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Revision 1.66 by root, Sun Aug 21 03:02:32 2011 UTC vs.
Revision 1.75 by root, Thu Jul 16 12:48:38 2015 UTC

1NAME 1NAME
2 AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming 2 AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
3 3
4 EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, 4 EV, Event, Glib, Tk, UV, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode,
5 Qt, FLTK and POE are various supported event loops/environments. 5 IO::Async, Qt, FLTK and POE are various supported event
6 loops/environments.
6 7
7SYNOPSIS 8SYNOPSIS
8 use AnyEvent; 9 use AnyEvent;
9 10
10 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for 11 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
262 263
263 Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second. 264 Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
264 265
265 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub { 266 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
266 warn "timeout\n"; 267 warn "timeout\n";
267 }; 268 });
268 269
269 TIMING ISSUES 270 TIMING ISSUES
270 There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 271 There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
271 in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 272 in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
272 o'clock"). 273 o'clock").
403 will not restart syscalls (that includes Async::Interrupt and AnyEvent's 404 will not restart syscalls (that includes Async::Interrupt and AnyEvent's
404 pure perl implementation). 405 pure perl implementation).
405 406
406 Safe/Unsafe Signals 407 Safe/Unsafe Signals
407 Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or 408 Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
408 "unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the 409 "unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might delay signal delivery
409 latter might corrupt your memory. 410 indefinitely, the latter might corrupt your memory.
410 411
411 AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event 412 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 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 only be called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer,
414 I/O etc. callbacks, too). 415 I/O etc. callbacks, too).
416 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds 417 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
417 Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching 418 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 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 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 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 will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is 10
422 in $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY (default: 10 seconds). This variable 423 seconds by default, but can be overriden via
423 can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created, and 424 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY} or $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY
424 should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often 425 - see the "ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES" section for details.
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.
428 426
429 All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional 427 All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
430 Async::Interrupt module, which works with most event loops. It will not 428 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 429 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. 430 not with POE currently). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
434 431
435 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 432 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
436 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>); 433 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
437 434
438 You can also watch for a child process exit and catch its exit status. 435 You can also watch for a child process exit and catch its exit status.
473 470
474 Example: fork a process and wait for it 471 Example: fork a process and wait for it
475 472
476 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 473 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
477 474
475 # this forks and immediately calls exit in the child. this
476 # normally has all sorts of bad consequences for your parent,
477 # so take this as an example only. always fork and exec,
478 # or call POSIX::_exit, in real code.
478 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 479 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
479 480
480 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 481 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
481 pid => $pid, 482 pid => $pid,
482 cb => sub { 483 cb => sub {
722 This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), 723 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 there is one call to "begin", so the condvar waits for all calls to
724 "end" before sending. 725 "end" before sending.
725 726
726 The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as 727 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 the there are results to be passed back, and the number of tasks
728 that are begun can potentially be zero: 729 that are begun can potentially be zero:
729 730
730 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 731 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
731 732
732 my %result; 733 my %result;
740 }; 741 };
741 } 742 }
742 743
743 $cv->end; 744 $cv->end;
744 745
746 ...
747
748 my $results = $cv->recv;
749
745 This code fragment supposedly pings a number of hosts and calls 750 This code fragment supposedly pings a number of hosts and calls
746 "send" after results for all then have have been gathered - in any 751 "send" after results for all then have have been gathered - in any
747 order. To achieve this, the code issues a call to "begin" when it 752 order. To achieve this, the code issues a call to "begin" when it
748 starts each ping request and calls "end" when it has received some 753 starts each ping request and calls "end" when it has received some
749 result for it. Since "begin" and "end" only maintain a counter, the 754 result for it. Since "begin" and "end" only maintain a counter, the
778 In list context, all parameters passed to "send" will be returned, 783 In list context, all parameters passed to "send" will be returned,
779 in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 784 in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
780 785
781 Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by 786 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" 787 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 788 is not allowed and the "recv" call will "croak" if such a condition
784 is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using 789 is detected. This requirement can be dropped by relying on
785 Coro::AnyEvent, which allows you to do a blocking "->recv" from any 790 Coro::AnyEvent , which allows you to do a blocking "->recv" from any
786 thread that doesn't run the event loop itself. 791 thread that doesn't run the event loop itself. Coro::AnyEvent is
792 loaded automatically when Coro is used with AnyEvent, so code does
793 not need to do anything special to take advantage of that: any code
794 that would normally block your program because it calls "recv", be
795 executed in an "async" thread instead without blocking other
796 threads.
