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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 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
80 that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your module 81 that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your module
81 are *also* forced to use the same event loop you use. 82 are *also* forced to use the same event loop you use.
82 83
83 AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 84 AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
84 fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 85 fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
85 with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if your 86 with the rest: POE + EV? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if your module
86 module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, too. 87 uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, too. But if
87 But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event 88 your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event models
88 models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those use 89 it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those use one of
89 one of the supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops to 90 the supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops to
90 AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 91 AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
91 92
92 In addition to being free of having to use *the one and only true event 93 In addition to being free of having to use *the one and only true event
93 model*, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 94 model*, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
94 modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 95 modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
115 The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the Event 116 The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the Event
116 module. 117 module.
117 118
118 During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 119 During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
119 to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 120 to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
120 following modules is already loaded: EV, AnyEvent::Impl::Perl, Event, 121 following modules is already loaded: EV, AnyEvent::Loop, Event, Glib,
121 Glib, Tk, Event::Lib, Qt, POE. The first one found is used. If none are 122 Tk, Event::Lib, Qt, POE. The first one found is used. If none are
122 detected, the module tries to load the first four modules in the order 123 detected, the module tries to load the first four modules in the order
123 given; but note that if EV is not available, the pure-perl 124 given; but note that if EV is not available, the pure-perl
124 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl should always work, so the other two are not 125 AnyEvent::Loop should always work, so the other two are not normally
125 normally tried. 126 tried.
126 127
127 Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, 128 Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded,
128 loading an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will 129 loading an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will
129 likely make that model the default. For example: 130 likely make that model the default. For example:
130 131
136 The *likely* means that, if any module loads another event model and 137 The *likely* means that, if any module loads another event model and
137 starts using it, all bets are off - this case should be very rare 138 starts using it, all bets are off - this case should be very rare
138 though, as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this 139 though, as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this
139 very loudly. 140 very loudly.
140 141
141 The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 142 The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called "AnyEvent::Loop".
142 "AnyEvent::Impl::Perl". Like other event modules you can load it 143 Like other event modules you can load it explicitly and enjoy the high
143 explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :) 144 availability of that event loop :)
144 145
145WATCHERS 146WATCHERS
146 AnyEvent has the central concept of a *watcher*, which is an object that 147 AnyEvent has the central concept of a *watcher*, which is an object that
147 stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as 148 stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
148 the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc. 149 the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
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").
347 can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking 348 can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking
348 the difference between "AnyEvent->time" and "AnyEvent->now" into 349 the difference between "AnyEvent->time" and "AnyEvent->now" into
349 account. 350 account.
350 351
351 AnyEvent->now_update 352 AnyEvent->now_update
352 Some event loops (such as EV or AnyEvent::Impl::Perl) cache the 353 Some event loops (such as EV or AnyEvent::Loop) cache the current
353 current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of 354 time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of AnyEvent->now,
354 AnyEvent->now, above). 355 above).
355 356
356 When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), 357 When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps),
357 then this "current" time will differ substantially from the real 358 then this "current" time will differ substantially from the real
358 time, which might affect timers and time-outs. 359 time, which might affect timers and time-outs.
359 360
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.
466 This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in 463 This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in
467 an AnyEvent program, you *have* to create at least one watcher before 464 an AnyEvent program, you *have* to create at least one watcher before
468 you "fork" the child (alternatively, you can call "AnyEvent::detect"). 465 you "fork" the child (alternatively, you can call "AnyEvent::detect").
469 466
470 As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will 467 As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will
471 be emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race 468 be emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which case the latency and
472 problems mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply. 469 race problems mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
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
802 $bool = $cv->ready 812 $bool = $cv->ready
803 Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether "send" or 813 Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether "send" or
804 "croak" have been called. 814 "croak" have been called.
805 815
806 $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv)) 816 $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
807 This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and 817 This is a mutator function that returns the callback set (or "undef"
808 optionally replaces it before doing so. 818 if not) and optionally replaces it before doing so.
809 819
810 The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. 820 The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e.
811 when "send" or "croak" are called, with the only argument being the 821 when "send" or "croak" are called, with the only argument being the
812 condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the 822 condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
813 callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling "recv" inside 823 callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling "recv" inside
814 the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 824 the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
815 825
826 Additionally, when the callback is invoked, it is also removed from
827 the condvar (reset to "undef"), so the condvar does not keep a
828 reference to the callback after invocation.
