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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 ->send 21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
21 $w->send; # 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?
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 50
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
53with the rest: POE + IO::Async? no go. Tk + Event? no go. Again: if 53with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
54your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 54your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
55too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 55too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long
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, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
68of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
69non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
70such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
71platform bugs and differences.
72
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 73Now, if you I<do want> lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat
68useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 74useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 75model, you should I<not> use this module.
70 76
71=head1 DESCRIPTION 77=head1 DESCRIPTION
72 78
78The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 84The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
79module. 85module.
80 86
81During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 87During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
82to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 88to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
83following modules is already loaded: L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, L<EV>, 89following modules is already loaded: L<EV>,
84L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 90L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>,
85L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 91L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries
86to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 92to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl
87adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 93adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can
88be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 94be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be
102starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 108starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to
103use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 109use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly...
104 110
105The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 111The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
106C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 112C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
107explicitly. 113explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
108 114
109=head1 WATCHERS 115=head1 WATCHERS
110 116
111AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 117AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that
112stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as 118stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
113the callback to call, the filehandle to watch, etc. 119the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
114 120
115These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 121These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
116creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 122creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
117callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 123callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
118is in control). 124is in control).
227timers. 233timers.
228 234
229AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 235AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
230AnyEvent API. 236AnyEvent API.
231 237
238AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
239
240=over 4
241
242=item AnyEvent->time
243
244This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
245seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
246return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
247
248It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
249will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
250
251=item AnyEvent->now
252
253This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
254this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
255the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
256time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
257
258I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
259function to call when you want to know the current time.>
260
261This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
262thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
263L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts).
264
265The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
266with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience.
267
268For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
269and L<EV> and the following set-up:
270
271The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at
272time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
273you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
274second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
275after three seconds.
276
277With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
278both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
279be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
280
281With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
282time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
283last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
284to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
285
286In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
287regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
288callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
289higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
290
291In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
292the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
293
294In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
295can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
296difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
297account.
298
299=back
300
232=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 301=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
233 302
234You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 303You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
235I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 304I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to
236be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 305be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
237 306
238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 307Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 308presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 309callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
241 310
242Multiple signal occurances can be clumped together into one callback 311Multiple signal occurrences can be clumped together into one callback
243invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. synchronous means 312invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
244that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 313that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
245but it is guarenteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 314but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
246 315
247The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 316The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
248between multiple watchers. 317between multiple watchers.
249 318
250This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 319This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals
278C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 347C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>).
279 348
280Example: fork a process and wait for it 349Example: fork a process and wait for it
281 350
282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 351 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
283
284 AnyEvent::detect; # force event module to be initialised
285 352
286 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 353 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
287 354
288 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 355 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
289 pid => $pid, 356 pid => $pid,
293 $done->send; 360 $done->send;
294 }, 361 },
295 ); 362 );
296 363
297 # do something else, then wait for process exit 364 # do something else, then wait for process exit
298 $done->wait; 365 $done->recv;
299 366
300=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 367=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
301 368
302If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 369If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
303require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 370require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
312Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 379Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
313>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 380>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
314C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 381C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
315becomes true. 382becomes true.
316 383
317After creation, the conditon variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 384After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
318by calling the C<send> method. 385by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
386were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
387->send >> method).
319 388
320Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 389Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
321optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 390optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
322in time where multiple outstandign events have been processed. And yet 391in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
323another way to call them is transations - each condition variable can be 392another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
324used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 393used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
325a result. 394a result.
326 395
327Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 396Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
328for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 397for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
329then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 398then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
330availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 399availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
331called or can synchronously C<< ->wait >> for the results. 400called or can synchronously C<< ->recv >> for the results.
332 401
333You can also use them to simulate traditional event loops - for example, 402You can also use them to simulate traditional event loops - for example,
334you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you 403you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you
335could C<< ->wait >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit 404could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit
336button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event. 405button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event.
337 406
338Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have 407Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have
339two pieces of code that call C<< ->wait >> in a round-robbin fashion, you 408two 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 409lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but
341you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks, 410you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks,
342as this asks for trouble. 411as this asks for trouble.
343 412
344Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 413Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
349 418
350There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 419There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
351eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 420eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
352for the send to occur. 421for the send to occur.
353 422
354Example: 423Example: wait for a timer.
