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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
23=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
24
25This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
26in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
27L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
22 28
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 29=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 30
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 31Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 32nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 54isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 55I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 56
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 57AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 58fine. 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 59with 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, 60your 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 61too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 62event 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 63as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 64event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
59 65
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 66In 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 67model>, 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 68modules, 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 69follow. 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 70offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 71technically possible.
66 72
73Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
74of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
75non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
76such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
77platform bugs and differences.
78
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 79Now, 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 80useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 81model, you should I<not> use this module.
70 82
71=head1 DESCRIPTION 83=head1 DESCRIPTION
72 84
78The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 90The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
79module. 91module.
80 92
81During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 93During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
82to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 94to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
83following modules is already loaded: L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, L<EV>, 95following modules is already loaded: L<EV>,
84L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 96L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>,
85L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 97L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries
86to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 98to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl
87adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 99adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can
88be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 100be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be
102starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 114starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to
103use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 115use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly...
104 116
105The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 117The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
106C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 118C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
107explicitly. 119explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
108 120
109=head1 WATCHERS 121=head1 WATCHERS
110 122
111AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 123AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that
112stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as 124stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
113the callback to call, the filehandle to watch, etc. 125the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
114 126
115These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 127These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
116creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 128creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
117callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 129callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
118is in control). 130is in control).
227timers. 239timers.
228 240
229AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 241AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
230AnyEvent API. 242AnyEvent API.
231 243
244AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
245
246=over 4
247
248=item AnyEvent->time
249
250This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
251seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
252return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
253
254It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
255will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
256
257=item AnyEvent->now
258
259This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
260this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
261the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
262time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
263
264I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
265function to call when you want to know the current time.>
266
267This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
268thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
269L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts).
270
271The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
272with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience.
273
274For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
275and L<EV> and the following set-up:
276
277The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at
278time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
279you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
280second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
281after three seconds.
282
283With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
284both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
285be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
286
287With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
288time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
289last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
290to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
291
292In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
293regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
294callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
295higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
296
297In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
298the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
299
300In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
301can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
302difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
303account.
304
305=back
306
232=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 307=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
233 308
234You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 309You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
235I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 310I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to
236be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 311be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
237 312
238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 313Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 314presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 315callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
241 316
242Multiple signal occurances can be clumped together into one callback 317Multiple signal occurrences can be clumped together into one callback
243invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. synchronous means 318invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
244that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 319that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
245but it is guarenteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 320but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
246 321
247The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 322The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
248between multiple watchers. 323between multiple watchers.
249 324
250This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 325This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals
279 354
280Example: fork a process and wait for it 355Example: fork a process and wait for it
281 356
282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 357 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
283 358
284 AnyEvent::detect; # force event module to be initialised
285
286 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 359 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
287 360
288 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 361 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
289 pid => $pid, 362 pid => $pid,
290 cb => sub { 363 cb => sub {
291 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 364 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
292 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 365 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
293 $done->broadcast; 366 $done->send;
294 }, 367 },
295 ); 368 );
296 369
297 # do something else, then wait for process exit 370 # do something else, then wait for process exit
298 $done->wait; 371 $done->recv;
299 372
300=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 373=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
301 374
375If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
376require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
377will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
378
379AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and
380will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
381
382The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
383because they represent a condition that must become true.
384
302Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar >> 385Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
303method without any arguments. 386>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
387C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
388becomes true.
304 389
305A condition variable waits for a condition - precisely that the C<< 390After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
306->broadcast >> method has been called. 391by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
392were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
393->send >> method).
307 394
308They are very useful to signal that a condition has been fulfilled, for 395Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
396optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
397in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
398another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
399used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
400a result.
401
402Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
309example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 403for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
310then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 404then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
311availability of results. 405availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
406called or can synchronously C<< ->recv >> for the results.
312 407
313You can also use condition variables to block your main program until 408You can also use them to simulate traditional event loops - for example,
314an event occurs - for example, you could C<< ->wait >> in your main 409you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you
315program until the user clicks the Quit button in your app, which would C<< 410could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit
316->broadcast >> the "quit" event. 411button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event.
317 412
318Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have 413Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have
319two pirces of code that call C<< ->wait >> in a round-robbin fashion, you 414two pieces of code that call C<< ->recv >> in a round-robin fashion, you
320lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but 415lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but
321you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks, 416you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks,
322as this asks for trouble. 417as this asks for trouble.
323 418
324This object has two methods: 419Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
420used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
421easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
422AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
423it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
424
425There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
426eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
427for the send to occur.
