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1=head1 => NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt and POE are various supported
6event loops.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # file descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
14
15 # one-shot or repeating timers
16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
18
19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
21
22 # POSIX signal
23 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
24
25 # child process exit
26 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
27 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 28 ...
13 }); 29 });
14 30
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 31 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 32 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 33
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 34 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 35 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 36 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
37 # use a condvar in callback mode:
38 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
39
40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
41
42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
22 45
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 46=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 47
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 48Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 49nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
27 50
28Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 51Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
29policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 52policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
30 53
31First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 54First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only
32interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use in a 55interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
33pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 56pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
34the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 57the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general,
35only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent 58only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
36helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 59cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
60loops.
37 61
38The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 62The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event
39programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 63programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
40religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 64religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
41module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 65module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
42model you use. 66model you use.
43 67
44For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 68For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
45actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 69actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
46like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 70like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you
47cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 71cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 72that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 73module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 74
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 75AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 76fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
53with the rest: POE + IO::Async? no go. Tk + Event? no go. Again: if 77with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
54your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 78your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
55too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 79too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 80event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those
57as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 81use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 82to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
59 83
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 84In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
61model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 85model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 86modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
63follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 87follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only
64offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 88offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 89technically possible.
66 90
91Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
92of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
93non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
94such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
95platform bugs and differences.
96
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 97Now, if you I<do want> lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat
68useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 98useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 99model, you should I<not> use this module.
70 100
71=head1 DESCRIPTION 101=head1 DESCRIPTION
72 102
102starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 132starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to
103use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 133use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly...
104 134
105The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 135The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
106C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 136C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
107explicitly. 137explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
108 138
109=head1 WATCHERS 139=head1 WATCHERS
110 140
111AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 141AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that
112stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as 142stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
115These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 145These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
116creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 146creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
117callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 147callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
118is in control). 148is in control).
119 149
150Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
151potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
152callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in
153Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
154widely between event loops.
155
120To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 156To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
121variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 157variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
122to it). 158to it).
123 159
124All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 160All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
126Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 162Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
127example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 163example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
128 164
129An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 165An any way to achieve that is this pattern:
130 166
131 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 167 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
132 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 168 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
133 undef $w; 169 undef $w;
134 }); 170 });
135 171
136Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 172Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
137my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 173my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
138declared. 174declared.
139 175
140=head2 I/O WATCHERS 176=head2 I/O WATCHERS
141 177
142You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 178You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
143with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 179with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
144 180
145C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 181C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch
182for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
183handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
184non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
185most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
186or block devices.
187
146for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 188C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
147which creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, 189watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
190
148respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 191C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
149becomes ready.
150 192
151Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 193Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
152presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 194presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
153callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 195callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
154 196
158 200
159Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 201Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
160always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 202always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
161handles. 203handles.
162 204
163Example:
164
165 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 205Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
206watcher.
207
166 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 208 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
167 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 209 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
168 warn "read: $input\n"; 210 warn "read: $input\n";
169 undef $w; 211 undef $w;
170 }); 212 });
180 222
181Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 223Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
182presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 224presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
183callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 225callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
184 226
185The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 227The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another
186timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 228parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
187and Glib). 229callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
230seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
231false value, then it is treated as if it were missing.
188 232
189Example: 233The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
234attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
235only approximate.
190 236
191 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 237Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
238
192 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 239 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
193 warn "timeout\n"; 240 warn "timeout\n";
194 }); 241 });
195 242
196 # to cancel the timer: 243 # to cancel the timer:
197 undef $w; 244 undef $w;
198 245
199Example 2:
200
201 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 246Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
202 my $w;
203 247
204 my $cb = sub {
205 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
206 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 248 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
249 warn "timeout\n";
207 }; 250 };
208
209 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
210 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
211 251
212=head3 TIMING ISSUES 252=head3 TIMING ISSUES
213 253
214There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 254There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
215in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 255in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
227timers. 267timers.
228 268
229AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 269AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
230AnyEvent API. 270AnyEvent API.
231 271
272AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
273
274=over 4
275
276=item AnyEvent->time
277
278This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
279seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
280return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
281
282It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
283will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
284
285=item AnyEvent->now
286
287This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
288this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
289the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
290time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
291
292I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
293function to call when you want to know the current time.>
294
295This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
296thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
297L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts).
298
299The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
300with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience.
