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Revision 1.297 by root, Thu Nov 19 01:55:57 2009 UTC

1=head1 => NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # file descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
14
15 # one-shot or repeating timers
16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
18
19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
21
22 # POSIX signal
23 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
24
25 # child process exit
26 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
27 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 28 ...
13 }); 29 });
14 30
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 31 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 32 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 33
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 34 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 35 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 36 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
37 # use a condvar in callback mode:
38 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
39
40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
41
42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
45
46=head1 SUPPORT
47
48There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
49channel, too.
50
51See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
52Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
22 53
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 54=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 55
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 56Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 57nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
27 58
28Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 59Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
29policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 60policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
30 61
31First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 62First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only
32interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use in a 63interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
33pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 64pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
34the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 65the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general,
35only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent 66only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
36helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 67cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
68loops.
37 69
38The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 70The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event
39programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 71programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
40religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 72religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
41module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 73module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
42model you use. 74model you use.
43 75
44For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 76For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
45actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 77actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
46like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 78like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you
47cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 79cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 80that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 81module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 82
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 83AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 84fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
53with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if 85with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if
54your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 86your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it,
55too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 87too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 88event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those
57as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 89use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 90to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof).
59 91
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 92In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
61model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 93model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 94modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
63follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 95follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only
121These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 153These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
122creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 154creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
123callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 155callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
124is in control). 156is in control).
125 157
158Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
159potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
160callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in
161Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
162widely between event loops.
163
126To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 164To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
127variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 165variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
128to it). 166to it).
129 167
130All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 168All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
132Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 170Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
133example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 171example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
134 172
135An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 173An any way to achieve that is this pattern:
136 174
137 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 175 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
138 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 176 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
139 undef $w; 177 undef $w;
140 }); 178 });
141 179
142Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 180Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
143my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 181my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
144declared. 182declared.
145 183
146=head2 I/O WATCHERS 184=head2 I/O WATCHERS
147 185
186 $w = AnyEvent->io (
187 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
188 poll => <"r" or "w">,
189 cb => <callback>,
190 );
191
148You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 192You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
149with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 193with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
150 194
151C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 195C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
196for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
197handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
198non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
199most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
200or block devices.
201
152for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 202C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
153which creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, 203watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
204
154respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 205C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
155becomes ready.
156 206
157Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 207Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
158presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 208presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
159callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 209callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
160 210
164 214
165Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 215Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should
166always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 216always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
167handles. 217handles.
168 218
169Example:
170
171 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 219Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
220watcher.
221
172 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 222 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
173 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 223 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
174 warn "read: $input\n"; 224 warn "read: $input\n";
175 undef $w; 225 undef $w;
176 }); 226 });
177 227
178=head2 TIME WATCHERS 228=head2 TIME WATCHERS
179 229
230 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
231
232 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
233 after => <fractional_seconds>,
234 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
235 cb => <callback>,
236 );
237
180You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 238You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
181method with the following mandatory arguments: 239method with the following mandatory arguments:
182 240
183C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 241C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
184supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 242supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
186 244
187Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 245Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
188presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 246presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
189callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 247callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
190 248
191The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 249The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another
192timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 250parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
193and Glib). 251callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
252seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
253false value, then it is treated as if it were missing.
194 254
195Example: 255The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
256attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
257only approximate.
196 258
197 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 259Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
260
198 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 261 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
199 warn "timeout\n"; 262 warn "timeout\n";
200 }); 263 });
201 264
202 # to cancel the timer: 265 # to cancel the timer:
203 undef $w; 266 undef $w;
204 267
205Example 2:
206
207 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 268Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
208 my $w;
209 269
210 my $cb = sub {
211 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
212 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 270 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
271 warn "timeout\n";
213 }; 272 };
214
215 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
216 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
217 273
218=head3 TIMING ISSUES 274=head3 TIMING ISSUES
219 275
220There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 276There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
221in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 277in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
294In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you 350In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
295can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the 351can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
296difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into 352difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
297account. 353account.
298 354
355=item AnyEvent->now_update
356
357Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
358the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
359AnyEvent->now >>, above).
