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Revision 1.100 by elmex, Sun Apr 27 19:15:43 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.164 by root, Tue Jul 8 19:50:25 2008 UTC

1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops
4 4
5EV, Event, Coro::EV, Coro::Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops
6 6
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 7=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 8
9 use AnyEvent; 9 use AnyEvent;
10 10
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub {
16 ... 16 ...
17 }); 17 });
18 18
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
20 $w->wait; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->broadcast 21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
21 $w->broadcast; # wake up current and all future wait's 22
23=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
24
25This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
26in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
27L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
22 28
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 29=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 30
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 31Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 32nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 54isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 55I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 56
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 57AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 58fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
53with the rest: POE + IO::Async? no go. Tk + Event? no go. Again: if 59with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
54your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 60your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
55too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 61too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 62event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long
57as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 63as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 64event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
59 65
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 66In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
61model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 67model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enourmous amount of code and strict rules you have to 68modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
63follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 69follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only
64offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 70offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 71technically possible.
66 72
73Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
74of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
75non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
76such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
77platform bugs and differences.
78
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 79Now, if you I<do want> lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat
68useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 80useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 81model, you should I<not> use this module.
70
71#TODO#
72
73Net::IRC3
74AnyEvent::HTTPD
75AnyEvent::DNS
76IO::AnyEvent
77Net::FPing
78Net::XMPP2
79Coro
80
81AnyEvent::IRC
82AnyEvent::HTTPD
83AnyEvent::DNS
84AnyEvent::Handle
85AnyEvent::Socket
86AnyEvent::FPing
87AnyEvent::XMPP
88AnyEvent::SNMP
89Coro
90 82
91=head1 DESCRIPTION 83=head1 DESCRIPTION
92 84
93L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 85L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This
94allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 86allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module
98The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 90The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
99module. 91module.
100 92
101During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 93During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
102to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 94to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
103following modules is already loaded: L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, L<EV>, 95following modules is already loaded: L<EV>,
104L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 96L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>,
105L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 97L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries
106to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 98to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl
107adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 99adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can
108be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 100be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be
122starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 114starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to
123use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 115use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly...
124 116
125The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 117The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
126C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 118C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
127explicitly. 119explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
128 120
129=head1 WATCHERS 121=head1 WATCHERS
130 122
131AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 123AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that
132stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as 124stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
133the callback to call, the filehandle to watch, etc. 125the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
134 126
135These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 127These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
136creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 128creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
137callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 129callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
138is in control). 130is in control).
146Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 138Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
147example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 139example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
148 140
149An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 141An any way to achieve that is this pattern:
150 142
151 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 143 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
152 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 144 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
153 undef $w; 145 undef $w;
154 }); 146 });
155 147
156Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 148Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
157my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 149my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
158declared. 150declared.
159 151
178 170
179Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 171Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
180always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 172always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
181handles. 173handles.
182 174
183Example:
184
185 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 175Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
176watcher.
177
186 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 178 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
187 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 179 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
188 warn "read: $input\n"; 180 warn "read: $input\n";
189 undef $w; 181 undef $w;
190 }); 182 });
200 192
201Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 193Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
202presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 194presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
203callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 195callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
204 196
205The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 197The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another
206timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 198parameter, C<interval>, as a positive number, then the callback will be
207and Glib). 199invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional seconds) after the first
200invocation.
208 201
209Example: 202The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
203attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
204only approximate.
210 205
211 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 206Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
207
212 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 208 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
213 warn "timeout\n"; 209 warn "timeout\n";
214 }); 210 });
215 211
216 # to cancel the timer: 212 # to cancel the timer:
217 undef $w; 213 undef $w;
218 214
219Example 2:
220
221 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 215Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
222 my $w;
223 216
224 my $cb = sub {
225 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
226 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 217 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
218 warn "timeout\n";
227 }; 219 };
228
229 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
230 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
231 220
232=head3 TIMING ISSUES 221=head3 TIMING ISSUES
233 222
234There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 223There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
235in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 224in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
247timers. 236timers.
248 237
249AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 238AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
250AnyEvent API. 239AnyEvent API.
251 240
241AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
242
243=over 4
244
245=item AnyEvent->time
246
247This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
248seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
249return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
250
251It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
252will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
253
254=item AnyEvent->now
255
256This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
257this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
258the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
259time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
260
261I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
262function to call when you want to know the current time.>
263
264This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
265thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
266L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts).