787 797
788 Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 798 Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
789 (programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so *if you are 799 (programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so *if you are
790 using this from a module, never require a blocking wait*. Instead, 800 using this from a module, never require a blocking wait*. Instead,
791 let the caller decide whether the call will block or not (for 801 let the caller decide whether the call will block or not (for
834 by the main program. 844 by the main program.
835 845
836 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches. 846 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
837 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable. 847 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
838 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken. 848 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
849 AnyEvent::Impl::UV based on UV, innovated square wheels.
839 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse. 850 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
840 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations. 851 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
841 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi. 852 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
842 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async. 853 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async.
843 AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa based on Cocoa::EventLoop. 854 AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa based on Cocoa::EventLoop.
844 AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK2 based on FLTK (fltk 2 binding). 855 AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK based on FLTK (fltk 2 binding).
845 856
846 Backends with special needs. 857 Backends with special needs.
847 Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will 858 Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
848 otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program 859 otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
849 instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are 860 instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are
975 To understand the usefulness of this function, consider a function 986 To understand the usefulness of this function, consider a function
976 that asynchronously does something for you and returns some 987 that asynchronously does something for you and returns some
977 transaction object or guard to let you cancel the operation. For 988 transaction object or guard to let you cancel the operation. For
978 example, "AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect": 989 example, "AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect":
979 990
980 # start a conenction attempt unless one is active 991 # start a connection attempt unless one is active
981 $self->{connect_guard} ||= AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect "www.example.net", 80, sub { 992 $self->{connect_guard} ||= AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect "www.example.net", 80, sub {
982 delete $self->{connect_guard}; 993 delete $self->{connect_guard};
983 ... 994 ...
984 }; 995 };
985 996
1005 if $some_error_condition; 1016 if $some_error_condition;
1006 1017
1007 AnyEvent::log $level, $msg[, @args] 1018 AnyEvent::log $level, $msg[, @args]
1008 Log the given $msg at the given $level. 1019 Log the given $msg at the given $level.
1009 1020
1021 If AnyEvent::Log is not loaded then this function makes a simple
1022 test to see whether the message will be logged. If the test succeeds
1010 Loads AnyEvent::Log on first use and calls "AnyEvent::Log::log" - 1023 it will load AnyEvent::Log and call "AnyEvent::Log::log" -
1011 consequently, look at the AnyEvent::Log documentation for details. 1024 consequently, look at the AnyEvent::Log documentation for details.
1025
1026 If the test fails it will simply return. Right now this happens when
1027 a numerical loglevel is used and it is larger than the level
1028 specified via $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}.
1012 1029
1013 If you want to sprinkle loads of logging calls around your code, 1030 If you want to sprinkle loads of logging calls around your code,
1014 consider creating a logger callback with the "AnyEvent::Log::logger" 1031 consider creating a logger callback with the "AnyEvent::Log::logger"
1015 function. 1032 function, which can reduce typing, codesize and can reduce the
1033 logging overhead enourmously.
1034
1035 AnyEvent::fh_block $filehandle
1036 AnyEvent::fh_unblock $filehandle
1037 Sets blocking or non-blocking behaviour for the given filehandle.
1016 1038
1017WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1039WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
1018 As a module author, you should "use AnyEvent" and call AnyEvent methods 1040 As a module author, you should "use AnyEvent" and call AnyEvent methods
1019 freely, but you should not load a specific event module or rely on it. 1041 freely, but you should not load a specific event module or rely on it.
1020 1042
1079 modules come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN (see 1101 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 1102 <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 1103 non-exhaustive list), and the list is heavily biased towards modules of
1082 the AnyEvent author himself :) 1104 the AnyEvent author himself :)
1083 1105
1084 AnyEvent::Util 1106 AnyEvent::Util (part of the AnyEvent distribution)
1085 Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking 1107 Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
1086 functions such as "inet_aton" with event/callback-based versions. 1108 functions such as "inet_aton" with event/callback-based versions.
1087 1109
1088 AnyEvent::Socket 1110 AnyEvent::Socket (part of the AnyEvent distribution)
1089 Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1111 Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
1090 addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking 1112 addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking
1091 tcp connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and 1113 tcp connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and
1092 more. 1114 more.
