 other problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, 1448 other problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result,
1124 not in a random callback. 1449 not in a random callback.
1125 1450
1126 All of this enables the following usage styles: 1451 All of this enables the following usage styles:
1127 1452
1128 1. Blocking: 1453 1. Blocking:
1173 through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 1498 through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1174 timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 1499 timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1175 which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 1500 which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1176 1501
1177 Source code for this benchmark is found as eg/bench in the AnyEvent 1502 Source code for this benchmark is found as eg/bench in the AnyEvent
1178 distribution. 1503 distribution. It uses the AE interface, which makes a real difference
1504 for the EV and Perl backends only.
1179 1505
1180 Explanation of the columns 1506 Explanation of the columns
1181 *watcher* is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 1507 *watcher* is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1182 different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 1508 different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1183 loop was given a number of watchers so that overall runtime is 1509 loop was given a number of watchers so that overall runtime is
1202 *destroy* is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a 1528 *destroy* is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a
1203 single watcher. 1529 single watcher.
1204 1530
1205 Results 1531 Results
1206 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 1532 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1207 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface 1533 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1208 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 1534 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1209 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 1535 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1210 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 1536 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1211 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 1537 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1212 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 1538 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1539 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
1540 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1213 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 1541 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1214 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 1542 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1215 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 1543 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1216 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 1544 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1217 1545
1218 Discussion 1546 Discussion
1219 The benchmark does *not* measure scalability of the event loop very 1547 The benchmark does *not* measure scalability of the event loop very
1220 well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 1548 well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1221 can never compete with an event loop that uses epoll when the number of 1549 can never compete with an event loop that uses epoll when the number of
1232 benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 1560 benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1233 EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 1561 EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000
1234 CPU cycles with POE. 1562 CPU cycles with POE.
1235 1563
1236 "EV" is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 1564 "EV" is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1237 maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 1565 maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the AE API there is zero
1566 overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
1567 slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1238 far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 1568 any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1239 natively.
1240 1569
1241 The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 1570 The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1242 constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the 1571 constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the
1243 perl interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that 1572 perl interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that
1244 it adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend 1573 it adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend
1246 few of them active), of course, but this was not subject of this 1575 few of them active), of course, but this was not subject of this
1247 benchmark. 1576 benchmark.
1248 1577
1249 The "Event" module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 1578 The "Event" module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1250 cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 1579 cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
1580
1581 "IO::Async" performs admirably well, about on par with "Event", even
1582 when using its pure perl backend.
1251 1583
1252 "Glib"'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a faster 1584 "Glib"'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a faster
1253 callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as "Event". 1585 callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as "Event".
1254 However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of watchers 1586 However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of watchers
1255 increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, making it 1587 increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, making it
1287 when used without AnyEvent), but most event loops have acceptable 1619 when used without AnyEvent), but most event loops have acceptable
1288 performance with or without AnyEvent. 1620 performance with or without AnyEvent.
1289 1621
1290 * The overhead AnyEvent adds is usually much smaller than the overhead 1622 * The overhead AnyEvent adds is usually much smaller than the overhead
1291 of the actual event loop, only with extremely fast event loops such 1623 of the actual event loop, only with extremely fast event loops such
1292 as EV adds AnyEvent significant overhead. 1624 as EV does AnyEvent add significant overhead.
1293 1625
1294 * You should avoid POE like the plague if you want performance or 1626 * You should avoid POE like the plague if you want performance or
1295 reasonable memory usage. 1627 reasonable memory usage.
1296 1628
1297 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 1629 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1311 In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 1643 In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which
1312 100 (1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with 1644 100 (1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with
1313 many connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 1645 many connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1314 1646
1315 Source code for this benchmark is found as eg/bench2 in the AnyEvent 1647 Source code for this benchmark is found as eg/bench2 in the AnyEvent
1316 distribution. 1648 distribution. It uses the AE interface, which makes a real difference
1649 for the EV and Perl backends only.
1317 1650
1318 Explanation of the columns 1651 Explanation of the columns
1319 *sockets* is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" 1652 *sockets* is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers"
1320 (as each server has a read and write socket end). 1653 (as each server has a read and write socket end).
1321 1654
1326 single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and 1659 single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and
1327 forwarding it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout 1660 forwarding it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout
1328 and creating a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 1661 and creating a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1329 1662
1330 Results 1663 Results
1331 name sockets create request 1664 name sockets create request
1332 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 1665 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1333 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 1666 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1334 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 1667 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1335 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 1668 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
1669 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
1670 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1336 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 1671 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1337 1672
1338 Discussion 1673 Discussion
1339 This benchmark *does* measure scalability and overall performance of the 1674 This benchmark *does* measure scalability and overall performance of the
1340 particular event loop. 1675 particular event loop.
1341 1676
1342 EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup 1677 EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup
1343 time is relatively high, though. 1678 time is relatively high, though.
1344 1679
1345 Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 1680 Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1346 loops Event and Glib. 1681 loops Event and Glib.