267
268The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
269with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience.
270
271For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
272and L<EV> and the following set-up:
273
274The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at
275time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
276you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
277second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
278after three seconds.
279
280With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
281both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
282be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
283
284With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
285time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
286last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
287to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
288
289In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
290regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
291callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
292higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
293
294In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
295the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
296
297In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
298can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
299difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
300account.
301
302=back
303
252=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 304=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
253 305
254You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 306You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
255I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 307I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to
256be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 308be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
257 309
258Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 310Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
259presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 311presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
260callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 312callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
261 313
262Multiple signal occurances can be clumped together into one callback 314Multiple signal occurrences can be clumped together into one callback
263invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. synchronous means 315invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
264that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 316that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
265but it is guarenteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 317but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
266 318
267The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 319The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
268between multiple watchers. 320between multiple watchers.
269 321
270This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 322This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals
297AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 349AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you
298C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 350C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>).
299 351
300Example: fork a process and wait for it 352Example: fork a process and wait for it
301 353
302 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 354 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
303 355
304 AnyEvent::detect; # force event module to be initialised
305
306 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 356 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
307 357
308 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 358 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
309 pid => $pid, 359 pid => $pid,
310 cb => sub { 360 cb => sub {
311 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 361 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
312 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 362 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
313 $done->broadcast; 363 $done->send;
314 }, 364 },
315 ); 365 );
316 366
317 # do something else, then wait for process exit 367 # do something else, then wait for process exit
318 $done->wait; 368 $done->recv;
319 369
320=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 370=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
321 371
372If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
373require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
374will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
375
376AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and
377will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
378
379The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
380because they represent a condition that must become true.
381
322Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar >> 382Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
323method without any arguments. 383>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
384C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
385becomes true.
324 386
325A condition variable waits for a condition - precisely that the C<< 387After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
326->broadcast >> method has been called. 388by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
389were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
390->send >> method).
327 391
328They are very useful to signal that a condition has been fulfilled, for 392Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
393optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
394in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
395another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
396used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
397a result.
398
399Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
329example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 400for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
330then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 401then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
331availability of results. 402availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
403called or can synchronously C<< ->recv >> for the results.
332 404
333You can also use condition variables to block your main program until 405You can also use them to simulate traditional event loops - for example,
334an event occurs - for example, you could C<< ->wait >> in your main 406you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you
335program until the user clicks the Quit button in your app, which would C<< 407could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit
336->broadcast >> the "quit" event. 408button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event.
337 409
338Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have 410Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have
339two pirces of code that call C<< ->wait >> in a round-robbin fashion, you 411two pieces of code that call C<< ->recv >> in a round-robin fashion, you
340lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but 412lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but
341you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks, 413you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks,
342as this asks for trouble. 414as this asks for trouble.
343 415
344This object has two methods: 416Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
417used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
418easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
419AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
420it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
421
422There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
423eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
424for the send to occur.
425
426Example: wait for a timer.
427
428 # wait till the result is ready
429 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
430
431 # do something such as adding a timer
432 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send
433 # when the "result" is ready.
434 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
435 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
436 after => 1,
437 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
438 );
439
440 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
441 # calls send
442 $result_ready->recv;
443
444Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that
445condition variables are also code references.
446
447 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
448 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
449 $done->recv;
450
451=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
452
453These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
454code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
455the producer side which creates the condvar in most cases, but it isn't
456uncommon for the consumer to create it as well.
345 457
346=over 4 458=over 4
347 459
460=item $cv->send (...)
461
462Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->recv >> and all further
463calls to C<recv> will (eventually) return after this method has been
464called. If nobody is waiting the send will be remembered.
465
466If a callback has been set on the condition variable, it is called
467immediately from within send.
468
469Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
470future C<< ->recv >> calls.
471
472Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly
473(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
474C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle
475overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
476instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
477support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
478invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
479example).
480
481=item $cv->croak ($error)
482
483Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
484C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
485
486This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
487user/consumer.
488
489=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
490
348=item $cv->wait 491=item $cv->end
349 492
350Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been 493These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
494
495These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
496one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
497to use a condition variable for the whole process.
