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1=head1 => NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
13 # an alternative API.
14
15 # file handle or descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 16 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
17
18 # one-shot or repeating timers
19 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
20 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...);
21
22 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
23 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
24
25 # POSIX signal
26 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
27
28 # child process exit
29 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
30 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 31 ...
13 }); 32 });
14 33
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 34 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 35 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 36
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 37 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 38 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 39 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
40 # use a condvar in callback mode:
41 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
42
43=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
44
45This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
46in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
47L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
48
49=head1 SUPPORT
50
51An FAQ document is available as L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
52
53There also is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
54channel, too.
55
56See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
57Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
22 58
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 59=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 60
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 61Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 62nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
27 63
28Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 64Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
29policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 65policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
30 66
31First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 67First 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 68interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
33pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 69pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
34the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 70the 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 71only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
36helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 72cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
73loops.
37 74
38The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 75The 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 76programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
40religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 77religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
41module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 78module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
42model you use. 79model you use.
43 80
44For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 81For 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 82actually 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 83like joining a cult: After you join, you are dependent on them and you
47cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 84cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 85that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 86module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 87
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 88AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 89fine. 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 90with 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, 91your 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 92too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 93event 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 94use one of the supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 95to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
59 96
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 97In 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 98model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 99modules, 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 100follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and to the point, by only
64offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 101offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 102technically possible.
66 103
104Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
105of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
106non-blocking connects (even with TLS/SSL, IPv6 and on broken platforms
107such as Windows) and lots of real-world knowledge and workarounds for
108platform bugs and differences.
109
67Of course, if you want lots of policy (this can arguably be somewhat 110Now, 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 111useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
69model, you should I<not> use this module. 112model, you should I<not> use this module.
70 113
71=head1 DESCRIPTION 114=head1 DESCRIPTION
72 115
73L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 116L<AnyEvent> provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
74allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 117allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
75users to use the same event loop (as only a single event loop can coexist 118module users to use a specific event loop implementation (since more
76peacefully at any one time). 119than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
77 120
78The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 121The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
79module. 122module.
80 123
81During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 124During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
82to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 125to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
83following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, 126following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
84L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 127L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. The first one
85L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 128found is used. If none are detected, the module tries to load the first
86to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 129four modules in the order given; but note that if L<EV> is not
87adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 130available, the pure-perl L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> should always work, so
88be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 131the other two are not normally tried.
89found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not
90very efficient, but should work everywhere.
91 132
92Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading 133Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading
93an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make 134an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make
94that model the default. For example: 135that model the default. For example:
95 136
97 use AnyEvent; 138 use AnyEvent;
98 139
99 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 140 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
100 141
101The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and 142The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and
102starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 143starts using it, all bets are off - this case should be very rare though,
103use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 144as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this very
145loudly.
104 146
105The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 147The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called
106C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 148C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it
107explicitly. 149explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :)
108 150
109=head1 WATCHERS 151=head1 WATCHERS
110 152
111AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 153AnyEvent 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 154stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
115These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 157These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
116creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 158creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
117callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 159callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
118is in control). 160is in control).
119 161
162Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
163potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
164callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practice in
165Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
166widely between event loops.
167
120To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 168To disable a watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
121variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 169variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
122to it). 170to it).
123 171
124All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 172All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
125 173
126Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 174Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
127example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 175example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
128 176
129An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 177One way to achieve that is this pattern:
130 178
131 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 179 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
132 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 180 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
133 undef $w; 181 undef $w;
134 }); 182 });
135 183
136Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 184Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
137my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 185my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
138declared. 186declared.
139 187
140=head2 I/O WATCHERS 188=head2 I/O WATCHERS
141 189
190 $w = AnyEvent->io (
191 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
192 poll => <"r" or "w">,
193 cb => <callback>,
194 );
195
142You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 196You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
143with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 197with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
144 198
145C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 199C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
200for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
201handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
202non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
203most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
204or block devices.
205
146for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 206C<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, 207watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
208
148respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 209C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
149becomes ready.
150 210
151Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 211Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
152presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 212presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
153callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 213callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
154 214
155The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it. 215The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it.
156You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the 216You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the
157underlying file descriptor. 217underlying file descriptor.
158 218
159Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 219Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
160always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 220always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
161handles. 221handles.
162 222
163Example:
164
165 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 223Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
224watcher.
225
166 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 226 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
167 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 227 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
168 warn "read: $input\n"; 228 warn "read: $input\n";
169 undef $w; 229 undef $w;
170 }); 230 });
171 231
172=head2 TIME WATCHERS 232=head2 TIME WATCHERS
173 233
234 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
235
236 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
237 after => <fractional_seconds>,
238 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
239 cb => <callback>,
240 );
241
174You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 242You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
175method with the following mandatory arguments: 243method with the following mandatory arguments:
176 244
177C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 245C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
178supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 246supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
180 248
181Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 249Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
182presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 250presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
183callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 251callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
184 252
185The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 253The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
186timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 254parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
187and Glib). 255callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
256seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
257false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
188 258
189Example: 259The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
260attempt is made to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
261only approximate.
190 262
191 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 263Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
264
192 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 265 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
193 warn "timeout\n"; 266 warn "timeout\n";
194 }); 267 });
195 268
196 # to cancel the timer: 269 # to cancel the timer:
197 undef $w; 270 undef $w;
198 271
199Example 2:
200
201 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 272Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
202 my $w;
203 273
204 my $cb = sub {
205 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
206 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 274 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
275 warn "timeout\n";
207 }; 276 };
208
209 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
210 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
211 277
212=head3 TIMING ISSUES 278=head3 TIMING ISSUES
213 279
214There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 280There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
215in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 281in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
217 283
218While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they 284While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they
219use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock 285use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock
220"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from 286"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from
221the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to 287the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to
222fire "after" a second might actually take six years to finally fire. 288fire "after a second" might actually take six years to finally fire.
