ViewVC Help
View File | Revision Log | Show Annotations | Download File
/cvs/AnyEvent/lib/AnyEvent.pm
(Generate patch)

Comparing AnyEvent/lib/AnyEvent.pm (file contents):
Revision 1.126 by root, Fri May 23 23:44:55 2008 UTC vs.
Revision 1.264 by root, Wed Jul 29 12:42:09 2009 UTC

1=head1 => NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # 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.
45
46=head1 SUPPORT
47
48There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
49channel, too.
50
51See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
52Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
22 53
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 54=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 55
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 56Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 57nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
27 58
28Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 59Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
29policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 60policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
30 61
31First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 62First 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 63interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
33pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 64pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
34the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 65the 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 66only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
36helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 67cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
68loops.
37 69
38The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 70The 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 71programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
40religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 72religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
41module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 73module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
42model you use. 74model you use.
43 75
44For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 76For 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 77actually 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 78like 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 79cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 80that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 81module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 82
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 83AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 84fine. 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 85with 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, 86your 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 87too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 88event 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 89use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 90to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
59 91
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 92In 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 93model>, 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 94modules, 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 95follow. 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 96offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 97technically possible.
66 98
99Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
100of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
101non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
102such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
103platform bugs and differences.
104
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 105Now, 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 106useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 107model, you should I<not> use this module.
70 108
71=head1 DESCRIPTION 109=head1 DESCRIPTION
72 110
102starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 140starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to
103use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 141use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly...
104 142
105The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 143The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
106C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 144C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
107explicitly. 145explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
108 146
109=head1 WATCHERS 147=head1 WATCHERS
110 148
111AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 149AnyEvent 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 150stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
113the callback to call, the filehandle to watch, etc. 151the callback to call, the file handle to watch, etc.
114 152
115These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 153These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
116creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 154creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
117callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 155callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
118is in control). 156is in control).
119 157
158Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
159potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
160callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in
161Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
162widely between event loops.
163
120To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 164To 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 165variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
122to it). 166to it).
123 167
124All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 168All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
126Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 170Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
127example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 171example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
128 172
129An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 173An any way to achieve that is this pattern:
130 174
131 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 175 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
132 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 176 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
133 undef $w; 177 undef $w;
134 }); 178 });
135 179
136Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 180Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
137my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 181my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
138declared. 182declared.
139 183
140=head2 I/O WATCHERS 184=head2 I/O WATCHERS
141 185
142You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 186You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
143with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 187with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
144 188
145C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 189C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
190for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
191handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
192non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
193most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
194or block devices.
195
146for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 196C<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, 197watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
198
148respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 199C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
149becomes ready.
150 200
151Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 201Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
152presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 202presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
153callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 203callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
154 204
158 208
159Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 209Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
160always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 210always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
161handles. 211handles.
162 212
163Example:
164
165 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 213Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
214watcher.
215
166 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 216 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
167 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 217 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
168 warn "read: $input\n"; 218 warn "read: $input\n";
169 undef $w; 219 undef $w;
170 }); 220 });
180 230
181Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 231Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
182presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 232presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
183callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 233callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
184 234
185The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 235The 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 236parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
187and Glib). 237callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
238seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
239false value, then it is treated as if it were missing.
188 240
189Example: 241The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
242attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
243only approximate.
190 244
191 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 245Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
246
192 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 247 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
193 warn "timeout\n"; 248 warn "timeout\n";
194 }); 249 });
195 250
196 # to cancel the timer: 251 # to cancel the timer:
197 undef $w; 252 undef $w;
198 253
199Example 2:
200
201 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 254Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
202 my $w;
203 255
204 my $cb = sub {
205 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
206 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 256 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
257 warn "timeout\n";
207 }; 258 };
208
209 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
210 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
211 259
212=head3 TIMING ISSUES 260=head3 TIMING ISSUES
213 261
214There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 262There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
215in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 263in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
227timers. 275timers.
228 276
229AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 277AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
230AnyEvent API. 278AnyEvent API.
231 279
280AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
281
282=over 4
283
284=item AnyEvent->time
285
286This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
287seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
288return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
289
290It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
291will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
292
293=item AnyEvent->now
294
295This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
296this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
297the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
298time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
299
300I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
301function to call when you want to know the current time.>
302
303This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
304thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
305L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts).
306
307The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
308with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience.
309
310For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
311and L<EV> and the following set-up:
312
313The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at
314time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
315you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
316second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
317after three seconds.
318
319With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
320both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
321be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
322
323With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
324time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
325last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
326to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
327
328In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
329regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
330callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
331higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
332
333In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
334the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
335
336In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
337can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
338difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
339account.
340
341=item AnyEvent->now_update
342
343Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
344the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
345AnyEvent->now >>, above).
346
347When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
348this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
349might affect timers and time-outs.
350
351When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
352event loop's idea of "current time".
