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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops
4 4
5EV, Event, Coro::EV, Coro::Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt 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 { ... });
14
15 # one-shot or repeating timers
16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
18
19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
21
22 # POSIX signal
23 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
24
25 # child process exit
26 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
27 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 28 ...
13 }); 29 });
14 30
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 31 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 32 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 33
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 34 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
35 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
20 $w->wait; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->broadcast 36 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
21 $w->broadcast; # wake up current and all future wait's 37 # use a condvar in callback mode:
38 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
39
40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
41
42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
22 45
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 46=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 47
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 48Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 49nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
27 50
28Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 51Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
29policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 52policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
30 53
31First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 54First 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 55interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
33pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 56pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
34the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 57the 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 58only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
36helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 59cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
60loops.
37 61
38The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 62The 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 63programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
40religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 64religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
41module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 65module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
42model you use. 66model you use.
43 67
44For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 68For 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 69actually 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 70like 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 71cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 72that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 73module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 74
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 75AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 76fine. 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 77with 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, 78your 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 79too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 80event 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 81use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 82to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
59 83
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 84In 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 85model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enourmous amount of code and strict rules you have to 86modules, 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 87follow. 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 88offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 89technically possible.
66 90
91Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
92of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
93non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
94such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
95platform bugs and differences.
96
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 97Now, 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 98useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 99model, you should I<not> use this module.
70 100
71=head1 DESCRIPTION 101=head1 DESCRIPTION
72 102
78The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 108The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
79module. 109module.
80 110
81During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 111During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
82to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 112to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
83following modules is already loaded: L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, L<EV>, 113following modules is already loaded: L<EV>,
84L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 114L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>,
85L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 115L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries
86to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 116to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl
87adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 117adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can
88be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 118be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be
102starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 132starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to
103use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 133use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly...
104 134
105The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 135The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
106C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 136C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
107explicitly. 137explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
108 138
109=head1 WATCHERS 139=head1 WATCHERS
110 140
111AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 141AnyEvent 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 142stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
113the callback to call, the filehandle to watch, etc. 143the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
114 144
115These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 145These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
116creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 146creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
117callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 147callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
118is in control). 148is in control).
119 149
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
120To 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
121variable 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
122to it). 158to it).
123 159
124All 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.
126Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 162Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
127example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 163example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
128 164
129An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 165An any way to achieve that is this pattern:
130 166
131 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 167 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
132 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 168 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
133 undef $w; 169 undef $w;
134 }); 170 });
135 171
136Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 172Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
137my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 173my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
138declared. 174declared.
139 175
140=head2 I/O WATCHERS 176=head2 I/O WATCHERS
141 177
142You 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
143with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 179with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
144 180
145C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 181C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
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
146for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 188C<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, 189watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
190
148respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 191C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
149becomes ready.
150 192
151Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 193Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
152presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 194presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
153callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 195callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
154 196
158 200
159Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 201Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
160always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 202always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
161handles. 203handles.
162 204
163Example:
164
165 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 205Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
206watcher.
207
166 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 208 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
167 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 209 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
168 warn "read: $input\n"; 210 warn "read: $input\n";
169 undef $w; 211 undef $w;
170 }); 212 });
180 222
181Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 223Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
182presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 224presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
183callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 225callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
184 226
185The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 227The 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 228parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
187and Glib). 229callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
230seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
231false value, then it is treated as if it were missing.
188 232
189Example: 233The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
234attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
235only approximate.
190 236
191 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 237Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
238
192 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 239 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
193 warn "timeout\n"; 240 warn "timeout\n";
194 }); 241 });
195 242
196 # to cancel the timer: 243 # to cancel the timer:
197 undef $w; 244 undef $w;
198 245
199Example 2:
200
201 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 246Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
202 my $w;
203 247
204 my $cb = sub {
205 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
206 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 248 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
249 warn "timeout\n";
207 }; 250 };
208
209 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
210 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
211 251
212=head3 TIMING ISSUES 252=head3 TIMING ISSUES
213 253
214There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 254There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
215in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 255in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
227timers. 267timers.
228 268
229AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 269AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
230AnyEvent API. 270AnyEvent API.
231 271
272AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
273
274=over 4
275
276=item AnyEvent->time
277
278This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
279seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
280return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
281
282It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
283will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
284
285=item AnyEvent->now
286
287This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
288this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
289the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
290time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
291
292I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
293function to call when you want to know the current time.>
294
295This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
296thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
297L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts).
298
299The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
300with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience.
301
302For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
303and L<EV> and the following set-up:
304
305The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at
306time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
307you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
308second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
309after three seconds.
310
311With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
312both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
313be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
314
315With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
316time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
317last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
318to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
319
320In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
321regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
322callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
323higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
324
325In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
326the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
327
328In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
329can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
330difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
331account.