1682
1683 IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still
1684 quite good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1347 1685
1348 Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you 1686 Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you
1349 will understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead 1687 will understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead
1350 compared to the "$_->() for .."-style loop that the Perl event loop 1688 compared to the "$_->() for .."-style loop that the Perl event loop
1351 uses. Event uses select or poll in basically all documented 1689 uses. Event uses select or poll in basically all documented
1407 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK 1745 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
1408 Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which 1746 Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
1409 could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the 1747 could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the
1410 benchmark simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks 1748 benchmark simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks
1411 better (which shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the 1749 better (which shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the
1412 benchmark is fine, and shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda 1750 benchmark is fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from
1413 isn't very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the 1751 IO::Lambda isn't very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used
1414 extra baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for 1752 without the extra baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent
1415 AnyEvent. 1753 benchmark for AnyEvent.
1416 1754
1417 The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times, 1755 The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
1418 connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then 1756 connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
1419 creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it 1757 creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it
1420 doesn't test the efficiency of the framework, but it is a benchmark 1758 doesn't test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O,
1421 nevertheless. 1759 but it is a benchmark nevertheless.
1422 1760
1423 name runtime 1761 name runtime
1424 Lambda/select 0.330 sec 1762 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
1425 + optimized 0.122 sec 1763 + optimized 0.122 sec
1426 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec 1764 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
1432 1770
1433 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec 1771 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
1434 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec 1772 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
1435 +state machine 0.134 sec 1773 +state machine 0.134 sec
1436 1774
1437 The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault) - the IO::Lambda 1775 The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
1438 benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O, 1776 benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
1439 defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly 1777 defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
1440 written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using 1778 written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
1441 AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS 1779 AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
1442 resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here as non-blocking 1780 resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking
1443 connects generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling 1781 connects generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling
1444 than blocking connects (which involve a single syscall only). 1782 than blocking connects (which involve a single syscall only).
1445 1783
1446 The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses AnyEvent::Handle, which 1784 The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses AnyEvent::Handle, which
1447 offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda (using 1785 offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using
1448 conventional Perl syntax), which means both the echo server and the 1786 conventional Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the
1449 client are 100% non-blocking w.r.t. I/O, further placing it at a 1787 client are 100% non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
1450 disadvantage.
1451 1788
1452 As you can see, AnyEvent + EV even beats the hand-optimised "raw sockets 1789 As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
1453 benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl backend easily beats 1790 hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
1454 IO::Lambda and POE. 1791 backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
1455 1792
1456 And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and 1793 And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
1457 slow :) AnyEvent::Handle abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda, even 1794 slow :) AnyEvent::Handle abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
1795 higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
1458 thought it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking 1796 it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
1459 way.
1460 1797
1461 The two AnyEvent benchmarks can be found as eg/ae0.pl and eg/ae2.pl in 1798 The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as eg/ae0.pl and
1462 the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are part of the 1799 eg/ae2.pl in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
1463 IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes. 1800 part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
1464 1801
1465SIGNALS 1802SIGNALS
1466 AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 1803 AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1467 1804
1468 SIGCHLD 1805 SIGCHLD
1469 A handler for "SIGCHLD" is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher 1806 A handler for "SIGCHLD" is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1470 emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, 1807 emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also,
1471 some event loops install a similar handler. 1808 some event loops install a similar handler.
1809
1810 Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE,
1811 then AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit
1812 statuses.
1472 1813
1473 SIGPIPE 1814 SIGPIPE
1474 A no-op handler is installed for "SIGPIPE" when $SIG{PIPE} is 1815 A no-op handler is installed for "SIGPIPE" when $SIG{PIPE} is
1475 "undef" when AnyEvent gets loaded. 1816 "undef" when AnyEvent gets loaded.
1476 1817
1484 it is that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on 1825 it is that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on
1485 exec. 1826 exec.
1486 1827
1487 Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults. 1828 Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
1488 1829
1830RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
1831 One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
1832 its built-in modules) are required to use it.
1833
1834 That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
1835 modules if they are installed.
1836
1837 This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how
1838 they affect AnyEvent's operation.
1839
1840 Async::Interrupt
1841 This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal
1842 handling: To my knowledge, there is no way to do completely
1843 race-free and quick signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that
1844 signals still get delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer
1845 to wake up perl (and catch the signals) with some delay (default is
1846 10 seconds, look for $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY).
1847
1848 If this module is available, then it will be used to implement
1849 signal catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and
1850 the event loop will not be interrupted regularly, which is more
1851 efficient (and good for battery life on laptops).
1852
1853 This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event
1854 loops that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
1855
1856 Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers
1857 natively, and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use
1858 AnyEvent's workaround (using $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY).
1859 Installing Async::Interrupt does nothing for those backends.
1860
1861 EV This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the
1862 backend event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the
1863 best event loop available in terms of features, speed and stability:
1864 It supports the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher
1865 types in XS, does automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic
1866 clock is available, can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces
1867 such as "epoll" and "kqueue", and is the fastest backend *by far*.
1868 You can even embed Glib/Gtk2 in it (or vice versa, see EV::Glib and
1869 Glib::EV).
1870
1871 If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g.
1872 "Tk"), then this module will do nothing for you.
