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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - events independent of event loop implementation
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt and POE are various supported
6event loops.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # file descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { ... }); 13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
12 14
15 # one-shot or repeating timers
13 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... }); 16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
14 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ... 17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
15 18
16 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time 19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
17 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time. 20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
18 21
22 # POSIX signal
19 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... }); 23 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
20 24
25 # child process exit
21 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { 26 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
22 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 27 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
23 ... 28 ...
24 }); 29 });
30
31 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
32 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
25 33
26 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 34 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
27 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 35 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
28 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 36 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
29 # use a condvar in callback mode: 37 # use a condvar in callback mode:
32=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
33 41
34This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
35in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
36L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
45
46=head1 SUPPORT
47
48There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
49channel, too.
50
51See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
52Respository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
37 53
38=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 54=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
39 55
40Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 56Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
41nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 57nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
168=head2 I/O WATCHERS 184=head2 I/O WATCHERS
169 185
170You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 186You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
171with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 187with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
172 188
173C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 189C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
174for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file 190for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
175handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which 191handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
176non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets, 192non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
177most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files 193most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
178or block devices. 194or block devices.
353invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 369invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
354that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 370that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
355but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 371but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
356 372
357The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 373The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
358between multiple watchers. 374between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
375interrupt your program at bad times.
359 376
360This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 377This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
361directly will likely not work correctly. 378so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
379correctly.
362 380
363Example: exit on SIGINT 381Example: exit on SIGINT
364 382
365 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 383 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
384
385=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
386
387Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
388callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot do
389race-free signal handling in perl. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, but
390in some cases, signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might
391be delayed is specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10
392seconds). This variable can be changed only before the first signal
393watcher is created, and should be left alone otherwise. Higher values
394will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
395saving. All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
396L<Async::Interrupt> module. This will not work with inherently broken
397event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib> (and not with L<POE>
398currently, as POE does it's own workaround with one-second latency). With
399those, you just have to suffer the delays.
366 400
367=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 401=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
368 402
369You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 403You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
370 404
384 418
385There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 419There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
386I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 420I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
387have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 421have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
388 422
389Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 423Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
424see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
390event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 425that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
391loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 426the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
427pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
428start the watcher.
392 429
393This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 430This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
394AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 431thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
395C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 432watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
433C<AnyEvent::detect>).
434
435As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
436emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
437mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
396 438
397Example: fork a process and wait for it 439Example: fork a process and wait for it
398 440
399 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 441 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
400 442
410 ); 452 );
411 453
412 # do something else, then wait for process exit 454 # do something else, then wait for process exit
413 $done->recv; 455 $done->recv;
414 456
457=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
458
459Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
460to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
461"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
462attention by the event loop".
463
464Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
465better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
466events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
467
468Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
469EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
470will simply call the callback "from time to time".
471
472Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
473program is otherwise idle:
474
475 my @lines; # read data
476 my $idle_w;
477 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
478 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
479
480 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
481 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
482 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
483 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
484 print "handled when idle: $line";
485 } else {
486 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
487 undef $idle_w;
488 }
489 });
490 });
491
415=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 492=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
416 493
417If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 494If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
418require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 495require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
419will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 496will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
420 497
421AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 498AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
422will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 499loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
423 500
424The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 501The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
425because they represent a condition that must become true. 502because they represent a condition that must become true.
426 503
504Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
505
427Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 506Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
428>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 507>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
429
430C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 508C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
431becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 509becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
432the results). 510the results).
433 511
434After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 512After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
439Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 517Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
440optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 518optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
441in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 519in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
442another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 520another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
443used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 521used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
444a result. 522a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
523compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
445 524
446Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 525Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
447for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 526for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
448then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 527then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
449availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 528availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
483 after => 1, 562 after => 1,
484 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 563 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
485 ); 564 );
486 565
487 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 566 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
488 # calls send 567 # calls -<send
489 $result_ready->recv; 568 $result_ready->recv;
490 569
491Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 570Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
492condition variables are also code references. 571variables are also callable directly.