223 289
224AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious 290AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious
225about these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based 291of these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based
226on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time) 292on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time)
227timers. 293timers.
228 294
229AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 295AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
230AnyEvent API. 296AnyEvent API.
231 297
298AnyEvent has two additional methods that return the "current time":
299
300=over 4
301
302=item AnyEvent->time
303
304This returns the "current wallclock time" as a fractional number of
305seconds since the Epoch (the same thing as C<time> or C<Time::HiRes::time>
306return, and the result is guaranteed to be compatible with those).
307
308It progresses independently of any event loop processing, i.e. each call
309will check the system clock, which usually gets updated frequently.
310
311=item AnyEvent->now
312
313This also returns the "current wallclock time", but unlike C<time>, above,
314this value might change only once per event loop iteration, depending on
315the event loop (most return the same time as C<time>, above). This is the
316time that AnyEvent's timers get scheduled against.
317
318I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
319function to call when you want to know the current time.>
320
321This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
322thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
323L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update its activity timeouts).
324
325The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
326with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
327
328For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
329and L<EV> and the following set-up:
330
331The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callbacks at
332time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
333you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
334second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
335after three seconds.
336
337With L<Event::Lib>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> will
338both return C<501>, because that is the current time, and the timer will
339be scheduled to fire at time=504 (C<501> + C<3>).
340
341With L<EV>, C<< AnyEvent->time >> returns C<501> (as that is the current
342time), but C<< AnyEvent->now >> returns C<500>, as that is the time the
343last event processing phase started. With L<EV>, your timer gets scheduled
344to run at time=503 (C<500> + C<3>).
345
346In one sense, L<Event::Lib> is more exact, as it uses the current time
347regardless of any delays introduced by event processing. However, most
348callbacks do not expect large delays in processing, so this causes a
349higher drift (and a lot more system calls to get the current time).
350
351In another sense, L<EV> is more exact, as your timer will be scheduled at
352the same time, regardless of how long event processing actually took.
353
354In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
355can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
356difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
357account.
358
359=item AnyEvent->now_update
360
361Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
362the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
363AnyEvent->now >>, above).
364
365When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
366this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
367might affect timers and time-outs.
368
369When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
370event loop's idea of "current time".
371
372A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
373when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
374idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
375script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
376AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
377(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
378
379Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
380
381=back
382
232=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 383=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
233 384
385 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
386
234You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 387You 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 388I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
236be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 389callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
237 390
238Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 391Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
239presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 392presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
240callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 393callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
241 394
243invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 396invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
244that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 397that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
245but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 398but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
246 399
247The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 400The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
248between multiple watchers. 401between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
402interrupt your program at bad times.
249 403
250This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 404This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
251directly will likely not work correctly. 405so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
406correctly.
252 407
253Example: exit on SIGINT 408Example: exit on SIGINT
254 409
255 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 410 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
256 411
412=head3 Restart Behaviour
413
414While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
415not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
416pure perl implementation).
417
418=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
419
420Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
421"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
422latter might corrupt your memory.
423
424AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
425i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
426called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
427callbacks, too).
428
429=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
430
431Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
432callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
433do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
434this. AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases,
435signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
436specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
437variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
438and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
439AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
440will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
441saving.
442
443All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
444L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
445work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
446(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does its own workaround with
447one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
448
257=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 449=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
258 450
451 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
452
259You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 453You can also watch for a child process exit and catch its exit status.
260 454
261The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 455The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (on some backends,
262watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 456using 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 457croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
264signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 458finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
265and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 459(stopped/continued).
266you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 460
461The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
462waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
463callback arguments.
464
465This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
466and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
467random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
468C<system>, is just fine).
267 469
268There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 470There 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 471I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
270have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 472have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
271 473
272Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 474Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
475see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
273event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 476that 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). 477the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
478pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
479start the watcher.
275 480
276This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 481This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
277AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 482thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
278C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 483watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
484C<AnyEvent::detect>).
485
486As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
487emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
488mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
279 489
280Example: fork a process and wait for it 490Example: fork a process and wait for it
281 491
282 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 492 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
283 493
284 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 494 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
285 495
286 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 496 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
287 pid => $pid, 497 pid => $pid,
288 cb => sub { 498 cb => sub {
289 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 499 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
290 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 500 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
291 $done->send; 501 $done->send;
292 }, 502 },
293 ); 503 );
294 504
295 # do something else, then wait for process exit 505 # do something else, then wait for process exit
296 $done->recv; 506 $done->recv;
507
508=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
509
510 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
511
512This will repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle,
513until either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
514
515Idle watchers are useful when there is a need to do something, but it
516is not so important (or wise) to do it instantly. The callback will be
517invoked only when there is "nothing better to do", which is usually
518defined as "all outstanding events have been handled and no new events
519have been detected". That means that idle watchers ideally get invoked
520when the event loop has just polled for new events but none have been
521detected. Instead of blocking to wait for more events, the idle watchers
522will be invoked.
523
524Unfortunately, most event loops do not really support idle watchers (only
525EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
526will simply call the callback "from time to time".
527
528Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
529program is otherwise idle:
530
531 my @lines; # read data
532 my $idle_w;
533 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
534 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
535
536 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
537 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
538 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
539 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
540 print "handled when idle: $line";
541 } else {
542 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
543 undef $idle_w;
544 }
545 });
546 });
297 547
298=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 548=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
549
550 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
551
552 $cv->send (<list>);
553 my @res = $cv->recv;
299 554
300If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 555If 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 556require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
302will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 557will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
303 558
304AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 559AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
305will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 560loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
306 561
307The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 562The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
308because they represent a condition that must become true. 563they represent a condition that must become true.