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
348=back
349
232=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 350=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
233 351
234You 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
235I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 353I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
236be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 354callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
237 355
238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 356Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 357presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 358callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
241 359
242Multiple signal occurances can be clumped together into one callback 360Multiple signal occurrences can be clumped together into one callback
243invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. synchronous means 361invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
244that 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,
245but it is guarenteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 363but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
246 364
247The 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
248between multiple watchers. 366between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
367interrupt your program at bad times.
249 368
250This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 369This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
251directly 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.
252 383
253Example: exit on SIGINT 384Example: exit on SIGINT
254 385
255 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 386 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
256 387
257=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 388=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
258 389
259You 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.
260 391
261The 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
262watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 393watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when
263as 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
264signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 395any trace events (stopped/continued).
265and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 396
266you 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).
267 405
268There 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
269I<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
270have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 408have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
271 409
272Not 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
273event 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
274loaded 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.
275 416
276This 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
277AnyEvent 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
278C<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.
279 425
280Example: fork a process and wait for it 426Example: fork a process and wait for it
281 427
282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 428 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
283 429
284 AnyEvent::detect; # force event module to be initialised
285
286 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 430 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
287 431
288 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 432 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
289 pid => $pid, 433 pid => $pid,
290 cb => sub { 434 cb => sub {
291 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 435 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
292 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 436 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
293 $done->broadcast; 437 $done->send;
294 }, 438 },
295 ); 439 );
296 440
297 # do something else, then wait for process exit 441 # do something else, then wait for process exit
298 $done->wait; 442 $done->recv;
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 });
299 478
300=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 479=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
301 480
481If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
482require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
483will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
484
485AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
486loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
487
488The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
489because they represent a condition that must become true.
490
491Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
492
302Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar >> 493Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
303method without any arguments. 494>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
495C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
496becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
497the results).
304 498
305A condition variable waits for a condition - precisely that the C<< 499After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
306->broadcast >> method has been called. 500by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
501were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
502->send >> method).
307 503
308They are very useful to signal that a condition has been fulfilled, for 504Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
505optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
506in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
507another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
508used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
509a result.
510
511Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
309example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 512for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
310then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 513then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
311availability of results. 514availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
515called or can synchronously C<< ->recv >> for the results.
312 516
313You can also use condition variables to block your main program until 517You can also use them to simulate traditional event loops - for example,
314an event occurs - for example, you could C<< ->wait >> in your main 518you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you
315program until the user clicks the Quit button in your app, which would C<< 519could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit
316->broadcast >> the "quit" event. 520button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event.
317 521
318Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have 522Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have
319two pirces of code that call C<< ->wait >> in a round-robbin fashion, you 523two pieces of code that call C<< ->recv >> in a round-robin fashion, you
320lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but 524lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but
321you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks, 525you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks,
322as this asks for trouble. 526as this asks for trouble.
323 527
324This object has two methods: 528Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
529used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
530easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
531AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
532it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
325 533
326=over 4 534There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
535eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
536for the send to occur.
327 537
328=item $cv->wait 538Example: wait for a timer.
329
330Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been
331called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers normally.
332
333You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls will return
334immediately.
335
336Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
337(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
338using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the
339caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
340condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
341callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
342while still suppporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
343
344Another reason I<never> to C<< ->wait >> in a module is that you cannot
345sensibly have two C<< ->wait >>'s in parallel, as that would require
346multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
347can supply (the coroutine-aware backends L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV> and
348L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent> explicitly support concurrent C<< ->wait >>'s
349from different coroutines, however).
350
351=item $cv->broadcast
352
353Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->wait >> and all further
354calls to C<wait> will (eventually) return after this method has been
355called. If nobody is waiting the broadcast will be remembered..
356
357=back
358
359Example:
360 539
361 # wait till the result is ready 540 # wait till the result is ready
362 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 541 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
363 542
364 # do something such as adding a timer 543 # do something such as adding a timer
365 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->broadcast 544 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send
366 # when the "result" is ready. 545 # when the "result" is ready.
367 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 546 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
368 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 547 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
369 after => 1, 548 after => 1,
370 cb => sub { $result_ready->broadcast }, 549 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
371 ); 550 );
372 551
373 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the watcher 552 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
374 # calls broadcast 553 # calls -<send
375 $result_ready->wait; 554 $result_ready->recv;
555
556Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
557variables are also callable directly.
558
559 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
560 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
561 $done->recv;
562
563Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
564callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
565the main program:
566
567 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
568
569 ...
570
571 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
572
573And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
574results are available:
575
576 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
577 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
578 });
579
580=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
581
582These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
583code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
584the producer side which creates the condvar in most cases, but it isn't
585uncommon for the consumer to create it as well.
586
587=over 4
588
589=item $cv->send (...)
