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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 => NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops
4 4
5EV, Event, Coro::EV, Coro::Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops
6 6
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 7=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 8
9 use AnyEvent; 9 use AnyEvent;
10 10
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub {
16 ... 16 ...
17 }); 17 });
18 18
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
20 $w->wait; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->broadcast 21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
21 $w->broadcast; # wake up current and all future wait's
22 22
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 24
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
57as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 57as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
59 59
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
61model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 61model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enourmous amount of code and strict rules you have to 62modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
63follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 63follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only
64offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 64offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 65technically possible.
66 66
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat
68useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 68useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 69model, you should I<not> use this module.
70
71#TODO#
72
73Net::IRC3
74AnyEvent::HTTPD
75AnyEvent::DNS
76IO::AnyEvent
77Net::FPing
78Net::XMPP2
79Coro
80
81AnyEvent::IRC
82AnyEvent::HTTPD
83AnyEvent::DNS
84AnyEvent::Handle
85AnyEvent::Socket
86AnyEvent::FPing
87AnyEvent::XMPP
88AnyEvent::SNMP
89Coro
90 70
91=head1 DESCRIPTION 71=head1 DESCRIPTION
92 72
93L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 73L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This
94allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 74allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module
98The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 78The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
99module. 79module.
100 80
101During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 81During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
102to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 82to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
103following modules is already loaded: L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, L<EV>, 83following modules is already loaded: L<EV>,
104L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 84L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>,
105L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 85L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries
106to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 86to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl
107adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 87adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can
108be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 88be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be
128 108
129=head1 WATCHERS 109=head1 WATCHERS
130 110
131AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 111AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that
132stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as 112stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
133the callback to call, the filehandle to watch, etc. 113the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
134 114
135These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 115These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
136creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 116creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
137callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 117callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
138is in control). 118is in control).
257 237
258Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
259presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
260callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
261 241
262Multiple signal occurances can be clumped together into one callback 242Multiple signal occurrences can be clumped together into one callback
263invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. synchronous means 243invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
264that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 244that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
265but it is guarenteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 245but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
266 246
267The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 247The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
268between multiple watchers. 248between multiple watchers.
269 249
270This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 250This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals
299 279
300Example: fork a process and wait for it 280Example: fork a process and wait for it
301 281
302 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
303 283
304 AnyEvent::detect; # force event module to be initialised
305
306 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 284 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
307 285
308 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 286 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
309 pid => $pid, 287 pid => $pid,
310 cb => sub { 288 cb => sub {
311 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 289 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
312 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 290 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
313 $done->broadcast; 291 $done->send;
314 }, 292 },
315 ); 293 );
316 294
317 # do something else, then wait for process exit 295 # do something else, then wait for process exit
318 $done->wait; 296 $done->recv;
319 297
320=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 298=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
321 299
300If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
301require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
302will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
303
304AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and
305will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
306
307The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
308because they represent a condition that must become true.
309
322Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar >> 310Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
323method without any arguments. 311>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
312C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
313becomes true.
324 314
325A condition variable waits for a condition - precisely that the C<< 315After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
326->broadcast >> method has been called. 316by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
317were a callback).
327 318
328They are very useful to signal that a condition has been fulfilled, for 319Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
320optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
321in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
322another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
323used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
324a result.
325
326Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
329example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 327for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
330then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 328then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
331availability of results. 329availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
330called or can synchronously C<< ->recv >> for the results.
332 331
333You can also use condition variables to block your main program until 332You can also use them to simulate traditional event loops - for example,
334an event occurs - for example, you could C<< ->wait >> in your main 333you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you
335program until the user clicks the Quit button in your app, which would C<< 334could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit
336->broadcast >> the "quit" event. 335button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event.
337 336
338Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have 337Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have
339two pirces of code that call C<< ->wait >> in a round-robbin fashion, you 338two pieces of code that call C<< ->recv >> in a round-robin fashion, you
340lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but 339lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but
341you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks, 340you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks,
342as this asks for trouble. 341as this asks for trouble.
343 342
344This object has two methods: 343Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
344used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
345easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
346AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
347it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
348
349There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
350eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
351for the send to occur.