355 424
356 # wait till the result is ready 425 # wait till the result is ready
357 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 426 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
358 427
359 # do something such as adding a timer 428 # do something such as adding a timer
365 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 434 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
366 ); 435 );
367 436
368 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 437 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
369 # calls send 438 # calls send
370 $result_ready->wait; 439 $result_ready->recv;
440
441Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that
442condition variables are also code references.
443
444 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
445 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
446 $done->recv;
371 447
372=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 448=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
373 449
374These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 450These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
375code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 451code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
378 454
379=over 4 455=over 4
380 456
381=item $cv->send (...) 457=item $cv->send (...)
382 458
383Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->wait >> and all further 459Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->recv >> and all further
384calls to C<wait> will (eventually) return after this method has been 460calls to C<recv> will (eventually) return after this method has been
385called. If nobody is waiting the send will be remembered. 461called. If nobody is waiting the send will be remembered.
386 462
387If a callback has been set on the condition variable, it is called 463If a callback has been set on the condition variable, it is called
388immediately from within send. 464immediately from within send.
389 465
390Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 466Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
391future C<< ->wait >> calls. 467future C<< ->recv >> calls.
468
469Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly
470(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
471C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle
472overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
473instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
474support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
475invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
476example).
392 477
393=item $cv->croak ($error) 478=item $cv->croak ($error)
394 479
395Similar to send, but causes all call's wait C<< ->wait >> to invoke 480Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
396C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 481C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
397 482
398This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 483This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
399user/consumer. 484user/consumer.
400 485
401=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 486=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
402 487
403=item $cv->end 488=item $cv->end
489
490These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
404 491
405These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 492These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
406one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 493one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
407to use a condition variable for the whole process. 494to use a condition variable for the whole process.
408 495
443doesn't execute once). 530doesn't execute once).
444 531
445This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 532This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests:
446use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 533use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end>
447is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 534is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call
448C<begin> and for eahc subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 535C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>.
449 536
450=back 537=back
451 538
452=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 539=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
453 540
454These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the 541These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the
455code awaits the condition. 542code awaits the condition.
456 543
457=over 4 544=over 4
458 545
459=item $cv->wait 546=item $cv->recv
460 547
461Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 548Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
462>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 549>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
463normally. 550normally.
464 551
475(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 562(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
476using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 563using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the
477caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 564caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
478condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 565condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
479callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 566callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
480while still suppporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 567while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
481 568
482Another reason I<never> to C<< ->wait >> in a module is that you cannot 569Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
483sensibly have two C<< ->wait >>'s in parallel, as that would require 570sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
484multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent> 571multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
485can supply (the coroutine-aware backends L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV> and 572can supply.
486L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent> explicitly support concurrent C<< ->wait >>'s
487from different coroutines, however).
488 573
574The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
575fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
576versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
577C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
578coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
579
489You can ensure that C<< -wait >> never blocks by setting a callback and 580You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
490only calling C<< ->wait >> from within that callback (or at a later 581only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
491time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 582time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
492waits otherwise. 583waits otherwise.
493 584
494=item $bool = $cv->ready 585=item $bool = $cv->ready
495 586
500 591
501This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 592This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
502replaces it before doing so. 593replaces it before doing so.
503 594
504The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 595The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
505C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<wait> inside the callback 596C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback
506or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 597or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
507 598
508=back 599=back
509 600
510=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 601=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
519C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 610C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case
520AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 611AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>).
521 612
522The known classes so far are: 613The known classes so far are:
523 614
524 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV based on Coro::EV, best choice.
525 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent based on Coro::Event, second best choice.
526 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice). 615 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
527 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice. 616 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
528 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable. 617 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
529 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice. 618 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
530 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice. 619 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
547Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 636Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
548if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 637if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
549have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 638have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
550runtime. 639runtime.
551 640
641=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
642
643Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
644autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
645
646If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
647that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See
648L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful.
649
650=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
651
652If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
653before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
654the event loop has been chosen.
655
656You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
657if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected,
658and the array will be ignored.
659
660Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead.
661
552=back 662=back
553 663
554=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 664=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
555 665
556As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods 666As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods
559Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will 669Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will
560decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so 670decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so
561by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module 671by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module
562to load the event module first. 672to load the event module first.