498
499Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
500C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
501>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
502is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
503callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
504
505Let's clarify this with the ping example:
506
507 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
508
509 my %result;
510 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
511
512 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
513 $cv->begin;
514 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
515 $result{$host} = ...;
516 $cv->end;
517 };
518 }
519
520 $cv->end;
521
522This code fragment supposedly pings a number of hosts and calls
523C<send> after results for all then have have been gathered - in any
524order. To achieve this, the code issues a call to C<begin> when it starts
525each ping request and calls C<end> when it has received some result for
526it. Since C<begin> and C<end> only maintain a counter, the order in which
527results arrive is not relevant.
528
529There is an additional bracketing call to C<begin> and C<end> outside the
530loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
531to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
532C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
533doesn't execute once).
534
535This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests:
536use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end>
537is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call
538C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>.
539
540=back
541
542=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
543
544These methods should only be used by the consuming side, i.e. the
545code awaits the condition.
546
547=over 4
548
549=item $cv->recv
550
551Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
351called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers normally. 552>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
553normally.
352 554
353You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls will return 555You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
354immediately. 556will return immediately.
557
558If an error condition has been set by calling C<< ->croak >>, then this
559function will call C<croak>.
560
561In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
562in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
355 563
356Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 564Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
357(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 565(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
358using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 566using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the
359caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 567caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
360condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 568condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
361callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 569callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
362while still suppporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 570while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
363 571
364Another reason I<never> to C<< ->wait >> in a module is that you cannot 572Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
365sensibly have two C<< ->wait >>'s in parallel, as that would require 573sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
366multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent> 574multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
367can supply (the coroutine-aware backends L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV> and 575can supply.
368L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent> explicitly support concurrent C<< ->wait >>'s
369from different coroutines, however).
370 576
371=item $cv->broadcast 577The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
578fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
579versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
580C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
581coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
372 582
373Flag the condition as ready - a running C<< ->wait >> and all further 583You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
374calls to C<wait> will (eventually) return after this method has been 584only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
375called. If nobody is waiting the broadcast will be remembered.. 585time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
586waits otherwise.
587
588=item $bool = $cv->ready
589
590Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
591C<croak> have been called.
592
593=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback])
594
595This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
596replaces it before doing so.
597
598The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
599C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition
600variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time
601is guaranteed not to block.
376 602
377=back 603=back
378
379Example:
380
381 # wait till the result is ready
382 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
383
384 # do something such as adding a timer
385 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->broadcast
386 # when the "result" is ready.
387 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
388 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
389 after => 1,
390 cb => sub { $result_ready->broadcast },
391 );
392
393 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the watcher
394 # calls broadcast
395 $result_ready->wait;
396 604
397=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 605=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
398 606
399=over 4 607=over 4
400 608
406C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 614C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case
407AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 615AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>).
408 616
409The known classes so far are: 617The known classes so far are:
410 618
411 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV based on Coro::EV, best choice.
412 AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent based on Coro::Event, second best choice.
413 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice). 619 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
414 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice. 620 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
621 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
415 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice. 622 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
416 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, inefficient but portable.
417 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice. 623 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
418 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs). 624 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
419 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse. 625 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
420 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support. 626 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
421 627
434Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 640Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
435if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 641if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
436have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 642have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
437runtime. 643runtime.
438 644
645=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
646
647Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
648autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
649
650If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
651that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See
652L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful.
653
654=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
655
656If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
657before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
658the event loop has been chosen.
659
660You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
661if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected,
662and the array will be ignored.
663
664Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead.
665
439=back 666=back
440 667
441=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 668=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
442 669
443As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods 670As a module author, you should C<use AnyEvent> and call AnyEvent methods
446Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will 673Be careful when you create watchers in the module body - AnyEvent will
447decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so 674decide which event module to use as soon as the first method is called, so
448by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module 675by calling AnyEvent in your module body you force the user of your module
449to load the event module first. 676to load the event module first.
450 677
451Never call C<< ->wait >> on a condition variable unless you I<know> that 678Never call C<< ->recv >> on a condition variable unless you I<know> that
452the C<< ->broadcast >> method has been called on it already. This is 679the C<< ->send >> method has been called on it already. This is
453because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 680because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
454events is to stay interactive. 681events is to stay interactive.
455 682
456It is fine, however, to call C<< ->wait >> when the user of your module 683It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
457requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 684requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
458called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->wait >> 685called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >>
459freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 686freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always).
460 687
461=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 688=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
462 689
463There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 690There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
465 692
466If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 693If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not
467do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 694do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent
468decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 695decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it.