1093 1115
1094 AnyEvent::Handle 1116 AnyEvent::Handle (part of the AnyEvent distribution)
1095 Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and 1117 Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and
1096 writes, supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully 1118 writes, supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully
1097 transparent and non-blocking SSL/TLS (via AnyEvent::TLS). 1119 transparent and non-blocking SSL/TLS (via AnyEvent::TLS).
1098 1120
1099 AnyEvent::DNS 1121 AnyEvent::DNS (part of the AnyEvent distribution)
1100 Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1122 Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
1101 1123
1102 AnyEvent::HTTP, AnyEvent::IRC, AnyEvent::XMPP, AnyEvent::GPSD, 1124 AnyEvent::HTTP, AnyEvent::IRC, AnyEvent::XMPP, AnyEvent::GPSD,
1103 AnyEvent::IGS, AnyEvent::FCP 1125 AnyEvent::IGS, AnyEvent::FCP
1104 Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name 1126 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 1127 (for the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the
1106 Freenet Client Protocol). 1128 Freenet Client Protocol).
1107 1129
1108 AnyEvent::Handle::UDP 1130 AnyEvent::AIO (part of the AnyEvent distribution)
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
1125 AnyEvent::DBI
1126 Executes DBI requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
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 Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in
1131 the toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently 1132 the toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently
1132 fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to 1133 fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to
1133 event-based file I/O, and much more. 1134 event-based file I/O, and much more.
1134 1135
1136 AnyEvent::Fork, AnyEvent::Fork::RPC, AnyEvent::Fork::Pool,
1137 AnyEvent::Fork::Remote
1138 These let you safely fork new subprocesses, either locally or
1139 remotely (e.g.v ia ssh), using some RPC protocol or not, without the
1140 limitations normally imposed by fork (AnyEvent works fine for
1141 example). Dynamically-resized worker pools are obviously included as
1142 well.
1143
1144 And they are quite tiny and fast as well - "abusing" AnyEvent::Fork
1145 just to exec external programs can easily beat using "fork" and
1146 "exec" (or even "system") in most programs.
1147
1148 AnyEvent::Filesys::Notify
1149 AnyEvent is good for non-blocking stuff, but it can't detect file or
1150 path changes (e.g. "watch this directory for new files", "watch this
1151 file for changes"). The AnyEvent::Filesys::Notify module promises to
1152 do just that in a portbale fashion, supporting inotify on GNU/Linux
1153 and some weird, without doubt broken, stuff on OS X to monitor
1154 files. It can fall back to blocking scans at regular intervals
1155 transparently on other platforms, so it's about as portable as it
1156 gets.
1157
1158 (I haven't used it myself, but it seems the biggest problem with it
1159 is it quite bad performance).
1160
1135 AnyEvent::HTTPD 1161 AnyEvent::DBI
1136 A simple embedded webserver. 1162 Executes DBI requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
1163 notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1137 1164
1138 AnyEvent::FastPing 1165 AnyEvent::FastPing
1139 The fastest ping in the west. 1166 The fastest ping in the west.
1140 1167
1141 Coro 1168 Coro
1142 Has special support for AnyEvent via Coro::AnyEvent. 1169 Has special support for AnyEvent via Coro::AnyEvent, which allows
1170 you to simply invert the flow control - don't call us, we will call
1171 you:
1172
1173 async {
1174 Coro::AnyEvent::sleep 5; # creates a 5s timer and waits for it
1175 print "5 seconds later!\n";
1176
1177 Coro::AnyEvent::readable *STDIN; # uses an I/O watcher
1178 my $line = <STDIN>; # works for ttys
1179
1180 AnyEvent::HTTP::http_get "url", Coro::rouse_cb;
1181 my ($body, $hdr) = Coro::rouse_wait;
1182 };
1143 1183
1144SIMPLIFIED AE API 1184SIMPLIFIED AE API
1145 Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much 1185 Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1146 simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory 1186 simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1147 overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters. 1187 overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1163 The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually within 1203 The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually within
1164 "condvar->recv"), the Event and EV modules call "$Event/EV::DIED->()", 1204 "condvar->recv"), the Event and EV modules call "$Event/EV::DIED->()",
1165 Glib uses "install_exception_handler" and so on. 1205 Glib uses "install_exception_handler" and so on.
1166 1206
1167ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 1207ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1168 The following environment variables are used by this module or its 1208 AnyEvent supports a number of environment variables that tune the
1169 submodules. 1209 runtime behaviour. They are usually evaluated when AnyEvent is loaded,
1210 initialised, or a submodule that uses them is loaded. Many of them also
1211 cause AnyEvent to load additional modules - for example,
1212 "PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP" causes the AnyEvent::Debug module to be
1213 loaded.