493 572
494 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 573 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
495 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 574 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
496 $done->recv; 575 $done->recv;
497 576
503 582
504 ... 583 ...
505 584
506 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 585 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
507 586
508And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 587And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
509results are available: 588results are available:
510 589
511 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 590 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
512 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 591 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
513 }); 592 });
531immediately from within send. 610immediately from within send.
532 611
533Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 612Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
534future C<< ->recv >> calls. 613future C<< ->recv >> calls.
535 614
536Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 615Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
537(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 616they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
538C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 617C<send>.
539overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
540instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
541support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
542invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
543example).
544 618
545=item $cv->croak ($error) 619=item $cv->croak ($error)
546 620
547Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 621Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
548C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 622C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
549 623
550This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 624This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
551user/consumer. 625user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
626delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
627diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
628deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
629the problem.
552 630
553=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 631=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
554 632
555=item $cv->end 633=item $cv->end
556
557These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
558 634
559These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 635These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
560one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 636one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
561to use a condition variable for the whole process. 637to use a condition variable for the whole process.
562 638
564C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 640C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
565>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 641>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
566is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 642is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
567callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 643callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
568 644
569Let's clarify this with the ping example: 645You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
646sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
647condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
648
649Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
650STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
651close before activating a condvar:
652
653 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
654
655 $cv->begin; # first watcher
656 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
657 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
658 or $cv->end;
659 });
660
661 $cv->begin; # second watcher
662 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
663 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
664 or $cv->end;
665 });
666
667 $cv->recv;
668
669This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
670one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
671sending.
672
673The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
674there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
675begung can potentially be zero:
570 676
571 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 677 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
572 678
573 my %result; 679 my %result;
574 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 680 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
594loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 700loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
595to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 701to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
596C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 702C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
597doesn't execute once). 703doesn't execute once).
598 704
599This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 705This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
600use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 706potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
601is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 707the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
602C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 708subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
709call C<end>.
603 710
604=back 711=back
605 712
606=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 713=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
607 714
623function will call C<croak>. 730function will call C<croak>.
624 731
625In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 732In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
626in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 733in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
627 734
735Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
736event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
737>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
738condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
739L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
740any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
741
628Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 742Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
629(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 743(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
630using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 744using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
631caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 745caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
632condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 746condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
633callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 747callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
634while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 748while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
635 749
636Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
637sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
638multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
639can supply.
640
641The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
642fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
643versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
644C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
645coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
646
647You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 750You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
648only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 751only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
649time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 752time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
650waits otherwise. 753waits otherwise.
651 754
664variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 767variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time
665is guaranteed not to block. 768is guaranteed not to block.
666 769
667=back 770=back
668 771
772=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
773
774The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
775
776=over 4
777
778=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
779
780EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
781use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will try Event, and, failing
782that, will fall back to its own pure-perl implementation, which is
783available everywhere as it comes with AnyEvent itself.
784
785 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
786 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
787 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
788
789=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
790
791These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
792is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
793them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
794when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
795create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
796
797 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
798 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
799 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
800 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
801
802=item Backends with special needs.
803
804Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
805otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
806instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
807everything should just work.
808
809 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
810
811Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
812architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
813is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
814it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
815L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
816
817 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
818
819=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
820
821Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
822
823There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
824
825B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
826use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
827polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
828consider for AnyEvent.
829
830B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
831backend, so it can be supported through POE.
832
833AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
834load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
835in which case everything will be automatic.
836
837=back
838
669=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 839=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
670 840
841These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
842write AnyEvent extension modules.
843
671=over 4 844=over 4
672 845
673=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 846=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
674 847
675Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 848Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
849backend has been autodetected.
850
676contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 851Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
677Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 852name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
678C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 853of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
679AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 854case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
680 855will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
681The known classes so far are:
682
683 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
684 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
685 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
686 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
687 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
688 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
689 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
690 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
691
692There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
693watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
694POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
695second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
696AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
697it's adaptor.
698
699AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
700autodetecting them.