564
565Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
309 566
310Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 567Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
311>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 568>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
312C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 569C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
313becomes true. 570becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
571the results).
314 572
315After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 573After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
316by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 574by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
317were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<< 575were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
318->send >> method). 576->send >> method).
319 577
320Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 578Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API, here are
321optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 579some different mental models of what they are - pick the ones you can connect to:
322in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 580
323another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 581=over 4
324used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 582
325a result. 583=item * Condition variables are like callbacks - you can call them (and pass them instead
584of callbacks). Unlike callbacks however, you can also wait for them to be called.
585
586=item * Condition variables are signals - one side can emit or send them,
587the other side can wait for them, or install a handler that is called when
588the signal fires.
589
590=item * Condition variables are like "Merge Points" - points in your program
591where you merge multiple independent results/control flows into one.
592
593=item * Condition variables represent a transaction - functions that start
594some kind of transaction can return them, leaving the caller the choice
595between waiting in a blocking fashion, or setting a callback.
596
597=item * Condition variables represent future values, or promises to deliver
598some result, long before the result is available.
599
600=back
326 601
327Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 602Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
328for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 603for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
329then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 604then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
330availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 605availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
343 618
344Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 619Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
345used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing 620used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
346easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of 621easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
347AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call 622AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
348it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method. 623its C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
349 624
350There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 625There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
351eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 626eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
352for the send to occur. 627for the send to occur.
353 628
354Example: wait for a timer. 629Example: wait for a timer.
355 630
356 # wait till the result is ready 631 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
357 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 632 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
358 633
359 # do something such as adding a timer 634 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
360 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 635 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
361 # when the "result" is ready. 636 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
362 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 637 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
363 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 638 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
364 after => 1, 639 after => 1,
365 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 640 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
366 ); 641 );
367 642
368 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 643 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
369 # calls send 644 # calls ->send
370 $result_ready->recv; 645 $timer_fired->recv;
371 646
372Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 647Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
373condition variables are also code references. 648variables are also callable directly.
374 649
375 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 650 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
376 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 651 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
377 $done->recv; 652 $done->recv;
653
654Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
655callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
656the main program:
657
658 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
659
660 ...
661
662 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
663
664And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
665results are available:
666
667 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
668 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
669 });
378 670
379=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 671=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
380 672
381These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 673These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
382code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 674code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
395immediately from within send. 687immediately from within send.
396 688
397Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 689Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
398future C<< ->recv >> calls. 690future C<< ->recv >> calls.
399 691
400Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 692Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
401(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 693they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
402C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 694C<send>.
403overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
404instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
405support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
406invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
407example).
408 695
409=item $cv->croak ($error) 696=item $cv->croak ($error)
410 697
411Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 698Similar to send, but causes all calls to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
412C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 699C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
413 700
414This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 701This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
415user/consumer. 702user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
703delays the error detection, but has the overwhelming advantage that it
704diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
705deep in some event callback with no connection to the actual code causing
706the problem.
416 707
417=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 708=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
418 709
419=item $cv->end 710=item $cv->end
420
421These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
422 711
423These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 712These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
424one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 713one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
425to use a condition variable for the whole process. 714to use a condition variable for the whole process.
426 715
427Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 716Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
428C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 717C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
429>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 718>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
430is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 719condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
431callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 720>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
721be called without any arguments.
432 722
433Let's clarify this with the ping example: 723You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
724sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
725condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
726
727Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
728STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
729close before activating a condvar:
434 730
435 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 731 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
436 732
733 $cv->begin; # first watcher
734 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
735 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
736 or $cv->end;
737 });
738
739 $cv->begin; # second watcher
740 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
741 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
742 or $cv->end;
743 });
744
745 $cv->recv;
746
747This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
748one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
749sending.
750
751The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
752there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
753begun can potentially be zero:
754
755 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
756
437 my %result; 757 my %result;
438 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 758 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
439 759
440 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 760 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
441 $cv->begin; 761 $cv->begin;
442 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 762 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
443 $result{$host} = ...; 763 $result{$host} = ...;
458loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 778loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
459to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 779to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
460C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 780C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
461doesn't execute once). 781doesn't execute once).
462 782
463This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 783This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
464use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 784potentially zero) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
465is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 785the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
466C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 786subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
787call C<end>.
467 788
468=back 789=back
469 790
470=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 791=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
471 792
475=over 4 796=over 4
476 797
477=item $cv->recv 798=item $cv->recv
478 799
479Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 800Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
480>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 801>> methods have been called on C<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
481normally. 802normally.
482 803
483You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but 804You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
484will return immediately. 805will return immediately.
485 806
487function will call C<croak>. 808function will call C<croak>.
488 809
489In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 810In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
490in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 811in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
491 812
813Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
814event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
815>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
816condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
817L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
818any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
819
492Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 820Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
493(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 821(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
494using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 822using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
495caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 823caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
496condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 824condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
497callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 825callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
498while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 826while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
499 827
500Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
501sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
502multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
503can supply.
504
505The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
506fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
507versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
508C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
509coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
510
511You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 828You can ensure that C<< ->recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
512only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 829only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
513time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 830time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
514waits otherwise. 831waits otherwise.
515 832
516=item $bool = $cv->ready 833=item $bool = $cv->ready
517 834
518Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 835Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
519C<croak> have been called. 836C<croak> have been called.
520 837
521=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 838=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
522 839
523This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 840This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
524replaces it before doing so. 841replaces it before doing so.
525 842
526The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 843The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
527C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback 844C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the
845condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
846callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling C<recv> inside
528or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 847the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
529 848
530=back 849=back
531 850
851=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
852
853The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
854
855=over 4
856
857=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
858
859EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
860use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
861pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
862AnyEvent itself.