1170 1214
1171 Note that AnyEvent will remove *all* environment variables starting with 1215 All the environment variables documented here start with
1172 "PERL_ANYEVENT_" from %ENV when it is loaded while taint mode is 1216 "PERL_ANYEVENT_", which is what AnyEvent considers its own namespace.
1173 enabled. 1217 Other modules are encouraged (but by no means required) to use
1218 "PERL_ANYEVENT_SUBMODULE" if they have registered the
1219 AnyEvent::Submodule namespace on CPAN, for any submodule. For example,
1220 AnyEvent::HTTP could be expected to use "PERL_ANYEVENT_HTTP_PROXY" (it
1221 should not access env variables starting with "AE_", see below).
1222
1223 All variables can also be set via the "AE_" prefix, that is, instead of
1224 setting "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE" you can also set "AE_VERBOSE". In case
1225 there is a clash btween anyevent and another program that uses
1226 "AE_something" you can set the corresponding "PERL_ANYEVENT_something"
1227 variable to the empty string, as those variables take precedence.
1228
1229 When AnyEvent is first loaded, it copies all "AE_xxx" env variables to
1230 their "PERL_ANYEVENT_xxx" counterpart unless that variable already
1231 exists. If taint mode is on, then AnyEvent will remove *all* environment
1232 variables starting with "PERL_ANYEVENT_" from %ENV (or replace them with
1233 "undef" or the empty string, if the corresaponding "AE_" variable is
1234 set).
1235
1236 The exact algorithm is currently:
1237
1238 1. if taint mode enabled, delete all PERL_ANYEVENT_xyz variables from %ENV
1239 2. copy over AE_xyz to PERL_ANYEVENT_xyz unless the latter alraedy exists
1240 3. if taint mode enabled, set all PERL_ANYEVENT_xyz variables to undef.
1241
1242 This ensures that child processes will not see the "AE_" variables.
1243
1244 The following environment variables are currently known to AnyEvent:
1174 1245
1175 "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE" 1246 "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE"
1176 By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal 1247 By default, AnyEvent will log messages with loglevel 4 ("error") or
1177 conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent 1248 higher (see AnyEvent::Log). You can set this environment variable to
1178 more talkative. 1249 a numerical loglevel to make AnyEvent more (or less) talkative.
1179 1250
1251 If you want to do more than just set the global logging level you
1252 should have a look at "PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG", which allows much more
1253 complex specifications.
1254
1255 When set to 0 ("off"), then no messages whatsoever will be logged
1256 with everything else at defaults.
1257
1180 When set to 5 or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected 1258 When set to 5 or higher ("warn"), AnyEvent warns about unexpected
1181 conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified 1259 conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified
1182 by "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL". 1260 by "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL", or a guard callback throwing an exception
1261 - this is the minimum recommended level for use during development.
1183 1262
1184 When set to 7 or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which 1263 When set to 7 or higher (info), AnyEvent reports which event model
1185 event model it chooses. 1264 it chooses.
1186 1265
1187 When set to 8 or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information 1266 When set to 8 or higher (debug), then AnyEvent will report extra
1188 on which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain 1267 information on which optional modules it loads and how it implements
1189 features. 1268 certain features.
1269
1270 "PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG"
1271 Accepts rather complex logging specifications. For example, you
1272 could log all "debug" messages of some module to stderr, warnings
1273 and above to stderr, and errors and above to syslog, with:
1274
1275 PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG=Some::Module=debug,+log:filter=warn,+%syslog:%syslog=error,syslog
1276
1277 For the rather extensive details, see AnyEvent::Log.
1278
1279 This variable is evaluated when AnyEvent (or AnyEvent::Log) is
1280 loaded, so will take effect even before AnyEvent has initialised
1281 itself.