352
353Example: wait for a timer.
354
355 # wait till the result is ready
356 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
357
358 # do something such as adding a timer
359 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send
360 # when the "result" is ready.
361 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
362 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
363 after => 1,
364 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
365 );
366
367 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
368 # calls send
369 $result_ready->recv;
370
371Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that
372condition variables are also code references.
373
374 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
375 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
376 $done->recv;
377
378=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
379
380These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
381code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
382the producer side which creates the condvar in most cases, but it isn't
383uncommon for the consumer to create it as well.
345 384
346=over 4 385=over 4
347 386
387=item $cv->send (...)
388
389Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->recv >> and all further
390calls to C<recv> will (eventually) return after this method has been
391called. If nobody is waiting the send will be remembered.
392
393If a callback has been set on the condition variable, it is called
394immediately from within send.
395
396Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
397future C<< ->recv >> calls.
398
399Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as a
400code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling C<send>.
401
402=item $cv->croak ($error)
403
404Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
405C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
406
407This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
408user/consumer.
409
410=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
411
348=item $cv->wait 412=item $cv->end
349 413
350Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been 414These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
415
416These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
417one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
418to use a condition variable for the whole process.
419
420Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
421C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
422>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
423is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
424callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
425
426Let's clarify this with the ping example:
427
428 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
429
430 my %result;
431 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
432
433 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
434 $cv->begin;
435 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
436 $result{$host} = ...;
437 $cv->end;
438 };
439 }
440
441 $cv->end;
442
443This code fragment supposedly pings a number of hosts and calls
444C<send> after results for all then have have been gathered - in any
445order. To achieve this, the code issues a call to C<begin> when it starts
446each ping request and calls C<end> when it has received some result for
447it. Since C<begin> and C<end> only maintain a counter, the order in which
448results arrive is not relevant.
449
450There is an additional bracketing call to C<begin> and C<end> outside the
451loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
452to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
453C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
454doesn't execute once).
455
456This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests:
457use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end>
458is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call
459C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>.
460
461=back
462
463=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
464
465These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the
466code awaits the condition.
467
468=over 4
469
470=item $cv->recv
471
472Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
351called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers normally. 473>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
474normally.
352 475
353You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls will return 476You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
354immediately. 477will return immediately.
478
479If an error condition has been set by calling C<< ->croak >>, then this
480function will call C<croak>.
481
482In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
483in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
355 484
356Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 485Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
357(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 486(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
358using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 487using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the
359caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 488caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
360condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 489condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
361callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 490callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
362while still suppporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 491while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
363 492
364Another reason I<never> to C<< ->wait >> in a module is that you cannot 493Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
365sensibly have two C<< ->wait >>'s in parallel, as that would require 494sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
366multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent> 495multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
367can supply (the coroutine-aware backends L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV> and 496can supply.
368L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent> explicitly support concurrent C<< ->wait >>'s
369from different coroutines, however).
370 497
371=item $cv->broadcast 498The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
499fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
500versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
501C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
502coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
372 503
373Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->wait >> and all further 504You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
374calls to C<wait> will (eventually) return after this method has been 505only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
375called. If nobody is waiting the broadcast will be remembered.. 506time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
507waits otherwise.
508
509=item $bool = $cv->ready
510
511Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
512C<croak> have been called.
513
514=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback])
515
516This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
517replaces it before doing so.
518
519The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
520C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback
521or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
376 522
377=back 523=back
378 524
379Example: 525=head3 MAINLOOP EMULATION
380 526
381 # wait till the result is ready 527Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs
382 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 528who only want to use AnyEvent), you I<do> want your program to block
529indefinitely in some event loop.
383 530
384 # do something such as adding a timer 531In that case, you cna use a condition variable like this:
385 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->broadcast
386 # when the "result" is ready.
387 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
388 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
389 after => 1,
390 cb => sub { $result_ready->broadcast },
391 );
392 532
393 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the watcher 533 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
394 # calls broadcast 534
395 $result_ready->wait; 535This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
536
537Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
538it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
539variable, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should exit
540cleanly.
541
396 542
397=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 543=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
398 544
399=over 4 545=over 4
400 546
406C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 552C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case
407AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 553AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>).