563 673
564Never call C<< ->wait >> on a condition variable unless you I<know> that 674Never call C<< ->recv >> on a condition variable unless you I<know> that
565the C<< ->send >> method has been called on it already. This is 675the C<< ->send >> method has been called on it already. This is
566because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 676because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
567events is to stay interactive. 677events is to stay interactive.
568 678
569It is fine, however, to call C<< ->wait >> when the user of your module 679It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
570requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 680requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
571called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->wait >> 681called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >>
572freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 682freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always).
573 683
574=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 684=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
575 685
576There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 686There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
578 688
579If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 689If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not
580do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 690do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent
581decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 691decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it.
582 692
583If the main program relies on a specific event model. For example, in 693If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
584Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module. You should load the 694Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
585event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 695event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
586speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 696speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
587modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 697modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
588decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 698decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
589might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 699might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
590 700
591You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 701You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
592loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 702C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
593behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 703everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
704
705=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
706
707Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
708only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event loop.
709
710In that case, you can use a condition variable like this:
711
712 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
713
714This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
715
716Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
717it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
718variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should
719exit cleanly.
720
594 721
595=head1 OTHER MODULES 722=head1 OTHER MODULES
596 723
597The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 724The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
598AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 725AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules
610 737
611Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes. 738Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
612 739
613=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 740=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
614 741
615Provides a means to do non-blocking connects, accepts etc. 742Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
743addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
744connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
745
746=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
747
748Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
616 749
617=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 750=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
618 751
619Provides a simple web application server framework. 752Provides a simple web application server framework.
620
621=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
622
623Provides asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities, beyond what
624L<AnyEvent::Util> offers.
625 753
626=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 754=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
627 755
628The fastest ping in the west. 756The fastest ping in the west.
629 757
644 772
645High level API for event-based execution flow control. 773High level API for event-based execution flow control.
646 774
647=item L<Coro> 775=item L<Coro>
648 776
649Has special support for AnyEvent. 777Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
778
779=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
780
781Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
782programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
783together.
784
785=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
786
787Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
788IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
650 789
651=item L<IO::Lambda> 790=item L<IO::Lambda>
652 791
653The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent. 792The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
654
655=item L<IO::AIO>
656
657Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
658programmer. Can be trivially made to use AnyEvent.
659
660=item L<BDB>
661
662Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. Can be trivially made to use
663AnyEvent.
664 793
665=back 794=back
666 795
667=cut 796=cut
668 797
671no warnings; 800no warnings;
672use strict; 801use strict;
673 802
674use Carp; 803use Carp;
675 804
676our $VERSION = '3.3'; 805our $VERSION = '4.1';
677our $MODEL; 806our $MODEL;
678 807
679our $AUTOLOAD; 808our $AUTOLOAD;
680our @ISA; 809our @ISA;
681 810
811our @REGISTRY;
812
813our $WIN32;
814
815BEGIN {
816 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i);
817 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }";
818}
819
682our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 820our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
683 821
684our @REGISTRY; 822our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
823
824{
825 my $idx;
826 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
827 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
828 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
829}
685 830
686my @models = ( 831my @models = (
687 [Coro::EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV::],
688 [Coro::Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent::],
689 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 832 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::],
690 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 833 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
691 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::],
692 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
693 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
694 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 834 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
695 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 835 # everything below here will not be autoprobed
696 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], 836 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
837 # and is usually faster
838 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
839 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
697 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 840 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
698 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 841 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
699 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 842 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
843 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
844 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
700); 845);
701 846
702our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 847our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY);
848
849our @post_detect;
850
851sub post_detect(&) {
852 my ($cb) = @_;
853
854 if ($MODEL) {
855 $cb->();
856
857 1
858 } else {
859 push @post_detect, $cb;
860
861 defined wantarray
862 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect"
863 : ()
864 }
865}
866
867sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY {
868 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
869}
703 870
704sub detect() { 871sub detect() {
705 unless ($MODEL) { 872 unless ($MODEL) {
706 no strict 'refs'; 873 no strict 'refs';
874 local $SIG{__DIE__};
707 875
708 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 876 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
709 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 877 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
710 if (eval "require $model") { 878 if (eval "require $model") {
711 $MODEL = $model; 879 $MODEL = $model;
741 last; 909 last;
742 } 910 }
743 } 911 }
744 912
745 $MODEL 913 $MODEL
746 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."; 914 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.";
747 } 915 }
748 } 916 }
749 917
750 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 918 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
751 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 919 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
920
921 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
752 } 922 }
753 923
754 $MODEL 924 $MODEL
755} 925}
756 926
766 $class->$func (@_); 936 $class->$func (@_);
767} 937}
768 938
769package AnyEvent::Base; 939package AnyEvent::Base;