590
591Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->recv >> and all further
592calls to C<recv> will (eventually) return after this method has been
593called. If nobody is waiting the send will be remembered.
594
595If a callback has been set on the condition variable, it is called
596immediately from within send.
597
598Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
599future C<< ->recv >> calls.
600
601Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
602they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
603C<send>.
604
605=item $cv->croak ($error)
606
607Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
608C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
609
610This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
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.
616
617=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
618
619=item $cv->end
620
621These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
622one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
623to use a condition variable for the whole process.
624
625Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
626C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
627>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
628is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
629callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
630
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:
662
663 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
664
665 my %result;
666 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
667
668 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
669 $cv->begin;
670 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
671 $result{$host} = ...;
672 $cv->end;
673 };
674 }
675
676 $cv->end;
677
678This code fragment supposedly pings a number of hosts and calls
679C<send> after results for all then have have been gathered - in any
680order. To achieve this, the code issues a call to C<begin> when it starts
681each ping request and calls C<end> when it has received some result for
682it. Since C<begin> and C<end> only maintain a counter, the order in which
683results arrive is not relevant.
684
685There is an additional bracketing call to C<begin> and C<end> outside the
686loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
687to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
688C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
689doesn't execute once).
690
691This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
692potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
693the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
694subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
695call C<end>.
696
697=back
698
699=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
700
701These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the
702code awaits the condition.
703
704=over 4
705
706=item $cv->recv
707
708Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
709>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
710normally.
711
712You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
713will return immediately.
714
715If an error condition has been set by calling C<< ->croak >>, then this
716function will call C<croak>.
717
718In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
719in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
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
728Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
729(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
730using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
731caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
732condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
733callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
734while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
735
736You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
737only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
738time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
739waits otherwise.
740
741=item $bool = $cv->ready
742
743Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
744C<croak> have been called.
745
746=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
747
748This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
749replaces it before doing so.
750
751The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
752C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition
753variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time
754is guaranteed not to block.
755
756=back
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
376 824
377=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 825=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
378 826
827These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
828write AnyEvent extension modules.
829
379=over 4 830=over 4
380 831
381=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 832=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
382 833
383Contains 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
384contains 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
385Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 838name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
386C<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
387AnyEvent 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
388 841will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
389The known classes so far are:
390
391 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV based on Coro::EV, best choice.
392 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent based on Coro::Event, second best choice.
393 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
394 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
395 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
396 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, inefficient but portable.
397 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
398 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
399 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
400 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
401
402There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
403watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
404POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
405second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
406AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
407it's adaptor.
408
409AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
410autodetecting them.
411 842
412=item AnyEvent::detect 843=item AnyEvent::detect
413 844
414Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 845Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
415if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 846if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
416have 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
417runtime. 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>.
852
853=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
854
855Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
856autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
857
858The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
859(C<$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.
868
869If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
870that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See
871L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful.
872
873=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
874
875If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
876before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
877the event loop has been chosen.
878
879You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
880if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
881array will be ignored.
882
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.
418 890
419=back 891=back
420 892
421=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 893=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
422 894
426Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will 898Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will
427decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so 899decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so
428by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module 900by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module
429to load the event module first. 901to load the event module first.
430 902
431Never call C<< ->wait >> on a condition variable unless you I<know> that 903Never call C<< ->recv >> on a condition variable unless you I<know> that
432the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been called on it already. This is 904the C<< ->send >> method has been called on it already. This is
433because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 905because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
434events is to stay interactive. 906events is to stay interactive.
435 907
436It is fine, however, to call C<< ->wait >> when the user of your module 908It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
437requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 909requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
438called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->wait >> 910called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >>
439freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 911freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always).
440 912
441=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 913=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
442 914
443There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 915There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
445 917
446If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 918If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not
447do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 919do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent
448decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 920decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it.
449 921
450If the main program relies on a specific event model. For example, in 922If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
451Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module. You should load the 923Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
452event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 924event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
453speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 925speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
454modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 926modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
455decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 927decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
456might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 928might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
457 929
458You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 930You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
459loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 931C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
460behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 932everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
933
934=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
935
936Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
937only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event loop.
938
939In that case, you can use a condition variable like this:
940
941 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
942
943This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
944
945Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
946it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
947variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should
948exit cleanly.
949
461 950
462=head1 OTHER MODULES 951=head1 OTHER MODULES
463 952
464The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 953The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
465AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 954AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
466in 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
467available via CPAN. 956come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
468 957
469=over 4 958=over 4
470 959
471=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 960=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
472 961
473Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 962Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
474functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 963functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
475 964
965=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
966
967Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
968addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
969connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
970
476=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 971=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
477 972
478Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes. 973Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
974supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
975non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
479 976
480=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 977=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
481 978
482Provides a means to do non-blocking connects, accepts etc. 979Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
980
981=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>
982
983A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent
984HTTP requests.