701 856
702=item AnyEvent::detect 857=item AnyEvent::detect
703 858
704Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 859Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
705if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 860if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
706have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 861have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
707runtime. 862runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
863
864If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
865created, use C<post_detect>.
708 866
709=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 867=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
710 868
711Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 869Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
712autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 870autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
713 871
872The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
873(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
874created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
875other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
876L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
877
878The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
879event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
880and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
881avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
882
714If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 883If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
715that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 884that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
885C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
716L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 886a case where this is useful.
887
888Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
889C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
890
891 our WATCHER;
892
893 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
894 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
895 };
896
897 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
898 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
899 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
900 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
901
902 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
717 903
718=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 904=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
719 905
720If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 906If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
721before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 907before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
722the event loop has been chosen. 908the event loop has been chosen.
723 909
724You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 910You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
725if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 911if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
726and the array will be ignored. 912array will be ignored.
727 913
728Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 914Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
915it,as it takes care of these details.
916
917This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
918when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
919not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
920into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
729 921
730=back 922=back
731 923
732=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 924=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
733 925
788 980
789 981
790=head1 OTHER MODULES 982=head1 OTHER MODULES
791 983
792The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 984The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
793AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 985AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
794in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 986modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
795available via CPAN. 987come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
796 988
797=over 4 989=over 4
798 990
799=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 991=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
800 992
809 1001
810=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1002=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
811 1003
812Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1004Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
813supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 1005supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
814non-blocking SSL/TLS. 1006non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
815 1007
816=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1008=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
817 1009
818Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1010Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
819 1011
847 1039
848=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD> 1040=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
849 1041
850A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information. 1042A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
851 1043
1044=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
1045
1046AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
1047
1048=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
1049
1050AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1051Net::XMPP2>.
1052
852=item L<AnyEvent::IGS> 1053=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
853 1054
854A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by 1055A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
855L<App::IGS>). 1056L<App::IGS>).
856 1057
857=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
858
859AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
860
861=item L<Net::XMPP2>
862
863AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
864
865=item L<Net::FCP> 1058=item L<Net::FCP>
866 1059
867AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1060AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
868of AnyEvent. 1061of AnyEvent.
869 1062
873 1066
874=item L<Coro> 1067=item L<Coro>
875 1068
876Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1069Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
877 1070
878=item L<IO::Lambda>
879
880The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
881
882=back 1071=back
883 1072
884=cut 1073=cut
885 1074
886package AnyEvent; 1075package AnyEvent;
887 1076
1077# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1078sub common_sense {
888no warnings; 1079 # no warnings
1080 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS};
889use strict qw(vars subs); 1081 # use strict vars subs
1082 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1083}
890 1084
1085BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1086
891use Carp; 1087use Carp ();
892 1088
893our $VERSION = 4.351; 1089our $VERSION = 4.86;
894our $MODEL; 1090our $MODEL;
895 1091
896our $AUTOLOAD; 1092our $AUTOLOAD;
897our @ISA; 1093our @ISA;
898 1094
899our @REGISTRY; 1095our @REGISTRY;
900 1096
901our $WIN32; 1097our $WIN32;
902 1098
1099our $VERBOSE;
1100
903BEGIN { 1101BEGIN {
904 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1102 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
905 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }"; 1103 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
906}
907 1104
1105 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1106 if ${^TAINT};
1107
908our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1108 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1109
1110}
1111
1112our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
909 1113
910our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1114our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
911 1115
912{ 1116{
913 my $idx; 1117 my $idx;
921 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1125 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
922 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1126 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
923 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1127 # everything below here will not be autoprobed
924 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1128 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
925 # and is usually faster 1129 # and is usually faster
926 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
927 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers 1130 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
928 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 1131 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1132 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
929 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1133 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
930 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1134 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
931 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1135 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
932 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1136 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1137 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1138 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1139 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1140 # obvious default class.