301
302For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
303and L<EV> and the following set-up:
304
305The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at
306time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
307you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
308second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
309after three seconds.
310
311With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
312both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
313be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
314
315With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
316time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
317last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
318to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
319
320In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
321regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
322callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
323higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
324
325In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
326the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
327
328In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
329can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
330difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
331account.
332
333=item AnyEvent->now_update
334
335Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
336the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
337AnyEvent->now >>, above).
338
339When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
340this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
341might affect timers and time-outs.
342
343When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
344event loop's idea of "current time".
345
346Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
347
348=back
349
232=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 350=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
233 351
234You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 352You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
235I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 353I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
236be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 354callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
237 355
238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 356Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 357presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 358callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
241 359
257=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 375=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
258 376
259You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 377You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
260 378
261The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 379The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it
262watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 380watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when
263as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 381the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on
264signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 382any trace events (stopped/continued).
265and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 383
266you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 384The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
385waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
386callback arguments.
387
388This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
389and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
390random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
391C<system>, is just fine).
267 392
268There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 393There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
269I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 394I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
270have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 395have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
271 396
277AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 402AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you
278C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 403C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>).
279 404
280Example: fork a process and wait for it 405Example: fork a process and wait for it
281 406
282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 407 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
283 408
284 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 409 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
285 410
286 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 411 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
287 pid => $pid, 412 pid => $pid,
288 cb => sub { 413 cb => sub {
289 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 414 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
290 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 415 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
291 $done->send; 416 $done->send;
292 }, 417 },
293 ); 418 );
294 419
295 # do something else, then wait for process exit 420 # do something else, then wait for process exit
296 $done->recv; 421 $done->recv;
422
423=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
424
425Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
426to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
427"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
428attention by the event loop".
429
430Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
431better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
432events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
433
434Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
435EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
436will simply call the callback "from time to time".
437
438Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
439program is otherwise idle:
440
441 my @lines; # read data
442 my $idle_w;
443 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
444 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
445
446 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
447 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
448 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
449 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
450 print "handled when idle: $line";
451 } else {
452 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
453 undef $idle_w;
454 }
455 });
456 });
297 457
298=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 458=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
299 459
300If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 460If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
301require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 461require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
307The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 467The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
308because they represent a condition that must become true. 468because they represent a condition that must become true.
309 469
310Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 470Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
311>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 471>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
472
312C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 473C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
313becomes true. 474becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
475the results).
314 476
315After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 477After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
316by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 478by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
317were a callback). 479were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
480->send >> method).
318 481
319Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 482Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
320optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 483optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
321in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 484in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
322another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 485another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
373 536
374 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 537 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
375 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 538 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
376 $done->recv; 539 $done->recv;
377 540
541Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
542callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
543the main program:
544
545 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
546
547 ...
548
549 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
550
551And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the
552results are available:
553
554 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
555 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
556 });
557
378=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 558=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
379 559
380These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 560These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
381code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 561code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
382the producer side which creates the condvar in most cases, but it isn't 562the producer side which creates the condvar in most cases, but it isn't
394immediately from within send. 574immediately from within send.
395 575
396Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 576Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
397future C<< ->recv >> calls. 577future C<< ->recv >> calls.
398 578
399Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as a 579Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly
400code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling C<send>. 580(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
581C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle
582overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
583instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
584support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
585invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
586example).
401 587
402=item $cv->croak ($error) 588=item $cv->croak ($error)
403 589
404Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 590Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
405C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 591C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
509=item $bool = $cv->ready 695=item $bool = $cv->ready
510 696
511Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 697Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
512C<croak> have been called. 698C<croak> have been called.
513 699
514=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 700=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
515 701
516This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 702This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
517replaces it before doing so. 703replaces it before doing so.
518 704
519The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 705The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
520C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback 706C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition
521or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 707variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time
708is guaranteed not to block.
522 709
523=back 710=back
524 711
525=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 712=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
526 713
655=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 842=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
656 843
657Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 844Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
658functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 845functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
659 846
660=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
661
662Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
663
664=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 847=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
665 848
666Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 849Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
667addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 850addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
668connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more. 851connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
669 852
853=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
854
855Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
856supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
857non-blocking SSL/TLS.
858
670=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 859=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
671 860
672Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 861Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
673 862
863=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>
864
865A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent
866HTTP requests.
867
674=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 868=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
675 869
676Provides a simple web application server framework. 870Provides a simple web application server framework.