483 985
484=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 986=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
485 987
486Provides a simple web application server framework. 988Provides a simple web application server framework.
487 989
488=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
489
490Provides asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities, beyond what
491L<AnyEvent::Util> offers.
492
493=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 990=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
494 991
495The fastest ping in the west. 992The fastest ping in the west.
496 993
994=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
995
996Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
997
998=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
999
1000Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
1001programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
1002together.
1003
1004=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
1005
1006Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
1007L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
1008
1009=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
1010
1011A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
1012
497=item L<Net::IRC3> 1013=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
498 1014
499AnyEvent based IRC client module family. 1015AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
500 1016
501=item L<Net::XMPP2> 1017=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
502 1018
503AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family. 1019AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1020Net::XMPP2>.
1021
1022=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
1023
1024A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1025L<App::IGS>).
504 1026
505=item L<Net::FCP> 1027=item L<Net::FCP>
506 1028
507AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1029AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
508of AnyEvent. 1030of AnyEvent.
511 1033
512High level API for event-based execution flow control. 1034High level API for event-based execution flow control.
513 1035
514=item L<Coro> 1036=item L<Coro>
515 1037
516Has special support for AnyEvent. 1038Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
517
518=item L<IO::Lambda>
519
520The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
521
522=item L<IO::AIO>
523
524Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
525programmer. Can be trivially made to use AnyEvent.
526
527=item L<BDB>
528
529Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. Can be trivially made to use
530AnyEvent.
531 1039
532=back 1040=back
533 1041
534=cut 1042=cut
535 1043
536package AnyEvent; 1044package AnyEvent;
537 1045
1046# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1047sub common_sense {
538no warnings; 1048 # no warnings
539use strict; 1049 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS};
1050 # use strict vars subs
1051 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1052}
540 1053
1054BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1055
541use Carp; 1056use Carp ();
542 1057
543our $VERSION = '3.3'; 1058our $VERSION = 4.85;
544our $MODEL; 1059our $MODEL;
545 1060
546our $AUTOLOAD; 1061our $AUTOLOAD;
547our @ISA; 1062our @ISA;
548 1063
549our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
550
551our @REGISTRY; 1064our @REGISTRY;
552 1065
1066our $WIN32;
1067
1068our $VERBOSE;
1069
1070BEGIN {
1071 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
1072 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
1073
1074 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1075 if ${^TAINT};
1076
1077 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1078
1079}
1080
1081our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
1082
1083our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
1084
1085{
1086 my $idx;
1087 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
1088 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
1089 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
1090}
1091
553my @models = ( 1092my @models = (
554 [Coro::EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV::],
555 [Coro::Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent::],
556 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1093 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::],
557 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1094 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
558 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], 1095 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
1096 # everything below here will not be autoprobed
1097 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
1098 # and is usually faster
1099 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1100 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
559 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], 1101 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
1102 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1103 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
560 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1104 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
561 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1105 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
562 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1106 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
563 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1107 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
564 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 1108 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1109 # obvious default class.
565 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1110# [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
566 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1111# [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1112# [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
567); 1113);
568 1114
569our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar broadcast wait one_event DESTROY); 1115our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1116 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
1117
1118our @post_detect;
1119
1120sub post_detect(&) {
1121 my ($cb) = @_;
1122
1123 if ($MODEL) {
1124 $cb->();
1125
1126 1
1127 } else {
1128 push @post_detect, $cb;
1129
1130 defined wantarray
1131 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
1132 : ()
1133 }
1134}
1135
1136sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1137 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1138}
570 1139
571sub detect() { 1140sub detect() {
572 unless ($MODEL) { 1141 unless ($MODEL) {
573 no strict 'refs'; 1142 local $SIG{__DIE__};
574 1143
575 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1144 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
576 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1145 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
577 if (eval "require $model") { 1146 if (eval "require $model") {
578 $MODEL = $model; 1147 $MODEL = $model;
579 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1148 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
580 } else { 1149 } else {
581 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1150 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
582 } 1151 }
583 } 1152 }
584 1153
585 # check for already loaded models 1154 # check for already loaded models
586 unless ($MODEL) { 1155 unless ($MODEL) {
587 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1156 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
588 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1157 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
589 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1158 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
590 if (eval "require $model") { 1159 if (eval "require $model") {
591 $MODEL = $model; 1160 $MODEL = $model;
592 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1161 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
593 last; 1162 last;
594 } 1163 }
595 } 1164 }
596 } 1165 }
597 1166
602 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1171 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
603 if (eval "require $package" 1172 if (eval "require $package"
604 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1173 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
605 and eval "require $model") { 1174 and eval "require $model") {
606 $MODEL = $model; 1175 $MODEL = $model;