408 554
409The known classes so far are: 555The known classes so far are:
410 556
411 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV based on Coro::EV, best choice.
412 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent based on Coro::Event, second best choice.
413 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice). 557 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
414 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice. 558 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
559 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
415 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice. 560 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
416 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, inefficient but portable.
417 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice. 561 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
418 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs). 562 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
419 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse. 563 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
420 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support. 564 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
421 565
434Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 578Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
435if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 579if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
436have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 580have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
437runtime. 581runtime.
438 582
583=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
584
585Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
586autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
587
588If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
589that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See
590L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful.
591
592=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
593
594If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
595before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
596the event loop has been chosen.
597
598You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
599if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected,
600and the array will be ignored.
601
602Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead.
603
439=back 604=back
440 605
441=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 606=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
442 607
443As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods 608As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods
446Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will 611Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will
447decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so 612decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so
448by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module 613by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module
449to load the event module first. 614to load the event module first.
450 615
451Never call C<< ->wait >> on a condition variable unless you I<know> that 616Never call C<< ->recv >> on a condition variable unless you I<know> that
452the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been called on it already. This is 617the C<< ->send >> method has been called on it already. This is
453because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 618because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
454events is to stay interactive. 619events is to stay interactive.
455 620
456It is fine, however, to call C<< ->wait >> when the user of your module 621It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
457requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 622requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
458called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->wait >> 623called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >>
459freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 624freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always).
460 625
461=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 626=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
462 627
463There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 628There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
477 642
478You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 643You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by
479loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 644loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar
480behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 645behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better.
481 646
647=head1 OTHER MODULES
648
649The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
650AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules
651in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are
652available via CPAN.
653
654=over 4
655
656=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
657
658Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
659functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
660
661=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
662
663Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
664
665=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
666
667Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
668addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
669connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
670
671=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
672
673Provides a simple web application server framework.
674
675=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
676
677Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
678
679=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
680
681The fastest ping in the west.
682
683=item L<Net::IRC3>
684
685AnyEvent based IRC client module family.
686
687=item L<Net::XMPP2>
688
689AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
690
691=item L<Net::FCP>
692
693AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
694of AnyEvent.
695
696=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
697
698High level API for event-based execution flow control.
699
700=item L<Coro>
701
702Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
703
704=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
705
706Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
707programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
708together.
709
710=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
711
712Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
713IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
714
715=item L<IO::Lambda>
716
717The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
718
719=back
720
482=cut 721=cut
483 722
484package AnyEvent; 723package AnyEvent;
485 724
486no warnings; 725no warnings;
487use strict; 726use strict;
488 727
489use Carp; 728use Carp;
490 729
491our $VERSION = '3.3'; 730our $VERSION = '4.03';
492our $MODEL; 731our $MODEL;
493 732
494our $AUTOLOAD; 733our $AUTOLOAD;
495our @ISA; 734our @ISA;
496 735
497our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 736our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
498 737
499our @REGISTRY; 738our @REGISTRY;
500 739
740our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2)
741
742{
743 my $idx;
744 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
745 for split /\s*,\s*/, $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
746}
747
501my @models = ( 748my @models = (
502 [Coro::EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV::],
503 [Coro::Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent::],
504 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 749 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::],
505 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 750 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
506 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::],
507 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], 751 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::],
508 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 752 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
509 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 753 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
510 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 754 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
511 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 755 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
756 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::],
512 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 757 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
513 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 758 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
514 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 759 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
515); 760);
516 761
517our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar broadcast wait one_event DESTROY); 762our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar one_event DESTROY);
763
764our @post_detect;
765
766sub post_detect(&) {
767 my ($cb) = @_;
768
769 if ($MODEL) {
770 $cb->();
771
772 1
773 } else {
774 push @post_detect, $cb;
775
776 defined wantarray
777 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect"
778 : ()
779 }
780}
781
782sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY {
783 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
784}
518 785
519sub detect() { 786sub detect() {
520 unless ($MODEL) { 787 unless ($MODEL) {
