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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, 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
11 # file descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 12 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
13
14 # one-shot or repeating timers
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
17
18 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
19 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
20
21 # POSIX signal
22 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
23
24 # child process exit
25 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
26 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 27 ...
13 }); 28 });
14 29
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 30 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 31 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 32
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 33 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 34 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 35 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
36 # use a condvar in callback mode:
37 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
38
39=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
40
41This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
42in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
43L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
22 44
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 45=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 46
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 47Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 48nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
27 49
28Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 50Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
29policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 51policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
30 52
31First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 53First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only
32interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use in a 54interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
33pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 55pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
34the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 56the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general,
35only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent 57only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
36helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 58cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
59loops.
37 60
38The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 61The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event
39programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 62programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
40religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 63religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
41module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 64module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
42model you use. 65model you use.
43 66
44For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 67For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
45actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 68actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
46like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 69like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you
47cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 70cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 71that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 72module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 73
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 74AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 75fine. 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 76with 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, 77your 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 78too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 79event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those
57as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 80use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 81to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
59 82
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 83In 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 84model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 85modules, 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 86follow. 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 87offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 88technically possible.
66 89
90Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
91of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
92non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
93such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
94platform bugs and differences.
95
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 96Now, 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 97useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 98model, you should I<not> use this module.
70 99
71=head1 DESCRIPTION 100=head1 DESCRIPTION
72 101
102starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 131starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to
103use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 132use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly...
104 133
105The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 134The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
106C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 135C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
107explicitly. 136explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
108 137
109=head1 WATCHERS 138=head1 WATCHERS
110 139
111AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 140AnyEvent 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 141stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
115These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 144These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
116creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 145creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
117callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 146callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
118is in control). 147is in control).
119 148
149Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
150potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
151callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in
152Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
153widely between event loops.
154
120To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 155To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
121variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 156variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
122to it). 157to it).
123 158
124All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 159All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
126Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 161Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
127example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 162example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
128 163
129An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 164An any way to achieve that is this pattern:
130 165
131 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 166 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
132 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 167 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
133 undef $w; 168 undef $w;
134 }); 169 });
135 170
136Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 171Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
137my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 172my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
138declared. 173declared.
139 174
140=head2 I/O WATCHERS 175=head2 I/O WATCHERS
141 176
142You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 177You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
143with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 178with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
144 179
145C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 180C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch
181for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
182handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
183non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
184most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
185or block devices.
186
146for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 187C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
147which creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, 188watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
189
148respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 190C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
149becomes ready.
150 191
151Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 192Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
152presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 193presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
153callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 194callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
154 195
158 199
159Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 200Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
160always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 201always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
161handles. 202handles.
162 203
163Example:
164
165 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 204Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
205watcher.
206
166 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 207 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
167 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 208 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
168 warn "read: $input\n"; 209 warn "read: $input\n";
169 undef $w; 210 undef $w;
170 }); 211 });
180 221
181Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 222Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
182presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 223presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
183callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 224callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
184 225
185The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 226The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another
186timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 227parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
187and Glib). 228callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
229seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
230false value, then it is treated as if it were missing.
188 231
189Example: 232The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
233attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
234only approximate.
190 235
191 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 236Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
237
192 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 238 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
193 warn "timeout\n"; 239 warn "timeout\n";
194 }); 240 });
195 241
196 # to cancel the timer: 242 # to cancel the timer:
197 undef $w; 243 undef $w;
198 244
199Example 2:
200
201 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 245Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
202 my $w;
203 246
204 my $cb = sub {
205 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
206 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 247 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
248 warn "timeout\n";
207 }; 249 };
208
209 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
210 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
211 250
212=head3 TIMING ISSUES 251=head3 TIMING ISSUES
213 252
214There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 253There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
215in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 254in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
227timers. 266timers.
228 267
229AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 268AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
230AnyEvent API. 269AnyEvent API.
231 270
271AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
272
273=over 4
274
275=item AnyEvent->time
276
277This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
278seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
279return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
280
281It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
282will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
283
284=item AnyEvent->now
285
286This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
287this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
288the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
289time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
290
291I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
292function to call when you want to know the current time.>
293
294This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
295thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
296L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts).
297
298The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
299with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience.