607 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1176 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
608 last; 1177 last;
609 } 1178 }
610 } 1179 }
611 1180
612 $MODEL 1181 $MODEL
613 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV (or Coro+EV), Event (or Coro+Event) or Glib."; 1182 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
614 } 1183 }
615 } 1184 }
616 1185
1186 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1187
617 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 1188 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
618 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1189
1190 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
1191
1192 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
619 } 1193 }
620 1194
621 $MODEL 1195 $MODEL
622} 1196}
623 1197
624sub AUTOLOAD { 1198sub AUTOLOAD {
625 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1199 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
626 1200
627 $method{$func} 1201 $method{$func}
628 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1202 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
629 1203
630 detect unless $MODEL; 1204 detect unless $MODEL;
631 1205
632 my $class = shift; 1206 my $class = shift;
633 $class->$func (@_); 1207 $class->$func (@_);
634} 1208}
635 1209
1210# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1211# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1212# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1213sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1214 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1215
1216 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1217 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1218
1219 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1220 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1221
1222 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1223
1224 ($fh2, $rw)
1225}
1226
636package AnyEvent::Base; 1227package AnyEvent::Base;
637 1228
1229# default implementations for many methods
1230
1231sub _time {
1232 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1233 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1234 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1235 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1236 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1237 } else {
1238 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1239 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1240 }
1241
1242 &_time
1243}
1244
1245sub time { _time }
1246sub now { _time }
1247sub now_update { }
1248
638# default implementation for ->condvar, ->wait, ->broadcast 1249# default implementation for ->condvar
639 1250
640sub condvar { 1251sub condvar {
641 bless \my $flag, "AnyEvent::Base::CondVar" 1252 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
642}
643
644sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::broadcast {
645 ${$_[0]}++;
646}
647
648sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::wait {
649 AnyEvent->one_event while !${$_[0]};
650} 1253}
651 1254
652# default implementation for ->signal 1255# default implementation for ->signal
653 1256
654our %SIG_CB; 1257our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1258our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1259our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1260our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
655 1261
1262sub _signal_exec {
1263 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1264 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1265 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 9;
1266
1267 while (%SIG_EV) {
1268 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1269 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1270 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1271 }
1272 }
1273}
1274
1275# install a dumym wakeupw atcher to reduce signal catching latency
1276sub _sig_add() {
1277 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1278 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1279 my $NOW = AnyEvent->now;
1280
1281 $SIG_TW = AnyEvent->timer (
1282 after => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1283 interval => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1284 cb => sub { }, # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1285 );
1286 }
1287}
1288
1289sub _sig_del {
1290 undef $SIG_TW
1291 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1292}
1293
656sub signal { 1294sub _signal {
657 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1295 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
658 1296
659 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1297 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
660 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1298 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
661 1299
662 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1300 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1301
1302 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1303 # async::interrupt
1304
1305 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= do {
1306 my $asy = new Async::Interrupt
1307 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1308 signal => $signal,
1309 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1310 ;
1311 $asy->pipe_autodrain (0);
1312
1313 $asy
1314 };
1315
1316 } else {
1317 # pure perl
1318
663 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1319 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
664 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1320 local $!;
1321 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1322 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1323 };
1324
1325 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1326 # so limit the signal latency.
1327 _sig_add;
665 }; 1328 }
666 1329
667 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1330 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
668} 1331}
669 1332
1333sub signal {
1334 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1335 if (!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT} && eval "use Async::Interrupt 0.6 (); 1") {
1336 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1337
1338 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1;
1339 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1340 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1341
1342 } else {
1343 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1344
1345 require Fcntl;
1346
1347 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1348 require AnyEvent::Util;
1349
1350 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1351 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1352 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1353 } else {
1354 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1355 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1356 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1357
1358 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1359 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1360 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1361 }
1362
1363 $SIGPIPE_R
1364 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1365
1366 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1367 }
1368
1369 *signal = \&_signal;
1370 &signal
1371}
1372
670sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY { 1373sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
671 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1374 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
672 1375
1376 _sig_del;
1377
673 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb}; 1378 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
674 1379
675 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} }; 1380 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1381 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1382 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1383 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1384 # instead of getting the default action.
1385 undef $SIG{$signal}
1386 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
676} 1387}
677 1388
678# default implementation for ->child 1389# default implementation for ->child
679 1390
680our %PID_CB; 1391our %PID_CB;
681our $CHLD_W; 1392our $CHLD_W;
682our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1393our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
683our $PID_IDLE;
684our $WNOHANG; 1394our $WNOHANG;
685 1395
686sub _child_wait { 1396sub _sigchld {
687 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1397 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) {
1398 $_->($pid, $?)
