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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?
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
71 76
72=head1 DESCRIPTION 77=head1 DESCRIPTION
73 78
74L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 79L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This
75allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 80allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module
79The 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>
80module. 85module.
81 86
82During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 87During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
83to 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
84following modules is already loaded: L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, L<EV>, 89following modules is already loaded: L<EV>,
85L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 90L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>,
86L<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
87to load these modules (excluding Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 92to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl
88adaptor 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
89be 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
90found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not 95found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not
91very efficient, but should work everywhere. 96very efficient, but should work everywhere.
92 97
103starts 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
104use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 109use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly...
105 110
106The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 111The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
107C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 112C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
108explicitly. 113explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
109 114
110=head1 WATCHERS 115=head1 WATCHERS
111 116
112AnyEvent 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
113stores 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
114the callback to call, the filehandle to watch, etc. 119the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
115 120
116These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 121These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
117creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 122creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
118callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 123callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
119is in control). 124is in control).
141=head2 I/O WATCHERS 146=head2 I/O WATCHERS
142 147
143You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 148You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
144with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 149with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
145 150
146C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch for 151C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch
147events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which 152for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>,
148creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, 153which creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events,
149respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 154respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle
150becomes ready. 155becomes ready.
151 156
152As long as the I/O watcher exists it will keep the file descriptor or a 157Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
153copy of it alive/open. 158presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
159callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
154 160
161The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it.
155It is not allowed to close a file handle as long as any watcher is active 162You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the
156on the underlying file descriptor. 163underlying file descriptor.
157 164
158Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 165Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
159always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 166always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
160handles. 167handles.
161 168
172 179
173You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 180You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
174method with the following mandatory arguments: 181method with the following mandatory arguments:
175 182
176C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 183C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
177supported) should the timer activate. C<cb> the callback to invoke in that 184supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
178case. 185in that case.
186
187Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
188presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
189callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
179 190
180The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 191The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating
181timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 192timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk
182and Glib). 193and Glib).
183 194
222timers. 233timers.
223 234
224AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 235AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
225AnyEvent API. 236AnyEvent API.
226 237
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
227=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 301=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
228 302
229You 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
230I<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
231be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 305be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
232 306
307Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
308presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
309callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
310
233Multiple signal occurances can be clumped together into one callback 311Multiple signal occurrences can be clumped together into one callback
234invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. synchronous means 312invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
235that 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,
236but it is guarenteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 314but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
237 315
238The 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
239between multiple watchers. 317between multiple watchers.
240 318
241This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 319This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals
251 329
252The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 330The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it
253watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 331watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often
254as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 332as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a
255signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 333signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid
256and exit status (as returned by waitpid). 334and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types,
335you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments.
257 336
258Example: wait for pid 1333 337There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
338I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
339have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
340
341Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for
342event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be
343loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place).
344
345This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an
346AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you
347C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>).
348
349Example: fork a process and wait for it
350
351 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
352
353 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
259 354
260 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 355 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
261 pid => 1333, 356 pid => $pid,
262 cb => sub { 357 cb => sub {
263 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 358 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
264 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 359 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
360 $done->send;
265 }, 361 },
266 ); 362 );
267 363
364 # do something else, then wait for process exit
365 $done->recv;
366
268=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 367=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
269 368
369If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
370require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
371will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
372
373AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and
374will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
375
376The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
377because they represent a condition that must become true.
378
270Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar >> 379Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
271method without any arguments. 380>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
381C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
382becomes true.
272 383
273A condition variable waits for a condition - precisely that the C<< 384After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
274->broadcast >> method has been called. 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).
275 388
276They are very useful to signal that a condition has been fulfilled, for 389Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
390optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
391in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
392another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
393used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
394a result.
395
396Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
277example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 397for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
278then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 398then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
279availability of results. 399availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
400called or can synchronously C<< ->recv >> for the results.
280 401
281You can also use condition variables to block your main program until 402You can also use them to simulate traditional event loops - for example,
282an event occurs - for example, you could C<< ->wait >> in your main 403you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you
283program until the user clicks the Quit button in your app, which would C<< 404could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit
284->broadcast >> the "quit" event. 405button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event.
285 406
286Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have 407Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have
287two pirces 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
288lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but 409lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but
289you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks, 410you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks,
290as this asks for trouble. 411as this asks for trouble.
291 412
292This object has two methods: 413Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
414used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
415easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
416AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
417it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
418
419There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
420eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
421for the send to occur.