863
864 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
865 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
866
867=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
868
869These will be used if they are already loaded when the first watcher
870is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
871them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
872when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
873create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
874
875 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
876 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
877 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
878 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
879 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
880 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
881
882=item Backends with special needs.
883
884Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
885otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
886instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
887everything should just work.
888
889 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
890
891Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
892architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
893is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
894it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
895L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync> for the gory details.
896
897 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
898
899=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
900
901Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
902
903There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
904
905B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
906use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
907polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
908consider for AnyEvent.
909
910B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
911backend, so it can be supported through POE.
912
913AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
914load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
915in which case everything will be automatic.
916
917=back
918
532=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 919=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
533 920
921These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
922write AnyEvent extension modules.
923
534=over 4 924=over 4
535 925
536=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 926=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
537 927
538Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 928Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
929backend has been autodetected.
930
539contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 931Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
540Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 932name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
541C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 933of the C<AnyEvent::Impl::xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
542AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 934case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
543 935will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
544The known classes so far are:
545
546 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
547 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
548 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
549 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
550 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
551 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
552 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
553 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
554
555There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
556watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
557POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
558second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
559AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
560it's adaptor.
561
562AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
563autodetecting them.
564 936
565=item AnyEvent::detect 937=item AnyEvent::detect
566 938
567Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 939Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
568if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 940if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
569have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 941have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
570runtime. 942runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your module.
943
944If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
945created, use C<post_detect>.
571 946
572=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 947=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
573 948
574Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 949Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
575autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 950autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
951
952The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
953(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
954created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
955other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
956L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
957
958The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
959event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
960and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
961avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
576 962
577If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 963If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
578that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 964that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
965C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
579L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 966a case where this is useful.
967
968Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
969C<$WATCHER>, but do so only do so after the event loop is initialised.
970
971 our WATCHER;
972
973 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
974 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
975 };
976
977 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
978 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
979 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
980 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
981
982 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
580 983
581=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 984=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
582 985
583If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 986If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
584before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 987before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
585the event loop has been chosen. 988after the event loop has been chosen.
586 989
587You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 990You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
588if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 991if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
589and the array will be ignored. 992array will be ignored.
590 993
591Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 994Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
995it, as it takes care of these details.
996
997This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
998when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
999not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
1000into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
1001
1002Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
1003together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
1004Coro to accomplish this):
1005
1006 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
1007 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
1008 require Coro::AnyEvent;
1009 } else {
1010 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
1011 # as soon as it is
1012 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
1013 }
592 1014
593=back 1015=back
594 1016
595=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1017=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
596 1018
607because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 1029because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
608events is to stay interactive. 1030events is to stay interactive.
609 1031
610It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module 1032It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
611requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 1033requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
612called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >> 1034called C<results> that returns the results, it may call C<< ->recv >>
613freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 1035freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. Always).
614 1036
615=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1037=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
616 1038
617There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 1039There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
618dictate which event model to use. 1040dictate which event model to use.
619 1041
620If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 1042If the program is not event-based, it need not do anything special, even
621do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 1043when it depends on a module that uses an AnyEvent. If the program itself
622decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 1044uses AnyEvent, but does not care which event loop is used, all it needs
1045to do is C<use AnyEvent>. In either case, AnyEvent will choose the best
1046available loop implementation.
623 1047
624If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in 1048If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
625Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the 1049Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
626event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 1050event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
627speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 1051speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
628modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 1052modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
629decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 1053decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
630might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 1054might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
631 1055
632You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the 1056You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
633C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour 1057C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour
634everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better. 1058everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
635 1059
651 1075
652 1076
653=head1 OTHER MODULES 1077=head1 OTHER MODULES
654 1078
655The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1079The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
656AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1080AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
657in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1081modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
658available via CPAN. 1082come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN.
659 1083
660=over 4 1084=over 4
661 1085
662=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1086=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
663 1087
664Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1088Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
665functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1089functions such as C<inet_aton> with event/callback-based versions.
666
667=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
668
669Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
670 1090
671=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1091=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
672 1092
673Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1093Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
674addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1094addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
675connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more. 1095connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
676 1096
1097=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
1098
1099Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
1100supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
1101non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>).
1102
677=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1103=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
678 1104
679Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1105Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
680 1106
1107=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IGS>, L<AnyEvent::FCP>
1108
1109Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name (for
1110the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the Freenet
1111Client Protocol).
1112
1113=item L<AnyEvent::Handle::UDP>
1114
1115Here be danger!
1116
1117As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!" -
1118there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP, most notably
1119its use of a stream-based API with a protocol that isn't streamable, that
1120the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1121
1122It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and general
1123confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP but also
1124fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect doesn't work
1125with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only has datagrams, not
1126packets", "I don't need to implement proper error checking as UDP doesn't
1127support error checking" and so on - he doesn't even understand what's
1128wrong with his module when it is explained to him.
1129
1130=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1131
1132Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
1133notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1134
1135=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1136
1137Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in the
1138toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
1139L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to event-based
1140file I/O, and much more.
1141
681=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1142=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
682 1143
683Provides a simple web application server framework. 1144A simple embedded webserver.
684 1145
685=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1146=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
686 1147
687The fastest ping in the west. 1148The fastest ping in the west.
688 1149
689=item L<Net::IRC3>
690
691AnyEvent based IRC client module family.
692
693=item L<Net::XMPP2>
694
695AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
696
697=item L<Net::FCP>
698
699AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
700of AnyEvent.
701
702=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
703
704High level API for event-based execution flow control.
705
706=item L<Coro> 1150=item L<Coro>
707 1151
708Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1152Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
709 1153
710=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
711
712Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
713programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
714together.