688 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1399 for values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} },
689 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1400 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
690 } 1401 }
691
692 undef $PID_IDLE;
693}
694
695sub _sigchld {
696 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop.
697 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub {
698 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W;
699 &_child_wait;
700 });
701} 1402}
702 1403
703sub child { 1404sub child {
704 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1405 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
705 1406
706 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1407 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
707 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1408 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
708 1409
709 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1410 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
710 1411
711 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1412 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
712 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1413 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
713 } 1414 ? 1
1415 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
714 1416
715 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1417 unless ($CHLD_W) {
716 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1418 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
717 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1419 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
718 &_sigchld; 1420 &_sigchld;
719 } 1421 }
720 1422
721 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1423 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
722} 1424}
723 1425
724sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1426sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
725 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1427 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
726 1428
727 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1429 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
728 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1430 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
729 1431
730 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1432 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
731} 1433}
1434
1435# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1436# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1437# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1438sub idle {
1439 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1440
1441 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1442
1443 $rcb = sub {
1444 if ($cb) {
1445 $w = _time;
1446 &$cb;
1447 $w = _time - $w;
1448
1449 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1450 # within some limits
1451 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1452 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1453
1454 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb);
1455 } else {
1456 # clean up...
1457 undef $w;
1458 undef $rcb;
1459 }
1460 };
1461
1462 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb);
1463
1464 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1465}
1466
1467sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1468 undef $${$_[0]};
1469}
1470
1471package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1472
1473our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1474
1475package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1476
1477#use overload
1478# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1479# fallback => 1;
1480
1481# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1482${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1483*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1484*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1485${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1486
1487our $WAITING;
1488
1489sub _send {
1490 # nop
1491}
1492
1493sub send {
1494 my $cv = shift;
1495 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_];
1496 (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv) if $cv->{_ae_cb};
1497 $cv->_send;
1498}
1499
1500sub croak {
1501 $_[0]{_ae_croak} = $_[1];
1502 $_[0]->send;
1503}
1504
1505sub ready {
1506 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1507}
1508
1509sub _wait {
1510 $WAITING
1511 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1512 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1513
1514 local $WAITING = 1;
1515 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1516}
1517
1518sub recv {
1519 $_[0]->_wait;
1520
1521 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1522 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1523}
1524
1525sub cb {
1526 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1527 $_[0]{_ae_cb}
1528}
1529
1530sub begin {
1531 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1532 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1533}
1534
1535sub end {
1536 return if --$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1537 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
1538}
1539
1540# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1541*broadcast = \&send;
1542*wait = \&_wait;
1543
1544=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1545
1546In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1547caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1548the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1549checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1550development.
1551
1552As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1553executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1554also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1555program.
1556
1557The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1558within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1559$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1560so on.
1561
1562=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1563
1564The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1565submodules.
1566
1567Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1568C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1569enabled.
1570
1571=over 4
1572
1573=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1574
1575By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1576conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1577talkative.
1578
1579When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1580conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1581C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1582
1583When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1584model it chooses.
1585
1586When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1587which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1588
1589=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1590
1591AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1592argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1593will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1594check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1595it will croak.
1596
1597In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1598
1599Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1600>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1601C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1602can be very useful, however.
1603
1604=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1605
1606This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1607auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1608entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1609and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1610used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1611auto detection and -probing.
1612
1613This functionality might change in future versions.
1614
1615For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1616could start your program like this:
1617
1618 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1619
1620=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1621
1622Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1623for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1624of auto probing).
1625
1626Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1627current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1628used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1629list.
1630
1631This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1632against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1633small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1634
1635Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1636but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1637- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1638addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1639IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1640
1641=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1642
1643Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1644for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1645some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1646default.
1647
1648Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1649EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1650
1651=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1652
1653The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1654will create in parallel.
1655
1656=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1657
1658The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1659resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1660sent to the DNS server.
1661
1662=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1663
1664The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1665configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1666default config will be used.
1667
1668=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1669
1670When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1671L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1672variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1673instead of a system-dependent default.
1674
1675=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1676
1677When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1678loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1679
1680=back
732 1681
733=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1682=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
734 1683
735This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1684This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
736a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1685a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
770 1719
771I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1720I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
772condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1721condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
773C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1722C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
774not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1723not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
775
776=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
777
778The following environment variables are used by this module:
779
780=over 4
781
782=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
783
784By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
785conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
786talkative.
787
788When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
789conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
790C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
791
792When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
793model it chooses.
794
795=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
796
797This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
798autodetection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
799entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
800and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
801used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
802autodetection and -probing.
803
804This functionality might change in future versions.