829
816SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS 830SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
817 The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage): 831 The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
818 832
819 Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found. 833 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 834 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 835 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 836 pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes
823 with AnyEvent itself. 837 with AnyEvent itself.
824 838
825 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice). 839 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
826 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable. 840 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl AnyEvent::Loop, fast and portable.
827 841
828 Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used. 842 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 843 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 844 is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is
831 using them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the 845 using them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the
834 by the main program. 848 by the main program.
835 849
836 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches. 850 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
837 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable. 851 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
838 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken. 852 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
853 AnyEvent::Impl::UV based on UV, innovated square wheels.
839 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse. 854 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
840 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations. 855 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
841 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi. 856 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
857 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async.
858 AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa based on Cocoa::EventLoop.
859 AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK based on FLTK (fltk 2 binding).
842 860
843 Backends with special needs. 861 Backends with special needs.
844 Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will 862 Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
845 otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program 863 otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
846 instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are 864 instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are
847 created, everything should just work. 865 created, everything should just work.
848 866
849 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt. 867 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
850
851 Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
852 architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also is
853 the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so it
854 can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
855 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync for the gory details.
856
857 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
858 868
859 Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends. 869 Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
860 Some event loops can be supported via other modules: 870 Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
861 871
862 There is no direct support for WxWidgets (Wx) or Prima. 872 There is no direct support for WxWidgets (Wx) or Prima.
891 Returns $AnyEvent::MODEL, forcing autodetection of the event model 901 Returns $AnyEvent::MODEL, forcing autodetection of the event model
892 if necessary. You should only call this function right before you 902 if necessary. You should only call this function right before you
893 would have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as 903 would have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as
894 possible at runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your 904 possible at runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your
895 module. 905 module.
906
907 The effect of calling this function is as if a watcher had been
908 created (specifically, actions that happen "when the first watcher
909 is created" happen when calling detetc as well).
896 910
897 If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are 911 If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
898 created, use "post_detect". 912 created, use "post_detect".
899 913
900 $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 914 $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
962 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent 976 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
963 # as soon as it is 977 # as soon as it is
964 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent }; 978 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
965 } 979 }
966 980
981 AnyEvent::postpone { BLOCK }
982 Arranges for the block to be executed as soon as possible, but not
983 before the call itself returns. In practise, the block will be
984 executed just before the event loop polls for new events, or shortly
985 afterwards.
986
987 This function never returns anything (to make the "return postpone {
988 ... }" idiom more useful.
989
990 To understand the usefulness of this function, consider a function
991 that asynchronously does something for you and returns some
992 transaction object or guard to let you cancel the operation. For
993 example, "AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect":
994
995 # start a connection attempt unless one is active
996 $self->{connect_guard} ||= AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect "www.example.net", 80, sub {
997 delete $self->{connect_guard};
998 ...
999 };
1000
1001 Imagine that this function could instantly call the callback, for
1002 example, because it detects an obvious error such as a negative port
1003 number. Invoking the callback before the function returns causes
1004 problems however: the callback will be called and will try to delete
1005 the guard object. But since the function hasn't returned yet, there
1006 is nothing to delete. When the function eventually returns it will
1007 assign the guard object to "$self->{connect_guard}", where it will
1008 likely never be deleted, so the program thinks it is still trying to
1009 connect.
1010
1011 This is where "AnyEvent::postpone" should be used. Instead of
1012 calling the callback directly on error:
1013
1014 $cb->(undef), return # signal error to callback, BAD!
1015 if $some_error_condition;
1016
1017 It should use "postpone":
1018
1019 AnyEvent::postpone { $cb->(undef) }, return # signal error to callback, later
1020 if $some_error_condition;
1021
1022 AnyEvent::log $level, $msg[, @args]
1023 Log the given $msg at the given $level.
1024
1025 If AnyEvent::Log is not loaded then this function makes a simple
1026 test to see whether the message will be logged. If the test succeeds
1027 it will load AnyEvent::Log and call "AnyEvent::Log::log" -
1028 consequently, look at the AnyEvent::Log documentation for details.
1029
1030 If the test fails it will simply return. Right now this happens when
1031 a numerical loglevel is used and it is larger than the level
1032 specified via $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}.
1033
1034 If you want to sprinkle loads of logging calls around your code,
1035 consider creating a logger callback with the "AnyEvent::Log::logger"
1036 function, which can reduce typing, codesize and can reduce the
1037 logging overhead enourmously.