428
429Example: wait for a timer.
430
431 # wait till the result is ready
432 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
433
434 # do something such as adding a timer
435 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send
436 # when the "result" is ready.
437 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
438 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
439 after => 1,
440 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
441 );
442
443 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
444 # calls send
445 $result_ready->recv;
446
447Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that
448condition variables are also code references.
449
450 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
451 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
452 $done->recv;
453
454=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
455
456These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
457code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
458the producer side which creates the condvar in most cases, but it isn't
459uncommon for the consumer to create it as well.
325 460
326=over 4 461=over 4
327 462
463=item $cv->send (...)
464
465Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->recv >> and all further
466calls to C<recv> will (eventually) return after this method has been
467called. If nobody is waiting the send will be remembered.
468
469If a callback has been set on the condition variable, it is called
470immediately from within send.
471
472Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
473future C<< ->recv >> calls.
474
475Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly
476(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
477C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle
478overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
479instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
480support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
481invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
482example).
483
484=item $cv->croak ($error)
485
486Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
487C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
488
489This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
490user/consumer.
491
492=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
493
328=item $cv->wait 494=item $cv->end
329 495
330Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been 496These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
497
498These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
499one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
500to use a condition variable for the whole process.
501
502Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
503C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
504>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
505is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
506callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
507
508Let's clarify this with the ping example:
509
510 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
511
512 my %result;
513 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
514
515 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
516 $cv->begin;
517 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
518 $result{$host} = ...;
519 $cv->end;
520 };
521 }
522
523 $cv->end;
524
525This code fragment supposedly pings a number of hosts and calls
526C<send> after results for all then have have been gathered - in any
527order. To achieve this, the code issues a call to C<begin> when it starts
528each ping request and calls C<end> when it has received some result for
529it. Since C<begin> and C<end> only maintain a counter, the order in which
530results arrive is not relevant.
531
532There is an additional bracketing call to C<begin> and C<end> outside the
533loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
534to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
535C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
536doesn't execute once).
537
538This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests:
539use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end>
540is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call
541C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>.
542
543=back
544
545=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
546
547These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the
548code awaits the condition.
549
550=over 4
551
552=item $cv->recv
553
554Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
331called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers normally. 555>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
556normally.
332 557
333You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls will return 558You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
334immediately. 559will return immediately.
560
561If an error condition has been set by calling C<< ->croak >>, then this
562function will call C<croak>.
563
564In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
565in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
335 566
336Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 567Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
337(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 568(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
338using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 569using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the
339caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 570caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
340condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 571condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
341callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 572callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
342while still suppporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 573while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
343 574
344Another reason I<never> to C<< ->wait >> in a module is that you cannot 575Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
345sensibly have two C<< ->wait >>'s in parallel, as that would require 576sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
346multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent> 577multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
347can supply (the coroutine-aware backends L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV> and 578can supply.
348L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent> explicitly support concurrent C<< ->wait >>'s
349from different coroutines, however).
350 579
351=item $cv->broadcast 580The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
581fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
582versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
583C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
584coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
352 585
353Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->wait >> and all further 586You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
354calls to C<wait> will (eventually) return after this method has been 587only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
355called. If nobody is waiting the broadcast will be remembered.. 588time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
589waits otherwise.
590
591=item $bool = $cv->ready
592
593Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
594C<croak> have been called.
595
596=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback])
597
598This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
599replaces it before doing so.
600
601The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
602C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition
603variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time
604is guaranteed not to block.
356 605
357=back 606=back
358
359Example:
360
361 # wait till the result is ready
362 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
363
364 # do something such as adding a timer
365 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->broadcast
366 # when the "result" is ready.
367 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
368 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
369 after => 1,
370 cb => sub { $result_ready->broadcast },
371 );
372
373 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the watcher
374 # calls broadcast
375 $result_ready->wait;
376 607
377=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 608=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
378 609
379=over 4 610=over 4
380 611
386C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 617C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case
387AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 618AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>).
388 619
389The known classes so far are: 620The known classes so far are:
390 621
391 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV based on Coro::EV, best choice.
392 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent based on Coro::Event, second best choice.
393 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice). 622 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
394 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice. 623 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
624 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
395 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice. 625 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
396 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, inefficient but portable.
397 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice. 626 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
398 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs). 627 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
399 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse. 628 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
400 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support. 629 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
401 630
414Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 643Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
415if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 644if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
416have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 645have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
417runtime. 646runtime.
418 647
648=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
649
650Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
651autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
652
653If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
654that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See
655L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful.