469 696
470If the main program relies on a specific event model. For example, in 697If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
471Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module. You should load the 698Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
472event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 699event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
473speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 700speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
474modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 701modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
475decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 702decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
476might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 703might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
477 704
478You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 705You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
479loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 706C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
480behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 707everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
708
709=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
710
711Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
712only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event loop.
713
714In that case, you can use a condition variable like this:
715
716 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
717
718This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
719
720Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
721it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
722variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should
723exit cleanly.
724
481 725
482=head1 OTHER MODULES 726=head1 OTHER MODULES
483 727
484L<AnyEvent> itself comes with useful utility modules: 728The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
485 729AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules
486To make it easier to do non-blocking IO the modules L<AnyEvent::Handle> 730in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are
487and L<AnyEvent::Socket> are provided. L<AnyEvent::Handle> provides 731available via CPAN.
488read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
489L<AnyEvent::Socket> provides means to do non-blocking connects.
490
491Aside from those there are these modules that support AnyEvent (and use it
492for non-blocking IO):
493 732
494=over 4 733=over 4
495 734
735=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
736
737Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
738functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
739
740=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
741
742Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
743addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
744connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
745
746=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
747
748Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
749supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
750non-blocking SSL/TLS.
751
752=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
753
754Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
755
756=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>
757
758A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent
759HTTP requests.
760
761=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
762
763Provides a simple web application server framework.
764
496=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 765=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
497 766
767The fastest ping in the west.
768
769=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
770
771Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
772
773=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
774
775Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
776programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
777together.
778
779=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
780
781Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
782L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
783
784=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
785
786A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
787
788=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
789
790A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
791L<App::IGS>).
792
498=item L<Net::IRC3> 793=item L<Net::IRC3>
499 794
795AnyEvent based IRC client module family.
796
500=item L<Net::XMPP2> 797=item L<Net::XMPP2>
798
799AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
800
801=item L<Net::FCP>
802
803AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
804of AnyEvent.
805
806=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
807
808High level API for event-based execution flow control.
809
810=item L<Coro>
811
812Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
813
814=item L<IO::Lambda>
815
816The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
501 817
502=back 818=back
503 819
504=cut 820=cut
505 821
508no warnings; 824no warnings;
509use strict; 825use strict;
510 826
511use Carp; 827use Carp;
512 828
513our $VERSION = '3.3'; 829our $VERSION = 4.2;
514our $MODEL; 830our $MODEL;
515 831
516our $AUTOLOAD; 832our $AUTOLOAD;
517our @ISA; 833our @ISA;
518 834
835our @REGISTRY;
836
837our $WIN32;
838
839BEGIN {
840 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i);
841 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }";
842}
843
519our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 844our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
520 845
521our @REGISTRY; 846our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
847
848{
849 my $idx;
850 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
851 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
852 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
853}
522 854
523my @models = ( 855my @models = (
524 [Coro::EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV::],
525 [Coro::Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent::],
526 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 856 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::],
527 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 857 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
528 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::],
529 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::],
530 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
531 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
532 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 858 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
533 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 859 # everything below here will not be autoprobed
860 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
861 # and is usually faster
862 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
863 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
534 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 864 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
535 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 865 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
536 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 866 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
867 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
868 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
537); 869);
538 870
539our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar broadcast wait one_event DESTROY); 871our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY);
872
873our @post_detect;
874
875sub post_detect(&) {
876 my ($cb) = @_;
877
878 if ($MODEL) {
879 $cb->();
880
881 1
882 } else {
883 push @post_detect, $cb;
884
885 defined wantarray
886 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect"
887 : ()
888 }
889}
890
891sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY {
892 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
893}
540 894
541sub detect() { 895sub detect() {
542 unless ($MODEL) { 896 unless ($MODEL) {