422
423Example: wait for a timer.
424
425 # wait till the result is ready
426 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
427
428 # do something such as adding a timer
429 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send
430 # when the "result" is ready.
431 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
432 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
433 after => 1,
434 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
435 );
436
437 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
438 # calls send
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;
447
448=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
449
450These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
451code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
452the producer side which creates the condvar in most cases, but it isn't
453uncommon for the consumer to create it as well.
293 454
294=over 4 455=over 4
295 456
457=item $cv->send (...)
458
459Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->recv >> and all further
460calls to C<recv> will (eventually) return after this method has been
461called. If nobody is waiting the send will be remembered.
462
463If a callback has been set on the condition variable, it is called
464immediately from within send.
465
466Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
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).
477
478=item $cv->croak ($error)
479
480Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
481C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
482
483This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
484user/consumer.
485
486=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
487
296=item $cv->wait 488=item $cv->end
297 489
298Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been 490These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
491
492These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
493one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
494to use a condition variable for the whole process.
495
496Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
497C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
498>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
499is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
500callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
501
502Let's clarify this with the ping example:
503
504 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
505
506 my %result;
507 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
508
509 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
510 $cv->begin;
511 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
512 $result{$host} = ...;
513 $cv->end;
514 };
515 }
516
517 $cv->end;
518
519This code fragment supposedly pings a number of hosts and calls
520C<send> after results for all then have have been gathered - in any
521order. To achieve this, the code issues a call to C<begin> when it starts
522each ping request and calls C<end> when it has received some result for
523it. Since C<begin> and C<end> only maintain a counter, the order in which
524results arrive is not relevant.
525
526There is an additional bracketing call to C<begin> and C<end> outside the
527loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
528to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
529C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
530doesn't execute once).
531
532This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests:
533use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end>
534is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call
535C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>.
536
537=back
538
539=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
540
541These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the
542code awaits the condition.
543
544=over 4
545
546=item $cv->recv
547
548Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
299called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers normally. 549>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
550normally.
300 551
301You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls will return 552You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
302immediately. 553will return immediately.
554
555If an error condition has been set by calling C<< ->croak >>, then this
556function will call C<croak>.
557
558In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
559in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
303 560
304Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 561Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
305(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
306using 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
307caller 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
308condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 565condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
309callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 566callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
310while still suppporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 567while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
311 568
312Another 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
313sensibly have two C<< ->wait >>'s in parallel, as that would require 570sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
314multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent> 571multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
315can supply (the coroutine-aware backends L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV> and 572can supply.
316L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent> explicitly support concurrent C<< ->wait >>'s
317from different coroutines, however).
318 573
319=item $cv->broadcast 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).
320 579
321Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->wait >> and all further 580You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
322calls to C<wait> will (eventually) return after this method has been 581only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
323called. If nobody is waiting the broadcast will be remembered.. 582time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
583waits otherwise.
584
585=item $bool = $cv->ready
586
587Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
588C<croak> have been called.
589
590=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback])
591
592This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
593replaces it before doing so.
594
595The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
596C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback
597or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
324 598
325=back 599=back
326
327Example:
328
329 # wait till the result is ready
330 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
331
332 # do something such as adding a timer
333 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->broadcast
334 # when the "result" is ready.
335 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
336 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
337 after => 1,
338 cb => sub { $result_ready->broadcast },
339 );
340
341 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the watcher
342 # calls broadcast
343 $result_ready->wait;
344 600
345=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 601=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
346 602
347=over 4 603=over 4
348 604
354C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 610C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case
355AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 611AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>).
356 612
357The known classes so far are: 613The known classes so far are:
358 614
359 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV based on Coro::EV, best choice.
360 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent based on Coro::Event, second best choice.
361 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice). 615 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
362 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice. 616 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
617 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
363 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice. 618 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
364 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice. 619 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
365 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, inefficient but portable.
366 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs). 620 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
367 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse. 621 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
368 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support. 622 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
369 623
370There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for 624There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
382Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 636Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
383if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 637if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
384have 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
385runtime. 639runtime.
386 640
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
387=back 662=back
388 663
389=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 664=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
390 665
391As 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
394Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will 669Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will
395decide 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
396by 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
397to load the event module first. 672to load the event module first.
398 673
399Never 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
400the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been called on it already. This is 675the C<< ->send >> method has been called on it already. This is
401because 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
402events is to stay interactive. 677events is to stay interactive.
