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Revision 1.173 by root, Mon Jul 21 03:47:22 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.242 by root, Fri Jul 17 22:05:12 2009 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt and POE are various supported
6event loops.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # file descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { ... }); 13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
12 14
15 # one-shot or repeating timers
13 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... }); 16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
14 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ... 17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
15 18
16 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time 19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
17 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time. 20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
18 21
22 # POSIX signal
19 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... }); 23 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
20 24
25 # child process exit
21 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { 26 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
22 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 27 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
23 ... 28 ...
24 }); 29 });
30
31 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
32 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
25 33
26 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 34 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
27 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 35 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
28 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 36 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
29 # use a condvar in callback mode: 37 # use a condvar in callback mode:
137These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 145These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
138creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 146creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
139callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 147callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
140is in control). 148is in control).
141 149
150Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
151potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
152callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in
153Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
154widely between event loops.
155
142To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 156To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
143variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 157variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
144to it). 158to it).
145 159
146All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 160All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
162=head2 I/O WATCHERS 176=head2 I/O WATCHERS
163 177
164You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 178You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
165with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 179with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
166 180
167C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch for events 181C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
168(AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file handle). C<poll> 182for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
183handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
184non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
185most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
186or block devices.
187
169must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a watcher 188C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
170waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively. C<cb> is the 189watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
190
171callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready. 191C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
172 192
173Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 193Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
174presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 194presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
175callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 195callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
176 196
308In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you 328In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
309can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the 329can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
310difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into 330difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
311account. 331account.
312 332
333=item AnyEvent->now_update
334
335Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
336the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
337AnyEvent->now >>, above).
338
339When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
340this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
341might affect timers and time-outs.
342
343When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
344event loop's idea of "current time".
345
346Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
347
313=back 348=back
314 349
315=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 350=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
316 351
317You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 352You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
326invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 361invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
327that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 362that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
328but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 363but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
329 364
330The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 365The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
331between multiple watchers. 366between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
367interrupt your program at bad times.
332 368
333This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 369This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
334directly will likely not work correctly. 370so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
371correctly.
372
373Also note that many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not
374support attaching callbacks to signals, which is a pity, as you cannot do
375race-free signal handling in perl. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, but
376in some cases, signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might
377be delayed is specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10
378seconds). This variable can be changed only before the first signal
379watcher is created, and should be left alone otherwise. Higher values
380will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
381saving. All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
382L<Async::Interrupt> module.
335 383
336Example: exit on SIGINT 384Example: exit on SIGINT
337 385
338 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 386 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
339 387
340=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 388=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
341 389
342You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 390You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
343 391
344The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 392The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it
345watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 393watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when
346as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 394the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on
347signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 395any trace events (stopped/continued).
348and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 396
349you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 397The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
398waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
399callback arguments.
400
401This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
402and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
403random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
404C<system>, is just fine).
350 405
351There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 406There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
352I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 407I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
353have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 408have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
354 409
355Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 410Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
411see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
356event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 412that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
357loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 413the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
414pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
415start the watcher.
358 416
359This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 417This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
360AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 418thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
361C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 419watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
420C<AnyEvent::detect>).
421
422As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
423emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
424mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
362 425
363Example: fork a process and wait for it 426Example: fork a process and wait for it
364 427
365 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 428 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
366 429
376 ); 439 );
377 440
378 # do something else, then wait for process exit 441 # do something else, then wait for process exit
379 $done->recv; 442 $done->recv;
380 443
444=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
445
446Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
447to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
448"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
449attention by the event loop".
450
451Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
452better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
453events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
454
455Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
456EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
457will simply call the callback "from time to time".
458
459Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
460program is otherwise idle:
461
462 my @lines; # read data
463 my $idle_w;
464 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
465 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
466
467 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
468 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
469 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
470 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
471 print "handled when idle: $line";
472 } else {
473 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
474 undef $idle_w;
475 }
476 });
477 });
478
381=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 479=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
382 480
383If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 481If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
384require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 482require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
385will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 483will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
386 484
387AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 485AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
388will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 486loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
389 487
390The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 488The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
391because they represent a condition that must become true. 489because they represent a condition that must become true.