677 871
678=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 872=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
679 873
680The fastest ping in the west. 874The fastest ping in the west.
681 875
876=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
877
878Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
879
880=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
881
882Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
883programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
884together.
885
886=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
887
888Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
889L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
890
891=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
892
893A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
894
895=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
896
897A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
898L<App::IGS>).
899
682=item L<Net::IRC3> 900=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
683 901
684AnyEvent based IRC client module family. 902AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
685 903
686=item L<Net::XMPP2> 904=item L<Net::XMPP2>
687 905
688AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family. 906AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
689 907
698 916
699=item L<Coro> 917=item L<Coro>
700 918
701Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 919Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
702 920
703=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
704
705Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
706programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
707together.
708
709=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
710
711Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
712IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
713
714=item L<IO::Lambda> 921=item L<IO::Lambda>
715 922
716The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent. 923The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
717 924
718=back 925=back
720=cut 927=cut
721 928
722package AnyEvent; 929package AnyEvent;
723 930
724no warnings; 931no warnings;
725use strict; 932use strict qw(vars subs);
726 933
727use Carp; 934use Carp;
728 935
729our $VERSION = '4.03'; 936our $VERSION = 4.412;
730our $MODEL; 937our $MODEL;
731 938
732our $AUTOLOAD; 939our $AUTOLOAD;
733our @ISA; 940our @ISA;
734 941
942our @REGISTRY;
943
944our $WIN32;
945
946BEGIN {
947 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
948 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
949
950 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
951 if ${^TAINT};
952}
953
735our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 954our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
736 955
737our @REGISTRY; 956our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
738
739our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2)
740 957
741{ 958{
742 my $idx; 959 my $idx;
743 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx 960 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
961 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
744 for split /\s*,\s*/, $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 962 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
745} 963}
746 964
747my @models = ( 965my @models = (
748 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 966 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::],
749 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 967 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
750 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::],
751 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
752 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
753 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 968 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
754 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 969 # everything below here will not be autoprobed
755 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], 970 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
971 # and is usually faster
972 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
973 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
756 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 974 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
757 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 975 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
758 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 976 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
977 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
978 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
759); 979);
760 980
761our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 981our %method = map +($_ => 1),
982 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
762 983
763our @post_detect; 984our @post_detect;
764 985
765sub post_detect(&) { 986sub post_detect(&) {
766 my ($cb) = @_; 987 my ($cb) = @_;
771 1 992 1
772 } else { 993 } else {
773 push @post_detect, $cb; 994 push @post_detect, $cb;
774 995
775 defined wantarray 996 defined wantarray
776 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 997 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
777 : () 998 : ()
778 } 999 }
779} 1000}
780 1001
781sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1002sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
782 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1003 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
783} 1004}
784 1005
785sub detect() { 1006sub detect() {
786 unless ($MODEL) { 1007 unless ($MODEL) {
787 no strict 'refs'; 1008 no strict 'refs';
1009 local $SIG{__DIE__};
788 1010
789 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1011 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
790 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1012 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
791 if (eval "require $model") { 1013 if (eval "require $model") {
792 $MODEL = $model; 1014 $MODEL = $model;
822 last; 1044 last;
823 } 1045 }
824 } 1046 }
825 1047
826 $MODEL 1048 $MODEL
827 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1049 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
828 } 1050 }
829 } 1051 }
830 1052
1053 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1054
831 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 1055 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
832 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1056
1057 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
833 1058
834 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect; 1059 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
835 } 1060 }
836 1061
837 $MODEL 1062 $MODEL
847 1072
848 my $class = shift; 1073 my $class = shift;
849 $class->$func (@_); 1074 $class->$func (@_);
850} 1075}
851 1076
1077# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1078# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1079# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1080sub _dupfh($$$$) {
1081 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1082
1083 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1084 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<")
1085 : $poll eq "w" ? ($w, ">")
1086 : Carp::croak "AnyEvent->io requires poll set to either 'r' or 'w'";
1087
1088 open my $fh2, "$mode&" . fileno $fh
1089 or die "cannot dup() filehandle: $!,";
1090
1091 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1092
1093 ($fh2, $rw)
1094}
1095
852package AnyEvent::Base; 1096package AnyEvent::Base;
853 1097
1098# default implementations for many methods
1099
1100BEGIN {
1101 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1102 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1103 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1104 } else {
1105 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1106 }
1107}
1108
1109sub time { _time }
1110sub now { _time }
1111sub now_update { }
1112
854# default implementation for ->condvar 1113# default implementation for ->condvar
855 1114
856sub condvar { 1115sub condvar {
857 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1116 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
858} 1117}
859 1118
860# default implementation for ->signal 1119# default implementation for ->signal
861 1120
862our %SIG_CB; 1121our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1122
1123sub _signal_exec {
1124 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4;
1125
1126 while (%SIG_EV) {
1127 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1128 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1129 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1130 }
1131 }
1132}
863 1133
864sub signal { 1134sub signal {
865 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1135 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
866 1136
1137 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) {
1138 require Fcntl;