1141# [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1142# [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1143# [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
933); 1144);
934 1145
935our %method = map +($_ => 1), 1146our %method = map +($_ => 1),
936 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1147 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
937 1148
938our @post_detect; 1149our @post_detect;
939 1150
940sub post_detect(&) { 1151sub post_detect(&) {
941 my ($cb) = @_; 1152 my ($cb) = @_;
942 1153
943 if ($MODEL) { 1154 if ($MODEL) {
944 $cb->(); 1155 $cb->();
945 1156
946 1 1157 undef
947 } else { 1158 } else {
948 push @post_detect, $cb; 1159 push @post_detect, $cb;
949 1160
950 defined wantarray 1161 defined wantarray
951 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1162 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
952 : () 1163 : ()
953 } 1164 }
954} 1165}
955 1166
956sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1167sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
957 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1168 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
958} 1169}
959 1170
960sub detect() { 1171sub detect() {
961 unless ($MODEL) { 1172 unless ($MODEL) {
962 no strict 'refs';
963 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1173 local $SIG{__DIE__};
964 1174
965 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1175 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
966 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1176 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
967 if (eval "require $model") { 1177 if (eval "require $model") {
968 $MODEL = $model; 1178 $MODEL = $model;
969 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1179 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
970 } else { 1180 } else {
971 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1181 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
972 } 1182 }
973 } 1183 }
974 1184
975 # check for already loaded models 1185 # check for already loaded models
976 unless ($MODEL) { 1186 unless ($MODEL) {
977 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1187 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
978 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1188 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
979 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1189 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
980 if (eval "require $model") { 1190 if (eval "require $model") {
981 $MODEL = $model; 1191 $MODEL = $model;
982 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1192 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
983 last; 1193 last;
984 } 1194 }
985 } 1195 }
986 } 1196 }
987 1197
992 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1202 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
993 if (eval "require $package" 1203 if (eval "require $package"
994 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1204 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
995 and eval "require $model") { 1205 and eval "require $model") {
996 $MODEL = $model; 1206 $MODEL = $model;
997 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1207 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
998 last; 1208 last;
999 } 1209 }
1000 } 1210 }
1001 1211
1002 $MODEL 1212 $MODEL
1018 1228
1019sub AUTOLOAD { 1229sub AUTOLOAD {
1020 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1230 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
1021 1231
1022 $method{$func} 1232 $method{$func}
1023 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1233 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
1024 1234
1025 detect unless $MODEL; 1235 detect unless $MODEL;
1026 1236
1027 my $class = shift; 1237 my $class = shift;
1028 $class->$func (@_); 1238 $class->$func (@_);
1029} 1239}
1030 1240
1031# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends 1241# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1032# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually 1242# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1033# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one). 1243# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1034sub _dupfh($$$$) { 1244sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1035 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1245 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1036 1246
1037 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1247 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1038 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") 1248 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1039 : $poll eq "w" ? ($w, ">")
1040 : Carp::croak "AnyEvent->io requires poll set to either 'r' or 'w'";
1041 1249
1042 open my $fh2, "$mode&" . fileno $fh 1250 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1043 or die "cannot dup() filehandle: $!,"; 1251 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1044 1252
1045 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases 1253 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1046 1254
1047 ($fh2, $rw) 1255 ($fh2, $rw)
1048} 1256}
1049 1257
1050package AnyEvent::Base; 1258package AnyEvent::Base;
1051 1259
1052# default implementations for many methods 1260# default implementations for many methods
1053 1261
1054BEGIN { 1262sub _time {
1263 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1055 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); time (); 1") { 1264 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1265 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1056 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time; 1266 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1057 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())... 1267 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1058 } else { 1268 } else {
1269 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1059 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail 1270 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1060 } 1271 }
1272
1273 &_time
1061} 1274}
1062 1275
1063sub time { _time } 1276sub time { _time }
1064sub now { _time } 1277sub now { _time }
1065sub now_update { } 1278sub now_update { }
1066 1279
1067# default implementation for ->condvar 1280# default implementation for ->condvar
1068 1281
1069sub condvar { 1282sub condvar {
1070 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1283 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1071} 1284}
1072 1285
1073# default implementation for ->signal 1286# default implementation for ->signal
1074 1287
1288our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1075our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO); 1289our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1290our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1291our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1076 1292