1282
1283 Note that specifying this environment variable causes the
1284 AnyEvent::Log module to be loaded, while "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE"
1285 does not, so only using the latter saves a few hundred kB of memory
1286 unless a module explicitly needs the extra features of
1287 AnyEvent::Log.
1190 1288
1191 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT" 1289 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT"
1192 AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1290 AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1193 argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true 1291 argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true
1194 value will cause AnyEvent to load "AnyEvent::Strict" and then to 1292 value will cause AnyEvent to load "AnyEvent::Strict" and then to
1201 is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping 1299 is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1202 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1" in your environment while developing 1300 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1" in your environment while developing
1203 programs can be very useful, however. 1301 programs can be very useful, however.
1204 1302
1205 "PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL" 1303 "PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL"
1206 If this env variable is set, then its contents will be interpreted 1304 If this env variable is nonempty, then its contents will be
1207 by "AnyEvent::Socket::parse_hostport" (after replacing every 1305 interpreted by "AnyEvent::Socket::parse_hostport" and
1208 occurance of $$ by the process pid) and an "AnyEvent::Debug::shell" 1306 "AnyEvent::Debug::shell" (after replacing every occurance of $$ by
1209 is bound on that port. The shell object is saved in 1307 the process pid). The shell object is saved in
1210 $AnyEvent::Debug::SHELL. 1308 $AnyEvent::Debug::SHELL.
1211 1309
1212 This takes place when the first watcher is created. 1310 This happens when the first watcher is created.
1213 1311
1214 For example, to bind a debug shell on a unix domain socket in 1312 For example, to bind a debug shell on a unix domain socket in
1215 /tmp/debug<pid>.sock, you could use this: 1313 /tmp/debug<pid>.sock, you could use this:
1216 1314
1217 PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL=/tmp/debug\$\$.sock perlprog 1315 PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL=/tmp/debug\$\$.sock perlprog
1316 # connect with e.g.: socat readline /tmp/debug123.sock
1218 1317
1318 Or to bind to tcp port 4545 on localhost:
1319
1320 PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL=127.0.0.1:4545 perlprog
1321 # connect with e.g.: telnet localhost 4545
1322
1219 Note that creating sockets in /tmp is very unsafe on multiuser 1323 Note that creating sockets in /tmp or on localhost is very unsafe on
1220 systems. 1324 multiuser systems.
1221 1325
1222 "PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP" 1326 "PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP"
1223 Can be set to 0, 1 or 2 and enables wrapping of all watchers for 1327 Can be set to 0, 1 or 2 and enables wrapping of all watchers for
1224 debugging purposes. See "AnyEvent::Debug::wrap" for details. 1328 debugging purposes. See "AnyEvent::Debug::wrap" for details.
1225 1329
1241 For example, to force the pure perl model (AnyEvent::Loop::Perl) you 1345 For example, to force the pure perl model (AnyEvent::Loop::Perl) you
1242 could start your program like this: 1346 could start your program like this:
1243 1347
1244 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ... 1348 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1245 1349
1350 "PERL_ANYEVENT_IO_MODEL"
1351 The current file I/O model - see AnyEvent::IO for more info.
1352
1353 At the moment, only "Perl" (small, pure-perl, synchronous) and
1354 "IOAIO" (truly asynchronous) are supported. The default is "IOAIO"
1355 if AnyEvent::AIO can be loaded, otherwise it is "Perl".
1356
1246 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS" 1357 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS"
1247 Used by both AnyEvent::DNS and AnyEvent::Socket to determine 1358 Used by both AnyEvent::DNS and AnyEvent::Socket to determine
1248 preferences for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might 1359 preferences for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might
1249 change, or be the result of auto probing). 1360 change, or be the result of auto probing).
1250 1361
1253 mentioned will be used, and preference will be given to protocols 1364 mentioned will be used, and preference will be given to protocols
1254 mentioned earlier in the list. 1365 mentioned earlier in the list.
1255 1366
1256 This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks 1367 This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1257 against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is 1368 against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is
1258 likely small, as the program has to handle conenction and other 1369 likely small, as the program has to handle connection and other
1259 failures anyways. 1370 failures anyways.
1260 1371
1261 Examples: "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6" - prefer IPv4 over 1372 Examples: "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6" - prefer IPv4 over
1262 IPv6, but support both and try to use both. 1373 IPv6, but support both and try to use both.
1263 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4" - only support IPv4, never try to 1374 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4" - only support IPv4, never try to
1264 resolve or contact IPv6 addresses. 1375 resolve or contact IPv6 addresses.