1038
1039 AnyEvent::fh_block $filehandle
1040 AnyEvent::fh_unblock $filehandle
1041 Sets blocking or non-blocking behaviour for the given filehandle.
1042
967WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1043WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
968 As a module author, you should "use AnyEvent" and call AnyEvent methods 1044 As a module author, you should "use AnyEvent" and call AnyEvent methods
969 freely, but you should not load a specific event module or rely on it. 1045 freely, but you should not load a specific event module or rely on it.
970 1046
971 Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will 1047 Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will
1001 will decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, 1077 will decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers,
1002 and it might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one 1078 and it might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one
1003 yourself. 1079 yourself.
1004 1080
1005 You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the 1081 You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
1006 "AnyEvent::Impl::Perl" module, which gives you similar behaviour 1082 "AnyEvent::Loop" module, which gives you similar behaviour everywhere,
1007 everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better. 1083 but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
1008 1084
1009 MAINLOOP EMULATION 1085 MAINLOOP EMULATION
1010 Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who 1086 Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
1011 only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event 1087 only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event
1012 loop. 1088 loop.
1024 1100
1025OTHER MODULES 1101OTHER MODULES
1026 The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1102 The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
1027 AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other 1103 AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other
1028 AnyEvent modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the 1104 AnyEvent modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the
1029 modules come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN. 1105 modules come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN (see
1106 <http://search.cpan.org/search?m=module&q=anyevent%3A%3A*> for a longer
1107 non-exhaustive list), and the list is heavily biased towards modules of
1108 the AnyEvent author himself :)
1030 1109
1031 AnyEvent::Util 1110 AnyEvent::Util (part of the AnyEvent distribution)
1032 Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking 1111 Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
1033 functions such as "inet_aton" with event/callback-based versions. 1112 functions such as "inet_aton" with event/callback-based versions.
1034 1113
1035 AnyEvent::Socket 1114 AnyEvent::Socket (part of the AnyEvent distribution)
1036 Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1115 Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
1037 addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking 1116 addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking
1038 tcp connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and 1117 tcp connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and
1039 more. 1118 more.
1040 1119
1041 AnyEvent::Handle 1120 AnyEvent::Handle (part of the AnyEvent distribution)
1042 Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and 1121 Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and
1043 writes, supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully 1122 writes, supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully
1044 transparent and non-blocking SSL/TLS (via AnyEvent::TLS). 1123 transparent and non-blocking SSL/TLS (via AnyEvent::TLS).
1045 1124
1046 AnyEvent::DNS 1125 AnyEvent::DNS (part of the AnyEvent distribution)
1047 Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1126 Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
1048 1127
1049 AnyEvent::HTTP, AnyEvent::IRC, AnyEvent::XMPP, AnyEvent::GPSD, 1128 AnyEvent::HTTP, AnyEvent::IRC, AnyEvent::XMPP, AnyEvent::GPSD,
1050 AnyEvent::IGS, AnyEvent::FCP 1129 AnyEvent::IGS, AnyEvent::FCP
1051 Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name 1130 Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name
1052 (for the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the 1131 (for the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the
1053 Freenet Client Protocol). 1132 Freenet Client Protocol).
1054 1133
1055 AnyEvent::Handle::UDP 1134 AnyEvent::AIO (part of the AnyEvent distribution)
1056 Here be danger!
1057
1058 As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even
1059 wrong!" - there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP,
1060 most notably its use of a stream-based API with a protocol that
1061 isn't streamable, that the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1062
1063 It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and
1064 general confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP
1065 but also fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect
1066 doesn't work with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only
1067 has datagrams, not packets", "I don't need to implement proper error
1068 checking as UDP doesn't support error checking" and so on - he
1069 doesn't even understand what's wrong with his module when it is
1070 explained to him.
1071
1072 AnyEvent::DBI
1073 Executes DBI requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
1074 notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1075
1076 AnyEvent::AIO
1077 Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in 1135 Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in
1078 the toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently 1136 the toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently
1079 fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to 1137 fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to
1080 event-based file I/O, and much more. 1138 event-based file I/O, and much more.
1081 1139
1140 AnyEvent::Fork, AnyEvent::Fork::RPC, AnyEvent::Fork::Pool,
1141 AnyEvent::Fork::Remote
1142 These let you safely fork new subprocesses, either locally or
1143 remotely (e.g.v ia ssh), using some RPC protocol or not, without the
1144 limitations normally imposed by fork (AnyEvent works fine for
1145 example). Dynamically-resized worker pools are obviously included as
1146 well.
