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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
13 # an alternative API.
14
15 # file handle or descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { ... }); 16 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
12 17
18 # one-shot or repeating timers
13 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... }); 19 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
14 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ... 20 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...);
15 21
16 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time 22 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
17 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time. 23 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
18 24
25 # POSIX signal
19 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... }); 26 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
20 27
28 # child process exit
21 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { 29 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
22 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 30 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
23 ... 31 ...
24 }); 32 });
33
34 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
35 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
25 36
26 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 37 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
27 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 38 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
28 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 39 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
29 # use a condvar in callback mode: 40 # use a condvar in callback mode:
32=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 43=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
33 44
34This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 45This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
35in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 46in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
36L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 47L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
48
49=head1 SUPPORT
50
51There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
52channel, too.
53
54See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
55Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
37 56
38=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 57=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
39 58
40Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 59Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
41nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 60nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
57module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 76module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
58model you use. 77model you use.
59 78
60For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 79For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
61actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 80actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
62like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 81like joining a cult: After you join, you are dependent on them and you
63cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything 82cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
64that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your 83that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
65module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 84module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
66 85
67AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 86AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
68fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 87fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
69with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if 88with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
70your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 89your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
71too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 90too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
72event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those 91event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those
73use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops 92use one of the supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops
74to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 93to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
75 94
76In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 95In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
77model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 96model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
78modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 97modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
79follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 98follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and to the point, by only
80offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 99offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
81technically possible. 100technically possible.
82 101
83Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox 102Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
84of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100% 103of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
90useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 109useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
91model, you should I<not> use this module. 110model, you should I<not> use this module.
92 111
93=head1 DESCRIPTION 112=head1 DESCRIPTION
94 113
95L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 114L<AnyEvent> provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
96allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 115allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
97users to use the same event loop (as only a single event loop can coexist 116module users to use a specific event loop implementation (since more
98peacefully at any one time). 117than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
99 118
100The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 119The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
101module. 120module.
102 121
103During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 122During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
104to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 123to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
105following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, 124following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
106L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 125L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. The first one
107L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 126found is used. If none are detected, the module tries to load the first
108to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 127four modules in the order given; but note that if L<EV> is not
109adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 128available, the pure-perl L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> should always work, so
110be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 129the other two are not normally tried.
111found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not
112very efficient, but should work everywhere.
113 130
114Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading 131Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading
115an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make 132an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make
116that model the default. For example: 133that model the default. For example:
117 134
119 use AnyEvent; 136 use AnyEvent;
120 137
121 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 138 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
122 139
123The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and 140The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and
124starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 141starts using it, all bets are off - this case should be very rare though,
125use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 142as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this very
143loudly.
126 144
127The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 145The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
128C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 146C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
129explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :) 147explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
130 148
139callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 157callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
140is in control). 158is in control).
141 159
142Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables> 160Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
143potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<< 161potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
144callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in 162callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practice in
145Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs 163Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
146widely between event loops. 164widely between event loops.
147 165
148To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 166To disable a watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
149variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 167variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
150to it). 168to it).
151 169
152All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 170All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
153 171
154Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 172Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
155example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 173example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
156 174
157An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 175One way to achieve that is this pattern:
158 176
159 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 177 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
160 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 178 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
161 undef $w; 179 undef $w;
162 }); 180 });
165my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 183my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
166declared. 184declared.
167 185
168=head2 I/O WATCHERS 186=head2 I/O WATCHERS
169 187
188 $w = AnyEvent->io (
189 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
190 poll => <"r" or "w">,
191 cb => <callback>,
192 );
193
170You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 194You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
171with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 195with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
172 196
173C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 197C<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 198for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
175handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which 199handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
176non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets, 200non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
177most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files 201most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
178or block devices. 202or block devices.
188 212
189The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it. 213The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it.
190You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the 214You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the
191underlying file descriptor. 215underlying file descriptor.
192 216
193Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 217Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
194always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 218always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
195handles. 219handles.
196 220
197Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the 221Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
198watcher. 222watcher.
203 undef $w; 227 undef $w;
204 }); 228 });
205 229
206=head2 TIME WATCHERS 230=head2 TIME WATCHERS
207 231
232 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
233
234 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
235 after => <fractional_seconds>,
236 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
237 cb => <callback>,
238 );
239
208You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 240You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
209method with the following mandatory arguments: 241method with the following mandatory arguments:
210 242
211C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 243C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
212supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 244supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
214 246
215Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 247Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
216presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 248presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
217callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 249callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
218 250
219The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another 251The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
220parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the 252parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
221callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional 253callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
222seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a 254seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
223false value, then it is treated as if it were missing. 255false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
224 256
225The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no 257The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
226attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is 258attempt is made to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
227only approximate. 259only approximate.
228 260
229Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds. 261Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
230 262
231 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 263 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
249 281
250While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they 282While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they
251use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock 283use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock
252"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from 284"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from
253the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to 285the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to
254fire "after" a second might actually take six years to finally fire. 286fire "after a second" might actually take six years to finally fire.
255 287
256AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious 288AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious
257about these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based 289of these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based
258on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time) 290on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time)
259timers. 291timers.
260 292
261AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 293AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
262AnyEvent API. 294AnyEvent API.
284I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the 316I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
285function to call when you want to know the current time.> 317function to call when you want to know the current time.>
286 318
287This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and 319This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
288thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example, 320thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
289L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts). 321L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update its activity timeouts).