1873
1874 Guard
1875 The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
1876 "AnyEvent::Util::guard". This speeds up guards considerably (and
1877 uses a lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard
1878 operation much. It is purely used for performance.
1879
1880 JSON and JSON::XS
1881 One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON
1882 data via AnyEvent::Handle. JSON is also written in pure-perl, but
1883 can take advantage of the ultra-high-speed JSON::XS module when it
1884 is installed.
1885
1886 Net::SSLeay
1887 Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
1888 worthwhile: If this module is installed, then AnyEvent::Handle (with
1889 the help of AnyEvent::TLS), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
1890
1891 Time::HiRes
1892 This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used
1893 when the chosen event library does not come with a timing source of
1894 its own. The pure-perl event loop (AnyEvent::Loop) will additionally
1895 load it to try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
1896
1489FORK 1897FORK
1490 Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 1898 Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1491 because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe "select" or "poll" calls. 1899 because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe "select" or "poll" calls
1492 Only EV is fully fork-aware. 1900 - higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux
1901 epoll are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with
1902 fork in one way or another. Only EV is fully fork-aware and ensures that
1903 you continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you
1904 know what you are doing).
1905
1906 This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
1907 the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
1908 usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the
1909 library is loaded).
1493 1910
1494 If you have to fork, you must either do so *before* creating your first 1911 If you have to fork, you must either do so *before* creating your first
1495 watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 1912 watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
1913 something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1914
1915 The problem of doing event processing in the parent *and* the child is
1916 much more complicated: even for backends that *are* fork-aware or
1917 fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
1918 watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
1919 parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing "exec" to
1920 start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
1921 preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of
1922 having to have another binary.
1496 1923
1497SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 1924SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1498 AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 1925 AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1499 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}. While this cannot (to my knowledge) be used 1926 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}. While this cannot (to my knowledge) be used
1500 to execute arbitrary code or directly gain access, it can easily be used 1927 to execute arbitrary code or directly gain access, it can easily be used
1512 Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 1939 Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1513 be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which 1940 be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which
1514 is probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), 1941 is probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL),
1515 and $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}. 1942 and $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
1516 1943
1944 Note that AnyEvent will remove *all* environment variables starting with
1945 "PERL_ANYEVENT_" from %ENV when it is loaded while taint mode is
1946 enabled.
1947
1517BUGS 1948BUGS
1518 Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are 1949 Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are
1519 hard to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 1950 hard to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl
1520 5.10 and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other 1951 5.10 and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other
1521 annoying memleaks, such as leaking on "map" and "grep" but it is usually 1952 annoying memleaks, such as leaking on "map" and "grep" but it is usually
1522 not as pronounced). 1953 not as pronounced).
1523 1954
1524SEE ALSO 1955SEE ALSO
1525 Utility functions: AnyEvent::Util. 1956 Tutorial/Introduction: AnyEvent::Intro.
1526 1957
1527 Event modules: EV, EV::Glib, Glib::EV, Event, Glib::Event, Glib, Tk, 1958 FAQ: AnyEvent::FAQ.
1528 Event::Lib, Qt, POE. 1959
1960 Utility functions: AnyEvent::Util (misc. grab-bag), AnyEvent::Log
1961 (simply logging).
1962
1963 Development/Debugging: AnyEvent::Strict (stricter checking),
1964 AnyEvent::Debug (interactive shell, watcher tracing).
1965
1966 Supported event modules: AnyEvent::Loop, EV, EV::Glib, Glib::EV, Event,
1967 Glib::Event, Glib, Tk, Event::Lib, Qt, POE, FLTK.
1529 1968
1530 Implementations: AnyEvent::Impl::EV, AnyEvent::Impl::Event, 1969 Implementations: AnyEvent::Impl::EV, AnyEvent::Impl::Event,
1531 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib, AnyEvent::Impl::Tk, AnyEvent::Impl::Perl, 1970 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib, AnyEvent::Impl::Tk, AnyEvent::Impl::Perl,
1532 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib, AnyEvent::Impl::Qt, AnyEvent::Impl::POE. 1971 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib, AnyEvent::Impl::Qt, AnyEvent::Impl::POE,
1972 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync, Anyevent::Impl::Irssi, AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK.
1533 1973
1534 Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and servers: 1974 Non-blocking handles, pipes, stream sockets, TCP clients and servers:
1535 AnyEvent::Handle, AnyEvent::Socket. 1975 AnyEvent::Handle, AnyEvent::Socket, AnyEvent::TLS.
1536 1976
1537 Asynchronous DNS: AnyEvent::DNS. 1977 Asynchronous DNS: AnyEvent::DNS.
1538 1978
1539 Coroutine support: Coro, Coro::AnyEvent, Coro::EV, Coro::Event, 1979 Thread support: Coro, Coro::AnyEvent, Coro::EV, Coro::Event.
1540 1980
1541 Nontrivial usage examples: Net::FCP, Net::XMPP2, AnyEvent::DNS. 1981 Nontrivial usage examples: AnyEvent::GPSD, AnyEvent::IRC,
1982 AnyEvent::HTTP.
1542 1983
1543AUTHOR 1984AUTHOR
1544 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1985 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1545 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1986 http://home.schmorp.de/
1546 1987

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