403 678
404It 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
405requests 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
406called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->wait >> 681called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >>
407freely, 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).
408 683
409=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 684=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
410 685
411There 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
413 688
414If 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
415do 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
416decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 691decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it.
417 692
418If 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
419Gtk2 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
420event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 695event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
421speaking, 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
422modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 697modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
423decide 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
424might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 699might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
425 700
426You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 701You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
427loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 702C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
428behaviour 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
721
722=head1 OTHER MODULES
723
724The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
725AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules
726in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are
727available via CPAN.
728
729=over 4
730
731=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
732
733Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
734functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
735
736=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
737
738Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
739
740=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
741
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.
749
750=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
751
752Provides a simple web application server framework.
753
754=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
755
756The fastest ping in the west.
757
758=item L<Net::IRC3>
759
760AnyEvent based IRC client module family.
761
762=item L<Net::XMPP2>
763
764AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
765
766=item L<Net::FCP>
767
768AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
769of AnyEvent.
770
771=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
772
773High level API for event-based execution flow control.
774
775=item L<Coro>
776
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.
789
790=item L<IO::Lambda>
791
792The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
793
794=back
429 795
430=cut 796=cut
431 797
432package AnyEvent; 798package AnyEvent;
433 799
434no warnings; 800no warnings;
435use strict; 801use strict;
436 802
437use Carp; 803use Carp;
438 804
439our $VERSION = '3.3'; 805our $VERSION = '4.1';
440our $MODEL; 806our $MODEL;
441 807
442our $AUTOLOAD; 808our $AUTOLOAD;
443our @ISA; 809our @ISA;
444 810
811our @REGISTRY;
812
813our $WIN32;
814
815BEGIN {
816 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i);
817 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }";
818}
819
445our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 820our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
446 821
447our @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 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
829}
448 830
449my @models = ( 831my @models = (
450 [Coro::EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV::],
451 [Coro::Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent::],
452 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 832 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::],
453 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 833 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
454 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::],
455 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::],
456 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
457 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
458 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 834 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
459 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 835 # everything below here will not be autoprobed
836 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
837 # and is usually faster
838 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
839 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
460 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 840 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
461 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 841 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
462 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 842 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
843 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
844 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
463); 845);
464 846
465our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar broadcast wait 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}
466 870
467sub detect() { 871sub detect() {
468 unless ($MODEL) { 872 unless ($MODEL) {
469 no strict 'refs'; 873 no strict 'refs';
874 local $SIG{__DIE__};
470 875
471 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 876 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
472 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 877 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
473 if (eval "require $model") { 878 if (eval "require $model") {
474 $MODEL = $model; 879 $MODEL = $model;
504 last; 909 last;
505 } 910 }
506 } 911 }
507 912
508 $MODEL 913 $MODEL
509 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.";
510 } 915 }
511 } 916 }
512 917
513 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 918 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
514 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 919 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
920
921 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
515 } 922 }
516 923
517 $MODEL 924 $MODEL
518} 925}
519 926
529 $class->$func (@_); 936 $class->$func (@_);
530} 937}
531 938
532package AnyEvent::Base; 939package AnyEvent::Base;
533 940
941# default implementation for now and time
942
943use Time::HiRes ();
944
945sub time { Time::HiRes::time }
946sub now { Time::HiRes::time }
947
534# default implementation for ->condvar, ->wait, ->broadcast 948# default implementation for ->condvar
535 949
536sub condvar { 950sub condvar {
537 bless \my $flag, "AnyEvent::Base::CondVar" 951 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar::
538}
539
540sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::broadcast {
541 ${$_[0]}++;
542}
543
544sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::wait {
545 AnyEvent->one_event while !${$_[0]};
546} 952}
547 953
548# default implementation for ->signal 954# default implementation for ->signal
549 955
550our %SIG_CB; 956our %SIG_CB;
603 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1009 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
604 1010
605 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1011 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
606 1012
607 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1013 unless ($WNOHANG) {
608 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1014 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
609 } 1015 }
610 1016
611 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1017 unless ($CHLD_W) {
612 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1018 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
613 # 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
623 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1029 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
624 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1030 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
625 1031
626 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1032 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
627} 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;
628 1094
629=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1095=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
630 1096
631This 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
632a 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
689model it chooses. 1155model it chooses.
690 1156
691=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1157=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
692 1158
693This 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
694autodetection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1160auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
695entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended 1161entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
696and 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,
697used 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
698autodetection and -probing. 1164auto detection and -probing.