1147
1148 And they are quite tiny and fast as well - "abusing" AnyEvent::Fork
1149 just to exec external programs can easily beat using "fork" and
1150 "exec" (or even "system") in most programs.
1151
1152 AnyEvent::Filesys::Notify
1153 AnyEvent is good for non-blocking stuff, but it can't detect file or
1154 path changes (e.g. "watch this directory for new files", "watch this
1155 file for changes"). The AnyEvent::Filesys::Notify module promises to
1156 do just that in a portbale fashion, supporting inotify on GNU/Linux
1157 and some weird, without doubt broken, stuff on OS X to monitor
1158 files. It can fall back to blocking scans at regular intervals
1159 transparently on other platforms, so it's about as portable as it
1160 gets.
1161
1162 (I haven't used it myself, but it seems the biggest problem with it
1163 is it quite bad performance).
1164
1082 AnyEvent::HTTPD 1165 AnyEvent::DBI
1083 A simple embedded webserver. 1166 Executes DBI requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
1167 notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1084 1168
1085 AnyEvent::FastPing 1169 AnyEvent::FastPing
1086 The fastest ping in the west. 1170 The fastest ping in the west.
1087 1171
1088 Coro 1172 Coro
1089 Has special support for AnyEvent via Coro::AnyEvent. 1173 Has special support for AnyEvent via Coro::AnyEvent, which allows
1174 you to simply invert the flow control - don't call us, we will call
1175 you:
1176
1177 async {
1178 Coro::AnyEvent::sleep 5; # creates a 5s timer and waits for it
1179 print "5 seconds later!\n";
1180
1181 Coro::AnyEvent::readable *STDIN; # uses an I/O watcher
1182 my $line = <STDIN>; # works for ttys
1183
1184 AnyEvent::HTTP::http_get "url", Coro::rouse_cb;
1185 my ($body, $hdr) = Coro::rouse_wait;
1186 };
1090 1187
1091SIMPLIFIED AE API 1188SIMPLIFIED AE API
1092 Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much 1189 Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1093 simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory 1190 simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1094 overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters. 1191 overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1110 The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually within 1207 The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually within
1111 "condvar->recv"), the Event and EV modules call "$Event/EV::DIED->()", 1208 "condvar->recv"), the Event and EV modules call "$Event/EV::DIED->()",
1112 Glib uses "install_exception_handler" and so on. 1209 Glib uses "install_exception_handler" and so on.
1113 1210
1114ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 1211ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1115 The following environment variables are used by this module or its 1212 AnyEvent supports a number of environment variables that tune the
1116 submodules. 1213 runtime behaviour. They are usually evaluated when AnyEvent is loaded,
1214 initialised, or a submodule that uses them is loaded. Many of them also
1215 cause AnyEvent to load additional modules - for example,
1216 "PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP" causes the AnyEvent::Debug module to be
1217 loaded.
1117 1218
1118 Note that AnyEvent will remove *all* environment variables starting with 1219 All the environment variables documented here start with
1119 "PERL_ANYEVENT_" from %ENV when it is loaded while taint mode is 1220 "PERL_ANYEVENT_", which is what AnyEvent considers its own namespace.
1120 enabled. 1221 Other modules are encouraged (but by no means required) to use
1222 "PERL_ANYEVENT_SUBMODULE" if they have registered the
1223 AnyEvent::Submodule namespace on CPAN, for any submodule. For example,
1224 AnyEvent::HTTP could be expected to use "PERL_ANYEVENT_HTTP_PROXY" (it
1225 should not access env variables starting with "AE_", see below).
1226
1227 All variables can also be set via the "AE_" prefix, that is, instead of
1228 setting "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE" you can also set "AE_VERBOSE". In case
1229 there is a clash btween anyevent and another program that uses
1230 "AE_something" you can set the corresponding "PERL_ANYEVENT_something"
1231 variable to the empty string, as those variables take precedence.
1232
1233 When AnyEvent is first loaded, it copies all "AE_xxx" env variables to
1234 their "PERL_ANYEVENT_xxx" counterpart unless that variable already
1235 exists. If taint mode is on, then AnyEvent will remove *all* environment
1236 variables starting with "PERL_ANYEVENT_" from %ENV (or replace them with
1237 "undef" or the empty string, if the corresaponding "AE_" variable is
1238 set).