770 940
941# default implementation for now and time
942
943use Time::HiRes ();
944
945sub time { Time::HiRes::time }
946sub now { Time::HiRes::time }
947
771# default implementation for ->condvar, ->wait, ->broadcast 948# default implementation for ->condvar
772 949
773sub condvar { 950sub condvar {
774 bless \my $flag, "AnyEvent::Base::CondVar" 951 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar::
775}
776
777sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::broadcast {
778 ${$_[0]}++;
779}
780
781sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::wait {
782 AnyEvent->one_event while !${$_[0]};
783} 952}
784 953
785# default implementation for ->signal 954# default implementation for ->signal
786 955
787our %SIG_CB; 956our %SIG_CB;
840 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1009 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
841 1010
842 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1011 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
843 1012
844 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1013 unless ($WNOHANG) {
845 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1014 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
846 } 1015 }
847 1016
848 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1017 unless ($CHLD_W) {
849 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1018 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
850 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1019 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
860 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1029 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
861 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1030 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
862 1031
863 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1032 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
864} 1033}
1034
1035package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1036
1037our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1038
1039package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1040
1041use overload
1042 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1043 fallback => 1;
1044
1045sub _send {
1046 # nop
1047}
1048
1049sub send {
1050 my $cv = shift;
1051 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_];
1052 (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv) if $cv->{_ae_cb};
1053 $cv->_send;
1054}
1055
1056sub croak {
1057 $_[0]{_ae_croak} = $_[1];
1058 $_[0]->send;
1059}
1060
1061sub ready {
1062 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1063}
1064
1065sub _wait {
1066 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1067}
1068
1069sub recv {
1070 $_[0]->_wait;
1071
1072 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1073 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1074}
1075
1076sub cb {
1077 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1078 $_[0]{_ae_cb}
1079}
1080
1081sub begin {
1082 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1083 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1084}
1085
1086sub end {
1087 return if --$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1088 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
1089}
1090
1091# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1092*broadcast = \&send;
1093*wait = \&_wait;
865 1094
866=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1095=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
867 1096
868This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1097This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
869a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1098a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
926model it chooses. 1155model it chooses.
927 1156
928=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1157=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
929 1158
930This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1159This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
931autodetection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1160auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
932entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended 1161entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
933and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful, 1162and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
934used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with 1163used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
935autodetection and -probing. 1164auto detection and -probing.
936 1165
937This functionality might change in future versions. 1166This functionality might change in future versions.
938 1167
939For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you 1168For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
940could start your program like this: 1169could start your program like this:
941 1170
942 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ... 1171 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1172
1173=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1174
1175Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1176for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1177of auto probing).
1178
1179Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1180current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1181used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1182list.
1183
1184This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1185against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1186small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1187
1188Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1189but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1190- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1191addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1192IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1193
1194=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1195
1196Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1197for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1198some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1199default.
1200
1201Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1202EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1203
1204=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1205
1206The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1207will create in parallel.
943 1208
944=back 1209=back
945 1210
946=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1211=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
947 1212
958 poll => 'r', 1223 poll => 'r',
959 cb => sub { 1224 cb => sub {
960 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r> 1225 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r>
961 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line 1226 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line
962 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1227 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
963 $cv->broadcast if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1228 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
964 }, 1229 },
965 ); 1230 );
966 1231
967 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once 1232 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
968 1233
973 }); 1238 });
974 } 1239 }
975 1240
976 new_timer; # create first timer 1241 new_timer; # create first timer
977 1242
978 $cv->wait; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1243 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
979 1244
980=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1245=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
981 1246
982Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following 1247Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following
983API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http: 1248API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http:
1033 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request} 1298 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request}
1034 or die "connection or write error"; 1299 or die "connection or write error";
1035 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r }); 1300 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r });
1036 1301
1037Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the 1302Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the
1038result and signals any possible waiters that the request ahs finished: 1303result and signals any possible waiters that the request has finished:
1039 1304
1040 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf}; 1305 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf};
1041 1306
1042 if (end-of-file or data complete) { 1307 if (end-of-file or data complete) {
1043 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf}; 1308 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf};
1044 $txn->{finished}->broadcast; 1309 $txn->{finished}->send;
1045 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback 1310 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback
1046 } 1311 }
1047 1312
1048The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the 1313The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the
1049request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the 1314request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the
1050data: 1315data:
1051 1316
1052 $txn->{finished}->wait; 1317 $txn->{finished}->recv;
1053 return $txn->{result}; 1318 return $txn->{result};
1054 1319
1055The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 1320The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1056that occured during request processing. The C<result> method detects 1321that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1057whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 1322whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1058and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 1323and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1059problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 1324problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a
1060random callback. 1325random callback.