290 322
291The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact 323The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
292with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience. 324with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
293 325
294For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib> 326For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
295and L<EV> and the following set-up: 327and L<EV> and the following set-up:
296 328
297The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at 329The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callbacks at
298time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback, 330time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
299you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a 331you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
300second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires 332second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
301after three seconds. 333after three seconds.
302 334
333might affect timers and time-outs. 365might affect timers and time-outs.
334 366
335When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the 367When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
336event loop's idea of "current time". 368event loop's idea of "current time".
337 369
370A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
371when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
372idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
373script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
374AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
375(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
376
338Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled. 377Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
339 378
340=back 379=back
341 380
342=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 381=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
382
383 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
343 384
344You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 385You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
345I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl 386I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
346callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 387callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
347 388
353invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 394invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
354that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 395that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
355but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 396but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
356 397
357The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 398The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
358between multiple watchers. 399between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
400interrupt your program at bad times.
359 401
360This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 402This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
361directly will likely not work correctly. 403so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
404correctly.
362 405
363Example: exit on SIGINT 406Example: exit on SIGINT
364 407
365 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 408 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
366 409
410=head3 Restart Behaviour
411
412While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
413not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
414pure perl implementation).
415
416=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
417
418Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
419"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
420latter might corrupt your memory.
421
422AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
423i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
424called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
425callbacks, too).
426
427=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
428
429Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
430callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
431do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
432this. AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases,
433signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
434specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
435variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
436and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
437AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
438will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
439saving.
440
441All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
442L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
443work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
444(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does its own workaround with
445one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
446
367=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 447=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
368 448
449 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
450
369You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 451You can also watch for a child process exit and catch its exit status.
370 452
371The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 453The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (on some backends,
372watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when 454using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
373the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on 455croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
374any trace events (stopped/continued). 456finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
457(stopped/continued).
375 458
376The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by 459The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
377waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher 460waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
378callback arguments. 461callback arguments.
379 462
384 467
385There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 468There 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 469I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
387have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 470have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
388 471
389Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 472Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
473see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
390event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 474that 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). 475the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
476pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
477start the watcher.
392 478
393This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 479This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
394AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 480thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
395C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 481watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
482C<AnyEvent::detect>).
483
484As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
485emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
486mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
396 487
397Example: fork a process and wait for it 488Example: fork a process and wait for it
398 489
399 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 490 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
400 491
410 ); 501 );
411 502
412 # do something else, then wait for process exit 503 # do something else, then wait for process exit
413 $done->recv; 504 $done->recv;
414 505
506=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
507
508 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
509
510This will repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle,
511until either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
512
513Idle watchers are useful when there is a need to do something, but it
514is not so important (or wise) to do it instantly. The callback will be
515invoked only when there is "nothing better to do", which is usually
516defined as "all outstanding events have been handled and no new events
517have been detected". That means that idle watchers ideally get invoked
518when the event loop has just polled for new events but none have been
519detected. Instead of blocking to wait for more events, the idle watchers
520will be invoked.
521
522Unfortunately, most event loops do not really support idle watchers (only
523EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
524will simply call the callback "from time to time".
525
526Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
527program is otherwise idle:
528
529 my @lines; # read data
530 my $idle_w;
531 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
532 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
533
534 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
535 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
536 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
537 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
538 print "handled when idle: $line";
539 } else {
540 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
541 undef $idle_w;
542 }
543 });
544 });
545
415=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 546=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
547
548 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
549
550 $cv->send (<list>);
551 my @res = $cv->recv;
416 552
417If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 553If 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 554require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
419will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 555will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
420 556
421AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 557AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
422will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 558loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
423 559
424The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 560The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
425because they represent a condition that must become true. 561they represent a condition that must become true.
562
563Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
426 564
427Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 565Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
428>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 566>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
429
430C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 567C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
431becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 568becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
432the results). 569the results).
433 570
434After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 571After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
435by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 572by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
436were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<< 573were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
437->send >> method). 574->send >> method).
438 575
439Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 576Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API, here are
440optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 577some different mental models of what they are - pick the ones you can connect to:
441in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 578
442another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 579=over 4
443used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 580
444a result. 581=item * Condition variables are like callbacks - you can call them (and pass them instead
582of callbacks). Unlike callbacks however, you can also wait for them to be called.
583
584=item * Condition variables are signals - one side can emit or send them,
585the other side can wait for them, or install a handler that is called when
586the signal fires.
587
588=item * Condition variables are like "Merge Points" - points in your program
589where you merge multiple independent results/control flows into one.
590
591=item * Condition variables represent a transaction - functions that start
592some kind of transaction can return them, leaving the caller the choice
593between waiting in a blocking fashion, or setting a callback.
594
595=item * Condition variables represent future values, or promises to deliver
596some result, long before the result is available.
597
598=back
445 599
446Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 600Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
447for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 601for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
448then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 602then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
449availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 603availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
462 616
463Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 617Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
464used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing 618used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
465easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of 619easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
466AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call 620AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
467it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method. 621its C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
468 622
469There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 623There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
470eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 624eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
471for the send to occur. 625for the send to occur.
472 626
473Example: wait for a timer. 627Example: wait for a timer.