699 1165
700This functionality might change in future versions. 1166This functionality might change in future versions.
701 1167
702For 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
703could start your program like this: 1169could start your program like this:
704 1170
705 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.
706 1208
707=back 1209=back
708 1210
709=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1211=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
710 1212
721 poll => 'r', 1223 poll => 'r',
722 cb => sub { 1224 cb => sub {
723 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r> 1225 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r>
724 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line 1226 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line
725 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1227 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
726 $cv->broadcast if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1228 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
727 }, 1229 },
728 ); 1230 );
729 1231
730 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once 1232 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
731 1233
736 }); 1238 });
737 } 1239 }
738 1240
739 new_timer; # create first timer 1241 new_timer; # create first timer
740 1242
741 $cv->wait; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1243 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
742 1244
743=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1245=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
744 1246
745Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following 1247Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following
746API 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:
796 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request} 1298 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request}
797 or die "connection or write error"; 1299 or die "connection or write error";
798 $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 });
799 1301
800Again, 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
801result and signals any possible waiters that the request ahs finished: 1303result and signals any possible waiters that the request has finished:
802 1304
803 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf}; 1305 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf};
804 1306
805 if (end-of-file or data complete) { 1307 if (end-of-file or data complete) {
806 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf}; 1308 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf};
807 $txn->{finished}->broadcast; 1309 $txn->{finished}->send;
808 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback 1310 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback
809 } 1311 }
810 1312
811The 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
812request 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
813data: 1315data:
814 1316
815 $txn->{finished}->wait; 1317 $txn->{finished}->recv;
816 return $txn->{result}; 1318 return $txn->{result};
817 1319
818The 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)
819that occured during request processing. The C<result> method detects 1321that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
820whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 1322whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
821and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 1323and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
822problems 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
823random callback. 1325random callback.
824 1326
855 1357
856 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar; 1358 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar;
857 1359
858 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub { 1360 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub {
859 ... 1361 ...
860 $quit->broadcast; 1362 $quit->send;
861 }); 1363 });
862 1364
863 $quit->wait; 1365 $quit->recv;
864 1366
865 1367
866=head1 BENCHMARK 1368=head1 BENCHMARKS
867 1369
868To 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
869over the event loops themselves (and to give you an impression of the 1371over the event loops themselves and to give you an impression of the speed
870speed of various event loops), here is a benchmark of various supported 1372of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks.
871event models natively and with anyevent. The benchmark creates a lot of 1373
872timers (with a zero timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to 1374=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD
1375
1376Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and
1377through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1378timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
873become writable, which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys 1379which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
874them again.
875 1380
876Rewriting the benchmark to use many different sockets instead of using 1381Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
877the same filehandle for all I/O watchers results in a much longer runtime 1382distribution.
878(socket creation is expensive), but qualitatively the same figures, so it
879was not used.
880 1383
881=head2 Explanation of the columns 1384=head3 Explanation of the columns
882 1385
883I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 1386I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
884different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 1387different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
885loop was given a number of watchers so that overall runtime is acceptable 1388loop was given a number of watchers so that overall runtime is acceptable
886and similar between tested event loop (and keep them from crashing): Glib 1389and similar between tested event loop (and keep them from crashing): Glib
896all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation 1399all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation
897and memory usage is not included in the figures. 1400and memory usage is not included in the figures.
898 1401
899I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple 1402I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple
900callback. 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
901invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->broadcast >> a condvar once to 1404invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->send >> a condvar once to
902signal the end of this phase. 1405signal the end of this phase.
903 1406
904I<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
905watcher. 1408watcher.
906 1409
907=head2 Results 1410=head3 Results
908 1411
909 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 1412 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
910 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 1413 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface
911 EV/Any 100000 610 3.52 0.91 0.75 EV + AnyEvent watchers 1414 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers
912 CoroEV/Any 100000 610 3.49 0.92 0.75 coroutines + Coro::Signal 1415 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal
913 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.91 0.92 1.15 pure perl implementation 1416 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation
914 Event/Event 16000 523 28.05 21.38 0.86 Event native interface 1417 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface
915 Event/Any 16000 943 34.43 20.48 1.39 Event + AnyEvent watchers 1418 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers
916 Glib/Any 16000 1357 96.99 12.55 55.51 quadratic behaviour 1419 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour
917 Tk/Any 2000 1855 27.01 66.61 14.03 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 1420 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
918 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.15 768.19 14.33 via POE::Loop::Event 1421 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event
919 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.69 807.65 562.69 via POE::Loop::Select 1422 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select
920 1423
921=head2 Discussion 1424=head3 Discussion
922 1425
923The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 1426The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
924well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 1427well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
925can never compete with an event loop that uses epoll when the number of 1428can never compete with an event loop that uses epoll when the number of
926file descriptors grows high. In this benchmark, all events become ready at 1429file descriptors grows high. In this benchmark, all events become ready at
927the same time, so select/poll-based implementations get an unnatural speed 1430the same time, so select/poll-based implementations get an unnatural speed
928boost. 1431boost.