353
354Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
355
356=back
357
232=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 358=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
233 359
234You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 360You 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 361I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
236be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 362callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
237 363
238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 364Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 365presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 366callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
241 367
242Multiple signal occurances can be clumped together into one callback 368Multiple signal occurrences can be clumped together into one callback
243invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. synchronous means 369invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
244that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 370that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
245but it is guarenteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 371but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
246 372
247The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 373The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
248between multiple watchers. 374between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
375interrupt your program at bad times.
249 376
250This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 377This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
251directly will likely not work correctly. 378so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
379correctly.
252 380
253Example: exit on SIGINT 381Example: exit on SIGINT
254 382
255 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 383 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
256 384
385=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
386
387Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
388callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot do
389race-free signal handling in perl. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, but
390in some cases, signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might
391be delayed is specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10
392seconds). This variable can be changed only before the first signal
393watcher is created, and should be left alone otherwise. Higher values
394will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
395saving. All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
396L<Async::Interrupt> module. This will not work with inherently broken
397event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib> (and not with L<POE>
398currently, as POE does it's own workaround with one-second latency). With
399those, you just have to suffer the delays.
400
257=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 401=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
258 402
259You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 403You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
260 404
261The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 405The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (one some backends,
262watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 406using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
263as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 407croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
264signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 408finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
265and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 409(stopped/continued).
266you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 410
411The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
412waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
413callback arguments.
414
415This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
416and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
417random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
418C<system>, is just fine).
267 419
268There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 420There 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 421I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
270have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 422have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
271 423
272Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 424Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
425see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
273event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 426that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
274loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 427the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
428pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
429start the watcher.
275 430
276This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 431This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
277AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 432thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
278C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 433watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
434C<AnyEvent::detect>).
435
436As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
437emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
438mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
279 439
280Example: fork a process and wait for it 440Example: fork a process and wait for it
281 441
282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 442 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
283 443
284 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 444 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
285 445
286 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 446 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
287 pid => $pid, 447 pid => $pid,
288 cb => sub { 448 cb => sub {
289 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 449 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
290 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 450 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
291 $done->send; 451 $done->send;
292 }, 452 },
293 ); 453 );
294 454
295 # do something else, then wait for process exit 455 # do something else, then wait for process exit
296 $done->recv; 456 $done->recv;
457
458=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
459
460Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
461to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
462"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
463attention by the event loop".
464
465Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
466better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
467events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
468
469Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
470EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
471will simply call the callback "from time to time".
472
473Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
474program is otherwise idle:
475
476 my @lines; # read data
477 my $idle_w;
478 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
479 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
480
481 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
482 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
483 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
484 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
485 print "handled when idle: $line";
486 } else {
487 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
488 undef $idle_w;
489 }
490 });
491 });
297 492
298=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 493=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
299 494
300If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 495If 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 496require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
302will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 497will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
303 498
304AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 499AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
305will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 500loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
306 501
307The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 502The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
308because they represent a condition that must become true. 503because they represent a condition that must become true.
504
505Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
309 506
310Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 507Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
311>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 508>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
312C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 509C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
313becomes true. 510becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
511the results).
314 512
315After creation, the conditon variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 513After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
316by calling the C<send> method. 514by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
515were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
516->send >> method).
317 517
318Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 518Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
319optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 519optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
320in time where multiple outstandign events have been processed. And yet 520in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
321another way to call them is transations - each condition variable can be 521another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
322used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 522used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
323a result. 523a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
524compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
324 525
325Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 526Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
326for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 527for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
327then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 528then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
328availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 529availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
332you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you 533you can block your main program until an event occurs - for example, you
333could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit 534could C<< ->recv >> in your main program until the user clicks the Quit
334button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event. 535button of your app, which would C<< ->send >> the "quit" event.
335 536
336Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have 537Note that condition variables recurse into the event loop - if you have
337two pieces of code that call C<< ->recv >> in a round-robbin fashion, you 538two pieces of code that call C<< ->recv >> in a round-robin fashion, you
338lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but 539lose. Therefore, condition variables are good to export to your caller, but
339you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks, 540you should avoid making a blocking wait yourself, at least in callbacks,
340as this asks for trouble. 541as this asks for trouble.
341 542
342Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 543Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
347 548
348There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 549There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
349eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 550eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
350for the send to occur. 551for the send to occur.
351 552
352Example: 553Example: wait for a timer.
353 554
354 # wait till the result is ready 555 # wait till the result is ready
355 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 556 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar;
356 557
357 # do something such as adding a timer 558 # do something such as adding a timer
362 after => 1, 563 after => 1,
363 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 564 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
364 ); 565 );
365 566
366 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 567 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
367 # calls send 568 # calls -<send
368 $result_ready->recv; 569 $result_ready->recv;
570
571Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
572variables are also callable directly.
573
574 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
575 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
576 $done->recv;
577
578Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
579callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
580the main program:
581
582 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
583
584 ...
585
586 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
587
588And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
589results are available:
590
591 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
592 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
593 });
369 594
370=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 595=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
371 596
372These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 597These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
373code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 598code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
386immediately from within send. 611immediately from within send.