521 no strict 'refs'; 788 no strict 'refs';
522 789
556 last; 823 last;
557 } 824 }
558 } 825 }
559 826
560 $MODEL 827 $MODEL
561 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV (or Coro+EV), Event (or Coro+Event) or Glib."; 828 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.";
562 } 829 }
563 } 830 }
564 831
565 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 832 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
566 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 833 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
834
835 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
567 } 836 }
568 837
569 $MODEL 838 $MODEL
570} 839}
571 840
581 $class->$func (@_); 850 $class->$func (@_);
582} 851}
583 852
584package AnyEvent::Base; 853package AnyEvent::Base;
585 854
586# default implementation for ->condvar, ->wait, ->broadcast 855# default implementation for ->condvar
587 856
588sub condvar { 857sub condvar {
589 bless \my $flag, "AnyEvent::Base::CondVar" 858 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar::
590}
591
592sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::broadcast {
593 ${$_[0]}++;
594}
595
596sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::wait {
597 AnyEvent->one_event while !${$_[0]};
598} 859}
599 860
600# default implementation for ->signal 861# default implementation for ->signal
601 862
602our %SIG_CB; 863our %SIG_CB;
676 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 937 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
677 938
678 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 939 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
679} 940}
680 941
942package AnyEvent::CondVar;
943
944our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
945
946package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
947
948use overload
949 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
950 fallback => 1;
951
952sub _send {
953 # nop
954}
955
956sub send {
957 my $cv = shift;
958 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_];
959 (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv) if $cv->{_ae_cb};
960 $cv->_send;
961}
962
963sub croak {
964 $_[0]{_ae_croak} = $_[1];
965 $_[0]->send;
966}
967
968sub ready {
969 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
970}
971
972sub _wait {
973 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
974}
975
976sub recv {
977 $_[0]->_wait;
978
979 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
980 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
981}
982
983sub cb {
984 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
985 $_[0]{_ae_cb}
986}
987
988sub begin {
989 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
990 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
991}
992
993sub end {
994 return if --$_[0]{_ae_counter};
995 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
996}
997
998# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
999*broadcast = \&send;
1000*wait = \&_wait;
1001
681=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1002=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
682 1003
683This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1004This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
684a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1005a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
685provide AnyEvent compatibility. 1006provide AnyEvent compatibility.
741model it chooses. 1062model it chooses.
742 1063
743=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1064=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
744 1065
745This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1066This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
746autodetection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1067auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
747entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended 1068entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
748and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful, 1069and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
749used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with 1070used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
750autodetection and -probing. 1071auto detection and -probing.
751 1072
752This functionality might change in future versions. 1073This functionality might change in future versions.
753 1074
754For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you 1075For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
755could start your program like this: 1076could start your program like this:
756 1077
757 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ... 1078 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1079
1080=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1081
1082Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1083for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1084of auto probing).
1085
1086Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1087current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1088used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1089list.
1090
1091This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1092against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1093small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1094
1095Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1096but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1097- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1098addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1099IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1100
1101=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1102
1103Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1104for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1105some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1106default.
1107
1108Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1109EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
758 1110
759=back 1111=back
760 1112
761=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1113=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
762 1114
773 poll => 'r', 1125 poll => 'r',
774 cb => sub { 1126 cb => sub {
775 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r> 1127 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r>
776 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line 1128 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line
777 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1129 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
778 $cv->broadcast if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1130 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
779 }, 1131 },
780 ); 1132 );
781 1133
782 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once 1134 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
783 1135
788 }); 1140 });
789 } 1141 }
790 1142
791 new_timer; # create first timer 1143 new_timer; # create first timer
792 1144
793 $cv->wait; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1145 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
794 1146
795=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1147=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
796 1148
797Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following 1149Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following
798API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http: 1150API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http:
848 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request} 1200 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request}
849 or die "connection or write error"; 1201 or die "connection or write error";
850 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r }); 1202 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r });
851 1203
852Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the 1204Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the
853result and signals any possible waiters that the request ahs finished: 1205result and signals any possible waiters that the request has finished:
854 1206
855 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf}; 1207 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf};
856 1208
857 if (end-of-file or data complete) { 1209 if (end-of-file or data complete) {
858 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf}; 1210 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf};
859 $txn->{finished}->broadcast; 1211 $txn->{finished}->send;
860 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback 1212 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback
861 } 1213 }
862 1214
863The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the 1215The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the
864request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the 1216request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the
865data: 1217data:
866 1218
867 $txn->{finished}->wait; 1219 $txn->{finished}->recv;
868 return $txn->{result}; 1220 return $txn->{result};
869 1221
870The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 1222The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
871that occured during request processing. The C<result> method detects 1223that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
872whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 1224whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
873and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 1225and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
874problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 1226problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a
875random callback. 1227random callback.