474 628
475 # wait till the result is ready 629 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
476 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 630 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
477 631
478 # do something such as adding a timer 632 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
479 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 633 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
480 # when the "result" is ready. 634 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
481 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 635 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
482 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 636 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
483 after => 1, 637 after => 1,
484 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 638 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
485 ); 639 );
486 640
487 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 641 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
488 # calls send 642 # calls ->send
489 $result_ready->recv; 643 $timer_fired->recv;
490 644
491Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 645Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
492condition variables are also code references. 646variables are also callable directly.
493 647
494 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 648 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
495 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 649 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
496 $done->recv; 650 $done->recv;
497 651
503 657
504 ... 658 ...
505 659
506 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 660 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
507 661
508And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 662And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
509results are available: 663results are available:
510 664
511 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 665 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
512 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 666 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
513 }); 667 });
531immediately from within send. 685immediately from within send.
532 686
533Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 687Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
534future C<< ->recv >> calls. 688future C<< ->recv >> calls.
535 689
536Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 690Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
537(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 691they 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 692C<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).
544 693
545=item $cv->croak ($error) 694=item $cv->croak ($error)
546 695
547Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 696Similar to send, but causes all calls to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
548C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 697C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
549 698
550This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 699This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
551user/consumer. 700user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
701delays the error detection, but has the overwhelming advantage that it
702diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
703deep in some event callback with no connection to the actual code causing
704the problem.
552 705
553=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 706=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
554 707
555=item $cv->end 708=item $cv->end
556
557These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
558 709
559These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 710These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
560one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 711one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
561to use a condition variable for the whole process. 712to use a condition variable for the whole process.
562 713
563Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 714Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
564C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 715C<< ->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 716>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
566is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 717condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
567callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 718>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
719be called without any arguments.
568 720
569Let's clarify this with the ping example: 721You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
722sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
723condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
724
725Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
726STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
727close before activating a condvar:
570 728
571 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 729 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
572 730
731 $cv->begin; # first watcher
732 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
733 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
734 or $cv->end;
735 });
736
737 $cv->begin; # second watcher
738 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
739 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
740 or $cv->end;
741 });
742
743 $cv->recv;
744
745This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
746one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
747sending.
748
749The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
750there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
751begun can potentially be zero:
752
753 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
754
573 my %result; 755 my %result;
574 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 756 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
575 757
576 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 758 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
577 $cv->begin; 759 $cv->begin;
578 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 760 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
579 $result{$host} = ...; 761 $result{$host} = ...;
594loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 776loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
595to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 777to 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 778C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
597doesn't execute once). 779doesn't execute once).
598 780
599This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 781This 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> 782potentially zero) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
601is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 783the 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>. 784subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
785call C<end>.
603 786
604=back 787=back
605 788
606=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 789=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
607 790
611=over 4 794=over 4
612 795
613=item $cv->recv 796=item $cv->recv
614 797
615Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 798Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
616>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 799>> methods have been called on C<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
617normally. 800normally.
618 801
619You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but 802You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
620will return immediately. 803will return immediately.
621 804
623function will call C<croak>. 806function will call C<croak>.
624 807
625In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 808In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
626in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 809in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
627 810
811Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
812event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
813>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
814condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
815L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
816any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
817
628Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 818Not 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 819(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 820using 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 821caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
632condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 822condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
633callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 823callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
634while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 824while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
635 825
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 826You can ensure that C<< ->recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
648only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 827only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
649time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 828time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
650waits otherwise. 829waits otherwise.
651 830
652=item $bool = $cv->ready 831=item $bool = $cv->ready
658 837
659This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 838This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
660replaces it before doing so. 839replaces it before doing so.
661 840
662The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 841The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
663C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition 842C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the
664variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 843condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
665is guaranteed not to block. 844callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling C<recv> inside
845the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
666 846
667=back 847=back
668 848
849=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
850
851The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
852
853=over 4
854
855=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
856
857EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
858use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
859pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
860AnyEvent itself.
861
862 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
863 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
864
865=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
866
867These will be used if they are already loaded when the first watcher
868is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
869them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
870when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
871create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
872
873 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
874 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
875 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
876 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
877 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
878 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
879
880=item Backends with special needs.
881
882Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
883otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
884instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
885everything should just work.
886
887 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
888
889Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
890architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
891is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
892it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
893L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync> for the gory details.
894
895 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
896
897=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
898
899Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
900
901There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
902
903B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
904use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
905polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
906consider for AnyEvent.
907
908B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
909backend, so it can be supported through POE.
910
911AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
912load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
913in which case everything will be automatic.
914
915=back
916
669=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 917=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
670 918
919These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
920write AnyEvent extension modules.
921
671=over 4 922=over 4
672 923
673=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 924=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
674 925
675Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 926Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
927backend has been autodetected.
928
676contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 929Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
677Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 930name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
678C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 931of the C<AnyEvent::Impl::xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
679AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 932case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
680 933will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
681The known classes so far are:
682
683 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
684 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
685 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
686 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
687 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
688 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
689 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
690 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
691
692There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
693watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
694POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
695second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
696AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
697it's adaptor.
698
699AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
700autodetecting them.
701 934
702=item AnyEvent::detect 935=item AnyEvent::detect
703 936
704Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 937Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
705if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 938if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
706have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 939have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
707runtime. 940runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your module.
941
942If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
943created, use C<post_detect>.
708 944
709=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 945=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
710 946
711Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 947Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
712autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 948autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
949
950The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
951(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
952created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
953other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
954L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
955
956The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
957event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
958and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
959avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
713 960
714If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 961If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
715that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 962that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
963C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
716L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 964a case where this is useful.