392 490
491Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
492
393Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 493Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
394
395>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 494>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
396
397C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 495C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
398becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 496becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
399the results). 497the results).
400 498
401After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 499After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
450 after => 1, 548 after => 1,
451 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 549 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
452 ); 550 );
453 551
454 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 552 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
455 # calls send 553 # calls -<send
456 $result_ready->recv; 554 $result_ready->recv;
457 555
458Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 556Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
459condition variables are also code references. 557variables are also callable directly.
460 558
461 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 559 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
462 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 560 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
463 $done->recv; 561 $done->recv;
464 562
470 568
471 ... 569 ...
472 570
473 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 571 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
474 572
475And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 573And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
476results are available: 574results are available:
477 575
478 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 576 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
479 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 577 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
480 }); 578 });
498immediately from within send. 596immediately from within send.
499 597
500Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 598Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
501future C<< ->recv >> calls. 599future C<< ->recv >> calls.
502 600
503Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 601Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
504(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 602they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
505C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 603C<send>.
506overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
507instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
508support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
509invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
510example).
511 604
512=item $cv->croak ($error) 605=item $cv->croak ($error)
513 606
514Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 607Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
515C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 608C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
516 609
517This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 610This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
518user/consumer. 611user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
612delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
613diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
614deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
615the problem.
519 616
520=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 617=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
521 618
522=item $cv->end 619=item $cv->end
523
524These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
525 620
526These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 621These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
527one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 622one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
528to use a condition variable for the whole process. 623to use a condition variable for the whole process.
529 624
531C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 626C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
532>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 627>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
533is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 628is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
534callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 629callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
535 630
536Let's clarify this with the ping example: 631You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
632sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
633condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
634
635Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
636STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
637close before activating a condvar:
638
639 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
640
641 $cv->begin; # first watcher
642 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
643 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
644 or $cv->end;
645 });
646
647 $cv->begin; # second watcher
648 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
649 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
650 or $cv->end;
651 });
652
653 $cv->recv;
654
655This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
656one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
657sending.
658
659The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
660there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
661begung can potentially be zero:
537 662
538 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 663 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
539 664
540 my %result; 665 my %result;
541 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 666 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
561loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 686loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
562to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 687to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
563C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 688C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
564doesn't execute once). 689doesn't execute once).
565 690
566This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 691This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
567use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 692potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
568is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 693the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
569C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 694subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
695call C<end>.
570 696
571=back 697=back
572 698
573=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 699=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
574 700
590function will call C<croak>. 716function will call C<croak>.
591 717
592In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 718In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
593in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 719in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
594 720
721Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
722event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
723>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
724condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
725L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
726any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
727
595Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 728Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
596(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 729(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
597using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 730using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
598caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 731caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
599condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 732condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
600callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 733callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
601while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 734while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
602 735
603Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
604sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
605multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
606can supply.
607
608The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
609fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
610versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
611C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
612coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
613
614You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 736You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
615only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 737only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
616time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 738time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
617waits otherwise. 739waits otherwise.
618 740
631variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 753variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time
632is guaranteed not to block. 754is guaranteed not to block.
633 755
634=back 756=back
635 757
758=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
759
760The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
761
762=over 4
763
764=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
765
766EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
767use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will try Event, and, failing
768that, will fall back to its own pure-perl implementation, which is
769available everywhere as it comes with AnyEvent itself.
770
771 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
772 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
773 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
774
775=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
776
777These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
778is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
779them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
780when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
781create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
782
783 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
784 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
785 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
786 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
787
788=item Backends with special needs.
789
790Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
791otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
792instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
793everything should just work.
794
795 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
796
797Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
798architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
799is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
800it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
801L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
802
803 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
804
805=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
806
807Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
808
809There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
810
811B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
812use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
813polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
814consider for AnyEvent.
815
816B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
817backend, so it can be supported through POE.
818
819AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
820load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
821in which case everything will be automatic.
822
823=back
824
636=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 825=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
637 826
827These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
828write AnyEvent extension modules.
829
638=over 4 830=over 4
639 831
640=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 832=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
641 833
642Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 834Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
835backend has been autodetected.