656
657=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
658
659If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
660before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
661the event loop has been chosen.
662
663You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
664if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected,
665and the array will be ignored.
666
667Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead.
668
419=back 669=back
420 670
421=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 671=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
422 672
423As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods 673As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods
426Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will 676Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will
427decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so 677decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so
428by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module 678by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module
429to load the event module first. 679to load the event module first.
430 680
431Never call C<< ->wait >> on a condition variable unless you I<know> that 681Never call C<< ->recv >> on a condition variable unless you I<know> that
432the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been called on it already. This is 682the C<< ->send >> method has been called on it already. This is
433because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 683because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
434events is to stay interactive. 684events is to stay interactive.
435 685
436It is fine, however, to call C<< ->wait >> when the user of your module 686It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
437requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 687requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
438called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->wait >> 688called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >>
439freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 689freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always).
440 690
441=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 691=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
442 692
443There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 693There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
445 695
446If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 696If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not
447do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 697do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent
448decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 698decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it.
449 699
450If the main program relies on a specific event model. For example, in 700If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
451Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module. You should load the 701Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
452event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 702event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
453speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 703speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
454modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 704modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
455decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 705decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
456might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 706might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
457 707
458You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 708You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
459loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 709C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
460behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 710everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
711
712=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
713
714Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
715only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event loop.
716
717In that case, you can use a condition variable like this:
718
719 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
720
721This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
722
723Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
724it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
725variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should
726exit cleanly.
727
461 728
462=head1 OTHER MODULES 729=head1 OTHER MODULES
463 730
464The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 731The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
465AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 732AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules
477 744
478Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes. 745Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
479 746
480=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 747=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
481 748
482Provides a means to do non-blocking connects, accepts etc. 749Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
750addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
751connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
752
753=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
754
755Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
483 756
484=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 757=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
485 758
486Provides a simple web application server framework. 759Provides a simple web application server framework.
487
488=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
489
490Provides asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities, beyond what
491L<AnyEvent::Util> offers.
492 760
493=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 761=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
494 762
495The fastest ping in the west. 763The fastest ping in the west.
496 764
511 779
512High level API for event-based execution flow control. 780High level API for event-based execution flow control.
513 781
514=item L<Coro> 782=item L<Coro>
515 783
516Has special support for AnyEvent. 784Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
785
786=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
787
788Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
789programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
790together.
791
792=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
793
794Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
795IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
517 796
518=item L<IO::Lambda> 797=item L<IO::Lambda>
519 798
520The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent. 799The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
521
522=item L<IO::AIO>
523
524Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
525programmer. Can be trivially made to use AnyEvent.
526
527=item L<BDB>
528
529Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. Can be trivially made to use
530AnyEvent.
531 800
532=back 801=back
533 802
534=cut 803=cut
535 804
538no warnings; 807no warnings;
539use strict; 808use strict;
540 809
541use Carp; 810use Carp;
542 811
543our $VERSION = '3.3'; 812our $VERSION = 4.11;
544our $MODEL; 813our $MODEL;
545 814
546our $AUTOLOAD; 815our $AUTOLOAD;
547our @ISA; 816our @ISA;
548 817
818our @REGISTRY;
819
820our $WIN32;
821
822BEGIN {
823 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i);
824 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }";
825}
826
549our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 827our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
550 828
551our @REGISTRY; 829our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
830
831{
832 my $idx;
833 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
834 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
835 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
836}
552 837
553my @models = ( 838my @models = (
554 [Coro::EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV::],
555 [Coro::Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent::],
556 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 839 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::],
557 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 840 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
558 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::],
559 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::],
560 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
561 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
562 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 841 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
563 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 842 # everything below here will not be autoprobed
843 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
844 # and is usually faster
845 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
846 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
564 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 847 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
565 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 848 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
566 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 849 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
850 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
851 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
567); 852);
568 853
569our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar broadcast wait one_event DESTROY); 854our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY);
855
856our @post_detect;
857
858sub post_detect(&) {
859 my ($cb) = @_;
860
861 if ($MODEL) {
862 $cb->();
863
864 1
865 } else {
866 push @post_detect, $cb;
867
868 defined wantarray
869 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect"
870 : ()
871 }
872}
873
874sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY {
875 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
876}
570 877
571sub detect() { 878sub detect() {
572 unless ($MODEL) { 879 unless ($MODEL) {
573 no strict 'refs'; 880 no strict 'refs';
881 local $SIG{__DIE__};
574 882
575 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 883 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
576 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 884 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
577 if (eval "require $model") { 885 if (eval "require $model") {
578 $MODEL = $model; 886 $MODEL = $model;
608 last; 916 last;
609 } 917 }
610 } 918 }
611 919