1139
1140 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1141 require AnyEvent::Util;
1142
1143 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1144 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1145 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1146 } else {
1147 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1148 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1149 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1150
1151 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1152 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1153 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1154 }
1155
1156 $SIGPIPE_R
1157 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1158
1159 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1160 }
1161
867 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1162 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
868 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1163 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
869 1164
870 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1165 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
871 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1166 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
872 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1167 local $!;
1168 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1169 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
873 }; 1170 };
874 1171
875 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1172 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
876} 1173}
877 1174
878sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY { 1175sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
879 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1176 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
880 1177
881 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb}; 1178 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
882 1179
1180 # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1181 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1182 # instead of getting the default action.
883 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} }; 1183 undef $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
884} 1184}
885 1185
886# default implementation for ->child 1186# default implementation for ->child
887 1187
888our %PID_CB; 1188our %PID_CB;
889our $CHLD_W; 1189our $CHLD_W;
890our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1190our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
891our $PID_IDLE;
892our $WNOHANG; 1191our $WNOHANG;
893 1192
894sub _child_wait { 1193sub _sigchld {
895 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1194 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) {
896 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1195 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }),
897 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1196 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} });
898 } 1197 }
899
900 undef $PID_IDLE;
901}
902
903sub _sigchld {
904 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop.
905 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub {
906 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W;
907 &_child_wait;
908 });
909} 1198}
910 1199
911sub child { 1200sub child {
912 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1201 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
913 1202
914 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1203 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
915 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1204 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
916 1205
917 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1206 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
918 1207
919 unless ($WNOHANG) {
920 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1208 $WNOHANG ||= eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
921 }
922 1209
923 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1210 unless ($CHLD_W) {
924 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1211 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
925 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1212 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
926 &_sigchld; 1213 &_sigchld;
927 } 1214 }
928 1215
929 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1216 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
930} 1217}
931 1218
932sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1219sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
933 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1220 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
934 1221
935 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1222 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
936 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1223 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
937 1224
938 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1225 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1226}
1227
1228# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1229# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1230# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1231sub idle {
1232 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1233
1234 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1235
1236 $rcb = sub {
1237 if ($cb) {
1238 $w = _time;
1239 &$cb;
1240 $w = _time - $w;
1241
1242 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1243 # within some limits
1244 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1245 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1246
1247 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb);
1248 } else {
1249 # clean up...
1250 undef $w;
1251 undef $rcb;
1252 }
1253 };
1254
1255 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb);
1256
1257 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1258}
1259
1260sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1261 undef $${$_[0]};
939} 1262}
940 1263
941package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1264package AnyEvent::CondVar;
942 1265
943our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1266our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
995} 1318}
996 1319
997# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1320# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
998*broadcast = \&send; 1321*broadcast = \&send;
999*wait = \&_wait; 1322*wait = \&_wait;
1323
1324=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1325
1326In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1327caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1328the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1329checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1330development.
1331
1332As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1333executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1334also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1335program.
1336
1337The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1338within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1339$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1340so on.
1341
1342=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1343
1344The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1345submodules.
1346
1347Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1348C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1349enabled.
1350
1351=over 4
1352
1353=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1354
1355By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1356conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1357talkative.
1358
1359When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1360conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1361C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1362
1363When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1364model it chooses.
1365
1366=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1367
1368AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1369argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1370will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1371check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1372it will croak.
1373
1374In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1375
1376Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in
1377production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while
1378developing programs can be very useful, however.
1379
1380=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1381
1382This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1383auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1384entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1385and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1386used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1387auto detection and -probing.
1388
1389This functionality might change in future versions.