836
643contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 837Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
644Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 838name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
645C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 839of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
646AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 840case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
647 841will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
648The known classes so far are:
649
650 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
651 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
652 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
653 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
654 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
655 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
656 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
657 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
658
659There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
660watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
661POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
662second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
663AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
664it's adaptor.
665
666AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
667autodetecting them.
668 842
669=item AnyEvent::detect 843=item AnyEvent::detect
670 844
671Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 845Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
672if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 846if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
673have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 847have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
674runtime. 848runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
849
850If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
851created, use C<post_detect>.
675 852
676=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 853=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
677 854
678Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 855Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
679autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 856autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
857
858The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
859(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
860created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
861other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
862L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
863
864The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
865event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
866and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
867avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
680 868
681If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 869If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
682that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 870that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See
683L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 871L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful.
684 872
687If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 875If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
688before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 876before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
689the event loop has been chosen. 877the event loop has been chosen.
690 878
691You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 879You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
692if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 880if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
693and the array will be ignored. 881array will be ignored.
694 882
695Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 883Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
884it,as it takes care of these details.
885
886This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
887when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
888not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
889into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
696 890
697=back 891=back
698 892
699=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 893=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
700 894
755 949
756 950
757=head1 OTHER MODULES 951=head1 OTHER MODULES
758 952
759The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 953The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
760AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 954AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
761in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 955modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
762available via CPAN. 956come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
763 957
764=over 4 958=over 4
765 959
766=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 960=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
767 961
776 970
777=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 971=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
778 972
779Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 973Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
780supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 974supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
781non-blocking SSL/TLS. 975non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
782 976
783=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 977=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
784 978
785Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 979Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
786 980
814 1008
815=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD> 1009=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
816 1010
817A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information. 1011A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
818 1012
1013=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
1014
1015AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
1016
1017=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
1018
1019AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1020Net::XMPP2>.
1021
819=item L<AnyEvent::IGS> 1022=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
820 1023
821A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by 1024A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
822L<App::IGS>). 1025L<App::IGS>).
823 1026
824=item L<Net::IRC3>
825
826AnyEvent based IRC client module family.
827
828=item L<Net::XMPP2>
829
830AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
831
832=item L<Net::FCP> 1027=item L<Net::FCP>
833 1028
834AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1029AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
835of AnyEvent. 1030of AnyEvent.
836 1031
840 1035
841=item L<Coro> 1036=item L<Coro>
842 1037
843Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1038Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
844 1039
845=item L<IO::Lambda>
846
847The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
848
849=back 1040=back
850 1041
851=cut 1042=cut
852 1043
853package AnyEvent; 1044package AnyEvent;
854 1045
855no warnings; 1046no warnings;
856use strict; 1047use strict qw(vars subs);
857 1048
858use Carp; 1049use Carp ();
859 1050
860our $VERSION = 4.22; 1051our $VERSION = 4.83;
861our $MODEL; 1052our $MODEL;
862 1053
863our $AUTOLOAD; 1054our $AUTOLOAD;
864our @ISA; 1055our @ISA;
865 1056
866our @REGISTRY; 1057our @REGISTRY;
867 1058
868our $WIN32; 1059our $WIN32;
869 1060
1061our $VERBOSE;
1062
870BEGIN { 1063BEGIN {
871 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1064 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
872 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }"; 1065 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
873}
874 1066
1067 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1068 if ${^TAINT};
1069
875our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1070 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1071
1072}
1073
1074our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
876 1075
877our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1076our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
878 1077
879{ 1078{
880 my $idx; 1079 my $idx;
888 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1087 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
889 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1088 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
890 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1089 # everything below here will not be autoprobed
891 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1090 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
892 # and is usually faster 1091 # and is usually faster
893 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
894 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers 1092 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
895 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 1093 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1094 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
896 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1095 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
897 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1096 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
898 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1097 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
899 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1098 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1099 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1100 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1101 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1102 # obvious default class.