387 612
388Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 613Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
389future C<< ->recv >> calls. 614future C<< ->recv >> calls.
390 615
616Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
617they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
618C<send>.
619
391=item $cv->croak ($error) 620=item $cv->croak ($error)
392 621
393Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 622Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
394C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 623C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
395 624
396This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 625This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
397user/consumer. 626user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
627delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
628diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
629deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
630the problem.
398 631
399=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 632=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
400 633
401=item $cv->end 634=item $cv->end
402
403These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
404 635
405These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 636These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
406one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 637one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
407to use a condition variable for the whole process. 638to use a condition variable for the whole process.
408 639
410C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 641C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
411>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 642>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
412is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 643is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
413callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 644callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
414 645
415Let's clarify this with the ping example: 646You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
647sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
648condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
649
650Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
651STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
652close before activating a condvar:
653
654 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
655
656 $cv->begin; # first watcher
657 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
658 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
659 or $cv->end;
660 });
661
662 $cv->begin; # second watcher
663 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
664 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
665 or $cv->end;
666 });
667
668 $cv->recv;
669
670This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
671one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
672sending.
673
674The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
675there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
676begung can potentially be zero:
416 677
417 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 678 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
418 679
419 my %result; 680 my %result;
420 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 681 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
440loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 701loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
441to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 702to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
442C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 703C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
443doesn't execute once). 704doesn't execute once).
444 705
445This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 706This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
446use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 707potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
447is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 708the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
448C<begin> and for eahc subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 709subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
710call C<end>.
449 711
450=back 712=back
451 713
452=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 714=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
453 715
469function will call C<croak>. 731function will call C<croak>.
470 732
471In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 733In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
472in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 734in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
473 735
736Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
737event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
738>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
739condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
740L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
741any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
742
474Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 743Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
475(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 744(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
476using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 745using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
477caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 746caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
478condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 747condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
479callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 748callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
480while still suppporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 749while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
481
482Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
483sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
484multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
485can supply.
486
487The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
488fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
489versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
490C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
491coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
492 750
493You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 751You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
494only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 752only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
495time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 753time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
496waits otherwise. 754waits otherwise.
498=item $bool = $cv->ready 756=item $bool = $cv->ready
499 757
500Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 758Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
501C<croak> have been called. 759C<croak> have been called.
502 760
503=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 761=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
504 762
505This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 763This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
506replaces it before doing so. 764replaces it before doing so.
507 765
508The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 766The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
509C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback 767C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition
510or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 768variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time
769is guaranteed not to block.
511 770
512=back 771=back
513 772
773=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
774
775The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
776
777=over 4
778
779=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
780
781EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
782use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will try Event, and, failing
783that, will fall back to its own pure-perl implementation, which is
784available everywhere as it comes with AnyEvent itself.
785
786 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
787 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
788 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
789
790=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
791
792These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
793is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
794them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
795when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
796create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
797
798 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
799 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
800 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
801 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
802 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
803
804=item Backends with special needs.
805
806Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
807otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
808instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
809everything should just work.
810
811 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
812
813Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
814architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
815is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
816it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
817L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
818
819 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
820
821=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
822
823Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
824
825There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
826
827B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
828use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
829polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
830consider for AnyEvent.
831
832B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
833backend, so it can be supported through POE.
834
835AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
836load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
837in which case everything will be automatic.
838
839=back
840
514=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 841=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
515 842
843These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
844write AnyEvent extension modules.
845
516=over 4 846=over 4
517 847
518=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 848=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
519 849
520Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 850Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
851backend has been autodetected.
852
521contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 853Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
522Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 854name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
523C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 855of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
524AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 856case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
525 857will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
526The known classes so far are:
527
528 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
529 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
530 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
531 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
532 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
533 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
534 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
535 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
536
537There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
538watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
539POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
540second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
541AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
542it's adaptor.
543
544AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
545autodetecting them.
546 858
547=item AnyEvent::detect 859=item AnyEvent::detect
548 860
549Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 861Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
550if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 862if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
551have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 863have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
552runtime. 864runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
865
866If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
867created, use C<post_detect>.
553 868
554=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 869=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
555 870
556Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 871Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
557autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 872autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
558 873
874The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
875(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
876created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
877other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
878L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
879
880The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
881event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
882and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
883avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
884
559If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 885If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
560that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 886that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
887C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
561L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 888a case where this is useful.
889
890Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
891C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
892
893 our WATCHER;
894
895 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
896 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
897 };
898
899 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
900 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
901 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
902 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
903
904 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
562 905
563=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 906=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
564 907
565If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 908If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
566before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 909before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
567the event loop has been chosen. 910the event loop has been chosen.
568 911
569You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 912You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
570if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 913if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
571and the array will be ignored. 914array will be ignored.
572 915
573Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 916Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
917it,as it takes care of these details.
918
919This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
920when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
921not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
922into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
574 923
575=back 924=back
576 925
577=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 926=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
578 927
601 950
602If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 951If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not
603do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 952do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent
604decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 953decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it.