1061 1326
1092 1357
1093 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar; 1358 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar;
1094 1359
1095 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub { 1360 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub {
1096 ... 1361 ...
1097 $quit->broadcast; 1362 $quit->send;
1098 }); 1363 });
1099 1364
1100 $quit->wait; 1365 $quit->recv;
1101 1366
1102 1367
1103=head1 BENCHMARKS 1368=head1 BENCHMARKS
1104 1369
1105To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds 1370To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds
1107of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks. 1372of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks.
1108 1373
1109=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD 1374=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD
1110 1375
1111Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and 1376Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and
1112through anyevent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 1377through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1113timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 1378timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1114which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 1379which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1115 1380
1116Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 1381Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1117distribution. 1382distribution.
1134all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation 1399all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation
1135and memory usage is not included in the figures. 1400and memory usage is not included in the figures.
1136 1401
1137I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple 1402I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple
1138callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was 1403callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was
1139invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->broadcast >> a condvar once to 1404invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->send >> a condvar once to
1140signal the end of this phase. 1405signal the end of this phase.
1141 1406
1142I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single 1407I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single
1143watcher. 1408watcher.
1144 1409
1240 1505
1241=back 1506=back
1242 1507
1243=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 1508=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1244 1509
1245This benchmark atcually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by 1510This benchmark actually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by
1246creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socketpair, a 1511creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socket pair, a
1247timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O 1512timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O
1248watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket 1513watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket
1249watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server". 1514watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server".
1250 1515
1251The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which 1516The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which
1252are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active 1517are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active
1253fds for each loop iterstaion, but which fds these are is random). The 1518fds for each loop iteration, but which fds these are is random). The
1254timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how 1519timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how
1255most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops). 1520most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops).
1256 1521
1257In this benchmark, we use 10000 socketpairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 1522In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1258(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 1523(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1259connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 1524connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1260 1525
1261Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 1526Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1262distribution. 1527distribution.
1264=head3 Explanation of the columns 1529=head3 Explanation of the columns
1265 1530
1266I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 1531I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1267each server has a read and write socket end). 1532each server has a read and write socket end).
1268 1533
1269I<create> is the time it takes to create a socketpair (which is 1534I<create> is the time it takes to create a socket pair (which is
1270nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher. 1535nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher.
1271 1536
1272I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a 1537I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a
1273single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding 1538single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding
1274it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 1539it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1347speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of 1612speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of
1348them). 1613them).
1349 1614
1350EV is again fastest. 1615EV is again fastest.
1351 1616
1352Perl again comes second. It is noticably faster than the C-based event 1617Perl again comes second. It is noticeably faster than the C-based event
1353loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really 1618loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really
1354matter. 1619matter.
1355 1620
1356POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the 1621POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the
1357others. 1622others.
1390 1655
1391 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 1656 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1392 1657
1393 use AnyEvent; 1658 use AnyEvent;
1394 1659
1660Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1661be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1662probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL).
1663
1395 1664
1396=head1 SEE ALSO 1665=head1 SEE ALSO
1397 1666
1398Event modules: L<Coro::EV>, L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, 1667Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1399L<Coro::Event>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, L<Glib>, L<Coro>, L<Tk>, 1668
1669Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>,
1400L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 1670L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1401 1671
1402Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, 1672Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1403L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, 1673L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1404L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, 1674L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1405L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 1675L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>.
1406 1676
1677Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1678servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>.
1679
1680Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1681
1682Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>,
1683
1407Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>. 1684Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1408 1685
1409 1686
1410=head1 AUTHOR 1687=head1 AUTHOR
1411 1688
1412 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1689 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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