1103# [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1104# [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1105# [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
900); 1106);
901 1107
902our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1108our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1109 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
903 1110
904our @post_detect; 1111our @post_detect;
905 1112
906sub post_detect(&) { 1113sub post_detect(&) {
907 my ($cb) = @_; 1114 my ($cb) = @_;
912 1 1119 1
913 } else { 1120 } else {
914 push @post_detect, $cb; 1121 push @post_detect, $cb;
915 1122
916 defined wantarray 1123 defined wantarray
917 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1124 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
918 : () 1125 : ()
919 } 1126 }
920} 1127}
921 1128
922sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1129sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
923 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1130 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
924} 1131}
925 1132
926sub detect() { 1133sub detect() {
927 unless ($MODEL) { 1134 unless ($MODEL) {
930 1137
931 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1138 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
932 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1139 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
933 if (eval "require $model") { 1140 if (eval "require $model") {
934 $MODEL = $model; 1141 $MODEL = $model;
935 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1142 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
936 } else { 1143 } else {
937 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1144 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
938 } 1145 }
939 } 1146 }
940 1147
941 # check for already loaded models 1148 # check for already loaded models
942 unless ($MODEL) { 1149 unless ($MODEL) {
943 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1150 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
944 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1151 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
945 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1152 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
946 if (eval "require $model") { 1153 if (eval "require $model") {
947 $MODEL = $model; 1154 $MODEL = $model;
948 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1155 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
949 last; 1156 last;
950 } 1157 }
951 } 1158 }
952 } 1159 }
953 1160
958 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1165 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
959 if (eval "require $package" 1166 if (eval "require $package"
960 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1167 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
961 and eval "require $model") { 1168 and eval "require $model") {
962 $MODEL = $model; 1169 $MODEL = $model;
963 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1170 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
964 last; 1171 last;
965 } 1172 }
966 } 1173 }
967 1174
968 $MODEL 1175 $MODEL
969 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1176 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
970 } 1177 }
971 } 1178 }
972 1179
973 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1180 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
974 1181
984 1191
985sub AUTOLOAD { 1192sub AUTOLOAD {
986 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1193 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
987 1194
988 $method{$func} 1195 $method{$func}
989 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1196 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
990 1197
991 detect unless $MODEL; 1198 detect unless $MODEL;
992 1199
993 my $class = shift; 1200 my $class = shift;
994 $class->$func (@_); 1201 $class->$func (@_);
995} 1202}
996 1203
997# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends 1204# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
998# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually 1205# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
999# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one). 1206# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1000sub _dupfh($$$$) { 1207sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1001 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1208 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1002 1209
1003 require Fcntl;
1004
1005 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1210 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1006 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") 1211 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1007 : $poll eq "w" ? ($w, ">")
1008 : Carp::croak "AnyEvent->io requires poll set to either 'r' or 'w'";
1009 1212
1010 open my $fh2, "$mode&" . fileno $fh 1213 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1011 or die "cannot dup() filehandle: $!"; 1214 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1012 1215
1013 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases 1216 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1014 1217
1015 ($fh2, $rw) 1218 ($fh2, $rw)
1016} 1219}
1017 1220
1018package AnyEvent::Base; 1221package AnyEvent::Base;
1019 1222
1020# default implementation for now and time 1223# default implementations for many methods
1021 1224
1022use Time::HiRes (); 1225sub _time {
1226 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1227 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1228 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1229 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1230 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1231 } else {
1232 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1233 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1234 }
1023 1235
1024sub time { Time::HiRes::time } 1236 &_time
1025sub now { Time::HiRes::time } 1237}
1238
1239sub time { _time }
1240sub now { _time }
1241sub now_update { }
1026 1242
1027# default implementation for ->condvar 1243# default implementation for ->condvar
1028 1244
1029sub condvar { 1245sub condvar {
1030 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1246 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1031} 1247}
1032 1248
1033# default implementation for ->signal 1249# default implementation for ->signal
1034 1250
1035our %SIG_CB; 1251our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1252our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1253our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1254our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1036 1255
1256sub _signal_exec {
1257 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1258 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1259 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 9;
1260
1261 while (%SIG_EV) {
1262 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1263 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1264 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1265 }
1266 }
1267}
1268
1037sub signal { 1269sub _signal {
1038 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1270 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1039 1271
1040 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1272 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
1041 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1273 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1042 1274
1043 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1275 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1276
1277 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1278 # async::interrupt
1279
1280 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= do {
1281 my $asy = new Async::Interrupt
1282 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1283 signal => $signal,
1284 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1285 ;
1286 $asy->pipe_autodrain (0);
1287
1288 $asy
1289 };
1290
1291 } else {
1292 # pure perl
1293
1044 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1294 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1045 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1295 local $!;
1296 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1297 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1298 };
1299
1300 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1301 # so limit the signal latency.