605 954
606If the main program relies on a specific event model. For example, in 955If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
607Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module. You should load the 956Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
608event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 957event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
609speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 958speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
610modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 959modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
611decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 960decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
612might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 961might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
613 962
614You can chose to use a rather inefficient pure-perl implementation by 963You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
615loading the C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar 964C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
616behaviour everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose is generally better. 965everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
966
967=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
968
969Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
970only want to use AnyEvent), you do not want to run a specific event loop.
971
972In that case, you can use a condition variable like this:
973
974 AnyEvent->condvar->recv;
975
976This has the effect of entering the event loop and looping forever.
977
978Note that usually your program has some exit condition, in which case
979it is better to use the "traditional" approach of storing a condition
980variable somewhere, waiting for it, and sending it when the program should
981exit cleanly.
982
617 983
618=head1 OTHER MODULES 984=head1 OTHER MODULES
619 985
620The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 986The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
621AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 987AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
622in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 988modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
623available via CPAN. 989come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
624 990
625=over 4 991=over 4
626 992
627=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 993=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
628 994
629Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 995Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
630functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 996functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
631
632=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
633
634Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
635 997
636=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 998=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
637 999
638Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1000Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
639addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1001addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
640connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more. 1002connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
641 1003
1004=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
1005
1006Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
1007supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
1008non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1009
1010=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
1011
1012Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
1013
1014=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>
1015
1016A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent
1017HTTP requests.
1018
642=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1019=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
643 1020
644Provides a simple web application server framework. 1021Provides a simple web application server framework.
645 1022
646=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
647
648Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
649
650=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1023=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
651 1024
652The fastest ping in the west. 1025The fastest ping in the west.
653 1026
1027=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1028
1029Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
1030
1031=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1032
1033Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
1034programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
1035together.
1036
1037=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
1038
1039Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
1040L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
1041
1042=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
1043
1044A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
1045
654=item L<Net::IRC3> 1046=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
655 1047
656AnyEvent based IRC client module family. 1048AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
657 1049
658=item L<Net::XMPP2> 1050=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
659 1051
660AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family. 1052AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1053Net::XMPP2>.
1054
1055=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
1056
1057A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1058L<App::IGS>).
661 1059
662=item L<Net::FCP> 1060=item L<Net::FCP>
663 1061
664AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1062AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
665of AnyEvent. 1063of AnyEvent.
670 1068
671=item L<Coro> 1069=item L<Coro>
672 1070
673Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1071Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
674 1072
675=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
676
677Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
678programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
679together.
680
681=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
682
683Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
684IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
685
686=item L<IO::Lambda>
687
688The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
689
690=back 1073=back
691 1074
692=cut 1075=cut
693 1076
694package AnyEvent; 1077package AnyEvent;
695 1078
1079# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1080sub common_sense {
696no warnings; 1081 # no warnings
697use strict; 1082 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS};
1083 # use strict vars subs
1084 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1085}
698 1086
1087BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1088
699use Carp; 1089use Carp ();
700 1090
701our $VERSION = '3.6'; 1091our $VERSION = 4.881;
702our $MODEL; 1092our $MODEL;
703 1093
704our $AUTOLOAD; 1094our $AUTOLOAD;
705our @ISA; 1095our @ISA;
706 1096
707our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
708
709our @REGISTRY; 1097our @REGISTRY;
710 1098
711our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2) 1099our $WIN32;
1100
1101our $VERBOSE;
1102
1103BEGIN {
1104 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
1105 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
1106
1107 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1108 if ${^TAINT};
1109
1110 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1111
1112}
1113
1114our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
1115
1116our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
712 1117
713{ 1118{
714 my $idx; 1119 my $idx;
715 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx 1120 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
1121 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
716 for split /\s*,\s*/, $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1122 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
717} 1123}
718 1124
719my @models = ( 1125my @models = (
720 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1126 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
721 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1127 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1128 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
1129 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
1130 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
1131 # and is usually faster
1132 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1133 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1134 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
722 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], 1135 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
1136 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
1137 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
723 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1138 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
724 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1139 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
725 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1140 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
726 # everything below here will not be autoprobed as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1141 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
727 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], 1142 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
728 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy 1143 # obvious default class.