360
361When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
362this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
363might affect timers and time-outs.
364
365When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
366event loop's idea of "current time".
367
368A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
369when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
370idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
371script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
372AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
373(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
374
375Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
376
299=back 377=back
300 378
301=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 379=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
302 380
381 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
382
303You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 383You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
304I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 384I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
305be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 385callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
306 386
307Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 387Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
308presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 388presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
309callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 389callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
310 390
312invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 392invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
313that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 393that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
314but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 394but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
315 395
316The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 396The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
317between multiple watchers. 397between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
398interrupt your program at bad times.
318 399
319This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 400This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
320directly will likely not work correctly. 401so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
402correctly.
321 403
322Example: exit on SIGINT 404Example: exit on SIGINT
323 405
324 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 406 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
325 407
408=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
409
410Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
411callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
412do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
413this. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, which means in some cases,
414signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
415specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
416variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
417and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
418AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
419will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
420saving.
421
422All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
423L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
424work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
425(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does it's own workaround with
426one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
427
326=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 428=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
327 429
430 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
431
328You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 432You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
329 433
330The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 434The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (one some backends,
331watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 435using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
332as status change for the child are received. This works by installing a 436croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
333signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 437finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
334and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 438(stopped/continued).
335you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 439
440The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
441waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
442callback arguments.
443
444This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
445and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
446random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
447C<system>, is just fine).
336 448
337There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 449There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
338I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 450I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
339have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 451have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
340 452
341Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 453Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
454see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
342event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 455that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
343loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 456the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
457pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
458start the watcher.
344 459
345This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 460This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
346AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 461thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
347C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 462watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
463C<AnyEvent::detect>).
464
465As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
466emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
467mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
348 468
349Example: fork a process and wait for it 469Example: fork a process and wait for it
350 470
351 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 471 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
352 472
353 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 473 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
354 474
355 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 475 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
356 pid => $pid, 476 pid => $pid,
357 cb => sub { 477 cb => sub {
358 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 478 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
359 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 479 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
360 $done->send; 480 $done->send;
361 }, 481 },
362 ); 482 );
363 483
364 # do something else, then wait for process exit 484 # do something else, then wait for process exit
365 $done->recv; 485 $done->recv;
486
487=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
488
489 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
490
491Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
492to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
493"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
494attention by the event loop".
495
496Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
497better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
498events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
499
500Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
501EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
502will simply call the callback "from time to time".
503
504Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
505program is otherwise idle:
506
507 my @lines; # read data
508 my $idle_w;
509 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
510 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
511
512 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
513 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
514 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
515 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
516 print "handled when idle: $line";
517 } else {
518 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
519 undef $idle_w;
520 }
521 });
522 });
366 523
367=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 524=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
525
526 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
527
528 $cv->send (<list>);
529 my @res = $cv->recv;
368 530
369If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 531If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
370require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 532require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
371will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 533will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
372 534
373AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 535AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
374will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 536loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
375 537
376The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 538The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
377because they represent a condition that must become true. 539because they represent a condition that must become true.
540
541Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
378 542
379Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 543Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
380>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 544>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
381C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 545C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
382becomes true. 546becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
547the results).
383 548
384After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 549After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
385by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 550by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
386were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<< 551were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
387->send >> method). 552->send >> method).
389Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 554Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
390optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 555optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
391in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 556in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
392another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 557another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
393used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 558used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
394a result. 559a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
560compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
395 561
396Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 562Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
397for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 563for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
398then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 564then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
399availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 565availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
433 after => 1, 599 after => 1,
434 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 600 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
435 ); 601 );
436 602
437 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 603 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
438 # calls send 604 # calls ->send
439 $result_ready->recv; 605 $result_ready->recv;
440 606
441Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 607Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
442condition variables are also code references. 608variables are also callable directly.
443 609
444 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 610 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
445 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 611 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
446 $done->recv; 612 $done->recv;
613
614Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
615callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
616the main program:
617
618 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
619
620 ...