715
716=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
717
718Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
719IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
720
721=item L<IO::Lambda>
722
723The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
724
725=back 1154=back
726 1155
727=cut 1156=cut
728 1157
729package AnyEvent; 1158package AnyEvent;
730 1159
731no warnings; 1160# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
732use strict; 1161sub common_sense {
1162 # from common:.sense 3.3
1163 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS} ^ "\x3c\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf3\x0f\xc0\xf0\xfc\x33\x00";
1164 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1165 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1166}
733 1167
1168BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1169
734use Carp; 1170use Carp ();
735 1171
736our $VERSION = '4.03'; 1172our $VERSION = '5.29';
737our $MODEL; 1173our $MODEL;
738 1174
739our $AUTOLOAD; 1175our $AUTOLOAD;
740our @ISA; 1176our @ISA;
741 1177
742our @REGISTRY; 1178our @REGISTRY;
743 1179
1180our $VERBOSE;
1181
1182BEGIN {
1183 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
1184
1185 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
1186
1187 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1188 if ${^TAINT};
1189
744our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1190 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
745 1191
746our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2) 1192}
1193
1194our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
1195
1196our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
747 1197
748{ 1198{
749 my $idx; 1199 my $idx;
750 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx 1200 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
1201 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
751 for split /\s*,\s*/, $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1202 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
752} 1203}
753 1204
754my @models = ( 1205my @models = (
755 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1206 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
756 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
757 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1207 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
758 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1208 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
759 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1209 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
760 # and is usually faster 1210 # and is usually faster
1211 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1212 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1213 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1214 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
761 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1215 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
762 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
763 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
764 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1216 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
765 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1217 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
766 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1218 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
767 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1219 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1220 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1221 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1222 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1223 # obvious default class.
1224 [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1225 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1226 [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1227 [AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
768); 1228);
769 1229
770our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1230our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1231 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
771 1232
772our @post_detect; 1233our @post_detect;
773 1234
774sub post_detect(&) { 1235sub post_detect(&) {
775 my ($cb) = @_; 1236 my ($cb) = @_;
776 1237
777 if ($MODEL) {
778 $cb->();
779
780 1
781 } else {
782 push @post_detect, $cb; 1238 push @post_detect, $cb;
783 1239
784 defined wantarray 1240 defined wantarray
785 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1241 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
786 : () 1242 : ()
1243}
1244
1245sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1246 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1247}
1248
1249sub detect() {
1250 # free some memory
1251 *detect = sub () { $MODEL };
1252
1253 local $!; # for good measure
1254 local $SIG{__DIE__};
1255
1256 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1257 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1258 if (eval "require $model") {
1259 $MODEL = $model;
1260 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1261 } else {
1262 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
1263 }
787 } 1264 }
788}
789 1265
790sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1266 # check for already loaded models
791 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
792}
793
794sub detect() {
795 unless ($MODEL) { 1267 unless ($MODEL) {
796 no strict 'refs'; 1268 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
797 1269 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
798 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1270 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
799 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
800 if (eval "require $model") { 1271 if (eval "require $model") {
801 $MODEL = $model; 1272 $MODEL = $model;
802 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1273 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
803 } else { 1274 last;
804 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1275 }
805 } 1276 }
806 } 1277 }
807 1278
808 # check for already loaded models
809 unless ($MODEL) { 1279 unless ($MODEL) {
1280 # try to autoload a model
810 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1281 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
811 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1282 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1283 if (
1284 $autoload
1285 and eval "require $package"
812 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1286 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
813 if (eval "require $model") { 1287 and eval "require $model"
1288 ) {
814 $MODEL = $model; 1289 $MODEL = $model;
815 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1290 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
816 last; 1291 last;
817 }
818 } 1292 }
819 } 1293 }
820 1294
821 unless ($MODEL) {
822 # try to load a model
823
824 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
825 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
826 if (eval "require $package"
827 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
828 and eval "require $model") {
829 $MODEL = $model;
830 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
831 last;
832 }
833 }
834
835 $MODEL 1295 $MODEL
836 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1296 or die "AnyEvent: backend autodetection failed - did you properly install AnyEvent?\n";
837 }
838 } 1297 }
839
840 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
841 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
842
843 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
844 } 1298 }
1299
1300 @models = (); # free probe data
1301
1302 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1303 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1304
1305 # now nuke some methods that are overridden by the backend.
1306 # SUPER is not allowed.
1307 for (qw(time signal child idle)) {
1308 undef &{"AnyEvent::Base::$_"}
1309 if defined &{"$MODEL\::$_"};
1310 }
1311
1312 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}) {
1313 eval { require AnyEvent::Strict };
1314 warn "AnyEvent: cannot load AnyEvent::Strict ($@)\n"
1315 if $@ && $VERBOSE;
1316 }
1317
1318 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1319
1320 *post_detect = sub(&) {
1321 shift->();
1322
1323 undef
1324 };
845 1325
846 $MODEL 1326 $MODEL
847} 1327}
848 1328
849sub AUTOLOAD { 1329sub AUTOLOAD {
850 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1330 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
851 1331
852 $method{$func} 1332 $method{$func}
853 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1333 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid AnyEvent class method";
854 1334
855 detect unless $MODEL; 1335 detect;
856 1336
857 my $class = shift; 1337 my $class = shift;
858 $class->$func (@_); 1338 $class->$func (@_);
859} 1339}
860 1340
1341# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1342# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1343# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1344sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1345 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1346
1347 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1348 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1349
1350 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1351 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1352
1353 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1354
1355 ($fh2, $rw)
1356}
1357
1358=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1359
1360Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1361simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1362overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1363
1364See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1365
1366=cut
1367
1368package AE;
1369
1370our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1371
1372# fall back to the main API by default - backends and AnyEvent::Base
1373# implementations can overwrite these.