965
966Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
967C<$WATCHER>, but do so only do so after the event loop is initialised.
968
969 our WATCHER;
970
971 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
972 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
973 };
974
975 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
976 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
977 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
978 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
979
980 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
717 981
718=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 982=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
719 983
720If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 984If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
721before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 985before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
722the event loop has been chosen. 986after the event loop has been chosen.
723 987
724You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 988You 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, 989if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
726and the array will be ignored. 990array will be ignored.
727 991
728Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 992Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
993it, as it takes care of these details.
994
995This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
996when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
997not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
998into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
999
1000Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
1001together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
1002Coro to accomplish this):
1003
1004 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
1005 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
1006 require Coro::AnyEvent;
1007 } else {
1008 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
1009 # as soon as it is
1010 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
1011 }
729 1012
730=back 1013=back
731 1014
732=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1015=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
733 1016
744because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 1027because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
745events is to stay interactive. 1028events is to stay interactive.
746 1029
747It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module 1030It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
748requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 1031requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
749called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >> 1032called C<results> that returns the results, it may call C<< ->recv >>
750freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 1033freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. Always).
751 1034
752=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1035=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
753 1036
754There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 1037There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
755dictate which event model to use. 1038dictate which event model to use.
756 1039
757If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 1040If the program is not event-based, it need not do anything special, even
758do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 1041when it depends on a module that uses an AnyEvent. If the program itself
759decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 1042uses AnyEvent, but does not care which event loop is used, all it needs
1043to do is C<use AnyEvent>. In either case, AnyEvent will choose the best
1044available loop implementation.
760 1045
761If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in 1046If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
762Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the 1047Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
763event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 1048event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
764speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 1049speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
765modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 1050modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
766decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 1051decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
767might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 1052might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
768 1053
769You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the 1054You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
770C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour 1055C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
771everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better. 1056everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
772 1057
788 1073
789 1074
790=head1 OTHER MODULES 1075=head1 OTHER MODULES
791 1076
792The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1077The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
793AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1078AnyEvent 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 1079modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
795available via CPAN. 1080come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN.
796 1081
797=over 4 1082=over 4
798 1083
799=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1084=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
800 1085
801Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1086Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
802functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1087functions such as C<inet_aton> with event/callback-based versions.
803 1088
804=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1089=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
805 1090
806Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1091Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
807addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1092addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
809 1094
810=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1095=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
811 1096
812Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1097Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
813supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 1098supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
814non-blocking SSL/TLS. 1099non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>).
815 1100
816=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1101=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
817 1102
818Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1103Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
819 1104
1105=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IGS>, L<AnyEvent::FCP>
1106
1107Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name (for
1108the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the Freenet
1109Client Protocol).
1110
1111=item L<AnyEvent::Handle::UDP>
1112
1113Here be danger!
1114
1115As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!" -
1116there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP, most notably
1117its use of a stream-based API with a protocol that isn't streamable, that
1118the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1119
1120It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and general
1121confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP but also
1122fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect doesn't work
1123with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only has datagrams, not
1124packets", "I don't need to implement proper error checking as UDP doesn't
1125support error checking" and so on - he doesn't even understand what's
1126wrong with his module when it is explained to him.
1127
820=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP> 1128=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
821 1129
822A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent 1130Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
823HTTP requests. 1131notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1132
1133=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1134
1135Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in the
1136toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
1137L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to event-based
1138file I/O, and much more.
824 1139
825=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1140=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
826 1141
827Provides a simple web application server framework. 1142A simple embedded webserver.
828 1143
829=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1144=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
830 1145
831The fastest ping in the west. 1146The fastest ping in the west.
832 1147
833=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
834
835Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
836
837=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
838
839Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
840programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
841together.
842
843=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
844
845Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
846L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
847
848=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
849
850A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
851
852=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
853
854A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
855L<App::IGS>).
856
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>
866
867AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
868of AnyEvent.
869
870=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
871
872High level API for event-based execution flow control.
873
874=item L<Coro> 1148=item L<Coro>
875 1149
876Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1150Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
877 1151
878=item L<IO::Lambda>
879
880The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
881
882=back 1152=back
883 1153
884=cut 1154=cut
885 1155
886package AnyEvent; 1156package AnyEvent;
887 1157
888no warnings; 1158# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
889use strict qw(vars subs); 1159sub common_sense {
1160 # from common:.sense 3.3
1161 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS} ^ "\x3c\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf3\x0f\xc0\xf0\xfc\x33\x00";
1162 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1163 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1164}
890 1165
1166BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1167
891use Carp; 1168use Carp ();
892 1169
893our $VERSION = 4.352; 1170our $VERSION = '5.271';
894our $MODEL; 1171our $MODEL;
895 1172
896our $AUTOLOAD; 1173our $AUTOLOAD;
897our @ISA; 1174our @ISA;
898 1175
899our @REGISTRY; 1176our @REGISTRY;
900 1177
901our $WIN32; 1178our $VERBOSE;
902 1179
903BEGIN { 1180BEGIN {
904 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1181 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
905 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }";
906}
907 1182
1183 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
1184
1185 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1186 if ${^TAINT};
1187
908our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1188 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1189
1190}
1191
1192our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
909 1193
910our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1194our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
911 1195
912{ 1196{
913 my $idx; 1197 my $idx;
915 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1199 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
916 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1200 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
917} 1201}
918 1202
919my @models = ( 1203my @models = (
920 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1204 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
921 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
922 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1205 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
923 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1206 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
924 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1207 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
925 # and is usually faster 1208 # and is usually faster
1209 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1210 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1211 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1212 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
926 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1213 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
927 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
928 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
929 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1214 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
930 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1215 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
931 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1216 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
932 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1217 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1218 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1219 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1220 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1221 # obvious default class.