543 no strict 'refs'; 897 no strict 'refs';
898 local $SIG{__DIE__};
544 899
545 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 900 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
546 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 901 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
547 if (eval "require $model") { 902 if (eval "require $model") {
548 $MODEL = $model; 903 $MODEL = $model;
578 last; 933 last;
579 } 934 }
580 } 935 }
581 936
582 $MODEL 937 $MODEL
583 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV (or Coro+EV), Event (or Coro+Event) or Glib."; 938 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.";
584 } 939 }
585 } 940 }
586 941
587 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 942 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
588 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 943 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
944
945 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
589 } 946 }
590 947
591 $MODEL 948 $MODEL
592} 949}
593 950
603 $class->$func (@_); 960 $class->$func (@_);
604} 961}
605 962
606package AnyEvent::Base; 963package AnyEvent::Base;
607 964
965# default implementation for now and time
966
967use Time::HiRes ();
968
969sub time { Time::HiRes::time }
970sub now { Time::HiRes::time }
971
608# default implementation for ->condvar, ->wait, ->broadcast 972# default implementation for ->condvar
609 973
610sub condvar { 974sub condvar {
611 bless \my $flag, "AnyEvent::Base::CondVar" 975 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar::
612}
613
614sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::broadcast {
615 ${$_[0]}++;
616}
617
618sub AnyEvent::Base::CondVar::wait {
619 AnyEvent->one_event while !${$_[0]};
620} 976}
621 977
622# default implementation for ->signal 978# default implementation for ->signal
623 979
624our %SIG_CB; 980our %SIG_CB;
640sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY { 996sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
641 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 997 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
642 998
643 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb}; 999 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
644 1000
645 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} }; 1001 delete $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
646} 1002}
647 1003
648# default implementation for ->child 1004# default implementation for ->child
649 1005
650our %PID_CB; 1006our %PID_CB;
677 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1033 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
678 1034
679 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1035 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
680 1036
681 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1037 unless ($WNOHANG) {
682 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1038 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
683 } 1039 }
684 1040
685 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1041 unless ($CHLD_W) {
686 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1042 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
687 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1043 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
697 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1053 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
698 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1054 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
699 1055
700 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1056 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
701} 1057}
1058
1059package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1060
1061our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1062
1063package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1064
1065use overload
1066 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1067 fallback => 1;
1068
1069sub _send {
1070 # nop
1071}
1072
1073sub send {
1074 my $cv = shift;
1075 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_];
1076 (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv) if $cv->{_ae_cb};
1077 $cv->_send;
1078}
1079
1080sub croak {
1081 $_[0]{_ae_croak} = $_[1];
1082 $_[0]->send;
1083}
1084
1085sub ready {
1086 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1087}
1088
1089sub _wait {
1090 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1091}
1092
1093sub recv {
1094 $_[0]->_wait;
1095
1096 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1097 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1098}
1099
1100sub cb {
1101 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1102 $_[0]{_ae_cb}
1103}
1104
1105sub begin {
1106 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1107 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1108}
1109
1110sub end {
1111 return if --$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1112 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
1113}
1114
1115# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1116*broadcast = \&send;
1117*wait = \&_wait;
702 1118
703=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1119=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
704 1120
705This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1121This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
706a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1122a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
763model it chooses. 1179model it chooses.
764 1180
765=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1181=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
766 1182
767This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1183This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
768autodetection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1184auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
769entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended 1185entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
770and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful, 1186and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
771used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with 1187used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
772autodetection and -probing. 1188auto detection and -probing.
773 1189
774This functionality might change in future versions. 1190This functionality might change in future versions.
775 1191
776For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you 1192For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
777could start your program like this: 1193could start your program like this:
778 1194
779 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ... 1195 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1196
1197=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1198
1199Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1200for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1201of auto probing).
1202
1203Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1204current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1205used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1206list.
1207
1208This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1209against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1210small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1211
1212Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1213but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1214- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1215addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1216IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1217
1218=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1219
1220Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1221for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1222some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1223default.
1224
1225Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1226EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1227
1228=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1229
1230The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1231will create in parallel.
