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Revision 1.98 by root, Sun Apr 27 16:31:48 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.145 by root, Thu May 29 03:45:37 2008 UTC

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#TODO#
72
73Net::IRC3
74AnyEvent::HTTPD
75AnyEvent::DNS
76IO::AnyEvent
77Net::FPing
78Net::XMPP2
79Coro
80
81AnyEvent::IRC
82AnyEvent::HTTPD
83AnyEvent::DNS
84AnyEvent::Handle
85AnyEvent::Socket
86AnyEvent::FPing
87AnyEvent::XMPP
88AnyEvent::SNMP
89Coro
90 76
91=head1 DESCRIPTION 77=head1 DESCRIPTION
92 78
93L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 79L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This
94allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 80allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module
98The 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>
99module. 85module.
100 86
101During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 87During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
102to 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
103following modules is already loaded: L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, L<EV>, 89following modules is already loaded: L<EV>,
104L<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>,
105L<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
106to 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
107adaptor 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
108be 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
122starts 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
123use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 109use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly...
124 110
125The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 111The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
126C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 112C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
127explicitly. 113explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
128 114
129=head1 WATCHERS 115=head1 WATCHERS
130 116
131AnyEvent 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
132stores 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
133the callback to call, the filehandle to watch, etc. 119the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
134 120
135These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 121These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
136creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 122creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
137callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 123callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
138is in control). 124is in control).
247timers. 233timers.
248 234
249AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 235AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
250AnyEvent API. 236AnyEvent API.
251 237
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
252=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 301=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
253 302
254You 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
255I<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
256be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 305be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
257 306
258Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 307Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
259presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 308presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
260callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 309callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
261 310
262Multiple signal occurances can be clumped together into one callback 311Multiple signal occurrences can be clumped together into one callback
263invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. synchronous means 312invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
264that 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,
265but it is guarenteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 314but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
266 315
267The 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
268between multiple watchers. 317between multiple watchers.
269 318
270This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 319This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals
299 348
300Example: fork a process and wait for it 349Example: fork a process and wait for it
301 350
302 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 351 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
303 352
304 AnyEvent::detect; # force event module to be initialised
305
306 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 353 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
307 354
308 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 355 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
309 pid => $pid, 356 pid => $pid,
310 cb => sub { 357 cb => sub {
311 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 358 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
312 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 359 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
313 $done->broadcast; 360 $done->send;
314 }, 361 },
315 ); 362 );
316 363
317 # do something else, then wait for process exit 364 # do something else, then wait for process exit
318 $done->wait; 365 $done->recv;
319 366
320=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 367=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
321 368
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
322Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar >> 379Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
323method 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.
324 383
325A condition variable waits for a condition - precisely that the C<< 384After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
326->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).
327 388
328They 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,
329example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 397for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
330then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 398then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
331availability of results. 399availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
400called or can synchronously C<< ->recv >> for the results.
332 401
333You can also use condition variables to block your main program until 402You can also use them to simulate traditional event loops - for example,
334an event occurs - for example, you could C<< ->wait >> in your main 403you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you
335program until the user clicks the Quit button in your app, which would C<< 404could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit
336->broadcast >> 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 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
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
344This 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.
345 454
346=over 4 455=over 4
347 456
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
348=item $cv->wait 488=item $cv->end
349 489
350Wait (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 $cv->recv
547
548Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
351called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers normally. 549>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
550normally.
352 551
353You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls will return 552You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
354immediately. 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.
355 560
356Not 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
357(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
358using 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
359caller 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
360condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 565condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
361callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 566callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
362while still suppporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 567while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
363 568
364Another 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
365sensibly have two C<< ->wait >>'s in parallel, as that would require 570sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
366multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent> 571multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
367can supply (the coroutine-aware backends L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV> and 572can supply.
368L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent> explicitly support concurrent C<< ->wait >>'s
369from different coroutines, however).
370 573
371=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).
372 579
373Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->wait >> and all further 580You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
374calls to C<wait> will (eventually) return after this method has been 581only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
375called. 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.
376 598
377=back 599=back
378
379Example:
380
381 # wait till the result is ready
382 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
383
384 # do something such as adding a timer
385 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->broadcast
386 # when the "result" is ready.
387 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
388 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
389 after => 1,
390 cb => sub { $result_ready->broadcast },
391 );
392
393 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the watcher
394 # calls broadcast
395 $result_ready->wait;
396 600
397=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 601=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
398 602
399=over 4 603=over 4
400 604
406C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 610C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case
407AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 611AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>).