1265 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4" support either IPv4 or IPv6, but 1376 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4" support either IPv4 or IPv6, but
1266 prefer IPv6 over IPv4. 1377 prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1267 1378
1379 "PERL_ANYEVENT_HOSTS"
1380 This variable, if specified, overrides the /etc/hosts file used by
1381 AnyEvent::Socket"::resolve_sockaddr", i.e. hosts aliases will be
1382 read from that file instead.
1383
1268 "PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0" 1384 "PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0"
1269 Used by AnyEvent::DNS to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension 1385 Used by AnyEvent::DNS to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1270 for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, 1386 for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic,
1271 but some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it 1387 especially when DNSSEC is involved, but some (broken) firewalls drop
1272 is off by default. 1388 such DNS packets, which is why it is off by default.
1273 1389
1274 Setting this variable to 1 will cause AnyEvent::DNS to announce 1390 Setting this variable to 1 will cause AnyEvent::DNS to announce
1275 EDNS0 in its DNS requests. 1391 EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1276 1392
1277 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS" 1393 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS"
1281 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS" 1397 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS"
1282 The default value for the "max_outstanding" parameter for the 1398 The default value for the "max_outstanding" parameter for the
1283 default DNS resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS 1399 default DNS resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS
1284 requests that are sent to the DNS server. 1400 requests that are sent to the DNS server.
1285 1401
1402 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY"
1403 Perl has inherently racy signal handling (you can basically choose
1404 between losing signals and memory corruption) - pure perl event
1405 loops (including "AnyEvent::Loop", when "Async::Interrupt" isn't
1406 available) therefore have to poll regularly to avoid losing signals.
1407
1408 Some event loops are racy, but don't poll regularly, and some event
1409 loops are written in C but are still racy. For those event loops,
1410 AnyEvent installs a timer that regularly wakes up the event loop.
1411
1412 By default, the interval for this timer is 10 seconds, but you can
1413 override this delay with this environment variable (or by setting
1414 the $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY variable before creating signal
1415 watchers).
1416
1417 Lower values increase CPU (and energy) usage, higher values can
1418 introduce long delays when reaping children or waiting for signals.
1419
1420 The AnyEvent::Async module, if available, will be used to avoid this
1421 polling (with most event loops).
1422
1286 "PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF" 1423 "PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF"
1287 The file to use instead of /etc/resolv.conf (or OS-specific 1424 The absolute path to a resolv.conf-style file to use instead of
1288 configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty 1425 /etc/resolv.conf (or the OS-specific configuration) in the default
1289 string, no default config will be used. 1426 resolver, or the empty string to select the default configuration.
1290 1427
1291 "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE", "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH". 1428 "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE", "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH".
1292 When neither "ca_file" nor "ca_path" was specified during 1429 When neither "ca_file" nor "ca_path" was specified during
1293 AnyEvent::TLS context creation, and either of these environment 1430 AnyEvent::TLS context creation, and either of these environment
1294 variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate 1431 variables are nonempty, they will be used to specify CA certificate
1295 locations instead of a system-dependent default. 1432 locations instead of a system-dependent default.
1296 1433
1297 "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD" and "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT" 1434 "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD" and "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT"
1298 When these are set to 1, then the respective modules are not loaded. 1435 When these are set to 1, then the respective modules are not loaded.
1299 Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself. 1436 Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1892 This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used 2029 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 2030 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 2031 its own. The pure-perl event loop (AnyEvent::Loop) will additionally
1895 load it to try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability. 2032 load it to try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
1896 2033
2034 AnyEvent::AIO (and IO::AIO)
2035 The default implementation of AnyEvent::IO is to do I/O
2036 synchronously, stopping programs while they access the disk, which
2037 is fine for a lot of programs.
2038
2039 Installing AnyEvent::AIO (and its IO::AIO dependency) makes it
2040 switch to a true asynchronous implementation, so event processing
2041 can continue even while waiting for disk I/O.
2042
1897FORK 2043FORK
1898 Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2044 Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1899 because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe "select" or "poll" calls 2045 because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe "select" or "poll" calls
1900 - higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux 2046 - higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux
1901 epoll are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with 2047 epoll are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with
1908 usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the 2054 usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the
1909 library is loaded). 2055 library is loaded).