1374
1375sub io($$$) {
1376 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1377}
1378
1379sub timer($$$) {
1380 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1381}
1382
1383sub signal($$) {
1384 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1385}
1386
1387sub child($$) {
1388 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1389}
1390
1391sub idle($) {
1392 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1393}
1394
1395sub cv(;&) {
1396 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1397}
1398
1399sub now() {
1400 AnyEvent->now
1401}
1402
1403sub now_update() {
1404 AnyEvent->now_update
1405}
1406
1407sub time() {
1408 AnyEvent->time
1409}
1410
861package AnyEvent::Base; 1411package AnyEvent::Base;
862 1412
1413# default implementations for many methods
1414
1415sub time {
1416 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1417 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1418 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1419 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1420 *AE::time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1421 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1422 } else {
1423 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1424 *AE::time = sub (){ time }; # epic fail
1425 }
1426
1427 *time = sub { AE::time }; # different prototypes
1428 };
1429 die if $@;
1430
1431 &time
1432}
1433
1434*now = \&time;
1435
1436sub now_update { }
1437
863# default implementation for ->condvar 1438# default implementation for ->condvar
864 1439
865sub condvar { 1440sub condvar {
1441 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1442 *condvar = sub {
866 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1443 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1444 };
1445
1446 *AE::cv = sub (;&) {
1447 bless { @_ ? (_ae_cb => shift) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1448 };
1449 };
1450 die if $@;
1451
1452 &condvar
867} 1453}
868 1454
869# default implementation for ->signal 1455# default implementation for ->signal
870 1456
871our %SIG_CB; 1457our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1458
1459sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1460 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1461 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1462 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1463
1464 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1465}
1466
1467our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1468our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1469our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1470
1471# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1472# used by Impls
1473sub _sig_add() {
1474 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1475 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1476 my $NOW = AE::now;
1477
1478 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1479 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1480 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1481 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1482 ;
1483 }
1484}
1485
1486sub _sig_del {
1487 undef $SIG_TW
1488 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1489}
1490
1491our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1492 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1493 undef $_sig_name_init;
1494
1495 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1496 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1497 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1498 } else {
1499 require Config;
1500
1501 my %signame2num;
1502 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1503 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1504
1505 my @signum2name;
1506 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1507
1508 *sig2num = sub($) {
1509 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1510 };
1511 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1512 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1513 };
1514 }
1515 };
1516 die if $@;
1517};
1518
1519sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1520sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
872 1521
873sub signal { 1522sub signal {
1523 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1524 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1525 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1526 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1527
1528 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1529 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1530
1531 } else {
1532 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1533
1534 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1535 require AnyEvent::Util;
1536
1537 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1538 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1539 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1540 } else {
1541 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1542 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1543 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1544
1545 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1546 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1547 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1548 }
1549
1550 $SIGPIPE_R
1551 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1552
1553 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1554 }
1555
1556 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1557 ? sub {
874 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1558 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
875 1559
1560 # async::interrupt
876 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1561 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
877 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
878
879 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1562 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1563
1564 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1565 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1566 signal => $signal,
1567 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1568 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1569 ;
1570
1571 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1572 }
1573 : sub {
1574 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1575
1576 # pure perl
1577 my $signal = sig2name $arg{signal};
1578 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1579
880 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1580 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1581 local $!;
1582 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1583 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1584 };
1585
1586 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1587 # so limit the signal latency.
1588 _sig_add;
1589
1590 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1591 }
1592 ;
1593
1594 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1595 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1596
1597 _sig_del;
1598
1599 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1600
1601 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1602 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1603 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1604 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1605 # instead of getting the default action.
1606 undef $SIG{$signal}
1607 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1608 };
1609
1610 *_signal_exec = sub {
1611 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1612 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1613 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1614
1615 while (%SIG_EV) {
1616 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1617 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
881 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1618 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1619 }
1620 }
1621 };
882 }; 1622 };
1623 die if $@;
883 1624
884 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1625 &signal
885}
886
887sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
888 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
889
890 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
891
892 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
893} 1626}
894 1627
895# default implementation for ->child 1628# default implementation for ->child
896 1629
897our %PID_CB; 1630our %PID_CB;
898our $CHLD_W; 1631our $CHLD_W;
899our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1632our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
900our $PID_IDLE;
901our $WNOHANG; 1633our $WNOHANG;
902 1634
903sub _child_wait { 1635# used by many Impl's
904 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1636sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1637 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1638
1639 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
905 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1640 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
906 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1641 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
907 }
908
909 undef $PID_IDLE;
910}
911
912sub _sigchld {
913 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop.
914 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub {
915 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W;
916 &_child_wait;
917 });
918} 1642}
919 1643
920sub child { 1644sub child {
1645 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1646 *_sigchld = sub {
1647 my $pid;
1648
1649 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1650 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
1651 };
1652
1653 *child = sub {
921 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1654 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
922 1655
923 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1656 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
924 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1657 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
925 1658
926 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1659 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
927 1660
928 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1661 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
929 $WNOHANG = eval { require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1662 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
930 } 1663 ? 1
1664 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
931 1665
932 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1666 unless ($CHLD_W) {
933 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1667 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
934 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1668 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
935 &_sigchld; 1669 &_sigchld;
936 } 1670 }
937 1671
938 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1672 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
939} 1673 };
940 1674
941sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1675 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
942 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1676 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
943 1677
944 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1678 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
945 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1679 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
946 1680
947 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1681 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1682 };
1683 };
1684 die if $@;
1685
1686 &child
1687}
1688
1689# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1690# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1691# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1692sub idle {
1693 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1694 *idle = sub {
1695 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1696
1697 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1698
1699 $rcb = sub {
1700 if ($cb) {
1701 $w = _time;
1702 &$cb;
1703 $w = _time - $w;
1704
1705 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1706 # within some limits
1707 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1708 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1709
1710 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1711 } else {
1712 # clean up...