1239
1240 The exact algorithm is currently:
1241
1242 1. if taint mode enabled, delete all PERL_ANYEVENT_xyz variables from %ENV
1243 2. copy over AE_xyz to PERL_ANYEVENT_xyz unless the latter alraedy exists
1244 3. if taint mode enabled, set all PERL_ANYEVENT_xyz variables to undef.
1245
1246 This ensures that child processes will not see the "AE_" variables.
1247
1248 The following environment variables are currently known to AnyEvent:
1121 1249
1122 "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE" 1250 "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE"
1123 By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal 1251 By default, AnyEvent will log messages with loglevel 4 ("error") or
1124 conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent 1252 higher (see AnyEvent::Log). You can set this environment variable to
1125 more talkative. 1253 a numerical loglevel to make AnyEvent more (or less) talkative.
1126 1254
1255 If you want to do more than just set the global logging level you
1256 should have a look at "PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG", which allows much more
1257 complex specifications.
1258
1259 When set to 0 ("off"), then no messages whatsoever will be logged
1260 with everything else at defaults.
1261
1127 When set to 1 or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected 1262 When set to 5 or higher ("warn"), AnyEvent warns about unexpected
1128 conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified 1263 conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified
1129 by "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL". 1264 by "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL", or a guard callback throwing an exception
1265 - this is the minimum recommended level for use during development.
1130 1266
1131 When set to 2 or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which 1267 When set to 7 or higher (info), AnyEvent reports which event model
1132 event model it chooses. 1268 it chooses.
1133 1269
1134 When set to 8 or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information 1270 When set to 8 or higher (debug), then AnyEvent will report extra
1135 on which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain 1271 information on which optional modules it loads and how it implements
1136 features. 1272 certain features.
1273
1274 "PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG"
1275 Accepts rather complex logging specifications. For example, you
1276 could log all "debug" messages of some module to stderr, warnings
1277 and above to stderr, and errors and above to syslog, with:
1278
1279 PERL_ANYEVENT_LOG=Some::Module=debug,+log:filter=warn,+%syslog:%syslog=error,syslog
1280
1281 For the rather extensive details, see AnyEvent::Log.
1282
1283 This variable is evaluated when AnyEvent (or AnyEvent::Log) is
1284 loaded, so will take effect even before AnyEvent has initialised
1285 itself.
1286
1287 Note that specifying this environment variable causes the
1288 AnyEvent::Log module to be loaded, while "PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE"
1289 does not, so only using the latter saves a few hundred kB of memory
1290 unless a module explicitly needs the extra features of
1291 AnyEvent::Log.
1137 1292
1138 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT" 1293 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT"
1139 AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1294 AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1140 argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true 1295 argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true
1141 value will cause AnyEvent to load "AnyEvent::Strict" and then to 1296 value will cause AnyEvent to load "AnyEvent::Strict" and then to
1147 Unlike "use strict" (or its modern cousin, "use common::sense", it 1302 Unlike "use strict" (or its modern cousin, "use common::sense", it
1148 is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping 1303 is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1149 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1" in your environment while developing 1304 "PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1" in your environment while developing
1150 programs can be very useful, however. 1305 programs can be very useful, however.
1151 1306
1307 "PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL"
1308 If this env variable is nonempty, then its contents will be
1309 interpreted by "AnyEvent::Socket::parse_hostport" and
1310 "AnyEvent::Debug::shell" (after replacing every occurance of $$ by
1311 the process pid). The shell object is saved in
1312 $AnyEvent::Debug::SHELL.
1313
1314 This happens when the first watcher is created.
1315
1316 For example, to bind a debug shell on a unix domain socket in
1317 /tmp/debug<pid>.sock, you could use this:
1318
1319 PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL=/tmp/debug\$\$.sock perlprog
1320 # connect with e.g.: socat readline /tmp/debug123.sock
1321
1322 Or to bind to tcp port 4545 on localhost:
1323
1324 PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL=127.0.0.1:4545 perlprog
1325 # connect with e.g.: telnet localhost 4545
1326
1327 Note that creating sockets in /tmp or on localhost is very unsafe on
1328 multiuser systems.
1329
1330 "PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP"
1331 Can be set to 0, 1 or 2 and enables wrapping of all watchers for
1332 debugging purposes. See "AnyEvent::Debug::wrap" for details.
1333
1152 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL" 1334 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL"
1153 This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, 1335 This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent,
1154 before auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string 1336 before auto detection and -probing kicks in.
1155 consisting entirely of ASCII letters. The string "AnyEvent::Impl::" 1337
1156 gets prepended and the resulting module name is loaded and if the 1338 It normally is a string consisting entirely of ASCII letters (e.g.