612 $MODEL 920 $MODEL
613 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."; 921 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.";
614 } 922 }
615 } 923 }
616 924
617 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 925 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
618 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 926 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
927
928 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
619 } 929 }
620 930
621 $MODEL 931 $MODEL
622} 932}
623 933
633 $class->$func (@_); 943 $class->$func (@_);
634} 944}
635 945
636package AnyEvent::Base; 946package AnyEvent::Base;
637 947
948# default implementation for now and time
949
950use Time::HiRes ();
951
952sub time { Time::HiRes::time }
953sub now { Time::HiRes::time }
954
638# default implementation for ->condvar, ->wait, ->broadcast 955# default implementation for ->condvar
639 956
640sub condvar { 957sub condvar {
641 bless \my $flag, "AnyEvent::Base::CondVar" 958 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar::
642}
643
644sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::broadcast {
645 ${$_[0]}++;
646}
647
648sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::wait {
649 AnyEvent->one_event while !${$_[0]};
650} 959}
651 960
652# default implementation for ->signal 961# default implementation for ->signal
653 962
654our %SIG_CB; 963our %SIG_CB;
707 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1016 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
708 1017
709 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1018 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
710 1019
711 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1020 unless ($WNOHANG) {
712 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1021 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
713 } 1022 }
714 1023
715 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1024 unless ($CHLD_W) {
716 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1025 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
717 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1026 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
727 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1036 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
728 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1037 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
729 1038
730 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1039 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
731} 1040}
1041
1042package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1043
1044our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1045
1046package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1047
1048use overload
1049 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1050 fallback => 1;
1051
1052sub _send {
1053 # nop
1054}
1055
1056sub send {
1057 my $cv = shift;
1058 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_];
1059 (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv) if $cv->{_ae_cb};
1060 $cv->_send;
1061}
1062
1063sub croak {
1064 $_[0]{_ae_croak} = $_[1];
1065 $_[0]->send;
1066}
1067
1068sub ready {
1069 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1070}
1071
1072sub _wait {
1073 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1074}
1075
1076sub recv {
1077 $_[0]->_wait;
1078
1079 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1080 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1081}
1082
1083sub cb {
1084 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1085 $_[0]{_ae_cb}
1086}
1087
1088sub begin {
1089 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1090 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1091}
1092
1093sub end {
1094 return if --$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1095 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
1096}
1097
1098# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1099*broadcast = \&send;
1100*wait = \&_wait;
732 1101
733=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1102=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
734 1103
735This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1104This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
736a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1105a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
793model it chooses. 1162model it chooses.
794 1163
795=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1164=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
796 1165
797This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1166This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
798autodetection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1167auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
799entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended 1168entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
800and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful, 1169and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
801used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with 1170used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
802autodetection and -probing. 1171auto detection and -probing.
803 1172
804This functionality might change in future versions. 1173This functionality might change in future versions.
805 1174
806For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you 1175For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
807could start your program like this: 1176could start your program like this:
808 1177
809 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ... 1178 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1179
1180=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1181
1182Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1183for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1184of auto probing).
1185
1186Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1187current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1188used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1189list.
1190
1191This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1192against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1193small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1194
1195Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1196but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1197- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1198addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1199IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1200
1201=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1202
1203Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1204for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1205some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1206default.
1207
1208Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1209EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1210
1211=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1212
1213The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1214will create in parallel.
810 1215
811=back 1216=back
812 1217
813=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1218=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
814 1219
825 poll => 'r', 1230 poll => 'r',
826 cb => sub { 1231 cb => sub {
827 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r> 1232 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r>
828 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line 1233 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line
829 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1234 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
830 $cv->broadcast if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1235 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
831 }, 1236 },
832 ); 1237 );
833 1238
834 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once 1239 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
835 1240
840 }); 1245 });
841 } 1246 }
842 1247
843 new_timer; # create first timer 1248 new_timer; # create first timer
844 1249
845 $cv->wait; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1250 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
846 1251
847=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1252=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
848 1253
849Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following 1254Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following
850API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http: 1255API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http:
900 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request} 1305 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request}
901 or die "connection or write error"; 1306 or die "connection or write error";
902 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r }); 1307 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r });
903 1308
904Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the 1309Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the
905result and signals any possible waiters that the request ahs finished: 1310result and signals any possible waiters that the request has finished:
906 1311
907 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf}; 1312 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf};
908 1313
909 if (end-of-file or data complete) { 1314 if (end-of-file or data complete) {
910 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf}; 1315 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf};
911 $txn->{finished}->broadcast; 1316 $txn->{finished}->send;
912 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback 1317 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback
913 } 1318 }
914 1319
915The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the 1320The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the
916request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the 1321request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the
917data: 1322data:
918 1323
919 $txn->{finished}->wait; 1324 $txn->{finished}->recv;
920 return $txn->{result}; 1325 return $txn->{result};
921 1326
922The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 1327The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
923that occured during request processing. The C<result> method detects 1328that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
924whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 1329whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
925and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 1330and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
926problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 1331problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a
927random callback. 1332random callback.