805
806For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
807could start your program like this:
808
809 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
810
811=back
812 1724
813=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1725=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
814 1726
815The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1727The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
816to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1728to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
825 poll => 'r', 1737 poll => 'r',
826 cb => sub { 1738 cb => sub {
827 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r> 1739 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r>
828 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line 1740 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line
829 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1741 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
830 $cv->broadcast if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1742 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
831 }, 1743 },
832 ); 1744 );
833 1745
834 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once 1746 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
835 1747
840 }); 1752 });
841 } 1753 }
842 1754
843 new_timer; # create first timer 1755 new_timer; # create first timer
844 1756
845 $cv->wait; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1757 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
846 1758
847=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1759=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
848 1760
849Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following 1761Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following
850API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http: 1762API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http:
900 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request} 1812 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request}
901 or die "connection or write error"; 1813 or die "connection or write error";
902 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r }); 1814 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r });
903 1815
904Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the 1816Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the
905result and signals any possible waiters that the request ahs finished: 1817result and signals any possible waiters that the request has finished:
906 1818
907 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf}; 1819 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf};
908 1820
909 if (end-of-file or data complete) { 1821 if (end-of-file or data complete) {
910 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf}; 1822 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf};
911 $txn->{finished}->broadcast; 1823 $txn->{finished}->send;
912 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback 1824 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback
913 } 1825 }
914 1826
915The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the 1827The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the
916request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the 1828request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the
917data: 1829data:
918 1830
919 $txn->{finished}->wait; 1831 $txn->{finished}->recv;
920 return $txn->{result}; 1832 return $txn->{result};
921 1833
922The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 1834The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
923that occured during request processing. The C<result> method detects 1835that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
924whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 1836whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
925and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 1837and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
926problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 1838problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a
927random callback. 1839random callback.
928 1840
959 1871
960 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar; 1872 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar;
961 1873
962 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub { 1874 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub {
963 ... 1875 ...
964 $quit->broadcast; 1876 $quit->send;
965 }); 1877 });
966 1878
967 $quit->wait; 1879 $quit->recv;
968 1880
969 1881
970=head1 BENCHMARKS 1882=head1 BENCHMARKS
971 1883
972To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds 1884To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds
974of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks. 1886of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks.
975 1887
976=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD 1888=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD
977 1889
978Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and 1890Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and
979through anyevent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 1891through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
980timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 1892timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
981which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 1893which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
982 1894
983Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 1895Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
984distribution. 1896distribution.
1001all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation 1913all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation
1002and memory usage is not included in the figures. 1914and memory usage is not included in the figures.
1003 1915
1004I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple 1916I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple
1005callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was 1917callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was
1006invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->broadcast >> a condvar once to 1918invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->send >> a condvar once to
1007signal the end of this phase. 1919signal the end of this phase.
1008 1920
1009I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single 1921I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single
1010watcher. 1922watcher.
1011 1923
1012=head3 Results 1924=head3 Results
1013 1925
1014 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 1926 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1015 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 1927 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface
1016 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 1928 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1017 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 1929 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1018 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 1930 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1019 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 1931 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1020 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 1932 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1933 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
1934 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1021 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 1935 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1022 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 1936 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1023 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 1937 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1024 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 1938 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1025 1939
1026=head3 Discussion 1940=head3 Discussion
1027 1941
1028The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 1942The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1029well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 1943well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1054performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 1968performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1055them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 1969them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1056 1970
1057The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 1971The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1058cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 1972cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
1973
1974C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
1975when using its pure perl backend.
1059 1976
1060C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 1977C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1061faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 1978faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1062C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 1979C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1063watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 1980watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1107 2024
1108=back 2025=back
1109 2026
1110=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 2027=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1111 2028
1112This benchmark atcually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by 2029This benchmark actually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by
1113creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socketpair, a 2030creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socket pair, a
1114timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O 2031timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O
1115watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket 2032watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket
1116watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server". 2033watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server".
1117 2034
1118The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which 2035The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which
1119are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active 2036are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active
1120fds for each loop iterstaion, but which fds these are is random). The 2037fds for each loop iteration, but which fds these are is random). The
1121timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how 2038timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how
1122most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops). 2039most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops).
1123 2040
1124In this benchmark, we use 10000 socketpairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2041In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1125(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2042(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1126connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2043connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1127 2044
1128Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2045Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1129distribution. 2046distribution.
1131=head3 Explanation of the columns 2048=head3 Explanation of the columns
1132 2049
1133I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2050I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1134each server has a read and write socket end). 2051each server has a read and write socket end).
1135 2052
1136I<create> is the time it takes to create a socketpair (which is 2053I<create> is the time it takes to create a socket pair (which is
1137nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher. 2054nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher.