929 1432
1433Also, note that the number of watchers usually has a nonlinear effect on
1434overall speed, that is, creating twice as many watchers doesn't take twice
1435the time - usually it takes longer. This puts event loops tested with a
1436higher number of watchers at a disadvantage.
1437
1438To put the range of results into perspective, consider that on the
1439benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1440EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1441cycles with POE.
1442
930C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 1443C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
931maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, there are 1444maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses
932only two event loops that use slightly less memory (the C<Event> module 1445far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event
933natively and the pure perl backend), and no faster event models, not even 1446natively.
934C<Event> natively.
935 1447
936The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 1448The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
937zero timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 1449constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
938interpreter and the backend itself, and all watchers become ready at the 1450interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
939same time). Nevertheless this shows that it adds very little overhead in 1451adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
940itself. Like any select-based backend its performance becomes really bad 1452performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
941with lots of file descriptors (and few of them active), of course, but 1453them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
942this was not subject of this benchmark.
943 1454
944The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation cost, 1455The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
945but overall scores on the third place. 1456cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
946 1457
947C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit bit higher, but it features a 1458C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
948faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 1459faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
949C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 1460C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
950watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 1461watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
951making it completely unusable when using larger numbers of watchers 1462making it completely unusable when using larger numbers of watchers
952(note that only a single file descriptor was used in the benchmark, so 1463(note that only a single file descriptor was used in the benchmark, so
955The C<Tk> adaptor works relatively well. The fact that it crashes with 1466The C<Tk> adaptor works relatively well. The fact that it crashes with
956more than 2000 watchers is a big setback, however, as correctness takes 1467more than 2000 watchers is a big setback, however, as correctness takes
957precedence over speed. Nevertheless, its performance is surprising, as the 1468precedence over speed. Nevertheless, its performance is surprising, as the
958file descriptor is dup()ed for each watcher. This shows that the dup() 1469file descriptor is dup()ed for each watcher. This shows that the dup()
959employed by some adaptors is not a big performance issue (it does incur a 1470employed by some adaptors is not a big performance issue (it does incur a
960hidden memory cost inside the kernel, though, that is not reflected in the 1471hidden memory cost inside the kernel which is not reflected in the figures
961figures above). 1472above).
962 1473
963C<POE>, regardless of underlying event loop (wether using its pure perl 1474C<POE>, regardless of underlying event loop (whether using its pure perl
964select-based backend or the Event module) shows abysmal performance and 1475select-based backend or the Event module, the POE-EV backend couldn't
1476be tested because it wasn't working) shows abysmal performance and
965memory usage: Watchers use almost 30 times as much memory as EV watchers, 1477memory usage with AnyEvent: Watchers use almost 30 times as much memory
966and 10 times as much memory as both Event or EV via AnyEvent. Watcher 1478as EV watchers, and 10 times as much memory as Event (the high memory
1479requirements are caused by requiring a session for each watcher). Watcher
967invocation is almost 900 times slower than with AnyEvent's pure perl 1480invocation speed is almost 900 times slower than with AnyEvent's pure perl
1481implementation.
1482
968implementation. The design of the POE adaptor class in AnyEvent can not 1483The design of the POE adaptor class in AnyEvent can not really account
969really account for this, as session creation overhead is small compared 1484for the performance issues, though, as session creation overhead is
970to execution of the state machine, which is coded pretty optimally within 1485small compared to execution of the state machine, which is coded pretty
971L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. POE simply seems to be abysmally slow. 1486optimally within L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE> (and while everybody agrees that
1487using multiple sessions is not a good approach, especially regarding
1488memory usage, even the author of POE could not come up with a faster
1489design).