780 1232
781=back 1233=back
782 1234
783=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1235=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
784 1236
795 poll => 'r', 1247 poll => 'r',
796 cb => sub { 1248 cb => sub {
797 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r> 1249 warn "io event <$_[0]>\n"; # will always output <r>
798 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line 1250 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); # read a line
799 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1251 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
800 $cv->broadcast if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1252 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
801 }, 1253 },
802 ); 1254 );
803 1255
804 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once 1256 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
805 1257
810 }); 1262 });
811 } 1263 }
812 1264
813 new_timer; # create first timer 1265 new_timer; # create first timer
814 1266
815 $cv->wait; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1267 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
816 1268
817=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1269=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
818 1270
819Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following 1271Consider the L<Net::FCP> module. It features (among others) the following
820API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http: 1272API calls, which are to freenet what HTTP GET requests are to http:
870 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request} 1322 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request}
871 or die "connection or write error"; 1323 or die "connection or write error";
872 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r }); 1324 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r });
873 1325
874Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the 1326Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the
875result and signals any possible waiters that the request ahs finished: 1327result and signals any possible waiters that the request has finished:
876 1328
877 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf}; 1329 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf};
878 1330
879 if (end-of-file or data complete) { 1331 if (end-of-file or data complete) {
880 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf}; 1332 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf};
881 $txn->{finished}->broadcast; 1333 $txn->{finished}->send;
882 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback 1334 $txb->{cb}->($txn) of $txn->{cb}; # also call callback
883 } 1335 }
884 1336
885The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the 1337The C<result> method, finally, just waits for the finished signal (if the
886request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the 1338request was already finished, it doesn't wait, of course, and returns the
887data: 1339data:
888 1340
889 $txn->{finished}->wait; 1341 $txn->{finished}->recv;
890 return $txn->{result}; 1342 return $txn->{result};
891 1343
892The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 1344The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
893that occured during request processing. The C<result> method detects 1345that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
894whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 1346whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
895and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 1347and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
896problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 1348problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a
897random callback. 1349random callback.
898 1350
929 1381
930 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar; 1382 my $quit = AnyEvent->condvar;
931 1383
932 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub { 1384 $fcp->txn_client_get ($url)->cb (sub {
933 ... 1385 ...
934 $quit->broadcast; 1386 $quit->send;
935 }); 1387 });
936 1388
937 $quit->wait; 1389 $quit->recv;
938 1390
939 1391
940=head1 BENCHMARKS 1392=head1 BENCHMARKS
941 1393
942To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds 1394To give you an idea of the performance and overheads that AnyEvent adds
944of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks. 1396of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks.
945 1397
946=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD 1398=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD
947 1399
948Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and 1400Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and
949through anyevent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 1401through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
950timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 1402timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
951which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 1403which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
952 1404
953Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 1405Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
954distribution. 1406distribution.
971all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation 1423all watchers, to avoid adding memory overhead. That means closure creation
972and memory usage is not included in the figures. 1424and memory usage is not included in the figures.
973 1425
974I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple 1426I<invoke> is the time, in microseconds, used to invoke a simple
975callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was 1427callback. The callback simply counts down a Perl variable and after it was
976invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->broadcast >> a condvar once to 1428invoked "watcher" times, it would C<< ->send >> a condvar once to
977signal the end of this phase. 1429signal the end of this phase.
978 1430
979I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single 1431I<destroy> is the time, in microseconds, that it takes to destroy a single
980watcher. 1432watcher.
981 1433
1041file descriptor is dup()ed for each watcher. This shows that the dup() 1493file descriptor is dup()ed for each watcher. This shows that the dup()
1042employed by some adaptors is not a big performance issue (it does incur a 1494employed by some adaptors is not a big performance issue (it does incur a
1043hidden memory cost inside the kernel which is not reflected in the figures 1495hidden memory cost inside the kernel which is not reflected in the figures
1044above). 1496above).
1045 1497
1046C<POE>, regardless of underlying event loop (whether using its pure 1498C<POE>, regardless of underlying event loop (whether using its pure perl
1047perl select-based backend or the Event module, the POE-EV backend 1499select-based backend or the Event module, the POE-EV backend couldn't
1048couldn't be tested because it wasn't working) shows abysmal performance 1500be tested because it wasn't working) shows abysmal performance and
1049and memory usage: Watchers use almost 30 times as much memory as 1501memory usage with AnyEvent: Watchers use almost 30 times as much memory
1050EV watchers, and 10 times as much memory as Event (the high memory 1502as EV watchers, and 10 times as much memory as Event (the high memory
1051requirements are caused by requiring a session for each watcher). Watcher 1503requirements are caused by requiring a session for each watcher). Watcher
1052invocation speed is almost 900 times slower than with AnyEvent's pure perl 1504invocation speed is almost 900 times slower than with AnyEvent's pure perl
1505implementation.