1138 2055
1139I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a 2056I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a
1140single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding 2057single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding
1141it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2058it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1142a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2059a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1143 2060
1144=head3 Results 2061=head3 Results
1145 2062
1146 name sockets create request 2063 name sockets create request
1147 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2064 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1148 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2065 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
2066 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll
2067 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll
1149 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2068 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1150 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2069 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1151 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2070 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1152 2071
1153=head3 Discussion 2072=head3 Discussion
1154 2073
1155This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2074This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1156particular event loop. 2075particular event loop.
1158EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2077EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1159is relatively high, though. 2078is relatively high, though.
1160 2079
1161Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2080Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1162loops Event and Glib. 2081loops Event and Glib.
2082
2083IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2084good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1163 2085
1164Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2086Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1165understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2087understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1166the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2088the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1167uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2089uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1214speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of 2136speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of
1215them). 2137them).
1216 2138
1217EV is again fastest. 2139EV is again fastest.
1218 2140
1219Perl again comes second. It is noticably faster than the C-based event 2141Perl again comes second. It is noticeably faster than the C-based event
1220loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really 2142loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really
1221matter. 2143matter.
1222 2144
1223POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the 2145POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the
1224others. 2146others.
1230=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2152=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1231watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2153watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1232 2154
1233=back 2155=back
1234 2156
2157=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2158
2159Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2160could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2161simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2162shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2163fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2164very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2165baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2166
2167The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2168connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2169creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2170test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2171benchmark nevertheless.
2172
2173 name runtime
2174 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2175 + optimized 0.122 sec
2176 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2177 + optimized 0.138 sec
2178 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2179 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2180 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2181 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2182
2183 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2184 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2185 +state machine 0.134 sec
2186
2187The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2188benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2189defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2190written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2191AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2192resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2193generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2194connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2195
2196The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2197offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2198Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2199non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2200
2201As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2202hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2203backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2204
2205And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2206slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
2207large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
2208in a non-blocking way.
2209
2210The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2211F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2212part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2213
2214
2215=head1 SIGNALS
2216
2217AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2218
2219=over 4
2220
2221=item SIGCHLD
2222
2223A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2224emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2225event loops install a similar handler.
2226
2227Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2228AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2229
2230=item SIGPIPE
2231
2232A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2233when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2234
2235The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2236on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2237badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2238program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2239some random socket.
2240
2241The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2242that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2243
2244Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2245
2246=back
2247
2248=cut
2249
2250undef $SIG{CHLD}
2251 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2252
2253$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2254 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2255
2256=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2257
2258One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2259it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2260
2261That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2262modules if they are installed.
2263
2264This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2265affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2266
2267=over 4
2268
2269=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2270
2271This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2272my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2273signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2274delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2275catch the signals) with soemd elay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2276C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2277
2278If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2279catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2280will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2281battery life on laptops).
2282
2283This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2284that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2285
2286=item L<EV>
2287
2288This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2289event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2290loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2291the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2292automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2293can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2294C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2295L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2296
2297=item L<Guard>
2298
2299The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2300C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2301lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2302purely used for performance.
2303
2304=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2305
2306This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
2307L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2308advantage of the ulta-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2309
2310In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2311installed.
2312
2313=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2314
2315Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2316worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2317the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2318
2319=item L<Time::HiRes>
2320
2321This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2322chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2323pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2324try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2325
2326=back
2327
1235 2328
1236=head1 FORK 2329=head1 FORK
1237 2330
1238Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2331Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1239because they are so inefficient. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2332because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
2333calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1240 2334
1241If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2335If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1242watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2336watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2337something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1243 2338
1244 2339
1245=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2340=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1246 2341
1247AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2342AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1252specified in the variable. 2347specified in the variable.
1253 2348
1254You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2349You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1255before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2350before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1256 2351
1257 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2352 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1258 2353
1259 use AnyEvent; 2354 use AnyEvent;
2355
2356Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
2357be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
2358probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2359$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2360
2361Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2362C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2363enabled.
2364
2365
2366=head1 BUGS
2367
2368Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2369to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2370and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2371memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2372pronounced).
1260 2373
1261 2374
1262=head1 SEE ALSO 2375=head1 SEE ALSO
1263 2376
1264Event modules: L<Coro::EV>, L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, 2377Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1265L<Coro::Event>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, L<Glib>, L<Coro>, L<Tk>, 2378
2379Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>,
1266L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2380L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1267 2381
1268Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, 2382Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1269L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, 2383L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1270L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, 2384L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1271L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2385L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>.
1272 2386
2387Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
2388servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
2389
2390Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
2391
2392Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2393L<Coro::Event>,
2394
1273Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>. 2395Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2396L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1274 2397
1275 2398
1276=head1 AUTHOR 2399=head1 AUTHOR
1277 2400
1278 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2401 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1279 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2402 http://home.schmorp.de/
1280 2403
1281=cut 2404=cut
1282 2405
12831 24061
1284 2407

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