1077sub _signal_exec { 1293sub _signal_exec {
1294 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1295 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1078 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4; 1296 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 9;
1079 1297
1080 while (%SIG_EV) { 1298 while (%SIG_EV) {
1081 for (keys %SIG_EV) { 1299 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1082 delete $SIG_EV{$_}; 1300 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1083 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} }; 1301 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1084 } 1302 }
1085 } 1303 }
1086} 1304}
1087 1305
1306# install a dumym wakeupw atcher to reduce signal catching latency
1307sub _sig_add() {
1308 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1309 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1310 my $NOW = AnyEvent->now;
1311
1312 $SIG_TW = AnyEvent->timer (
1313 after => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1314 interval => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1315 cb => sub { }, # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1316 );
1317 }
1318}
1319
1320sub _sig_del {
1321 undef $SIG_TW
1322 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1323}
1324
1325sub _signal {
1326 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1327
1328 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
1329 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1330
1331 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1332
1333 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1334 # async::interrupt
1335
1336 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= do {
1337 my $asy = new Async::Interrupt
1338 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1339 signal => $signal,
1340 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1341 ;
1342 $asy->pipe_autodrain (0);
1343
1344 $asy
1345 };
1346
1347 } else {
1348 # pure perl
1349
1350 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1351 local $!;
1352 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1353 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1354 };
1355
1356 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1357 # so limit the signal latency.
1358 _sig_add;
1359 }
1360
1361 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1362}
1363
1088sub signal { 1364sub signal {
1089 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1365 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1366 if (!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT} && eval "use Async::Interrupt 0.6 (); 1") {
1367 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1090 1368
1091 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) { 1369 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1;
1370 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1371 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1372
1373 } else {
1374 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1375
1092 require Fcntl; 1376 require Fcntl;
1093 1377
1094 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) { 1378 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1095 require AnyEvent::Util; 1379 require AnyEvent::Util;
1096 1380
1099 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1383 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1100 } else { 1384 } else {
1101 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W; 1385 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1102 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R; 1386 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1103 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1387 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1388
1389 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1390 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1391 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1104 } 1392 }
1105 1393
1106 $SIGPIPE_R 1394 $SIGPIPE_R
1107 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n"; 1395 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1108 1396
1109 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1110 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1111 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1112
1113 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec); 1397 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1114 } 1398 }
1115 1399
1116 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1400 *signal = \&_signal;
1117 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1401 &signal
1118
1119 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1120 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1121 local $!;
1122 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1123 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1124 };
1125
1126 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal"
1127} 1402}
1128 1403
1129sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY { 1404sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
1130 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1405 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1131 1406
1407 _sig_del;
1408
1132 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb}; 1409 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1133 1410
1411 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1412 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1413 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1414 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1415 # instead of getting the default action.
1416 undef $SIG{$signal}
1134 delete $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} }; 1417 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1135} 1418}
1136 1419
1137# default implementation for ->child 1420# default implementation for ->child
1138 1421
1139our %PID_CB; 1422our %PID_CB;
1140our $CHLD_W; 1423our $CHLD_W;
1141our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1424our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1142our $PID_IDLE;
1143our $WNOHANG; 1425our $WNOHANG;
1144 1426
1145sub _child_wait { 1427sub _sigchld {
1146 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1428 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) {
1429 $_->($pid, $?)
1147 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1430 for values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} },
1148 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1431 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1149 } 1432 }
1150
1151 undef $PID_IDLE;
1152}
1153
1154sub _sigchld {
1155 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop.