1157 load was successful, used as event model. If it fails to load 1339 "EV" or "IOAsync"). The string "AnyEvent::Impl::" gets prepended and
1340 the resulting module name is loaded and - if the load was successful
1341 - used as event model backend. If it fails to load then AnyEvent
1158 AnyEvent will proceed with auto detection and -probing. 1342 will proceed with auto detection and -probing.
1159 1343
1160 This functionality might change in future versions. 1344 If the string ends with "::" instead (e.g. "AnyEvent::Impl::EV::")
1345 then nothing gets prepended and the module name is used as-is (hint:
1346 "::" at the end of a string designates a module name and quotes it
1347 appropriately).
1161 1348
1162 For example, to force the pure perl model (AnyEvent::Impl::Perl) you 1349 For example, to force the pure perl model (AnyEvent::Loop::Perl) you
1163 could start your program like this: 1350 could start your program like this:
1164 1351
1165 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ... 1352 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1353
1354 "PERL_ANYEVENT_IO_MODEL"
1355 The current file I/O model - see AnyEvent::IO for more info.
1356
1357 At the moment, only "Perl" (small, pure-perl, synchronous) and
1358 "IOAIO" (truly asynchronous) are supported. The default is "IOAIO"
1359 if AnyEvent::AIO can be loaded, otherwise it is "Perl".
1166 1360
1167 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS" 1361 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS"
1168 Used by both AnyEvent::DNS and AnyEvent::Socket to determine 1362 Used by both AnyEvent::DNS and AnyEvent::Socket to determine
1169 preferences for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might 1363 preferences for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might
1170 change, or be the result of auto probing). 1364 change, or be the result of auto probing).
1174 mentioned will be used, and preference will be given to protocols 1368 mentioned will be used, and preference will be given to protocols
1175 mentioned earlier in the list. 1369 mentioned earlier in the list.
1176 1370
1177 This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks 1371 This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1178 against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is 1372 against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is
1179 likely small, as the program has to handle conenction and other 1373 likely small, as the program has to handle connection and other
1180 failures anyways. 1374 failures anyways.
1181 1375
1182 Examples: "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6" - prefer IPv4 over 1376 Examples: "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6" - prefer IPv4 over
1183 IPv6, but support both and try to use both. 1377 IPv6, but support both and try to use both.
1184 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4" - only support IPv4, never try to 1378 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4" - only support IPv4, never try to
1185 resolve or contact IPv6 addresses. 1379 resolve or contact IPv6 addresses.
1186 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4" support either IPv4 or IPv6, but 1380 "PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4" support either IPv4 or IPv6, but
1187 prefer IPv6 over IPv4. 1381 prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1188 1382
1383 "PERL_ANYEVENT_HOSTS"
1384 This variable, if specified, overrides the /etc/hosts file used by
1385 AnyEvent::Socket"::resolve_sockaddr", i.e. hosts aliases will be
1386 read from that file instead.
1387
1189 "PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0" 1388 "PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0"
1190 Used by AnyEvent::DNS to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension 1389 Used by AnyEvent::DNS to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1191 for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, 1390 for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic,
1192 but some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it 1391 especially when DNSSEC is involved, but some (broken) firewalls drop
1193 is off by default. 1392 such DNS packets, which is why it is off by default.
1194 1393
1195 Setting this variable to 1 will cause AnyEvent::DNS to announce 1394 Setting this variable to 1 will cause AnyEvent::DNS to announce
1196 EDNS0 in its DNS requests. 1395 EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1197 1396
1198 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS" 1397 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS"
1202 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS" 1401 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS"
1203 The default value for the "max_outstanding" parameter for the 1402 The default value for the "max_outstanding" parameter for the
1204 default DNS resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS 1403 default DNS resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS
1205 requests that are sent to the DNS server. 1404 requests that are sent to the DNS server.
1206 1405
1406 "PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY"
1407 Perl has inherently racy signal handling (you can basically choose
1408 between losing signals and memory corruption) - pure perl event
1409 loops (including "AnyEvent::Loop", when "Async::Interrupt" isn't
1410 available) therefore have to poll regularly to avoid losing signals.
1411
1412 Some event loops are racy, but don't poll regularly, and some event
1413 loops are written in C but are still racy. For those event loops,
1414 AnyEvent installs a timer that regularly wakes up the event loop.
1415
1416 By default, the interval for this timer is 10 seconds, but you can
1417 override this delay with this environment variable (or by setting
1418 the $AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY variable before creating signal
1419 watchers).