1222 [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1223 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1224 [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1225 [AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
933); 1226);
934 1227
935our %method = map +($_ => 1), 1228our %method = map +($_ => 1),
936 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1229 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
937 1230
938our @post_detect; 1231our @post_detect;
939 1232
940sub post_detect(&) { 1233sub post_detect(&) {
941 my ($cb) = @_; 1234 my ($cb) = @_;
942 1235
943 if ($MODEL) {
944 $cb->();
945
946 1
947 } else {
948 push @post_detect, $cb; 1236 push @post_detect, $cb;
949 1237
950 defined wantarray 1238 defined wantarray
951 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1239 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
952 : () 1240 : ()
1241}
1242
1243sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1244 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1245}
1246
1247sub detect() {
1248 # free some memory
1249 *detect = sub () { $MODEL };
1250
1251 local $!; # for good measure
1252 local $SIG{__DIE__};
1253
1254 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1255 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1256 if (eval "require $model") {
1257 $MODEL = $model;
1258 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1259 } else {
1260 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
1261 }
953 } 1262 }
954}
955 1263
956sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1264 # check for already loaded models
957 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
958}
959
960sub detect() {
961 unless ($MODEL) { 1265 unless ($MODEL) {
962 no strict 'refs'; 1266 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
963 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1267 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
964 1268 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
965 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
966 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
967 if (eval "require $model") { 1269 if (eval "require $model") {
968 $MODEL = $model; 1270 $MODEL = $model;
969 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1271 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
970 } else { 1272 last;
971 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1273 }
972 } 1274 }
973 } 1275 }
974 1276
975 # check for already loaded models
976 unless ($MODEL) { 1277 unless ($MODEL) {
1278 # try to autoload a model
977 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1279 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
978 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1280 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1281 if (
1282 $autoload
1283 and eval "require $package"
979 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1284 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
980 if (eval "require $model") { 1285 and eval "require $model"
1286 ) {
981 $MODEL = $model; 1287 $MODEL = $model;
982 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1288 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
983 last; 1289 last;
984 }
985 } 1290 }
986 } 1291 }
987 1292
988 unless ($MODEL) {
989 # try to load a model
990
991 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
992 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
993 if (eval "require $package"
994 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
995 and eval "require $model") {
996 $MODEL = $model;
997 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
998 last;
999 }
1000 }
1001
1002 $MODEL 1293 $MODEL
1003 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n"; 1294 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
1004 }
1005 } 1295 }
1006
1007 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1008
1009 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1010
1011 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
1012
1013 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1014 } 1296 }
1297
1298 @models = (); # free probe data
1299
1300 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1301 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1302
1303 # now nuke some methods that are overriden by the backend.
1304 # SUPER is not allowed.
1305 for (qw(time signal child idle)) {
1306 undef &{"AnyEvent::Base::$_"}
1307 if defined &{"$MODEL\::$_"};
1308 }
1309
1310 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
1311
1312 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1313
1314 *post_detect = sub(&) {
1315 shift->();
1316
1317 undef
1318 };
1015 1319
1016 $MODEL 1320 $MODEL
1017} 1321}
1018 1322
1019sub AUTOLOAD { 1323sub AUTOLOAD {
1020 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1324 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
1021 1325
1022 $method{$func} 1326 $method{$func}
1023 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1327 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid AnyEvent class method";
1024 1328
1025 detect unless $MODEL; 1329 detect;
1026 1330
1027 my $class = shift; 1331 my $class = shift;
1028 $class->$func (@_); 1332 $class->$func (@_);
1029} 1333}
1030 1334
1031# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends 1335# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1032# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually 1336# 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). 1337# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1034sub _dupfh($$$$) { 1338sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1035 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1339 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1036 1340
1037 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1341 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1038 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") 1342 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1039 : $poll eq "w" ? ($w, ">")
1040 : Carp::croak "AnyEvent->io requires poll set to either 'r' or 'w'";
1041 1343
1042 open my $fh2, "$mode&" . fileno $fh 1344 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1043 or die "cannot dup() filehandle: $!,"; 1345 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1044 1346
1045 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases 1347 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1046 1348
1047 ($fh2, $rw) 1349 ($fh2, $rw)
1048} 1350}
1049 1351
1352=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1353
1354Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1355simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1356overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1357
1358See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1359
1360=cut
1361
1362package AE;
1363
1364our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1365
1366# fall back to the main API by default - backends and AnyEvent::Base
1367# implementations can overwrite these.