876 1228
907 1259
908 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar; 1260 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar;
909 1261
910 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub { 1262 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub {
911 ... 1263 ...
912 $quit->broadcast; 1264 $quit->send;
913 }); 1265 });
914 1266
915 $quit->wait; 1267 $quit->recv;
916 1268
917 1269
918=head1 BENCHMARKS 1270=head1 BENCHMARKS
919 1271
920To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds 1272To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds
922of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks. 1274of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks.
923 1275
924=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD 1276=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD
925 1277
926Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and 1278Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and
927through anyevent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 1279through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
928timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 1280timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
929which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 1281which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
930 1282
931Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 1283Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
932distribution. 1284distribution.
949all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation 1301all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation
950and memory usage is not included in the figures. 1302and memory usage is not included in the figures.
951 1303
952I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple 1304I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple
953callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was 1305callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was
954invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->broadcast >> a condvar once to 1306invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->send >> a condvar once to
955signal the end of this phase. 1307signal the end of this phase.
956 1308
957I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single 1309I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single
958watcher. 1310watcher.
959 1311
1019file descriptor is dup()ed for each watcher. This shows that the dup() 1371file descriptor is dup()ed for each watcher. This shows that the dup()
1020employed by some adaptors is not a big performance issue (it does incur a 1372employed by some adaptors is not a big performance issue (it does incur a
1021hidden memory cost inside the kernel which is not reflected in the figures 1373hidden memory cost inside the kernel which is not reflected in the figures
1022above). 1374above).
1023 1375
1024C<POE>, regardless of underlying event loop (whether using its pure 1376C<POE>, regardless of underlying event loop (whether using its pure perl
1025perl select-based backend or the Event module, the POE-EV backend 1377select-based backend or the Event module, the POE-EV backend couldn't
1026couldn't be tested because it wasn't working) shows abysmal performance 1378be tested because it wasn't working) shows abysmal performance and
1027and memory usage: Watchers use almost 30 times as much memory as 1379memory usage with AnyEvent: Watchers use almost 30 times as much memory
1028EV watchers, and 10 times as much memory as Event (the high memory 1380as EV watchers, and 10 times as much memory as Event (the high memory
1029requirements are caused by requiring a session for each watcher). Watcher 1381requirements are caused by requiring a session for each watcher). Watcher
1030invocation speed is almost 900 times slower than with AnyEvent's pure perl 1382invocation speed is almost 900 times slower than with AnyEvent's pure perl
1383implementation.
1384
1031implementation. The design of the POE adaptor class in AnyEvent can not 1385The design of the POE adaptor class in AnyEvent can not really account
1032really account for this, as session creation overhead is small compared 1386for the performance issues, though, as session creation overhead is
1033to execution of the state machine, which is coded pretty optimally within 1387small compared to execution of the state machine, which is coded pretty
1034L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. POE simply seems to be abysmally slow. 1388optimally within L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE> (and while everybody agrees that
1389using multiple sessions is not a good approach, especially regarding
1390memory usage, even the author of POE could not come up with a faster
1391design).
1035 1392
1036=head3 Summary 1393=head3 Summary
1037 1394
1038=over 4 1395=over 4
1039 1396
1050 1407
1051=back 1408=back
1052 1409
1053=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 1410=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1054 1411
1055This benchmark atcually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by 1412This benchmark actually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by
1056creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socketpair, a 1413creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socket pair, a
1057timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O 1414timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O
1058watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket 1415watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket
1059watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server". 1416watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server".