408 612
409The known classes so far are: 613The known classes so far are:
410 614
411 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV based on Coro::EV, best choice.
412 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent based on Coro::Event, second best choice.
413 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice). 615 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
414 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice. 616 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
617 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
415 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice. 618 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
416 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, inefficient but portable.
417 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice. 619 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
418 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs). 620 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
419 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse. 621 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
420 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support. 622 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
421 623
434Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 636Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
435if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 637if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
436have 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
437runtime. 639runtime.
438 640
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
439=back 662=back
440 663
441=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 664=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
442 665
443As 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
446Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will 669Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will
447decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so 670decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so
448by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module 671by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module
449to load the event module first. 672to load the event module first.
450 673
451Never 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
452the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been called on it already. This is 675the C<< ->send >> method has been called on it already. This is
453because 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
454events is to stay interactive. 677events is to stay interactive.
455 678
456It 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
457requests 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
458called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->wait >> 681called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >>
459freely, 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).
460 683
461=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 684=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
462 685
463There 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
465 688
466If 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
467do 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
468decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 691decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it.
469 692
470If 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
471Gtk2 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
472event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 695event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
473speaking, 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
474modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 697modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
475decide 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
476might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 699might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
477 700
478You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 701You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
479loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 702C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
480behaviour 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
481 795
482=cut 796=cut
483 797
484package AnyEvent; 798package AnyEvent;
485 799
486no warnings; 800no warnings;
487use strict; 801use strict;
488 802
489use Carp; 803use Carp;
490 804
491our $VERSION = '3.3'; 805our $VERSION = '4.1';
492our $MODEL; 806our $MODEL;
493 807
494our $AUTOLOAD; 808our $AUTOLOAD;
495our @ISA; 809our @ISA;
496 810
811our @REGISTRY;
812
813our $WIN32;
814
815BEGIN {
816 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i);
817 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }";
818}
819
497our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 820our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
498 821
499our @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 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
829}
500 830
501my @models = ( 831my @models = (
502 [Coro::EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV::],
503 [Coro::Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent::],
504 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 832 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::],
505 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 833 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
506 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::],
507 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::],
508 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
509 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
510 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 834 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
511 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 835 # everything below here will not be autoprobed
836 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
837 # and is usually faster
838 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
839 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
512 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 840 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
513 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 841 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
514 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 842 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
843 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
844 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
515); 845);
516 846
517our %method = map +($_ => 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}
518 870
519sub detect() { 871sub detect() {
520 unless ($MODEL) { 872 unless ($MODEL) {
521 no strict 'refs'; 873 no strict 'refs';
874 local $SIG{__DIE__};
522 875
523 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 876 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
524 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 877 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
525 if (eval "require $model") { 878 if (eval "require $model") {
526 $MODEL = $model; 879 $MODEL = $model;
556 last; 909 last;
557 } 910 }
558 } 911 }
559 912
560 $MODEL 913 $MODEL
561 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV (or Coro+EV), Event (or Coro+Event) or Glib."; 914 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.";
562 } 915 }
563 } 916 }
564 917
565 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 918 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
566 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 919 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
920
921 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
567 } 922 }
568 923
569 $MODEL 924 $MODEL
570} 925}
571 926
581 $class->$func (@_); 936 $class->$func (@_);
582} 937}
583 938
584package AnyEvent::Base; 939package AnyEvent::Base;
585 940
941# default implementation for now and time
942
943use Time::HiRes ();
944
945sub time { Time::HiRes::time }
946sub now { Time::HiRes::time }
947
586# default implementation for ->condvar, ->wait, ->broadcast 948# default implementation for ->condvar
587 949
588sub condvar { 950sub condvar {
589 bless \my $flag, "AnyEvent::Base::CondVar" 951 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar::
590}
591
592sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::broadcast {
593 ${$_[0]}++;
594}
595
596sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::wait {
597 AnyEvent->one_event while !${$_[0]};
598} 952}
599 953
600# default implementation for ->signal 954# default implementation for ->signal
601 955
602our %SIG_CB; 956our %SIG_CB;
655 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1009 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
656 1010
657 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1011 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
658 1012
659 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1013 unless ($WNOHANG) {
660 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1014 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
661 } 1015 }
662 1016
663 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1017 unless ($CHLD_W) {
664 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1018 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
665 # 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
675 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1029 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
676 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1030 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
677 1031
678 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1032 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
679} 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;
680 1094
681=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1095=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
682 1096
683This 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
684a 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
741model it chooses. 1155model it chooses.