300
301For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
302and L<EV> and the following set-up:
303
304The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at
305time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
306you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
307second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
308after three seconds.
309
310With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
311both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
312be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
313
314With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
315time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
316last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
317to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
318
319In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
320regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
321callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
322higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
323
324In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
325the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
326
327In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
328can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
329difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
330account.
331
332=item AnyEvent->now_update
333
334Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
335the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
336AnyEvent->now >>, above).
337
338When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
339this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
340might affect timers and time-outs.
341
342When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
343event loop's idea of "current time".
344
345Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
346
347=back
348
232=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 349=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
233 350
234You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 351You 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 352I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
236be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 353callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
237 354
238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 355Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 356presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 357callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
241 358
257=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 374=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
258 375
259You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 376You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
260 377
261The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 378The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it
262watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 379watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when
263as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 380the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on
264signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 381any trace events (stopped/continued).
265and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 382
266you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 383The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
384waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
385callback arguments.
386
387This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
388and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
389random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
390C<system>, is just fine).
267 391
268There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 392There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
269I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 393I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
270have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 394have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
271 395
277AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 401AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you
278C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 402C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>).
279 403
280Example: fork a process and wait for it 404Example: fork a process and wait for it
281 405
282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 406 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
283 407
284 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 408 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
285 409
286 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 410 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
287 pid => $pid, 411 pid => $pid,
288 cb => sub { 412 cb => sub {
289 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 413 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
290 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 414 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
291 $done->send; 415 $done->send;
292 }, 416 },
293 ); 417 );
294 418
295 # do something else, then wait for process exit 419 # do something else, then wait for process exit
296 $done->recv; 420 $done->recv;
421
422=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
423
424Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
425to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
426"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
427attention by the event loop".
428
429Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
430better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
431events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
432
433Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
434EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
435will simply call the callback "from time to time".
436
437Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
438program is otherwise idle:
439
440 my @lines; # read data
441 my $idle_w;
442 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
443 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
444
445 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
446 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
447 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
448 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
449 print "handled when idle: $line";
450 } else {
451 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
452 undef $idle_w;
453 }
454 });
455 });
297 456
298=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 457=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
299 458
300If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 459If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
301require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 460require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
307The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 466The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
308because they represent a condition that must become true. 467because they represent a condition that must become true.
309 468
310Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 469Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
311>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 470>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
471
312C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 472C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
313becomes true. 473becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
474the results).
314 475
315After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 476After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
316by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 477by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
317were a callback). 478were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
479->send >> method).
318 480
319Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 481Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
320optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 482optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
321in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 483in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
322another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 484another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
373 535
374 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 536 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
375 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 537 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
376 $done->recv; 538 $done->recv;
377 539
540Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
541callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
542the main program:
543
544 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
545
546 ...
547
548 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
549
550And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the
551results are available:
552
553 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
554 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
555 });
556
378=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 557=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
379 558
380These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 559These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
381code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 560code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
382the producer side which creates the condvar in most cases, but it isn't 561the producer side which creates the condvar in most cases, but it isn't
394immediately from within send. 573immediately from within send.
395 574
396Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 575Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
397future C<< ->recv >> calls. 576future C<< ->recv >> calls.
398 577
399Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as a 578Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly
400code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling C<send>. 579(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
580C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle
581overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
582instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
583support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
584invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
585example).
401 586
402=item $cv->croak ($error) 587=item $cv->croak ($error)
403 588
404Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 589Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
405C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 590C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
509=item $bool = $cv->ready 694=item $bool = $cv->ready
510 695
511Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 696Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
512C<croak> have been called. 697C<croak> have been called.
513 698
514=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 699=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
515 700
516This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 701This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
517replaces it before doing so. 702replaces it before doing so.
518 703
519The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 704The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
520C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback 705C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition
521or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 706variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time
707is guaranteed not to block.
522 708
523=back 709=back
524
525=head3 MAINLOOP EMULATION
526
527Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs
528who only want to use AnyEvent), you I<do> want your program to block
529indefinitely in some event loop.
530
531In that case, you cna use a condition variable like this:
532
533 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
534
535This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
536
537Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
538it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
539variable, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should exit
540cleanly.