1910 2056
1911 If you have to fork, you must either do so *before* creating your first 2057 If you have to fork, you must either do so *before* creating your first
1912 watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do 2058 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. 2059 something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent (see below).
1914 2060
1915 The problem of doing event processing in the parent *and* the child is 2061 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 2062 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 2063 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 2064 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 2065 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 2066 start worker children from some kind of manage prrocess is usually
1921 preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of 2067 preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of
1922 having to have another binary. 2068 having to have another binary.
2069
2070 In addition to logical problems with fork, there are also implementation
2071 problems. For example, on POSIX systems, you cannot fork at all in Perl
2072 code if a thread (I am talking of pthreads here) was ever created in the
2073 process, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. In general, using fork
2074 from Perl is difficult, and attempting to use fork without an exec to
2075 implement some kind of parallel processing is almost certainly doomed.
2076
2077 To safely fork and exec, you should use a module such as Proc::FastSpawn
2078 that let's you safely fork and exec new processes.
2079
2080 If you want to do multiprocessing using processes, you can look at the
2081 AnyEvent::Fork module (and some related modules such as
2082 AnyEvent::Fork::RPC, AnyEvent::Fork::Pool and AnyEvent::Fork::Remote).
2083 This module allows you to safely create subprocesses without any
2084 limitations - you can use X11 toolkits or AnyEvent in the children
2085 created by AnyEvent::Fork safely and without any special precautions.
1923 2086
1924SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2087SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1925 AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2088 AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1926 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}. While this cannot (to my knowledge) be used 2089 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}. While this cannot (to my knowledge) be used
1927 to execute arbitrary code or directly gain access, it can easily be used 2090 to execute arbitrary code or directly gain access, it can easily be used
1962 2125
1963 Development/Debugging: AnyEvent::Strict (stricter checking), 2126 Development/Debugging: AnyEvent::Strict (stricter checking),
1964 AnyEvent::Debug (interactive shell, watcher tracing). 2127 AnyEvent::Debug (interactive shell, watcher tracing).
1965 2128
1966 Supported event modules: AnyEvent::Loop, EV, EV::Glib, Glib::EV, Event, 2129 Supported event modules: AnyEvent::Loop, EV, EV::Glib, Glib::EV, Event,
1967 Glib::Event, Glib, Tk, Event::Lib, Qt, POE, FLTK. 2130 Glib::Event, Glib, Tk, Event::Lib, Qt, POE, FLTK, Cocoa::EventLoop, UV.
1968 2131
1969 Implementations: AnyEvent::Impl::EV, AnyEvent::Impl::Event, 2132 Implementations: AnyEvent::Impl::EV, AnyEvent::Impl::Event,
1970 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib, AnyEvent::Impl::Tk, AnyEvent::Impl::Perl, 2133 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib, AnyEvent::Impl::Tk, AnyEvent::Impl::Perl,
1971 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib, AnyEvent::Impl::Qt, AnyEvent::Impl::POE, 2134 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib, AnyEvent::Impl::Qt, AnyEvent::Impl::POE,
1972 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync, Anyevent::Impl::Irssi, AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK. 2135 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync, AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi, AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK,
2136 AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa, AnyEvent::Impl::UV.
1973 2137
1974 Non-blocking handles, pipes, stream sockets, TCP clients and servers: 2138 Non-blocking handles, pipes, stream sockets, TCP clients and servers:
1975 AnyEvent::Handle, AnyEvent::Socket, AnyEvent::TLS. 2139 AnyEvent::Handle, AnyEvent::Socket, AnyEvent::TLS.
1976 2140
2141 Asynchronous File I/O: AnyEvent::IO.
2142
1977 Asynchronous DNS: AnyEvent::DNS. 2143 Asynchronous DNS: AnyEvent::DNS.
1978 2144
1979 Thread support: Coro, Coro::AnyEvent, Coro::EV, Coro::Event. 2145 Thread support: Coro, Coro::AnyEvent, Coro::EV, Coro::Event.
1980 2146
1981 Nontrivial usage examples: AnyEvent::GPSD, AnyEvent::IRC, 2147 Nontrivial usage examples: AnyEvent::GPSD, AnyEvent::IRC,
1982 AnyEvent::HTTP. 2148 AnyEvent::HTTP.
1983 2149
1984AUTHOR 2150AUTHOR
1985 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2151 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1986 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2152 http://anyevent.schmorp.de
1987 2153

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