729 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1144# [0, IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
730 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1145# [0, IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1146# [0, IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
731); 1147);
732 1148
733our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1149our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1150 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
734 1151
735our @post_detect; 1152our @post_detect;
736 1153
737sub post_detect(&) { 1154sub post_detect(&) {
738 my ($cb) = @_; 1155 my ($cb) = @_;
739 1156
740 if ($MODEL) { 1157 if ($MODEL) {
741 $cb->(); 1158 $cb->();
742 1159
743 1 1160 undef
744 } else { 1161 } else {
745 push @post_detect, $cb; 1162 push @post_detect, $cb;
746 1163
747 defined wantarray 1164 defined wantarray
748 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1165 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
749 : () 1166 : ()
750 } 1167 }
751} 1168}
752 1169
753sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1170sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
754 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1171 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
755} 1172}
756 1173
757sub detect() { 1174sub detect() {
758 unless ($MODEL) { 1175 unless ($MODEL) {
759 no strict 'refs'; 1176 local $SIG{__DIE__};
760 1177
761 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1178 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
762 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1179 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
763 if (eval "require $model") { 1180 if (eval "require $model") {
764 $MODEL = $model; 1181 $MODEL = $model;
765 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1182 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
766 } else { 1183 } else {
767 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1184 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
768 } 1185 }
769 } 1186 }
770 1187
771 # check for already loaded models 1188 # check for already loaded models
772 unless ($MODEL) { 1189 unless ($MODEL) {
773 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1190 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
774 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1191 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
775 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1192 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
776 if (eval "require $model") { 1193 if (eval "require $model") {
777 $MODEL = $model; 1194 $MODEL = $model;
778 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1195 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
779 last; 1196 last;
780 } 1197 }
781 } 1198 }
782 } 1199 }
783 1200
784 unless ($MODEL) { 1201 unless ($MODEL) {
785 # try to load a model 1202 # try to autoload a model
786
787 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1203 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
788 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1204 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1205 if (
1206 $autoload
789 if (eval "require $package" 1207 and eval "require $package"
790 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1208 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
791 and eval "require $model") { 1209 and eval "require $model"
1210 ) {
792 $MODEL = $model; 1211 $MODEL = $model;
793 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1212 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
794 last; 1213 last;
795 } 1214 }
796 } 1215 }
797 1216
798 $MODEL 1217 $MODEL
799 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1218 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
800 } 1219 }
801 } 1220 }
802 1221
1222 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1223
803 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 1224 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
804 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1225
1226 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
805 1227
806 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect; 1228 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
807 } 1229 }
808 1230
809 $MODEL 1231 $MODEL
811 1233
812sub AUTOLOAD { 1234sub AUTOLOAD {
813 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1235 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
814 1236
815 $method{$func} 1237 $method{$func}
816 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1238 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
817 1239
818 detect unless $MODEL; 1240 detect unless $MODEL;
819 1241
820 my $class = shift; 1242 my $class = shift;
821 $class->$func (@_); 1243 $class->$func (@_);
822} 1244}
823 1245
1246# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1247# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1248# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1249sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1250 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1251
1252 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1253 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1254
1255 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1256 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1257
1258 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1259
1260 ($fh2, $rw)
1261}
1262
824package AnyEvent::Base; 1263package AnyEvent::Base;
825 1264
1265# default implementations for many methods
1266
1267sub _time {
1268 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1269 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1270 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1271 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1272 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1273 } else {
1274 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1275 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1276 }
1277
1278 &_time
1279}
1280
1281sub time { _time }
1282sub now { _time }
1283sub now_update { }
1284
826# default implementation for ->condvar 1285# default implementation for ->condvar
827 1286
828sub condvar { 1287sub condvar {
829 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1288 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
830} 1289}
831 1290
832# default implementation for ->signal 1291# default implementation for ->signal
833 1292
834our %SIG_CB; 1293our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
835 1294
1295sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1296 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1297 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.0 (); 1")
1298 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1299
1300 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1301}
1302
1303our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1304our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1305our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1306
1307sub _signal_exec {
1308 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1309 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1310 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 9;
1311
1312 while (%SIG_EV) {
1313 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1314 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1315 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1316 }
1317 }
1318}
1319
1320# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1321sub _sig_add() {
1322 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1323 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1324 my $NOW = AnyEvent->now;
1325
1326 $SIG_TW = AnyEvent->timer (
1327 after => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1328 interval => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1329 cb => sub { }, # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1330 );
1331 }
1332}
1333
1334sub _sig_del {
1335 undef $SIG_TW
1336 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1337}
1338
1339our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1340 undef $_sig_name_init;
1341
1342 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1343 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1344 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1345 } else {
1346 require Config;
1347
1348 my %signame2num;
1349 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1350 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1351
1352 my @signum2name;
1353 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1354
1355 *sig2num = sub($) {
1356 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1357 };
1358 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1359 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1360 };
1361 }
1362};
1363
1364sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1365sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
1366
836sub signal { 1367sub _signal {
837 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1368 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
838 1369
839 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1370 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
840 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1371 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
841 1372
1373 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1374 # async::interrupt
1375
1376 $signal = sig2num $signal;
842 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1377 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1378
1379 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1380 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1381 signal => $signal,
1382 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1383 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1384 ;
1385
1386 } else {
1387 # pure perl
1388
1389 # AE::Util has been loaded in signal
1390 $signal = sig2name $signal;
1391 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1392
843 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1393 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
844 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1394 local $!;
1395 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1396 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1397 };
1398
1399 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1400 # so limit the signal latency.