1713 undef $w;
1714 undef $rcb;
1715 }
1716 };
1717
1718 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1719
1720 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1721 };
1722
1723 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1724 undef $${$_[0]};
1725 };
1726 };
1727 die if $@;
1728
1729 &idle
948} 1730}
949 1731
950package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1732package AnyEvent::CondVar;
951 1733
952our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1734our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
953 1735
1736# only to be used for subclassing
1737sub new {
1738 my $class = shift;
1739 bless AnyEvent->condvar (@_), $class
1740}
1741
954package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1742package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
955 1743
956use overload 1744#use overload
957 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1745# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
958 fallback => 1; 1746# fallback => 1;
1747
1748# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1749${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1750*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1751*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1752${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1753
1754our $WAITING;
959 1755
960sub _send { 1756sub _send {
961 # nop 1757 # nop
962} 1758}
963 1759
976sub ready { 1772sub ready {
977 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1773 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
978} 1774}
979 1775
980sub _wait { 1776sub _wait {
1777 $WAITING
1778 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1779 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1780
1781 local $WAITING = 1;
981 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1782 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
982} 1783}
983 1784
984sub recv { 1785sub recv {
985 $_[0]->_wait; 1786 $_[0]->_wait;
987 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1788 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
988 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1789 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
989} 1790}
990 1791
991sub cb { 1792sub cb {
992 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1793 my $cv = shift;
1794
1795 @_
1796 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1797 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1798 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1799
993 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1800 $cv->{_ae_cb}
994} 1801}
995 1802
996sub begin { 1803sub begin {
997 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1804 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
998 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1805 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1004} 1811}
1005 1812
1006# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1813# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1007*broadcast = \&send; 1814*broadcast = \&send;
1008*wait = \&_wait; 1815*wait = \&_wait;
1816
1817=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1818
1819In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1820caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1821the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1822checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1823development.
1824
1825As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1826executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1827also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1828program.
1829
1830The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1831within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1832$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1833so on.
1834
1835=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1836
1837The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1838submodules.
1839
1840Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1841C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1842enabled.
1843
1844=over 4
1845
1846=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1847
1848By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1849conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1850talkative.
1851
1852When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1853conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1854C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1855
1856When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1857model it chooses.
1858
1859When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1860which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1861
1862=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1863
1864AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1865argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1866will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1867check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1868it will croak.
1869
1870In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1871
1872Unlike C<use strict> (or its modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1873>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1874C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1875can be very useful, however.
1876
1877=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1878
1879This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1880auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1881entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1882and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1883used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1884auto detection and -probing.
1885
1886This functionality might change in future versions.
1887
1888For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1889could start your program like this:
1890
1891 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1892
1893=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1894
1895Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1896for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1897of auto probing).
1898
1899Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1900current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1901used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1902list.
1903
1904This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1905against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1906small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1907
1908Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1909but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1910- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1911addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1912IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1913
1914=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1915
1916Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1917for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1918some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1919default.
1920
1921Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1922EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1923
1924=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1925
1926The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1927will create in parallel.
1928
1929=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1930
1931The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1932resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1933sent to the DNS server.
1934
1935=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1936
1937The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1938configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1939default config will be used.
1940
1941=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1942
1943When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1944L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1945variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1946instead of a system-dependent default.
1947
1948=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1949
1950When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1951loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1952
1953=back
1009 1954
1010=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1955=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1011 1956
1012This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1957This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
1013a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1958a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1047 1992
1048I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1993I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1049condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1994condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1050C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1995C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1051not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1996not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1052
1053=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1054
1055The following environment variables are used by this module:
1056
1057=over 4
1058
1059=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1060
1061By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1062conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1063talkative.
1064
1065When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1066conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1067C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1068
1069When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1070model it chooses.
1071
1072=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1073
1074This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1075auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1076entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1077and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1078used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1079auto detection and -probing.
1080
1081This functionality might change in future versions.
1082
1083For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1084could start your program like this:
1085
1086 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1087
1088=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1089
1090Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1091for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1092of auto probing).
1093
1094Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1095current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1096used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1097list.
1098
1099This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1100against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1101small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1102
1103Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1104but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1105- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1106addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1107IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1108
1109=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1110
1111Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1112for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1113some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1114default.
1115
1116Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1117EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1118
1119=back
1120 1997
1121=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1998=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1122 1999
1123The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 2000The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1124to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 2001to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1137 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 2014 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1138 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 2015 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1139 }, 2016 },
1140 ); 2017 );
1141 2018
1142 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1143
1144 sub new_timer {
1145 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 2019 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1146 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 2020 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1147 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1148 }); 2021 });
1149 }
1150
1151 new_timer; # create first timer
1152 2022
1153 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 2023 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1154 2024
1155=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 2025=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1156 2026
1229 2099
1230The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2100The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1231that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2101that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1232whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2102whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1233and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2103and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1234problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2104problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1235random callback. 2105random callback.
1236 2106
1237All of this enables the following usage styles: 2107All of this enables the following usage styles:
1238 2108
12391. Blocking: 21091. Blocking:
1287through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2157through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1288timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2158timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1289which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2159which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1290 2160
1291Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2161Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1292distribution. 2162distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2163for the EV and Perl backends only.
1293 2164
1294=head3 Explanation of the columns 2165=head3 Explanation of the columns
1295 2166
1296I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2167I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1297different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2168different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1318watcher. 2189watcher.
1319 2190
1320=head3 Results 2191=head3 Results
1321 2192
1322 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2193 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1323 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2194 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1324 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2195 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1325 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2196 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1326 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 2197 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1327 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 2198 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1328 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2199 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2200 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2201 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1329 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 2202 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1330 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2203 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1331 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 2204 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1332 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 2205 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1333 2206
1334=head3 Discussion 2207=head3 Discussion
1335 2208
1336The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2209The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1337well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2210well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1349benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2222benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1350EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2223EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1351cycles with POE. 2224cycles with POE.