541
542 710
543=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 711=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
544 712
545=over 4 713=over 4
546 714
630 798
631If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 799If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not
632do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 800do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent
633decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 801decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it.
634 802
635If the main program relies on a specific event model. For example, in 803If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
636Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module. You should load the 804Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
637event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 805event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
638speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 806speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
639modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 807modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
640decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 808decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
641might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 809might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
642 810
643You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 811You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
644loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 812C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
645behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 813everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
814
815=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
816
817Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
818only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event loop.
819
820In that case, you can use a condition variable like this:
821
822 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
823
824This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
825
826Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
827it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
828variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should
829exit cleanly.
830
646 831
647=head1 OTHER MODULES 832=head1 OTHER MODULES
648 833
649The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 834The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
650AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 835AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules
656=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 841=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
657 842
658Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 843Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
659functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 844functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
660 845
661=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
662
663Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
664
665=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 846=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
666 847
667Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 848Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
668addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 849addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
669connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more. 850connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
670 851
852=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
853
854Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
855supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
856non-blocking SSL/TLS.
857
858=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
859
860Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
861
862=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>
863
864A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent
865HTTP requests.
866
671=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 867=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
672 868
673Provides a simple web application server framework. 869Provides a simple web application server framework.
674 870
675=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
676
677Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
678
679=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 871=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
680 872
681The fastest ping in the west. 873The fastest ping in the west.
682 874
875=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
876
877Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
878
879=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
880
881Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
882programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
883together.
884
885=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
886
887Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
888L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
889
890=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
891
892A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
893
894=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
895
896A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
897L<App::IGS>).
898
683=item L<Net::IRC3> 899=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
684 900
685AnyEvent based IRC client module family. 901AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
686 902
687=item L<Net::XMPP2> 903=item L<Net::XMPP2>
688 904
689AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family. 905AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
690 906
699 915
700=item L<Coro> 916=item L<Coro>
701 917
702Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 918Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
703 919
704=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
705
706Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
707programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
708together.
709
710=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
711
712Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
713IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
714
715=item L<IO::Lambda> 920=item L<IO::Lambda>
716 921
717The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent. 922The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
718 923
719=back 924=back
721=cut 926=cut
722 927
723package AnyEvent; 928package AnyEvent;
724 929
725no warnings; 930no warnings;
726use strict; 931use strict qw(vars subs);
727 932
728use Carp; 933use Carp;
729 934
730our $VERSION = '4.03'; 935our $VERSION = 4.41;
731our $MODEL; 936our $MODEL;
732 937
733our $AUTOLOAD; 938our $AUTOLOAD;
734our @ISA; 939our @ISA;
735 940
941our @REGISTRY;
942
943our $WIN32;
944
945BEGIN {
946 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i);
947 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }";
948}
949
736our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 950our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
737 951
738our @REGISTRY; 952our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
739
740our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2)
741 953
742{ 954{
743 my $idx; 955 my $idx;
744 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx 956 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
957 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
745 for split /\s*,\s*/, $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 958 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
746} 959}
747 960
748my @models = ( 961my @models = (
749 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 962 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::],
750 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 963 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
751 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::],
752 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
753 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
754 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 964 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
755 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 965 # everything below here will not be autoprobed
756 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], 966 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
967 # and is usually faster
968 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
969 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
757 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 970 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
758 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 971 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
759 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 972 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
973 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
974 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
760); 975);
761 976
762our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 977our %method = map +($_ => 1),
978 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
763 979
764our @post_detect; 980our @post_detect;
765 981
766sub post_detect(&) { 982sub post_detect(&) {
767 my ($cb) = @_; 983 my ($cb) = @_;
772 1 988 1
773 } else { 989 } else {
774 push @post_detect, $cb; 990 push @post_detect, $cb;