1302 ++$SIG_COUNT;
1303 $SIG_TW ||= AnyEvent->timer (
1304 after => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1305 interval => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1306 cb => sub { }, # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1307 );
1046 }; 1308 }
1047 1309
1048 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1310 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1049} 1311}
1050 1312
1313sub signal {
1314 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1315 if (!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT} && eval "use Async::Interrupt 0.6 (); 1") {
1316 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1317
1318 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1;
1319 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1320 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1321
1322 } else {
1323 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1324
1325 require Fcntl;
1326
1327 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1328 require AnyEvent::Util;
1329
1330 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1331 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1332 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1333 } else {
1334 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1335 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1336 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1337
1338 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1339 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1340 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1341 }
1342
1343 $SIGPIPE_R
1344 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1345
1346 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1347 }
1348
1349 *signal = \&_signal;
1350 &signal
1351}
1352
1051sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY { 1353sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
1052 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1354 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1053 1355
1356 undef $SIG_TW
1357 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1358
1054 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb}; 1359 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1055 1360
1361 # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1362 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1363 # instead of getting the default action.
1364 undef $SIG{$signal}
1056 delete $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} }; 1365 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1057} 1366}
1058 1367
1059# default implementation for ->child 1368# default implementation for ->child
1060 1369
1061our %PID_CB; 1370our %PID_CB;
1062our $CHLD_W; 1371our $CHLD_W;
1063our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1372our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1064our $PID_IDLE;
1065our $WNOHANG; 1373our $WNOHANG;
1066 1374
1067sub _child_wait { 1375sub _sigchld {
1068 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1376 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) {
1377 $_->($pid, $?)
1069 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1378 for values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} },
1070 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1379 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1071 } 1380 }
1072
1073 undef $PID_IDLE;
1074}
1075
1076sub _sigchld {
1077 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop.
1078 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub {
1079 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1080 &_child_wait;
1081 });
1082} 1381}
1083 1382
1084sub child { 1383sub child {
1085 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1384 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1086 1385
1087 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1386 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1088 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1387 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1089 1388
1090 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1389 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1091 1390
1092 unless ($WNOHANG) {
1093 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1391 $WNOHANG ||= eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1094 }
1095 1392
1096 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1393 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1097 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1394 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
1098 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1395 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1099 &_sigchld; 1396 &_sigchld;
1100 } 1397 }
1101 1398
1102 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1399 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1103} 1400}
1104 1401
1105sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1402sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
1106 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1403 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1107 1404
1108 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1405 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1109 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1406 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1110 1407
1111 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1408 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1409}
1410
1411# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1412# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1413# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1414sub idle {
1415 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1416
1417 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1418
1419 $rcb = sub {
1420 if ($cb) {
1421 $w = _time;
1422 &$cb;
1423 $w = _time - $w;
1424
1425 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1426 # within some limits
1427 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1428 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1429
1430 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb);
1431 } else {
1432 # clean up...
1433 undef $w;
1434 undef $rcb;
1435 }
1436 };
1437
1438 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb);
1439
1440 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1441}
1442
1443sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1444 undef $${$_[0]};
1112} 1445}
1113 1446
1114package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1447package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1115 1448
1116our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1449our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1118package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1451package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1119 1452
1120use overload 1453use overload
1121 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1454 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1122 fallback => 1; 1455 fallback => 1;
1456
1457our $WAITING;
1123 1458
1124sub _send { 1459sub _send {
1125 # nop 1460 # nop
1126} 1461}
1127 1462
1140sub ready { 1475sub ready {
1141 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1476 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1142} 1477}
1143 1478
1144sub _wait { 1479sub _wait {
1480 $WAITING
1481 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1482 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1483
1484 local $WAITING = 1;
1145 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1485 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1146} 1486}
1147 1487
1148sub recv { 1488sub recv {
1149 $_[0]->_wait; 1489 $_[0]->_wait;
1168} 1508}
1169 1509
1170# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1510# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1171*broadcast = \&send; 1511*broadcast = \&send;
1172*wait = \&_wait; 1512*wait = \&_wait;
1513
1514=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1515
1516In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1517caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1518the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1519checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1520development.