928 1333
959 1364
960 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar; 1365 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar;
961 1366
962 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub { 1367 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub {
963 ... 1368 ...
964 $quit->broadcast; 1369 $quit->send;
965 }); 1370 });
966 1371
967 $quit->wait; 1372 $quit->recv;
968 1373
969 1374
970=head1 BENCHMARKS 1375=head1 BENCHMARKS
971 1376
972To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds 1377To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds
974of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks. 1379of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks.
975 1380
976=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD 1381=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD
977 1382
978Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and 1383Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and
979through anyevent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 1384through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
980timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 1385timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
981which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 1386which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
982 1387
983Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 1388Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
984distribution. 1389distribution.
1001all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation 1406all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation
1002and memory usage is not included in the figures. 1407and memory usage is not included in the figures.
1003 1408
1004I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple 1409I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple
1005callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was 1410callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was
1006invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->broadcast >> a condvar once to 1411invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->send >> a condvar once to
1007signal the end of this phase. 1412signal the end of this phase.
1008 1413
1009I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single 1414I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single
1010watcher. 1415watcher.
1011 1416
1107 1512
1108=back 1513=back
1109 1514
1110=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 1515=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1111 1516
1112This benchmark atcually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by 1517This benchmark actually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by
1113creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socketpair, a 1518creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socket pair, a
1114timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O 1519timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O
1115watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket 1520watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket
1116watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server". 1521watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server".
1117 1522
1118The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which 1523The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which
1119are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active 1524are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active
1120fds for each loop iterstaion, but which fds these are is random). The 1525fds for each loop iteration, but which fds these are is random). The
1121timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how 1526timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how
1122most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops). 1527most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops).
1123 1528
1124In this benchmark, we use 10000 socketpairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 1529In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1125(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 1530(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1126connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 1531connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1127 1532
1128Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 1533Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1129distribution. 1534distribution.
1131=head3 Explanation of the columns 1536=head3 Explanation of the columns
1132 1537
1133I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 1538I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1134each server has a read and write socket end). 1539each server has a read and write socket end).
1135 1540
1136I<create> is the time it takes to create a socketpair (which is 1541I<create> is the time it takes to create a socket pair (which is
1137nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher. 1542nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher.
1138 1543
1139I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a 1544I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a
1140single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding 1545single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding
1141it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 1546it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1214speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of 1619speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of
1215them). 1620them).
1216 1621
1217EV is again fastest. 1622EV is again fastest.
1218 1623
1219Perl again comes second. It is noticably faster than the C-based event 1624Perl again comes second. It is noticeably faster than the C-based event
1220loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really 1625loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really
1221matter. 1626matter.
1222 1627
1223POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the 1628POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the
1224others. 1629others.
1234 1639
1235 1640
1236=head1 FORK 1641=head1 FORK
1237 1642
1238Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 1643Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1239because they are so inefficient. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 1644because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1645calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1240 1646
1241If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 1647If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1242watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 1648watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child.
1243 1649
1244 1650
1256 1662
1257 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 1663 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1258 1664
1259 use AnyEvent; 1665 use AnyEvent;
1260 1666
1667Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1668be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1669probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL).
1670
1261 1671
1262=head1 SEE ALSO 1672=head1 SEE ALSO
1263 1673
1264Event modules: L<Coro::EV>, L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, 1674Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1265L<Coro::Event>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, L<Glib>, L<Coro>, L<Tk>, 1675
1676Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>,
1266L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 1677L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1267 1678
1268Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, 1679Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1269L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, 1680L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1270L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, 1681L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1271L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 1682L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>.
1272 1683
1684Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1685servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>.
1686
1687Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1688
1689Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>,
1690
1273Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>. 1691Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1274 1692
1275 1693
1276=head1 AUTHOR 1694=head1 AUTHOR
1277 1695
1278 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1696 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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