775 991
776 defined wantarray 992 defined wantarray
777 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 993 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
778 : () 994 : ()
779 } 995 }
780} 996}
781 997
782sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 998sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
783 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 999 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
784} 1000}
785 1001
786sub detect() { 1002sub detect() {
787 unless ($MODEL) { 1003 unless ($MODEL) {
788 no strict 'refs'; 1004 no strict 'refs';
1005 local $SIG{__DIE__};
789 1006
790 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1007 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
791 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1008 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
792 if (eval "require $model") { 1009 if (eval "require $model") {
793 $MODEL = $model; 1010 $MODEL = $model;
823 last; 1040 last;
824 } 1041 }
825 } 1042 }
826 1043
827 $MODEL 1044 $MODEL
828 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1045 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
829 } 1046 }
830 } 1047 }
831 1048
1049 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1050
832 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 1051 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
833 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1052
1053 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
834 1054
835 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect; 1055 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
836 } 1056 }
837 1057
838 $MODEL 1058 $MODEL
848 1068
849 my $class = shift; 1069 my $class = shift;
850 $class->$func (@_); 1070 $class->$func (@_);
851} 1071}
852 1072
1073# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1074# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1075# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1076sub _dupfh($$$$) {
1077 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1078
1079 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1080 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<")
1081 : $poll eq "w" ? ($w, ">")
1082 : Carp::croak "AnyEvent->io requires poll set to either 'r' or 'w'";
1083
1084 open my $fh2, "$mode&" . fileno $fh
1085 or die "cannot dup() filehandle: $!,";
1086
1087 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1088
1089 ($fh2, $rw)
1090}
1091
853package AnyEvent::Base; 1092package AnyEvent::Base;
854 1093
1094# default implementations for many methods
1095
1096BEGIN {
1097 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1098 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1099 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1100 } else {
1101 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1102 }
1103}
1104
1105sub time { _time }
1106sub now { _time }
1107sub now_update { }
1108
855# default implementation for ->condvar 1109# default implementation for ->condvar
856 1110
857sub condvar { 1111sub condvar {
858 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1112 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
859} 1113}
860 1114
861# default implementation for ->signal 1115# default implementation for ->signal
862 1116
863our %SIG_CB; 1117our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1118
1119sub _signal_exec {
1120 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4;
1121
1122 while (%SIG_EV) {
1123 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1124 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1125 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1126 }
1127 }
1128}
864 1129
865sub signal { 1130sub signal {
866 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1131 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
867 1132
1133 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) {
1134 require Fcntl;
1135
1136 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1137 require AnyEvent::Util;
1138
1139 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1140 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1141 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1142 } else {
1143 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1144 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1145 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1146 }
1147
1148 $SIGPIPE_R
1149 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1150
1151 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1152 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1153 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1154
1155 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1156 }
1157
868 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1158 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
869 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1159 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
870 1160
871 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1161 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
872 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1162 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
873 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1163 local $!;
1164 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1165 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
874 }; 1166 };
875 1167
876 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1168 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
877} 1169}
878 1170
879sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY { 1171sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
880 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1172 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
881 1173
882 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb}; 1174 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
883 1175
884 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} }; 1176 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
916 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1208 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
917 1209
918 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1210 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
919 1211
920 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1212 unless ($WNOHANG) {
921 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1213 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
922 } 1214 }
923 1215
924 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1216 unless ($CHLD_W) {
925 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1217 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
926 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1218 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
927 &_sigchld; 1219 &_sigchld;
928 } 1220 }
929 1221
930 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1222 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
931} 1223}
932 1224
933sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1225sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
934 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1226 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
935 1227
936 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1228 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
937 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1229 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
938 1230
939 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1231 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1232}
1233
1234# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1235# of whether the proces sis idle or not, and not letting
1236# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1237sub idle {
1238 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1239
1240 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1241
1242 $rcb = sub {
1243 if ($cb) {
1244 $w = _time;
1245 &$cb;
1246 $w = _time - $w;
1247
1248 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1249 # within some limits
1250 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1251 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1252
1253 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb);
1254 } else {
1255 # clean up...
1256 undef $w;
1257 undef $rcb;
1258 }
1259 };
1260
1261 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb);
1262
1263 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1264}
1265
1266sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1267 undef $${$_[0]};
940} 1268}
941 1269
942package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1270package AnyEvent::CondVar;
943 1271
944our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1272our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
996} 1324}
997 1325
998# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1326# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
999*broadcast = \&send; 1327*broadcast = \&send;
1000*wait = \&_wait; 1328*wait = \&_wait;
1329
1330=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1331
1332In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1333caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1334the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1335checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1336development.
1337
1338As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1339executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1340also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1341program.