1368
1369sub io($$$) {
1370 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1371}
1372
1373sub timer($$$) {
1374 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1375}
1376
1377sub signal($$) {
1378 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1379}
1380
1381sub child($$) {
1382 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1383}
1384
1385sub idle($) {
1386 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1387}
1388
1389sub cv(;&) {
1390 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1391}
1392
1393sub now() {
1394 AnyEvent->now
1395}
1396
1397sub now_update() {
1398 AnyEvent->now_update
1399}
1400
1401sub time() {
1402 AnyEvent->time
1403}
1404
1050package AnyEvent::Base; 1405package AnyEvent::Base;
1051 1406
1052# default implementations for many methods 1407# default implementations for many methods
1053 1408
1054BEGIN { 1409sub time {
1410 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1411 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1055 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); time (); 1") { 1412 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1413 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1056 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time; 1414 *AE::time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1057 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())... 1415 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1058 } else { 1416 } else {
1417 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1059 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail 1418 *AE::time = sub (){ time }; # epic fail
1419 }
1420
1421 *time = sub { AE::time }; # different prototypes
1422 };
1423 die if $@;
1424
1425 &time
1426}
1427
1428*now = \&time;
1429
1430sub now_update { }
1431
1432# default implementation for ->condvar
1433
1434sub condvar {
1435 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1436 *condvar = sub {
1437 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1438 };
1439
1440 *AE::cv = sub (;&) {
1441 bless { @_ ? (_ae_cb => shift) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1442 };
1443 };
1444 die if $@;
1445
1446 &condvar
1447}
1448
1449# default implementation for ->signal
1450
1451our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1452
1453sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1454 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1455 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1456 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1457
1458 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1459}
1460
1461our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1462our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1463our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1464
1465# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1466# used by Impls
1467sub _sig_add() {
1468 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1469 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1470 my $NOW = AE::now;
1471
1472 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1473 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1474 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1475 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1476 ;
1060 } 1477 }
1061} 1478}
1062 1479
1063sub time { _time } 1480sub _sig_del {
1064sub now { _time } 1481 undef $SIG_TW
1065sub now_update { } 1482 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1066
1067# default implementation for ->condvar
1068
1069sub condvar {
1070 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar::
1071} 1483}
1072 1484
1073# default implementation for ->signal 1485our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1486 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1487 undef $_sig_name_init;
1074 1488
1075our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO); 1489 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1490 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1491 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1492 } else {
1493 require Config;
1076 1494
1077sub _signal_exec { 1495 my %signame2num;
1078 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4; 1496 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1497 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1079 1498
1080 while (%SIG_EV) { 1499 my @signum2name;
1081 for (keys %SIG_EV) { 1500 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1082 delete $SIG_EV{$_}; 1501
1083 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} }; 1502 *sig2num = sub($) {
1503 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1504 };
1505 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1506 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1507 };
1084 } 1508 }
1085 } 1509 };
1086} 1510 die if $@;
1511};
1512
1513sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1514sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
1087 1515
1088sub signal { 1516sub signal {
1089 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1517 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1518 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1519 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1520 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1090 1521
1091 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) { 1522 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1092 require Fcntl; 1523 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1093 1524
1094 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1095 require AnyEvent::Util;
1096
1097 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1098 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1099 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1100 } else { 1525 } else {
1526 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1527
1528 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1529 require AnyEvent::Util;
1530
1531 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1532 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1533 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1534 } else {
1101 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W; 1535 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1102 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R; 1536 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1103 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1537 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1538
1539 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1540 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1541 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1542 }
1543
1544 $SIGPIPE_R
1545 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1546
1547 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1104 } 1548 }
1105 1549
1106 $SIGPIPE_R 1550 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1107 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n"; 1551 ? sub {
1552 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1108 1553
1109 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure... 1554 # async::interrupt
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);
1114 }
1115
1116 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1555 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
1117 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1118
1119 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1556 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1557
1558 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1559 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1560 signal => $signal,
1561 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1562 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1563 ;
1564
1565 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1566 }
1567 : sub {
1568 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1569
1570 # pure perl
1571 my $signal = sig2name $arg{signal};
1572 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1573
1120 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1574 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1121 local $!; 1575 local $!;
1122 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV; 1576 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1123 undef $SIG_EV{$signal}; 1577 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1578 };
1579
1580 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1581 # so limit the signal latency.
1582 _sig_add;
1583
1584 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1585 }
1586 ;
1587
1588 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1589 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1590
1591 _sig_del;
1592
1593 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1594
1595 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1596 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1597 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1598 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1599 # instead of getting the default action.
1600 undef $SIG{$signal}
1601 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1602 };
1603
1604 *_signal_exec = sub {
1605 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1606 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1607 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1608
1609 while (%SIG_EV) {
1610 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1611 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1612 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1613 }
1614 }
1615 };
1124 }; 1616 };
1617 die if $@;
1125 1618
1126 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1619 &signal
1127}
1128
1129sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
1130 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1131
1132 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1133
1134 delete $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1135} 1620}
1136 1621
1137# default implementation for ->child 1622# default implementation for ->child
1138 1623
1139our %PID_CB; 1624our %PID_CB;
1140our $CHLD_W; 1625our $CHLD_W;
1141our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1626our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1142our $PID_IDLE;
1143our $WNOHANG; 1627our $WNOHANG;
1144 1628
1145sub _child_wait { 1629# used by many Impl's
1146 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1630sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1631 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1632
1633 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1147 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1634 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1148 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1635 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1149 }
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} 1636}
1161 1637
1162sub child { 1638sub child {
1639 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1640 *_sigchld = sub {
1641 my $pid;
1642
1643 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1644 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
1645 };
1646
1647 *child = sub {
1163 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1648 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1164 1649
1165 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1650 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1166 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1651 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1167 1652
1168 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1653 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1169 1654
1170 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1655 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1656 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1657 ? 1
1171 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1658 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1172 }
1173 1659
1174 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1660 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1175 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1661 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1176 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1662 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1177 &_sigchld; 1663 &_sigchld;
1178 } 1664 }
1179 1665
1180 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1666 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1181} 1667 };
1182 1668
1183sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1669 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
1184 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1670 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1185 1671
1186 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1672 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1187 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1673 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1188 1674
1189 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1675 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1676 };
1677 };
1678 die if $@;
1679
1680 &child
1681}
1682
1683# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1684# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1685# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1686sub idle {
1687 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1688 *idle = sub {
1689 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1690
1691 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1692
1693 $rcb = sub {
1694 if ($cb) {
1695 $w = _time;
1696 &$cb;
1697 $w = _time - $w;
1698
1699 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1700 # within some limits
1701 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1702 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1703
1704 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1705 } else {
1706 # clean up...