1506
1053implementation. The design of the POE adaptor class in AnyEvent can not 1507The design of the POE adaptor class in AnyEvent can not really account
1054really account for this, as session creation overhead is small compared 1508for the performance issues, though, as session creation overhead is
1055to execution of the state machine, which is coded pretty optimally within 1509small compared to execution of the state machine, which is coded pretty
1056L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. POE simply seems to be abysmally slow. 1510optimally within L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE> (and while everybody agrees that
1511using multiple sessions is not a good approach, especially regarding
1512memory usage, even the author of POE could not come up with a faster
1513design).
1057 1514
1058=head3 Summary 1515=head3 Summary
1059 1516
1060=over 4 1517=over 4
1061 1518
1072 1529
1073=back 1530=back
1074 1531
1075=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 1532=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1076 1533
1077This benchmark atcually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by 1534This benchmark actually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by
1078creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socketpair, a 1535creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socket pair, a
1079timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O 1536timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O
1080watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket 1537watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket
1081watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server". 1538watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server".
1082 1539
1083The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which 1540The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which
1084are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active 1541are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active
1085fds for each loop iterstaion, but which fds these are is random). The 1542fds for each loop iteration, but which fds these are is random). The
1086timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how 1543timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how
1087most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops). 1544most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops).
1088 1545
1089In this benchmark, we use 10000 socketpairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 1546In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1090(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 1547(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1091connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 1548connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1092 1549
1093Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 1550Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1094distribution. 1551distribution.
1096=head3 Explanation of the columns 1553=head3 Explanation of the columns
1097 1554
1098I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 1555I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1099each server has a read and write socket end). 1556each server has a read and write socket end).
1100 1557
1101I<create> is the time it takes to create a socketpair (which is 1558I<create> is the time it takes to create a socket pair (which is
1102nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher. 1559nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher.
1103 1560
1104I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a 1561I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a
1105single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding 1562single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding
1106it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 1563it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1140 1597
1141=head3 Summary 1598=head3 Summary
1142 1599
1143=over 4 1600=over 4
1144 1601
1145=item * The pure perl implementation performs extremely well, considering 1602=item * The pure perl implementation performs extremely well.
1146that it uses select.
1147 1603
1148=item * Avoid Glib or POE in large projects where performance matters. 1604=item * Avoid Glib or POE in large projects where performance matters.
1149 1605
1150=back 1606=back
1151 1607
1180speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of 1636speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of
1181them). 1637them).
1182 1638
1183EV is again fastest. 1639EV is again fastest.
1184 1640
1185The C-based event loops Event and Glib come in second this time, as the 1641Perl again comes second. It is noticeably faster than the C-based event
1186overhead of running an iteration is much smaller in C than in Perl (little 1642loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really
1187code to execute in the inner loop, and perl's function calling overhead is 1643matter.
1188high, and updating all the data structures is costly).
1189
1190The pure perl event loop is much slower, but still competitive.
1191 1644
1192POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the 1645POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the
1193others. 1646others.
1194 1647
1195=head3 Summary 1648=head3 Summary
1203 1656
1204 1657
1205=head1 FORK 1658=head1 FORK
1206 1659
1207Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 1660Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1208because they are so inefficient. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 1661because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1662calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1209 1663
1210If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 1664If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1211watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 1665watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child.
1212 1666
1213 1667
1221specified in the variable. 1675specified in the variable.
1222 1676
1223You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 1677You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1224before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 1678before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1225 1679
1226 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 1680 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1227 1681
1228 use AnyEvent; 1682 use AnyEvent;
1683
1684Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1685be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1686probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL).
1687
1688
1689=head1 BUGS
1690
1691Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1692to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
1693and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
1694mamleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
1695pronounced).
1229 1696
1230 1697
1231=head1 SEE ALSO 1698=head1 SEE ALSO
1232 1699
1233Event modules: L<Coro::EV>, L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, 1700Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1234L<Coro::Event>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, L<Glib>, L<Coro>, L<Tk>, 1701
1702Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>,
1235L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 1703L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1236 1704
1237Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, 1705Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1238L<AnyEvent::Impl::CoroEvent>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, 1706L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1239L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, 1707L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1240L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 1708L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>.
1241 1709
1710Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1711servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>.
1712
1713Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1714
1715Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>,
1716
1242Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>. 1717Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1243 1718
1244 1719
1245=head1 AUTHOR 1720=head1 AUTHOR
1246 1721
1247 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 1722 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1248 http://home.schmorp.de/ 1723 http://home.schmorp.de/
1249 1724
1250=cut 1725=cut
1251 1726
12521 17271
1253 1728

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