1521
1522As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1523executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1524also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1525program.
1526
1527The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1528within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1529$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1530so on.
1531
1532=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1533
1534The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1535submodules.
1536
1537Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1538C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1539enabled.
1540
1541=over 4
1542
1543=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1544
1545By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1546conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1547talkative.
1548
1549When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1550conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1551C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1552
1553When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1554model it chooses.
1555
1556=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1557
1558AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1559argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1560will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1561check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1562it will croak.
1563
1564In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1565
1566Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in
1567production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while
1568developing programs can be very useful, however.
1569
1570=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1571
1572This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1573auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1574entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1575and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1576used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1577auto detection and -probing.
1578
1579This functionality might change in future versions.
1580
1581For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1582could start your program like this:
1583
1584 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1585
1586=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1587
1588Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1589for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1590of auto probing).
1591
1592Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1593current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1594used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1595list.
1596
1597This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1598against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1599small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1600
1601Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1602but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1603- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1604addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1605IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1606
1607=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1608
1609Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1610for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1611some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1612default.
1613
1614Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1615EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1616
1617=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1618
1619The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1620will create in parallel.
1621
1622=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1623
1624The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1625resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1626sent to the DNS server.
1627
1628=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1629
1630The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1631configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1632default config will be used.
1633
1634=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1635
1636When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1637L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1638variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1639instead of a system-dependent default.
1640
1641=back
1173 1642
1174=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1643=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1175 1644
1176This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1645This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
1177a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1646a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1211 1680
1212I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1681I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1213condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1682condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1214C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1683C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1215not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1684not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1216
1217=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1218
1219The following environment variables are used by this module:
1220
1221=over 4
1222
1223=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1224
1225By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1226conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1227talkative.
1228
1229When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1230conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1231C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1232
1233When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1234model it chooses.
1235
1236=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1237
1238AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1239argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1240will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1241check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems
1242it will croak.
1243
1244In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1245
1246Unlike C<use strict> it is definitely recommended ot keep it off in
1247production.
1248
1249=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1250
1251This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1252auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1253entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1254and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1255used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1256auto detection and -probing.
1257
1258This functionality might change in future versions.
1259
1260For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1261could start your program like this:
1262
1263 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1264
1265=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1266
1267Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1268for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1269of auto probing).
1270
1271Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1272current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1273used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1274list.
1275
1276This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1277against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1278small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1279
1280Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1281but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1282- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1283addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1284IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1285
1286=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1287
1288Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1289for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1290some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1291default.
1292
1293Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1294EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1295
1296=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1297
1298The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1299will create in parallel.
1300
1301=back
1302 1685
1303=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1686=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1304 1687
1305The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1688The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1306to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1689to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1500watcher. 1883watcher.
1501 1884
1502=head3 Results 1885=head3 Results
1503 1886
1504 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 1887 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1505 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 1888 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface
1506 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 1889 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1507 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 1890 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1508 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 1891 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1509 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 1892 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1510 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 1893 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1894 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
1895 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1511 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 1896 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1512 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 1897 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1513 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 1898 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1514 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 1899 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1515 1900
1516=head3 Discussion 1901=head3 Discussion
1517 1902
1518The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 1903The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1519well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 1904well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1544performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 1929performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1545them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 1930them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1546 1931
1547The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 1932The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1548cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 1933cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
1934
1935C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
1936when using its pure perl backend.