1401 _sig_add;
845 }; 1402 }
846 1403
847 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1404 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
848} 1405}
849 1406
1407sub signal {
1408 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1409 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1410 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1411
1412 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1413 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1414
1415 } else {
1416 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1417
1418 require Fcntl;
1419
1420 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1421 require AnyEvent::Util;
1422
1423 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1424 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1425 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1426 } else {
1427 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1428 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1429 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1430
1431 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1432 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1433 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1434 }
1435
1436 $SIGPIPE_R
1437 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1438
1439 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1440 }
1441
1442 *signal = \&_signal;
1443 &signal
1444}
1445
850sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY { 1446sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
851 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1447 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
852 1448
1449 _sig_del;
1450
853 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb}; 1451 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
854 1452
855 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} }; 1453 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1454 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1455 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1456 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1457 # instead of getting the default action.
1458 undef $SIG{$signal}
1459 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
856} 1460}
857 1461
858# default implementation for ->child 1462# default implementation for ->child
859 1463
860our %PID_CB; 1464our %PID_CB;
861our $CHLD_W; 1465our $CHLD_W;
862our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1466our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
863our $PID_IDLE;
864our $WNOHANG; 1467our $WNOHANG;
865 1468
866sub _child_wait { 1469sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
867 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1470 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1471
1472 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
868 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1473 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
869 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1474 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
870 }
871
872 undef $PID_IDLE;
873} 1475}
874 1476
875sub _sigchld { 1477sub _sigchld {
876 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop. 1478 my $pid;
877 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub { 1479
878 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1480 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
879 &_child_wait; 1481 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
880 });
881} 1482}
882 1483
883sub child { 1484sub child {
884 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1485 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
885 1486
886 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1487 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
887 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1488 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
888 1489
889 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1490 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
890 1491
891 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1492 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
892 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1493 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
893 } 1494 ? 1
1495 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
894 1496
895 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1497 unless ($CHLD_W) {
896 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1498 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
897 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1499 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
898 &_sigchld; 1500 &_sigchld;
899 } 1501 }
900 1502
901 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1503 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
902} 1504}
903 1505
904sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1506sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
905 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1507 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
906 1508
907 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1509 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
908 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1510 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
909 1511
910 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1512 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
911} 1513}
912 1514
1515# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1516# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1517# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1518sub idle {
1519 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1520
1521 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1522
1523 $rcb = sub {
1524 if ($cb) {
1525 $w = _time;
1526 &$cb;
1527 $w = _time - $w;
1528
1529 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1530 # within some limits
1531 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1532 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1533
1534 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb);
1535 } else {
1536 # clean up...
1537 undef $w;
1538 undef $rcb;
1539 }
1540 };
1541
1542 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb);
1543
1544 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1545}
1546
1547sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1548 undef $${$_[0]};
1549}
1550
913package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1551package AnyEvent::CondVar;
914 1552
915our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1553our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
916 1554
917package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1555package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1556
1557#use overload
1558# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1559# fallback => 1;
1560
1561# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1562${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1563*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1564*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1565${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1566
1567our $WAITING;
918 1568
919sub _send { 1569sub _send {
920 # nop 1570 # nop
921} 1571}
922 1572
935sub ready { 1585sub ready {
936 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1586 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
937} 1587}
938 1588
939sub _wait { 1589sub _wait {
1590 $WAITING
1591 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1592 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1593
1594 local $WAITING = 1;
940 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1595 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
941} 1596}
942 1597
943sub recv { 1598sub recv {
944 $_[0]->_wait; 1599 $_[0]->_wait;
963} 1618}
964 1619
965# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1620# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
966*broadcast = \&send; 1621*broadcast = \&send;
967*wait = \&_wait; 1622*wait = \&_wait;
1623
1624=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1625
1626In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1627caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1628the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1629checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1630development.
1631
1632As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1633executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1634also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1635program.
1636
1637The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1638within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1639$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1640so on.
1641
1642=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1643
1644The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1645submodules.
1646
1647Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1648C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1649enabled.
1650
1651=over 4
1652
1653=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1654
1655By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1656conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1657talkative.
1658
1659When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1660conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1661C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1662
1663When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1664model it chooses.
1665
1666When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1667which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1668
1669=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1670
1671AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1672argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1673will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1674check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1675it will croak.
1676
1677In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1678
1679Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1680>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1681C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1682can be very useful, however.
1683
1684=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1685
1686This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1687auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1688entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1689and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1690used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1691auto detection and -probing.
1692
1693This functionality might change in future versions.
1694
1695For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1696could start your program like this:
1697
1698 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1699
1700=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1701
1702Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1703for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1704of auto probing).
1705
1706Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1707current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1708used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1709list.
1710
1711This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1712against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1713small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1714
1715Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1716but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1717- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1718addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1719IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1720
1721=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1722
1723Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1724for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1725some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1726default.
1727
1728Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1729EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1730
1731=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1732
1733The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1734will create in parallel.
1735
1736=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1737
1738The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1739resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1740sent to the DNS server.
1741
1742=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1743
1744The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1745configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1746default config will be used.
1747
1748=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1749
1750When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1751L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1752variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1753instead of a system-dependent default.