1352 2225
1353C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2226C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1354maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2227maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2228overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2229slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1355far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2230any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1356natively.
1357 2231
1358The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2232The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1359constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2233constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1360interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2234interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1361adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2235adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1362performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2236performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1363them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2237them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1364 2238
1365The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2239The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1366cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2240cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2241
2242C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2243when using its pure perl backend.
1367 2244
1368C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2245C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1369faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2246faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1370C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2247C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1371watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2248watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1432In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2309In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1433(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2310(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1434connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2311connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1435 2312
1436Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2313Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1437distribution. 2314distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2315for the EV and Perl backends only.
1438 2316
1439=head3 Explanation of the columns 2317=head3 Explanation of the columns
1440 2318
1441I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2319I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1442each server has a read and write socket end). 2320each server has a read and write socket end).
1449it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2327it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1450a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2328a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1451 2329
1452=head3 Results 2330=head3 Results
1453 2331
1454 name sockets create request 2332 name sockets create request
1455 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2333 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1456 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2334 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1457 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2335 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1458 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2336 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2337 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2338 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1459 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2339 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1460 2340
1461=head3 Discussion 2341=head3 Discussion
1462 2342
1463This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2343This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1464particular event loop. 2344particular event loop.
1466EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2346EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1467is relatively high, though. 2347is relatively high, though.
1468 2348
1469Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2349Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1470loops Event and Glib. 2350loops Event and Glib.
2351
2352IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2353good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1471 2354
1472Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2355Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1473understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2356understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1474the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2357the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1475uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2358uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1538=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2421=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1539watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2422watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1540 2423
1541=back 2424=back
1542 2425
2426=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2427
2428Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2429could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2430simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2431shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2432fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2433very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2434baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2435
2436The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2437connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2438creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2439test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2440benchmark nevertheless.
2441
2442 name runtime
2443 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2444 + optimized 0.122 sec
2445 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2446 + optimized 0.138 sec
2447 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2448 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2449 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2450 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2451
2452 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2453 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2454 +state machine 0.134 sec
2455
2456The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2457benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2458defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2459written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2460AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2461resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2462generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2463connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2464
2465The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2466offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2467Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2468non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2469
2470As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2471hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2472backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2473
2474And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2475slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2476higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2477it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2478
2479The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2480F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2481part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2482
2483
2484=head1 SIGNALS
2485
2486AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2487
2488=over 4
2489
2490=item SIGCHLD
2491
2492A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2493emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2494event loops install a similar handler.
2495
2496Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2497AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2498
2499=item SIGPIPE
2500
2501A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2502when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2503
2504The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2505on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2506badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2507program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2508some random socket.
2509
2510The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2511that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2512
2513Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2514
2515=back
2516
2517=cut
2518
2519undef $SIG{CHLD}
2520 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2521
2522$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2523 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2524
2525=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2526
2527One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2528its built-in modules) are required to use it.
2529
2530That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2531modules if they are installed.
2532
2533This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2534affect AnyEvent's operation.
2535
2536=over 4
2537
2538=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2539
2540This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2541my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2542signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2543delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2544catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2545C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2546
2547If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2548catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2549will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2550battery life on laptops).
2551
2552This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2553that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2554
2555Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2556and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2557(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2558does nothing for those backends.
2559
2560=item L<EV>
2561
2562This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2563event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2564loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2565the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2566automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2567can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2568C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2569L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2570
2571If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2572then this module will do nothing for you.
2573
2574=item L<Guard>
2575
2576The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2577C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2578lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2579purely used for performance.
2580
2581=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2582
2583One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2584via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2585advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2586
2587=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2588
2589Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2590worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2591the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2592
2593=item L<Time::HiRes>
2594
2595This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2596chosen event library does not come with a timing source of its own. The
2597pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2598try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2599
2600=back
2601
1543 2602
1544=head1 FORK 2603=head1 FORK
1545 2604
1546Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2605Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1547because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2606because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
1548calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2607- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2608are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2609one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2610continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2611what you are doing).
2612
2613This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2614the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2615usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2616is loaded).
1549 2617
1550If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2618If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1551watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2619watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2620something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2621
2622The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2623is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2624fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2625watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2626parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2627to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2628preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2629to have another binary.
1552 2630
1553 2631
1554=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2632=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1555 2633
1556AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2634AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1561specified in the variable. 2639specified in the variable.
1562 2640
1563You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2641You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1564before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2642before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1565 2643
1566 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2644 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1567 2645
1568 use AnyEvent; 2646 use AnyEvent;
1569 2647
1570Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2648Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1571be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2649be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1572probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2650probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2651$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2652
2653Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2654C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2655enabled.
2656
2657
2658=head1 BUGS
2659
2660Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2661to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2662and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2663memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2664pronounced).
1573 2665
1574 2666
1575=head1 SEE ALSO 2667=head1 SEE ALSO
2668
2669Tutorial/Introduction: L<AnyEvent::Intro>.
2670
2671FAQ: L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
1576 2672
1577Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2673Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1578 2674
1579Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, 2675Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>,
1580L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2676L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1581 2677
1582Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2678Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1583L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2679L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1584L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2680L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1585L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2681L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1586 2682
1587Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2683Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1588servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2684servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1589 2685
1590Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2686Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1591 2687
1592Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2688Thread support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
1593 2689
1594Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2690Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>,
2691L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1595 2692
1596 2693
1597=head1 AUTHOR 2694=head1 AUTHOR
1598 2695
1599 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2696 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1600 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2697 http://home.schmorp.de/
1601 2698
1602=cut 2699=cut
1603 2700
16041 27011
1605 2702

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