1156 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub {
1157 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1158 &_child_wait;
1159 });
1160} 1433}
1161 1434
1162sub child { 1435sub child {
1163 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1436 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1164 1437
1165 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1438 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1166 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1439 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1167 1440
1168 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1441 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1169 1442
1170 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1443 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1444 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1445 ? 1
1171 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1446 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1172 }
1173 1447
1174 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1448 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1175 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1449 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
1176 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1450 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1177 &_sigchld; 1451 &_sigchld;
1178 } 1452 }
1179 1453
1180 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1454 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1181} 1455}
1182 1456
1183sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1457sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
1184 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1458 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1185 1459
1186 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1460 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1187 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1461 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1188 1462
1189 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1463 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1190} 1464}
1191 1465
1466# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1467# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1468# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1469sub idle {
1470 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1471
1472 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1473
1474 $rcb = sub {
1475 if ($cb) {
1476 $w = _time;
1477 &$cb;
1478 $w = _time - $w;
1479
1480 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1481 # within some limits
1482 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1483 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1484
1485 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb);
1486 } else {
1487 # clean up...
1488 undef $w;
1489 undef $rcb;
1490 }
1491 };
1492
1493 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb);
1494
1495 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1496}
1497
1498sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1499 undef $${$_[0]};
1500}
1501
1192package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1502package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1193 1503
1194our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1504our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1195 1505
1196package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1506package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1197 1507
1198use overload 1508#use overload
1199 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1509# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1200 fallback => 1; 1510# fallback => 1;
1511
1512# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1513${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1514*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1515*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1516${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1517
1518our $WAITING;
1201 1519
1202sub _send { 1520sub _send {
1203 # nop 1521 # nop
1204} 1522}
1205 1523
1218sub ready { 1536sub ready {
1219 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1537 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1220} 1538}
1221 1539
1222sub _wait { 1540sub _wait {
1541 $WAITING
1542 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1543 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1544
1545 local $WAITING = 1;
1223 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1546 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1224} 1547}
1225 1548
1226sub recv { 1549sub recv {
1227 $_[0]->_wait; 1550 $_[0]->_wait;
1268so on. 1591so on.
1269 1592
1270=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 1593=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1271 1594
1272The following environment variables are used by this module or its 1595The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1273submodules: 1596submodules.
1597
1598Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1599C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1600enabled.
1274 1601
1275=over 4 1602=over 4
1276 1603
1277=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE> 1604=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1278 1605
1285C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>. 1612C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1286 1613
1287When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event 1614When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1288model it chooses. 1615model it chooses.
1289 1616
1617When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1618which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1619
1290=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> 1620=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1291 1621
1292AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1622AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1293argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value 1623argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1294will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly 1624will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1295check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems 1625check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1296it will croak. 1626it will croak.
1297 1627
1298In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1628In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1299 1629
1300Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended ot keep it off in 1630Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1301production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while 1631>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1302developing programs can be very useful, however. 1632C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1633can be very useful, however.
1303 1634
1304=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1635=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1305 1636
1306This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1637This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1307auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1638auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1350 1681
1351=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS> 1682=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1352 1683
1353The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call> 1684The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1354will create in parallel. 1685will create in parallel.
1686
1687=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1688
1689The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1690resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1691sent to the DNS server.
1692
1693=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1694
1695The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1696configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1697default config will be used.
1698
1699=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1700
1701When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1702L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1703variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1704instead of a system-dependent default.
1705
1706=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1707
1708When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1709loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1355 1710
1356=back 1711=back
1357 1712
1358=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1713=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1359 1714
1604 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 1959 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1605 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 1960 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1606 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 1961 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1607 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 1962 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1608 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 1963 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1964 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
1965 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1609 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 1966 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1610 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 1967 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1611 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 1968 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1612 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 1969 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1613 1970
1642performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 1999performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1643them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2000them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1644 2001
1645The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2002The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1646cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2003cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2004
2005C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2006when using its pure perl backend.
1647 2007
1648C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2008C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1649faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2009faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1650C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2010C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1651watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2011watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1729it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2089it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1730a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2090a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1731 2091
1732=head3 Results 2092=head3 Results
1733 2093
1734 name sockets create request 2094 name sockets create request
1735 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2095 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1736 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2096 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
2097 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll
2098 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll
1737 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2099 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1738 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2100 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1739 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2101 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1740 2102
1741=head3 Discussion 2103=head3 Discussion
1742 2104
1743This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2105This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1744particular event loop. 2106particular event loop.