1060 1417
1061The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which 1418The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which
1062are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active 1419are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active
1063fds for each loop iterstaion, but which fds these are is random). The 1420fds for each loop iteration, but which fds these are is random). The
1064timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how 1421timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how
1065most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops). 1422most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops).
1066 1423
1067In this benchmark, we use 10000 socketpairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 1424In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1068(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 1425(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1069connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 1426connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1070 1427
1071Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 1428Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1072distribution. 1429distribution.
1074=head3 Explanation of the columns 1431=head3 Explanation of the columns
1075 1432
1076I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 1433I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1077each server has a read and write socket end). 1434each server has a read and write socket end).
1078 1435
1079I<create> is the time it takes to create a socketpair (which is 1436I<create> is the time it takes to create a socket pair (which is
1080nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher. 1437nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher.
1081 1438
1082I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a 1439I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a
1083single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding 1440single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding
1084it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 1441it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1086 1443
1087=head3 Results 1444=head3 Results
1088 1445
1089 name sockets create request 1446 name sockets create request
1090 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 1447 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1091 Perl 20000 75.28 112.76 1448 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
1092 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 1449 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1093 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 1450 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1094 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 1451 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1095 1452
1096=head3 Discussion 1453=head3 Discussion
1118 1475
1119=head3 Summary 1476=head3 Summary
1120 1477
1121=over 4 1478=over 4
1122 1479
1123=item * The pure perl implementation performs extremely well, considering 1480=item * The pure perl implementation performs extremely well.
1124that it uses select.
1125 1481
1126=item * Avoid Glib or POE in large projects where performance matters. 1482=item * Avoid Glib or POE in large projects where performance matters.
1127 1483
1128=back 1484=back
1129 1485
1142 1498
1143=head3 Results 1499=head3 Results
1144 1500
1145 name sockets create request 1501 name sockets create request
1146 EV 16 20.00 6.54 1502 EV 16 20.00 6.54
1503 Perl 16 25.75 12.62
1147 Event 16 81.27 35.86 1504 Event 16 81.27 35.86
1148 Glib 16 32.63 15.48 1505 Glib 16 32.63 15.48
1149 Perl 16 24.62 162.37
1150 POE 16 261.87 276.28 uses POE::Loop::Event 1506 POE 16 261.87 276.28 uses POE::Loop::Event
1151 1507
1152=head3 Discussion 1508=head3 Discussion
1153 1509
1154The benchmark tries to test the performance of a typical small 1510The benchmark tries to test the performance of a typical small
1158speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of 1514speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of
1159them). 1515them).
1160 1516
1161EV is again fastest. 1517EV is again fastest.
1162 1518
1163The C-based event loops Event and Glib come in second this time, as the 1519Perl again comes second. It is noticeably faster than the C-based event
1164overhead of running an iteration is much smaller in C than in Perl (little 1520loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really
1165code to execute in the inner loop, and perl's function calling overhead is 1521matter.
1166high, and updating all the data structures is costly).
1167
1168The pure perl event loop is much slower, but still competitive.
1169 1522
1170POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the 1523POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the
1171others. 1524others.
1172 1525
1173=head3 Summary 1526=head3 Summary
1181 1534
1182 1535
1183=head1 FORK 1536=head1 FORK
1184 1537
1185Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 1538Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1186because they are so inefficient. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 1539because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1540calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1187 1541
1188If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 1542If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1189watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 1543watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child.
1190 1544
1191 1545
1203 1557
1204 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 1558 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1205 1559
1206 use AnyEvent; 1560 use AnyEvent;
1207 1561
1562Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1563be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1564probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL).
1565
1208 1566
1209=head1 SEE ALSO 1567=head1 SEE ALSO
1210 1568
1211Event modules: L<Coro::EV>, L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, 1569Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1212L<Coro::Event>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, L<Glib>, L<Coro>, L<Tk>, 1570
1571Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>,
1213L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 1572L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1214 1573
1215Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, 1574Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1216L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, 1575L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1217L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, 1576L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1218L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 1577L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>.
1219 1578
1579Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1580servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>.
1581
1582Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1583
1584Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>,
1585
1220Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>. 1586Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1221 1587
1222 1588
1223=head1 AUTHOR 1589=head1 AUTHOR
1224 1590
1225 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1591 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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