1420
1421 Lower values increase CPU (and energy) usage, higher values can
1422 introduce long delays when reaping children or waiting for signals.
1423
1424 The AnyEvent::Async module, if available, will be used to avoid this
1425 polling (with most event loops).
1426
1207 "PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF" 1427 "PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF"
1208 The file to use instead of /etc/resolv.conf (or OS-specific 1428 The absolute path to a resolv.conf-style file to use instead of
1209 configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty 1429 /etc/resolv.conf (or the OS-specific configuration) in the default
1210 string, no default config will be used. 1430 resolver, or the empty string to select the default configuration.
1211 1431
1212 "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE", "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH". 1432 "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE", "PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH".
1213 When neither "ca_file" nor "ca_path" was specified during 1433 When neither "ca_file" nor "ca_path" was specified during
1214 AnyEvent::TLS context creation, and either of these environment 1434 AnyEvent::TLS context creation, and either of these environment
1215 variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate 1435 variables are nonempty, they will be used to specify CA certificate
1216 locations instead of a system-dependent default. 1436 locations instead of a system-dependent default.
1217 1437
1218 "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD" and "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT" 1438 "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD" and "PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT"
1219 When these are set to 1, then the respective modules are not loaded. 1439 When these are set to 1, then the respective modules are not loaded.
1220 Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself. 1440 Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1392 my $txn = shift; 1612 my $txn = shift;
1393 my $data = $txn->result; 1613 my $data = $txn->result;
1394 ... 1614 ...
1395 }); 1615 });
1396 1616
1397 EV::loop; 1617 EV::run;
1398 1618
1399 3b. The module user could use AnyEvent, too: 1619 3b. The module user could use AnyEvent, too:
1400 1620
1401 use AnyEvent; 1621 use AnyEvent;
1402 1622
1540 when used without AnyEvent), but most event loops have acceptable 1760 when used without AnyEvent), but most event loops have acceptable
1541 performance with or without AnyEvent. 1761 performance with or without AnyEvent.
1542 1762
1543 * The overhead AnyEvent adds is usually much smaller than the overhead 1763 * The overhead AnyEvent adds is usually much smaller than the overhead
1544 of the actual event loop, only with extremely fast event loops such 1764 of the actual event loop, only with extremely fast event loops such
1545 as EV adds AnyEvent significant overhead. 1765 as EV does AnyEvent add significant overhead.
1546 1766
1547 * You should avoid POE like the plague if you want performance or 1767 * You should avoid POE like the plague if you want performance or
1548 reasonable memory usage. 1768 reasonable memory usage.
1549 1769
1550 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 1770 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1810 the help of AnyEvent::TLS), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL. 2030 the help of AnyEvent::TLS), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
1811 2031
1812 Time::HiRes 2032 Time::HiRes
1813 This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used 2033 This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used
1814 when the chosen event library does not come with a timing source of 2034 when the chosen event library does not come with a timing source of
1815 its own. The pure-perl event loop (AnyEvent::Impl::Perl) will 2035 its own. The pure-perl event loop (AnyEvent::Loop) will additionally
1816 additionally use it to try to use a monotonic clock for timing 2036 load it to try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
1817 stability. 2037
2038 AnyEvent::AIO (and IO::AIO)
2039 The default implementation of AnyEvent::IO is to do I/O
2040 synchronously, stopping programs while they access the disk, which
2041 is fine for a lot of programs.
2042
2043 Installing AnyEvent::AIO (and its IO::AIO dependency) makes it
2044 switch to a true asynchronous implementation, so event processing
2045 can continue even while waiting for disk I/O.
1818 2046
1819FORK 2047FORK
1820 Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2048 Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1821 because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe "select" or "poll" calls 2049 because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe "select" or "poll" calls
1822 - higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux 2050 - higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux
1830 usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the 2058 usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the
1831 library is loaded). 2059 library is loaded).
1832 2060
1833 If you have to fork, you must either do so *before* creating your first 2061 If you have to fork, you must either do so *before* creating your first
1834 watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do 2062 watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
1835 something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent. 2063 something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent (see below).