1754
1755=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1756
1757When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1758loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1759
1760=back
968 1761
969=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1762=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
970 1763
971This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1764This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
972a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1765a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1006 1799
1007I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1800I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1008condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1801condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1009C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1802C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1010not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1803not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1011
1012=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1013
1014The following environment variables are used by this module:
1015
1016=over 4
1017
1018=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1019
1020By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1021conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1022talkative.
1023
1024When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1025conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1026C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1027
1028When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1029model it chooses.
1030
1031=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1032
1033This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1034autodetection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1035entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1036and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1037used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1038autodetection and -probing.
1039
1040This functionality might change in future versions.
1041
1042For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1043could start your program like this:
1044
1045 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1046
1047=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1048
1049Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1050for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1051of autoprobing).
1052
1053Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1054current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1055used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1056list.
1057
1058Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1059but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1060- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1061addressses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1062IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1063
1064=back
1065 1804
1066=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1805=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1067 1806
1068The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1807The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1069to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1808to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1153 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request} 1892 syswrite $txn->{fh}, $txn->{request}
1154 or die "connection or write error"; 1893 or die "connection or write error";
1155 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r }); 1894 $txn->{w} = AnyEvent->io (fh => $txn->{fh}, poll => 'r', cb => sub { $txn->fh_ready_r });
1156 1895
1157Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the 1896Again, C<fh_ready_r> waits till all data has arrived, and then stores the
1158result and signals any possible waiters that the request ahs finished: 1897result and signals any possible waiters that the request has finished:
1159 1898
1160 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf}; 1899 sysread $txn->{fh}, $txn->{buf}, length $txn->{$buf};
1161 1900
1162 if (end-of-file or data complete) { 1901 if (end-of-file or data complete) {
1163 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf}; 1902 $txn->{result} = $txn->{buf};
1171 1910
1172 $txn->{finished}->recv; 1911 $txn->{finished}->recv;
1173 return $txn->{result}; 1912 return $txn->{result};
1174 1913
1175The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 1914The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1176that occured during request processing. The C<result> method detects 1915that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1177whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 1916whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1178and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 1917and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1179problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 1918problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a
1180random callback. 1919random callback.
1181 1920
1227of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks. 1966of various event loops I prepared some benchmarks.
1228 1967
1229=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD 1968=head2 BENCHMARKING ANYEVENT OVERHEAD
1230 1969
1231Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and 1970Here is a benchmark of various supported event models used natively and
1232through anyevent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 1971through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1233timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 1972timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1234which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 1973which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1235 1974
1236Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 1975Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1237distribution. 1976distribution.
1263watcher. 2002watcher.
1264 2003
1265=head3 Results 2004=head3 Results
1266 2005
1267 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2006 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1268 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2007 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface
1269 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2008 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1270 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2009 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1271 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 2010 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1272 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 2011 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1273 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2012 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2013 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2014 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1274 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 2015 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1275 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2016 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1276 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 2017 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1277 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 2018 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1278 2019
1279=head3 Discussion 2020=head3 Discussion
1280 2021
1281The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2022The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1282well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2023well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1307performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2048performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1308them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2049them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1309 2050
1310The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2051The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1311cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2052cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2053
2054C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2055when using its pure perl backend.
1312 2056
1313C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2057C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1314faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2058faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1315C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2059C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1316watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2060watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1360 2104
1361=back 2105=back
1362 2106
1363=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE 2107=head2 BENCHMARKING THE LARGE SERVER CASE
1364 2108
1365This benchmark atcually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by 2109This benchmark actually benchmarks the event loop itself. It works by
1366creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socketpair, a 2110creating a number of "servers": each server consists of a socket pair, a
1367timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O 2111timeout watcher that gets reset on activity (but never fires), and an I/O
1368watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket 2112watcher waiting for input on one side of the socket. Each time the socket
1369watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server". 2113watcher reads a byte it will write that byte to a random other "server".
1370 2114
1371The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which 2115The effect is that there will be a lot of I/O watchers, only part of which
1372are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active 2116are active at any one point (so there is a constant number of active
1373fds for each loop iterstaion, but which fds these are is random). The 2117fds for each loop iteration, but which fds these are is random). The
1374timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how 2118timeout is reset each time something is read because that reflects how
1375most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops). 2119most timeouts work (and puts extra pressure on the event loops).
1376 2120
1377In this benchmark, we use 10000 socketpairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2121In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1378(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2122(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1379connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2123connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1380 2124
1381Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2125Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1382distribution. 2126distribution.
1384=head3 Explanation of the columns 2128=head3 Explanation of the columns
1385 2129
1386I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2130I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1387each server has a read and write socket end). 2131each server has a read and write socket end).
1388 2132
1389I<create> is the time it takes to create a socketpair (which is 2133I<create> is the time it takes to create a socket pair (which is
1390nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher. 2134nontrivial) and two watchers: an I/O watcher and a timeout watcher.