1549 1937
1550C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 1938C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1551faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 1939faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1552C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 1940C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1553watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 1941watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1631it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2019it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1632a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2020a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1633 2021
1634=head3 Results 2022=head3 Results
1635 2023
1636 name sockets create request 2024 name sockets create request
1637 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2025 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1638 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2026 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
2027 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll
2028 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll
1639 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2029 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1640 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2030 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1641 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2031 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1642 2032
1643=head3 Discussion 2033=head3 Discussion
1644 2034
1645This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2035This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1646particular event loop. 2036particular event loop.
1648EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2038EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1649is relatively high, though. 2039is relatively high, though.
1650 2040
1651Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2041Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1652loops Event and Glib. 2042loops Event and Glib.
2043
2044IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2045good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1653 2046
1654Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2047Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1655understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2048understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1656the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2049the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1657uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2050uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1720=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2113=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1721watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2114watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1722 2115
1723=back 2116=back
1724 2117
2118=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2119
2120Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2121could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2122simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2123shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2124fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2125very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2126baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2127
2128The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2129connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2130creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2131test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2132benchmark nevertheless.
2133
2134 name runtime
2135 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2136 + optimized 0.122 sec
2137 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2138 + optimized 0.138 sec
2139 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2140 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2141 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2142 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2143
2144 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2145 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2146 +state machine 0.134 sec
2147
2148The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2149benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2150defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2151written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2152AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2153resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2154generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2155connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2156
2157The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2158offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2159Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2160non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2161
2162As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2163hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2164backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2165
2166And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2167slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
2168large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
2169in a non-blocking way.
2170
2171The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2172F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2173part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2174
2175
2176=head1 SIGNALS
2177
2178AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2179
2180=over 4
2181
2182=item SIGCHLD
2183
2184A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2185emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2186event loops install a similar handler.
2187
2188Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2189AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2190
2191=item SIGPIPE
2192
2193A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2194when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2195
2196The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2197on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2198badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2199program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2200some random socket.
2201
2202The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2203that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2204
2205Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2206
2207=back
2208
2209=cut
2210
2211undef $SIG{CHLD}
2212 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2213
2214$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2215 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2216
2217=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2218
2219One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2220it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2221
2222That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2223modules if they are installed.
2224
2225This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2226affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2227
2228=over 4
2229
2230=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2231
2232This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2233my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2234signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2235delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2236catch the signals) with soemd elay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2237C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2238
2239If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2240catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2241will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2242battery life on laptops).
2243
2244This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2245that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2246
2247=item L<EV>
2248
2249This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2250event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2251loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2252the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2253automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2254can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2255C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2256L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2257
2258=item L<Guard>
2259
2260The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2261C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2262lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2263purely used for performance.
2264
2265=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2266
2267This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
2268L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2269advantage of the ulta-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2270
2271In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2272installed.
2273
2274=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2275
2276Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2277worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2278the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2279
2280=item L<Time::HiRes>
2281
2282This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2283chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2284pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2285try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2286
2287=back
2288
1725 2289
1726=head1 FORK 2290=head1 FORK
1727 2291
1728Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2292Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1729because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2293because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1730calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2294calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1731 2295
1732If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2296If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1733watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2297watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2298something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1734 2299
1735 2300
1736=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2301=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1737 2302
1738AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2303AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1750 use AnyEvent; 2315 use AnyEvent;
1751 2316
1752Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2317Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1753be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2318be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1754probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and 2319probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
1755$ENV{PERL_ANYEGENT_STRICT}. 2320$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2321
2322Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2323C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2324enabled.
1756 2325
1757 2326
1758=head1 BUGS 2327=head1 BUGS
1759 2328
1760Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard 2329Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1761to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10 2330to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
1762and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying 2331and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
1763mamleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as 2332memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
1764pronounced). 2333pronounced).
1765 2334
1766 2335
1767=head1 SEE ALSO 2336=head1 SEE ALSO
1768 2337
1772L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2341L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1773 2342
1774Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2343Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1775L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2344L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1776L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2345L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1777L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2346L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>.
1778 2347
1779Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2348Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1780servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2349servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1781 2350
1782Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2351Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1783 2352
1784Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2353Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2354L<Coro::Event>,
1785 2355
1786Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2356Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2357L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1787 2358
1788 2359
1789=head1 AUTHOR 2360=head1 AUTHOR
1790 2361
1791 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2362 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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