1836 2064
1837 The problem of doing event processing in the parent *and* the child is 2065 The problem of doing event processing in the parent *and* the child is
1838 much more complicated: even for backends that *are* fork-aware or 2066 much more complicated: even for backends that *are* fork-aware or
1839 fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all 2067 fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
1840 watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both 2068 watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
1841 parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing "exec" to 2069 parent and child, which is almost never what you want. Using "exec" to
1842 start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually 2070 start worker children from some kind of manage prrocess is usually
1843 preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of 2071 preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of
1844 having to have another binary. 2072 having to have another binary.
2073
2074 In addition to logical problems with fork, there are also implementation
2075 problems. For example, on POSIX systems, you cannot fork at all in Perl
2076 code if a thread (I am talking of pthreads here) was ever created in the
2077 process, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. In general, using fork
2078 from Perl is difficult, and attempting to use fork without an exec to
2079 implement some kind of parallel processing is almost certainly doomed.
2080
2081 To safely fork and exec, you should use a module such as Proc::FastSpawn
2082 that let's you safely fork and exec new processes.
2083
2084 If you want to do multiprocessing using processes, you can look at the
2085 AnyEvent::Fork module (and some related modules such as
2086 AnyEvent::Fork::RPC, AnyEvent::Fork::Pool and AnyEvent::Fork::Remote).
2087 This module allows you to safely create subprocesses without any
2088 limitations - you can use X11 toolkits or AnyEvent in the children
2089 created by AnyEvent::Fork safely and without any special precautions.
1845 2090
1846SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2091SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1847 AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2092 AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1848 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}. While this cannot (to my knowledge) be used 2093 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}. While this cannot (to my knowledge) be used
1849 to execute arbitrary code or directly gain access, it can easily be used 2094 to execute arbitrary code or directly gain access, it can easily be used
1877SEE ALSO 2122SEE ALSO
1878 Tutorial/Introduction: AnyEvent::Intro. 2123 Tutorial/Introduction: AnyEvent::Intro.
1879 2124
1880 FAQ: AnyEvent::FAQ. 2125 FAQ: AnyEvent::FAQ.
1881 2126
1882 Utility functions: AnyEvent::Util. 2127 Utility functions: AnyEvent::Util (misc. grab-bag), AnyEvent::Log
2128 (simply logging).
1883 2129
1884 Event modules: EV, EV::Glib, Glib::EV, Event, Glib::Event, Glib, Tk, 2130 Development/Debugging: AnyEvent::Strict (stricter checking),
1885 Event::Lib, Qt, POE. 2131 AnyEvent::Debug (interactive shell, watcher tracing).
2132
2133 Supported event modules: AnyEvent::Loop, EV, EV::Glib, Glib::EV, Event,
2134 Glib::Event, Glib, Tk, Event::Lib, Qt, POE, FLTK, Cocoa::EventLoop, UV.
1886 2135
1887 Implementations: AnyEvent::Impl::EV, AnyEvent::Impl::Event, 2136 Implementations: AnyEvent::Impl::EV, AnyEvent::Impl::Event,
1888 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib, AnyEvent::Impl::Tk, AnyEvent::Impl::Perl, 2137 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib, AnyEvent::Impl::Tk, AnyEvent::Impl::Perl,
1889 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib, AnyEvent::Impl::Qt, AnyEvent::Impl::POE, 2138 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib, AnyEvent::Impl::Qt, AnyEvent::Impl::POE,
2139 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync, AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi, AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK,
1890 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync, Anyevent::Impl::Irssi. 2140 AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa, AnyEvent::Impl::UV.
1891 2141
1892 Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and servers: 2142 Non-blocking handles, pipes, stream sockets, TCP clients and servers:
1893 AnyEvent::Handle, AnyEvent::Socket, AnyEvent::TLS. 2143 AnyEvent::Handle, AnyEvent::Socket, AnyEvent::TLS.
2144
2145 Asynchronous File I/O: AnyEvent::IO.
1894 2146
1895 Asynchronous DNS: AnyEvent::DNS. 2147 Asynchronous DNS: AnyEvent::DNS.
1896 2148
1897 Thread support: Coro, Coro::AnyEvent, Coro::EV, Coro::Event. 2149 Thread support: Coro, Coro::AnyEvent, Coro::EV, Coro::Event.
1898 2150
1899 Nontrivial usage examples: AnyEvent::GPSD, AnyEvent::IRC, 2151 Nontrivial usage examples: AnyEvent::GPSD, AnyEvent::IRC,
1900 AnyEvent::HTTP. 2152 AnyEvent::HTTP.
1901 2153
1902AUTHOR 2154AUTHOR
1903 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2155 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1904 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2156 http://anyevent.schmorp.de
1905 2157

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