1707 undef $w;
1708 undef $rcb;
1709 }
1710 };
1711
1712 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1713
1714 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1715 };
1716
1717 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1718 undef $${$_[0]};
1719 };
1720 };
1721 die if $@;
1722
1723 &idle
1190} 1724}
1191 1725
1192package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1726package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1193 1727
1194our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1728our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1195 1729
1196package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1730package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1197 1731
1198use overload 1732#use overload
1199 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1733# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1200 fallback => 1; 1734# fallback => 1;
1735
1736# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1737${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1738*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1739*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1740${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1741
1742our $WAITING;
1201 1743
1202sub _send { 1744sub _send {
1203 # nop 1745 # nop
1204} 1746}
1205 1747
1218sub ready { 1760sub ready {
1219 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1761 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1220} 1762}
1221 1763
1222sub _wait { 1764sub _wait {
1765 $WAITING
1766 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1767 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1768
1769 local $WAITING = 1;
1223 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1770 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1224} 1771}
1225 1772
1226sub recv { 1773sub recv {
1227 $_[0]->_wait; 1774 $_[0]->_wait;
1229 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1776 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1230 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1777 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1231} 1778}
1232 1779
1233sub cb { 1780sub cb {
1234 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1781 my $cv = shift;
1782
1783 @_
1784 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1785 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1786 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1787
1235 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1788 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1236} 1789}
1237 1790
1238sub begin { 1791sub begin {
1239 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1792 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1240 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1793 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1268so on. 1821so on.
1269 1822
1270=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 1823=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1271 1824
1272The following environment variables are used by this module or its 1825The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1273submodules: 1826submodules.
1827
1828Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1829C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1830enabled.
1274 1831
1275=over 4 1832=over 4
1276 1833
1277=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE> 1834=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1278 1835
1285C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>. 1842C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1286 1843
1287When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event 1844When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1288model it chooses. 1845model it chooses.
1289 1846
1847When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1848which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1849
1290=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> 1850=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1291 1851
1292AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1852AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1293argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value 1853argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1294will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly 1854will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1295check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems 1855check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1296it will croak. 1856it will croak.
1297 1857
1298In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1858In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1299 1859
1300Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended ot keep it off in 1860Unlike C<use strict> (or its modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1301production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while 1861>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1302developing programs can be very useful, however. 1862C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1863can be very useful, however.
1303 1864
1304=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1865=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1305 1866
1306This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1867This 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 1868auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1350 1911
1351=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS> 1912=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1352 1913
1353The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call> 1914The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1354will create in parallel. 1915will create in parallel.
1916
1917=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1918
1919The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1920resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1921sent to the DNS server.
1922
1923=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1924
1925The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1926configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1927default config will be used.
1928
1929=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1930
1931When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1932L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1933variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1934instead of a system-dependent default.
1935
1936=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1937
1938When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1939loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1355 1940
1356=back 1941=back
1357 1942
1358=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1943=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1359 1944
1417 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 2002 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1418 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 2003 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1419 }, 2004 },
1420 ); 2005 );
1421 2006
1422 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1423
1424 sub new_timer {
1425 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 2007 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1426 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 2008 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1427 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1428 }); 2009 });
1429 }
1430
1431 new_timer; # create first timer
1432 2010
1433 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 2011 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1434 2012
1435=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 2013=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1436 2014
1509 2087
1510The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2088The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1511that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2089that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1512whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2090whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1513and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2091and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1514problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2092problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1515random callback. 2093random callback.
1516 2094
1517All of this enables the following usage styles: 2095All of this enables the following usage styles:
1518 2096
15191. Blocking: 20971. Blocking:
1567through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2145through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1568timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2146timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1569which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2147which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1570 2148
1571Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2149Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1572distribution. 2150distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2151for the EV and Perl backends only.
1573 2152
1574=head3 Explanation of the columns 2153=head3 Explanation of the columns
1575 2154
1576I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2155I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1577different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2156different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1598watcher. 2177watcher.
1599 2178
1600=head3 Results 2179=head3 Results
1601 2180
1602 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2181 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1603 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface 2182 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1604 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2183 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1605 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2184 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1606 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 2185 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1607 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 2186 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1608 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2187 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2188 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2189 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1609 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 2190 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1610 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2191 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1611 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 2192 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1612 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 2193 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1613 2194
1614=head3 Discussion 2195=head3 Discussion
1615 2196
1616The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2197The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1617well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2198well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1629benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2210benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1630EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2211EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1631cycles with POE. 2212cycles with POE.
1632 2213
1633C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2214C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1634maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2215maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2216overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2217slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1635far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2218any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1636natively.