1391 2135
1392I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a 2136I<request>, the most important value, is the time it takes to handle a
1393single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding 2137single "request", that is, reading the token from the pipe and forwarding
1394it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2138it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1395a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2139a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1396 2140
1397=head3 Results 2141=head3 Results
1398 2142
1399 name sockets create request 2143 name sockets create request
1400 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2144 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1401 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2145 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
2146 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll
2147 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll
1402 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2148 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1403 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2149 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1404 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2150 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1405 2151
1406=head3 Discussion 2152=head3 Discussion
1407 2153
1408This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2154This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1409particular event loop. 2155particular event loop.
1411EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2157EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1412is relatively high, though. 2158is relatively high, though.
1413 2159
1414Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2160Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1415loops Event and Glib. 2161loops Event and Glib.
2162
2163IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2164good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1416 2165
1417Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2166Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1418understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2167understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1419the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2168the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1420uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2169uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1467speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of 2216speed most when you have lots of watchers, not when you only have a few of
1468them). 2217them).
1469 2218
1470EV is again fastest. 2219EV is again fastest.
1471 2220
1472Perl again comes second. It is noticably faster than the C-based event 2221Perl again comes second. It is noticeably faster than the C-based event
1473loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really 2222loops Event and Glib, although the difference is too small to really
1474matter. 2223matter.
1475 2224
1476POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the 2225POE also performs much better in this case, but is is still far behind the
1477others. 2226others.
1480 2229
1481=over 4 2230=over 4
1482 2231
1483=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2232=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1484watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2233watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
2234
2235=back
2236
2237=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2238
2239Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2240could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2241simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2242shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2243fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2244very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2245baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2246
2247The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2248connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2249creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2250test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2251benchmark nevertheless.
2252
2253 name runtime
2254 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2255 + optimized 0.122 sec
2256 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2257 + optimized 0.138 sec
2258 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2259 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2260 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2261 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2262
2263 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2264 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2265 +state machine 0.134 sec
2266
2267The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2268benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2269defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2270written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2271AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2272resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2273generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2274connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2275
2276The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2277offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2278Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2279non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2280
2281As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2282hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2283backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2284
2285And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2286slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
2287large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
2288in a non-blocking way.
2289
2290The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2291F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2292part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2293
2294
2295=head1 SIGNALS
2296
2297AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2298
2299=over 4
2300
2301=item SIGCHLD
2302
2303A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2304emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2305event loops install a similar handler.
2306
2307Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2308AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2309
2310=item SIGPIPE
2311
2312A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2313when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2314
2315The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2316on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2317badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2318program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2319some random socket.
2320
2321The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2322that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2323
2324Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2325
2326=back
2327
2328=cut
2329
2330undef $SIG{CHLD}
2331 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2332
2333$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2334 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2335
2336=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2337
2338One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2339it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2340
2341That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2342modules if they are installed.
2343
2344This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2345affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2346
2347=over 4
2348
2349=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2350
2351This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2352my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2353signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2354delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2355catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2356C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2357
2358If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2359catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2360will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2361battery life on laptops).
2362
2363This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2364that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2365
2366Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2367and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2368(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2369does nothing for those backends.
2370
2371=item L<EV>
2372
2373This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2374event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2375loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2376the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2377automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2378can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2379C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2380L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2381
2382=item L<Guard>
2383
2384The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2385C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2386lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2387purely used for performance.
2388
2389=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2390
2391This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
2392L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2393advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2394
2395In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2396installed.
2397
2398=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2399
2400Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2401worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2402the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2403
2404=item L<Time::HiRes>
2405
2406This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2407chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2408pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2409try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
1485 2410
1486=back 2411=back
1487 2412
1488 2413
1489=head1 FORK 2414=head1 FORK
1491Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2416Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1492because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2417because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1493calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2418calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1494 2419
1495If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2420If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1496watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2421watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2422something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1497 2423
1498 2424
1499=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2425=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1500 2426
1501AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2427AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1506specified in the variable. 2432specified in the variable.
1507 2433
1508You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2434You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1509before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2435before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1510 2436
1511 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2437 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1512 2438
1513 use AnyEvent; 2439 use AnyEvent;
1514 2440
1515Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2441Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1516be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2442be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1517probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2443probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2444$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2445
2446Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2447C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2448enabled.
2449
2450
2451=head1 BUGS
2452
2453Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2454to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2455and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2456memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2457pronounced).
1518 2458
1519 2459
1520=head1 SEE ALSO 2460=head1 SEE ALSO
1521 2461
1522Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2462Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1525L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2465L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1526 2466
1527Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2467Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1528L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2468L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1529L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2469L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1530L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2470L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1531 2471
1532Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2472Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1533servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2473servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1534 2474
1535Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2475Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1536 2476
1537Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2477Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2478L<Coro::Event>,
1538 2479
1539Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2480Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2481L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1540 2482
1541 2483
1542=head1 AUTHOR 2484=head1 AUTHOR
1543 2485
1544 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2486 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1545 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2487 http://home.schmorp.de/
1546 2488
1547=cut 2489=cut
1548 2490
15491 24911
1550 2492

Diff Legend

Removed lines
+ Added lines
< Changed lines
> Changed lines