1342
1343The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1344within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1345$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1346so on.
1347
1348=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1349
1350The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1351submodules:
1352
1353=over 4
1354
1355=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1356
1357By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1358conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1359talkative.
1360
1361When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1362conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1363C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1364
1365When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1366model it chooses.
1367
1368=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1369
1370AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1371argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1372will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1373check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems
1374it will croak.
1375
1376In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1377
1378Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended ot keep it off in
1379production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while
1380developing programs can be very useful, however.
1381
1382=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1383
1384This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1385auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1386entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1387and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1388used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1389auto detection and -probing.
1390
1391This functionality might change in future versions.
1392
1393For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1394could start your program like this:
1395
1396 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1397
1398=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1399
1400Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1401for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1402of auto probing).
1403
1404Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1405current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1406used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1407list.
1408
1409This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1410against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1411small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1412
1413Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1414but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1415- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1416addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1417IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1418
1419=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1420
1421Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1422for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1423some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1424default.
1425
1426Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1427EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1428
1429=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1430
1431The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1432will create in parallel.
1433
1434=back
1001 1435
1002=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1436=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1003 1437
1004This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1438This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
1005a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1439a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1039 1473
1040I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1474I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1041condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1475condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1042C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1476C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1043not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1477not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1044
1045=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1046
1047The following environment variables are used by this module:
1048
1049=over 4
1050
1051=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1052
1053By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1054conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1055talkative.
1056
1057When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1058conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1059C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1060
1061When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1062model it chooses.
1063
1064=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1065
1066This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1067auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1068entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1069and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1070used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1071auto detection and -probing.
1072
1073This functionality might change in future versions.
1074
1075For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1076could start your program like this:
1077
1078 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1079
1080=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1081
1082Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1083for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1084of auto probing).
1085
1086Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1087current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1088used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1089list.
1090
1091This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1092against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1093small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1094
1095Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1096but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1097- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1098addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1099IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1100
1101=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1102
1103Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1104for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1105some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1106default.
1107
1108Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1109EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1110
1111=back
1112 1478
1113=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1479=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1114 1480
1115The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1481The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1116to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1482to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1310watcher. 1676watcher.
1311 1677
1312=head3 Results 1678=head3 Results
1313 1679
1314 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 1680 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1315 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 1681 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface
1316 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 1682 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1317 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 1683 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1318 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 1684 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1319 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 1685 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1320 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 1686 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1321 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 1687 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1322 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 1688 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1323 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 1689 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1324 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 1690 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1325 1691
1326=head3 Discussion 1692=head3 Discussion
1327 1693
1328The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 1694The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1329well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 1695well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1531watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 1897watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1532 1898
1533=back 1899=back
1534 1900
1535 1901
1902=head1 SIGNALS
1903
1904AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1905
1906=over 4
1907
1908=item SIGCHLD
1909
1910A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1911emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
1912event loops install a similar handler.
1913
1914=item SIGPIPE
1915
1916A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
1917when AnyEvent gets loaded.
1918
1919The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
1920on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
1921badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
1922program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
1923some random socket.
1924
1925The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
1926that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
1927
1928Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
1929
1930=back
1931
1932=cut
1933
1934$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
1935 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
1936
1937
1536=head1 FORK 1938=head1 FORK
1537 1939
1538Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 1940Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1539because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 1941because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1540calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 1942calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1553specified in the variable. 1955specified in the variable.
1554 1956
1555You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 1957You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1556before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 1958before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1557 1959
1558 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 1960 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1559 1961
1560 use AnyEvent; 1962 use AnyEvent;
1561 1963
1562Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 1964Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1563be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 1965be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1564probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 1966probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
1967$ENV{PERL_ANYEGENT_STRICT}.
1968
1969
1970=head1 BUGS
1971
1972Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1973to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
1974and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
1975memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
1976pronounced).
1565 1977
1566 1978
1567=head1 SEE ALSO 1979=head1 SEE ALSO
1568 1980
1569Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 1981Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1586Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 1998Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1587 1999
1588 2000
1589=head1 AUTHOR 2001=head1 AUTHOR
1590 2002
1591 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2003 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1592 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2004 http://home.schmorp.de/
1593 2005
1594=cut 2006=cut
1595 2007
15961 20081
1597 2009

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