742 1156
743=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1157=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
744 1158
745This 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
746autodetection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1160auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
747entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended 1161entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
748and 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,
749used 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
750autodetection and -probing. 1164auto detection and -probing.
751 1165
752This functionality might change in future versions. 1166This functionality might change in future versions.
753 1167
754For 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
755could start your program like this: 1169could start your program like this:
756 1170
757 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.
758 1208
759=back 1209=back
760 1210
761=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1211=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
762 1212
773 poll => 'r', 1223 poll => 'r',
774 cb => sub { 1224 cb => sub {
775 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r> 1225 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r>
776 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line 1226 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line
777 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1227 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
778 $cv->broadcast if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1228 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
779 }, 1229 },
780 ); 1230 );
781 1231
782 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once 1232 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
783 1233
788 }); 1238 });
789 } 1239 }
790 1240
791 new_timer; # create first timer 1241 new_timer; # create first timer
792 1242
793 $cv->wait; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1243 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
794 1244
795=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1245=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
796 1246
797Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following 1247Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following
798API 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:
848 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request} 1298 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request}
849 or die "connection or write error"; 1299 or die "connection or write error";
850 $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 });
851 1301
852Again, 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
853result and signals any possible waiters that the request ahs finished: 1303result and signals any possible waiters that the request has finished:
854 1304
855 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf}; 1305 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf};
856 1306
857 if (end-of-file or data complete) { 1307 if (end-of-file or data complete) {
858 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf}; 1308 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf};
859 $txn->{finished}->broadcast; 1309 $txn->{finished}->send;
860 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback 1310 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback
861 } 1311 }
862 1312
863The 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
864request 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
865data: 1315data:
866 1316
867 $txn->{finished}->wait; 1317 $txn->{finished}->recv;
868 return $txn->{result}; 1318 return $txn->{result};
869 1319
870The 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)
871that occured during request processing. The C<result> method detects 1321that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
872whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 1322whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
873and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 1323and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
874problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 1324problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a
875random callback. 1325random callback.
876 1326
907 1357
908 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar; 1358 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar;
909 1359
910 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub { 1360 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub {
911 ... 1361 ...
912 $quit->broadcast; 1362 $quit->send;
913 }); 1363 });
914 1364
915 $quit->wait; 1365 $quit->recv;
916 1366
917 1367
918=head1 BENCHMARKS 1368=head1 BENCHMARKS
919 1369
920To 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
922of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks. 1372of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks.
923 1373
924=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD 1374=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD
925 1375
926Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and 1376Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and
927through anyevent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 1377through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
928timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 1378timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
929which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 1379which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
930 1380
931Source 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
932distribution. 1382distribution.
949all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation 1399all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation
950and memory usage is not included in the figures. 1400and memory usage is not included in the figures.
951 1401
952I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple 1402I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple
953callback. 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
954invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->broadcast >> a condvar once to 1404invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->send >> a condvar once to
955signal the end of this phase. 1405signal the end of this phase.
956 1406
957I<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
958watcher. 1408watcher.
959 1409
1019file 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()
1020employed 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
1021hidden memory cost inside the kernel which is not reflected in the figures 1471hidden memory cost inside the kernel which is not reflected in the figures
1022above). 1472above).
1023 1473
1024C<POE>, regardless of underlying event loop (whether using its pure 1474C<POE>, regardless of underlying event loop (whether using its pure perl
1025perl select-based backend or the Event module, the POE-EV backend 1475select-based backend or the Event module, the POE-EV backend couldn't
1026couldn't be tested because it wasn't working) shows abysmal performance 1476be tested because it wasn't working) shows abysmal performance and
1027and memory usage: Watchers use almost 30 times as much memory as 1477memory usage with AnyEvent: Watchers use almost 30 times as much memory
1028EV watchers, and 10 times as much memory as Event (the high memory 1478as EV watchers, and 10 times as much memory as Event (the high memory
1029requirements are caused by requiring a session for each watcher). Watcher 1479requirements are caused by requiring a session for each watcher). Watcher
1030invocation speed 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
1031implementation. The design of the POE adaptor class in AnyEvent can not 1483The design of the POE adaptor class in AnyEvent can not really account
1032really account for this, as session creation overhead is small compared 1484for the performance issues, though, as session creation overhead is
1033to execution of the state machine, which is coded pretty optimally within 1485small compared to execution of the state machine, which is coded pretty
1034L<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).