972 1490
973=head2 Summary 1491=head3 Summary
974 1492
1493=over 4
1494
975Using EV through AnyEvent is faster than any other event loop, but most 1495=item * Using EV through AnyEvent is faster than any other event loop
976event loops have acceptable performance with or without AnyEvent. 1496(even when used without AnyEvent), but most event loops have acceptable
1497performance with or without AnyEvent.
977 1498
978The overhead AnyEvent adds is usually much smaller than the overhead of 1499=item * The overhead AnyEvent adds is usually much smaller than the overhead of
979the actual event loop, only with extremely fast event loops such as the EV 1500the actual event loop, only with extremely fast event loops such as EV
980adds AnyEvent significant overhead. 1501adds AnyEvent significant overhead.
981 1502
982And you should simply avoid POE like the plague if you want performance or 1503=item * You should avoid POE like the plague if you want performance or
983reasonable memory usage. 1504reasonable memory usage.
984 1505
1506=back
1507
1508=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1509
1510This benchmark actually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by
1511creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socket pair, a
1512timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O
1513watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket
1514watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server".
1515
1516The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which
1517are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active
1518fds for each loop iteration, but which fds these are is random). The
1519timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how
1520most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops).
1521
1522In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1523(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1524connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1525
1526Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1527distribution.
1528
1529=head3 Explanation of the columns
1530
1531I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1532each server has a read and write socket end).
1533
1534I<create> is the time it takes to create a socket pair (which is
1535nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher.
1536
1537I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a
1538single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding
1539it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1540a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1541
1542=head3 Results
1543
1544 name sockets create request
1545 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1546 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
1547 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1548 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1549 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1550
1551=head3 Discussion
1552
1553This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1554particular event loop.
1555
1556EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1557is relatively high, though.
1558
1559Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1560loops Event and Glib.
1561
1562Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1563understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1564the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1565uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1566
1567Glib is hit hard by its quadratic behaviour w.r.t. many watchers. It
1568clearly fails to perform with many filehandles or in busy servers.
1569
1570POE is still completely out of the picture, taking over 1000 times as long
1571as EV, and over 100 times as long as the Perl implementation, even though
1572it uses a C-based event loop in this case.
1573
1574=head3 Summary
1575
1576=over 4
1577
1578=item * The pure perl implementation performs extremely well.
1579
1580=item * Avoid Glib or POE in large projects where performance matters.
1581
1582=back
1583
1584=head2 BENCHMARKING SMALL SERVERS
1585
1586While event loops should scale (and select-based ones do not...) even to
1587large servers, most programs we (or I :) actually write have only a few
1588I/O watchers.
1589
1590In this benchmark, I use the same benchmark program as in the large server
1591case, but it uses only eight "servers", of which three are active at any
1592one time. This should reflect performance for a small server relatively
1593well.
1594
1595The columns are identical to the previous table.
1596
1597=head3 Results
1598
1599 name sockets create request
1600 EV 16 20.00 6.54
1601 Perl 16 25.75 12.62
1602 Event 16 81.27 35.86
1603 Glib 16 32.63 15.48
1604 POE 16 261.87 276.28 uses POE::Loop::Event
1605
1606=head3 Discussion
1607
1608The benchmark tries to test the performance of a typical small
1609server. While knowing how various event loops perform is interesting, keep
1610in mind that their overhead in this case is usually not as important, due
1611to the small absolute number of watchers (that is, you need efficiency and
1612speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of
1613them).
1614
1615EV is again fastest.
1616
1617Perl again comes second. It is noticeably faster than the C-based event
1618loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really
1619matter.
1620
1621POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the
1622others.
1623
1624=head3 Summary
1625
1626=over 4
1627
1628=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1629watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1630
1631=back
1632
985 1633
986=head1 FORK 1634=head1 FORK
987 1635
988Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 1636Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
989because they are so inefficient. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 1637because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1638calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
990 1639
991If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 1640If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
992watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 1641watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child.
993 1642
994 1643
1006 1655
1007 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 1656 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1008 1657
1009 use AnyEvent; 1658 use AnyEvent;
1010 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
1011 1664
1012=head1 SEE ALSO 1665=head1 SEE ALSO
1013 1666
1014Event modules: L<Coro::EV>, L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, 1667Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1015L<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>,
1016L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 1670L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1017 1671
1018Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, 1672Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1019L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, 1673L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1020L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, 1674L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1021L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 1675L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>.
1022 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
1023Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>. 1684Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1024 1685
1025 1686
1026=head1 AUTHOR 1687=head1 AUTHOR
1027 1688
1028 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1689 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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