1390
1391For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1392could start your program like this:
1393
1394 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1395
1396=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1397
1398Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1399for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1400of auto probing).
1401
1402Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1403current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1404used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1405list.
1406
1407This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1408against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1409small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1410
1411Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1412but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1413- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1414addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1415IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1416
1417=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1418
1419Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1420for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1421some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1422default.
1423
1424Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1425EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1426
1427=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1428
1429The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1430will create in parallel.
1431
1432=back
1000 1433
1001=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1434=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1002 1435
1003This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1436This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
1004a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1437a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1038 1471
1039I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1472I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1040condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1473condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1041C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1474C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1042not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1475not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1043
1044=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1045
1046The following environment variables are used by this module:
1047
1048=over 4
1049
1050=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1051
1052By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1053conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1054talkative.
1055
1056When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1057conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1058C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1059
1060When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1061model it chooses.
1062
1063=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1064
1065This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1066auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1067entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1068and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1069used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1070auto detection and -probing.
1071
1072This functionality might change in future versions.
1073
1074For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1075could start your program like this:
1076
1077 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1078
1079=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1080
1081Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1082for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1083of auto probing).
1084
1085Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1086current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1087used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1088list.
1089
1090This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1091against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1092small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1093
1094Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1095but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1096- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1097addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1098IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1099
1100=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1101
1102Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1103for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1104some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1105default.
1106
1107Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1108EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1109
1110=back
1111 1476
1112=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1477=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1113 1478
1114The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1479The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1115to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1480to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1309watcher. 1674watcher.
1310 1675
1311=head3 Results 1676=head3 Results
1312 1677
1313 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 1678 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1314 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 1679 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface
1315 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 1680 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1316 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 1681 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1317 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 1682 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1318 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 1683 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1319 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 1684 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
1320 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 1685 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1321 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 1686 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1322 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 1687 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1323 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 1688 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1324 1689
1325=head3 Discussion 1690=head3 Discussion
1326 1691
1327The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 1692The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1328well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 1693well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1529=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 1894=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1530watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 1895watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1531 1896
1532=back 1897=back
1533 1898
1899=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
1900
1901Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
1902could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
1903simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
1904shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
1905fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
1906very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
1907baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
1908
1909The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
1910connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
1911creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
1912test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
1913benchmark nevertheless.
1914
1915 name runtime
1916 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
1917 + optimized 0.122 sec
1918 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
1919 + optimized 0.138 sec
1920 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
1921 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
1922 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
1923 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
1924
1925 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
1926 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
1927 +state machine 0.134 sec
1928
1929The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
1930benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
1931defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
1932written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
1933AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
1934resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
1935generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
1936connects (which involve a single syscall only).
1937
1938The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
1939offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
1940Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
1941non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
1942
1943As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
1944hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
1945backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
1946
1947And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
1948slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
1949large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
1950in a non-blocking way.
1951
1952The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
1953F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
1954part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
1955
1956
1957=head1 SIGNALS
1958
1959AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1960
1961=over 4
1962
1963=item SIGCHLD
1964
1965A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1966emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
1967event loops install a similar handler.
1968
1969=item SIGPIPE
1970
1971A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
1972when AnyEvent gets loaded.
1973
1974The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
1975on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
1976badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
1977program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
1978some random socket.
1979
1980The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
1981that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
1982
1983Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
1984
1985=back
1986
1987=cut
1988
1989$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
1990 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
1991
1534 1992
1535=head1 FORK 1993=head1 FORK
1536 1994
1537Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 1995Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1538because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 1996because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1552specified in the variable. 2010specified in the variable.
1553 2011
1554You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2012You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1555before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2013before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1556 2014
1557 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2015 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1558 2016
1559 use AnyEvent; 2017 use AnyEvent;
1560 2018
1561Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2019Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1562be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2020be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1563probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2021probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2022$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2023
2024Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2025C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2026enabled.
2027
2028
2029=head1 BUGS
2030
2031Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2032to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2033and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2034memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2035pronounced).
1564 2036
1565 2037
1566=head1 SEE ALSO 2038=head1 SEE ALSO
1567 2039
1568Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2040Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1585Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2057Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1586 2058
1587 2059
1588=head1 AUTHOR 2060=head1 AUTHOR
1589 2061
1590 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2062 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1591 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2063 http://home.schmorp.de/
1592 2064
1593=cut 2065=cut
1594 2066
15951 20671
1596 2068

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