1035 1490
1036=head3 Summary 1491=head3 Summary
1037 1492
1038=over 4 1493=over 4
1039 1494
1050 1505
1051=back 1506=back
1052 1507
1053=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 1508=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1054 1509
1055This benchmark atcually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by 1510This benchmark actually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by
1056creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socketpair, a 1511creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socket pair, a
1057timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O 1512timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O
1058watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket 1513watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket
1059watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server". 1514watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server".
1060 1515
1061The 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
1062are 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
1063fds 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
1064timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how 1519timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how
1065most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops). 1520most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops).
1066 1521
1067In this benchmark, we use 10000 socketpairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 1522In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1068(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 1523(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1069connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 1524connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1070 1525
1071Source 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
1072distribution. 1527distribution.
1074=head3 Explanation of the columns 1529=head3 Explanation of the columns
1075 1530
1076I<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
1077each server has a read and write socket end). 1532each server has a read and write socket end).
1078 1533
1079I<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
1080nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher. 1535nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher.
1081 1536
1082I<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
1083single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding 1538single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding
1084it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 1539it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1086 1541
1087=head3 Results 1542=head3 Results
1088 1543
1089 name sockets create request 1544 name sockets create request
1090 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 1545 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1091 Perl 20000 75.28 112.76 1546 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
1092 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 1547 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1093 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 1548 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1094 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 1549 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1095 1550
1096=head3 Discussion 1551=head3 Discussion
1118 1573
1119=head3 Summary 1574=head3 Summary
1120 1575
1121=over 4 1576=over 4
1122 1577
1123=item * The pure perl implementation performs extremely well, considering 1578=item * The pure perl implementation performs extremely well.
1124that it uses select.
1125 1579
1126=item * Avoid Glib or POE in large projects where performance matters. 1580=item * Avoid Glib or POE in large projects where performance matters.
1127 1581
1128=back 1582=back
1129 1583
1142 1596
1143=head3 Results 1597=head3 Results
1144 1598
1145 name sockets create request 1599 name sockets create request
1146 EV 16 20.00 6.54 1600 EV 16 20.00 6.54
1601 Perl 16 25.75 12.62
1147 Event 16 81.27 35.86 1602 Event 16 81.27 35.86
1148 Glib 16 32.63 15.48 1603 Glib 16 32.63 15.48
1149 Perl 16 24.62 162.37
1150 POE 16 261.87 276.28 uses POE::Loop::Event 1604 POE 16 261.87 276.28 uses POE::Loop::Event
1151 1605
1152=head3 Discussion 1606=head3 Discussion
1153 1607
1154The benchmark tries to test the performance of a typical small 1608The benchmark tries to test the performance of a typical small
1158speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of 1612speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of
1159them). 1613them).
1160 1614
1161EV is again fastest. 1615EV is again fastest.
1162 1616
1163The C-based event loops Event and Glib come in second this time, as the 1617Perl again comes second. It is noticeably faster than the C-based event
1164overhead of running an iteration is much smaller in C than in Perl (little 1618loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really
1165code to execute in the inner loop, and perl's function calling overhead is 1619matter.
1166high, and updating all the data structures is costly).
1167
1168The pure perl event loop is much slower, but still competitive.
1169 1620
1170POE 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
1171others. 1622others.
1172 1623
1173=head3 Summary 1624=head3 Summary
1181 1632
1182 1633
1183=head1 FORK 1634=head1 FORK
1184 1635
1185Most 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
1186because 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.
1187 1639
1188If 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
1189watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 1641watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child.
1190 1642
1191 1643
1203 1655
1204 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 1656 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1205 1657
1206 use AnyEvent; 1658 use AnyEvent;
1207 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
1208 1664
1209=head1 SEE ALSO 1665=head1 SEE ALSO
1210 1666
1211Event modules: L<Coro::EV>, L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, 1667Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1212L<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>,
1213L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 1670L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1214 1671
1215Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, 1672Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1216L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, 1673L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1217L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, 1674L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1218L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 1675L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>.
1219 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
1220Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>. 1684Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1221 1685
1222 1686
1223=head1 AUTHOR 1687=head1 AUTHOR
1224 1688
1225 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1689 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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