1746EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2108EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1747is relatively high, though. 2109is relatively high, though.
1748 2110
1749Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2111Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1750loops Event and Glib. 2112loops Event and Glib.
2113
2114IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2115good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1751 2116
1752Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2117Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1753understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2118understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1754the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2119the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1755uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2120uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1818=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2183=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1819watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2184watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1820 2185
1821=back 2186=back
1822 2187
2188=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2189
2190Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2191could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2192simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2193shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2194fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2195very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2196baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2197
2198The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2199connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2200creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2201test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2202benchmark nevertheless.
2203
2204 name runtime
2205 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2206 + optimized 0.122 sec
2207 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2208 + optimized 0.138 sec
2209 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2210 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2211 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2212 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2213
2214 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2215 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2216 +state machine 0.134 sec
2217
2218The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2219benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2220defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2221written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2222AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2223resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2224generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2225connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2226
2227The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2228offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2229Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2230non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2231
2232As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2233hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2234backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2235
2236And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2237slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
2238large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
2239in a non-blocking way.
2240
2241The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2242F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2243part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2244
1823 2245
1824=head1 SIGNALS 2246=head1 SIGNALS
1825 2247
1826AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 2248AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1827 2249
1830=item SIGCHLD 2252=item SIGCHLD
1831 2253
1832A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher 2254A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1833emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some 2255emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
1834event loops install a similar handler. 2256event loops install a similar handler.
2257
2258Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2259AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
1835 2260
1836=item SIGPIPE 2261=item SIGPIPE
1837 2262
1838A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef> 2263A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
1839when AnyEvent gets loaded. 2264when AnyEvent gets loaded.
1851 2276
1852=back 2277=back
1853 2278
1854=cut 2279=cut
1855 2280
2281undef $SIG{CHLD}
2282 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2283
1856$SIG{PIPE} = sub { } 2284$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
1857 unless defined $SIG{PIPE}; 2285 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2286
2287=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2288
2289One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2290it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2291
2292That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2293modules if they are installed.
2294
2295This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2296affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2297
2298=over 4
2299
2300=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2301
2302This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2303my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2304signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2305delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2306catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2307C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2308
2309If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2310catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2311will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2312battery life on laptops).
2313
2314This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2315that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2316
2317Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2318and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2319(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2320does nothing for those backends.
2321
2322=item L<EV>
2323
2324This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2325event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2326loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2327the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2328automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2329can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2330C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2331L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2332
2333=item L<Guard>
2334
2335The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2336C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2337lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2338purely used for performance.
2339
2340=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2341
2342This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
2343L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2344advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2345
2346In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2347installed.
2348
2349=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2350
2351Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2352worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2353the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2354
2355=item L<Time::HiRes>
2356
2357This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2358chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2359pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2360try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2361
2362=back
1858 2363
1859 2364
1860=head1 FORK 2365=head1 FORK
1861 2366
1862Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2367Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1863because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2368because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1864calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2369calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1865 2370
1866If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2371If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1867watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2372watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2373something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1868 2374
1869 2375
1870=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2376=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1871 2377
1872AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2378AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1884 use AnyEvent; 2390 use AnyEvent;
1885 2391
1886Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2392Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1887be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2393be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1888probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and 2394probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
1889$ENV{PERL_ANYEGENT_STRICT}. 2395$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2396
2397Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2398C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2399enabled.
1890 2400
1891 2401
1892=head1 BUGS 2402=head1 BUGS
1893 2403
1894Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard 2404Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1906L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2416L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1907 2417
1908Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2418Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1909L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2419L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1910L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2420L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1911L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2421L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>.
1912 2422
1913Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2423Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1914servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2424servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1915 2425
1916Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2426Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1917 2427
1918Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2428Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2429L<Coro::Event>,
1919 2430
1920Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2431Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2432L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1921 2433
1922 2434
1923=head1 AUTHOR 2435=head1 AUTHOR
1924 2436
1925 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2437 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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