1637 2219
1638The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2220The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1639constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2221constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1640interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2222interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1641adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2223adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1642performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2224performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1643them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2225them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1644 2226
1645The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2227The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1646cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2228cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2229
2230C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2231when using its pure perl backend.
1647 2232
1648C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2233C<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 2234faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1650C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2235C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1651watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2236watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1712In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2297In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1713(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2298(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1714connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2299connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1715 2300
1716Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2301Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1717distribution. 2302distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2303for the EV and Perl backends only.
1718 2304
1719=head3 Explanation of the columns 2305=head3 Explanation of the columns
1720 2306
1721I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2307I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1722each server has a read and write socket end). 2308each server has a read and write socket end).
1729it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2315it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1730a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2316a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1731 2317
1732=head3 Results 2318=head3 Results
1733 2319
1734 name sockets create request 2320 name sockets create request
1735 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2321 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1736 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2322 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1737 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2323 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1738 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2324 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2325 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2326 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1739 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2327 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1740 2328
1741=head3 Discussion 2329=head3 Discussion
1742 2330
1743This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2331This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1744particular event loop. 2332particular event loop.
1746EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2334EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1747is relatively high, though. 2335is relatively high, though.
1748 2336
1749Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2337Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1750loops Event and Glib. 2338loops Event and Glib.
2339
2340IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2341good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1751 2342
1752Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2343Event 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 2344understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1754the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2345the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1755uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2346uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1818=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2409=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1819watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2410watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1820 2411
1821=back 2412=back
1822 2413
2414=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2415
2416Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2417could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2418simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2419shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2420fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2421very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2422baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2423
2424The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2425connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2426creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2427test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2428benchmark nevertheless.
2429
2430 name runtime
2431 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2432 + optimized 0.122 sec
2433 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2434 + optimized 0.138 sec
2435 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2436 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2437 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2438 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2439
2440 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2441 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2442 +state machine 0.134 sec
2443
2444The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2445benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2446defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2447written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2448AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2449resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2450generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2451connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2452
2453The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2454offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2455Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2456non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2457
2458As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2459hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2460backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2461
2462And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2463slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2464higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2465it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2466
2467The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2468F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2469part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2470
1823 2471
1824=head1 SIGNALS 2472=head1 SIGNALS
1825 2473
1826AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 2474AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1827 2475
1830=item SIGCHLD 2478=item SIGCHLD
1831 2479
1832A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher 2480A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1833emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some 2481emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
1834event loops install a similar handler. 2482event loops install a similar handler.
2483
2484Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2485AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
1835 2486
1836=item SIGPIPE 2487=item SIGPIPE
1837 2488
1838A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef> 2489A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
1839when AnyEvent gets loaded. 2490when AnyEvent gets loaded.
1851 2502
1852=back 2503=back
1853 2504
1854=cut 2505=cut
1855 2506
2507undef $SIG{CHLD}
2508 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2509
1856$SIG{PIPE} = sub { } 2510$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
1857 unless defined $SIG{PIPE}; 2511 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
1858 2512
2513=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2514
2515One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2516its built-in modules) are required to use it.
2517
2518That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2519modules if they are installed.
2520
2521This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2522affect AnyEvent's operation.
2523
2524=over 4
2525
2526=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2527
2528This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2529my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2530signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2531delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2532catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2533C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2534
2535If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2536catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2537will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2538battery life on laptops).
2539
2540This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2541that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2542
2543Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2544and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2545(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2546does nothing for those backends.
2547
2548=item L<EV>
2549
2550This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2551event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2552loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2553the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2554automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2555can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2556C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2557L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2558
2559If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2560then this module will do nothing for you.
2561
2562=item L<Guard>
2563
2564The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2565C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2566lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2567purely used for performance.
2568
2569=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2570
2571One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2572via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2573advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2574
2575=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2576
2577Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2578worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2579the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2580
2581=item L<Time::HiRes>
2582
2583This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2584chosen event library does not come with a timing source of its own. The
2585pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2586try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2587
2588=back
2589
1859 2590
1860=head1 FORK 2591=head1 FORK
1861 2592
1862Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2593Most 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> 2594because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
1864calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2595- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2596are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2597one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2598continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2599what you are doing).
2600
2601This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2602the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2603usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2604is loaded).
1865 2605
1866If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2606If 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. 2607watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2608something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2609
2610The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2611is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2612fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2613watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2614parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2615to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2616preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2617to have another binary.
1868 2618
1869 2619
1870=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2620=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1871 2621
1872AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2622AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1884 use AnyEvent; 2634 use AnyEvent;
1885 2635
1886Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2636Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1887be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2637be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1888probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and 2638probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
1889$ENV{PERL_ANYEGENT_STRICT}. 2639$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2640
2641Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2642C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2643enabled.
1890 2644
1891 2645
1892=head1 BUGS 2646=head1 BUGS
1893 2647
1894Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard 2648Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1906L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2660L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1907 2661
1908Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2662Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1909L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2663L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1910L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2664L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1911L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2665L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1912 2666
1913Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2667Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1914servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2668servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1915 2669
1916Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2670Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1917 2671
1918Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2672Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2673L<Coro::Event>,
1919 2674
1920Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2675Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2676L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1921 2677
1922 2678
1923=head1 AUTHOR 2679=head1 AUTHOR
1924 2680
1925 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2681 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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