621
622 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
623
624And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
625results are available:
626
627 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
628 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
629 });
447 630
448=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 631=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
449 632
450These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 633These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
451code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 634code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
464immediately from within send. 647immediately from within send.
465 648
466Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 649Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
467future C<< ->recv >> calls. 650future C<< ->recv >> calls.
468 651
469Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 652Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
470(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 653they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
471C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 654C<send>.
472overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
473instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
474support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
475invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
476example).
477 655
478=item $cv->croak ($error) 656=item $cv->croak ($error)
479 657
480Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 658Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
481C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 659C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
482 660
483This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 661This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
484user/consumer. 662user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
663delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
664diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
665deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
666the problem.
485 667
486=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 668=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
487 669
488=item $cv->end 670=item $cv->end
489
490These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
491 671
492These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 672These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
493one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 673one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
494to use a condition variable for the whole process. 674to use a condition variable for the whole process.
495 675
496Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 676Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
497C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 677C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
498>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 678>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
499is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 679condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
500callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 680>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
681be called without any arguments.
501 682
502Let's clarify this with the ping example: 683You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
684sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
685condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
686
687Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
688STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
689close before activating a condvar:
503 690
504 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 691 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
505 692
693 $cv->begin; # first watcher
694 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
695 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
696 or $cv->end;
697 });
698
699 $cv->begin; # second watcher
700 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
701 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
702 or $cv->end;
703 });
704
705 $cv->recv;
706
707This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
708one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
709sending.
710
711The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
712there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
713begung can potentially be zero:
714
715 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
716
506 my %result; 717 my %result;
507 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 718 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
508 719
509 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 720 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
510 $cv->begin; 721 $cv->begin;
511 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 722 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
512 $result{$host} = ...; 723 $result{$host} = ...;
527loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 738loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
528to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 739to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
529C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 740C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
530doesn't execute once). 741doesn't execute once).
531 742
532This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 743This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
533use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 744potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
534is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 745the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
535C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 746subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
747call C<end>.
536 748
537=back 749=back
538 750
539=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 751=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
540 752
556function will call C<croak>. 768function will call C<croak>.
557 769
558In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 770In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
559in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 771in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
560 772
773Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
774event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
775>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
776condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
777L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
778any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
779
561Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 780Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
562(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 781(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
563using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 782using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
564caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 783caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
565condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 784condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
566callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 785callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
567while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 786while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
568 787
569Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
570sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
571multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
572can supply.
573
574The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
575fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
576versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
577C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
578coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
579
580You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 788You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
581only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 789only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
582time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 790time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
583waits otherwise. 791waits otherwise.
584 792
585=item $bool = $cv->ready 793=item $bool = $cv->ready
586 794
587Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 795Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
588C<croak> have been called. 796C<croak> have been called.
589 797
590=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 798=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
591 799
592This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 800This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
593replaces it before doing so. 801replaces it before doing so.
594 802
595The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 803The callback will be called when the condition becomes (or already was)
596C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback 804"true", i.e. when C<send> or C<croak> are called (or were called), with
805the only argument being the condition variable itself. Calling C<recv>
597or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 806inside the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
598 807
599=back 808=back
600 809
810=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
811
812The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
813
814=over 4
815
816=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
817
818EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
819use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
820pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
821AnyEvent itself.
822
823 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
824 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
825
826=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
827
828These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
829is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
830them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
831when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
832create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
833
834 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
835 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
836 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
837 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
838 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
839 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
840
841=item Backends with special needs.
842
843Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
844otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
845instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
846everything should just work.
847
848 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
849
850Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
851architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
852is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
853it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
854L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
855
856 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
857
858=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
859
860Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
861
862There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
863
864B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
865use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
866polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
867consider for AnyEvent.
868
869B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
870backend, so it can be supported through POE.
871
872AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
873load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
874in which case everything will be automatic.
875
876=back
877
601=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 878=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
602 879
880These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
881write AnyEvent extension modules.
882
603=over 4 883=over 4
604 884
605=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 885=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
606 886
607Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 887Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
888backend has been autodetected.
889
608contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 890Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
609Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 891name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
610C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 892of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
611AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 893case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
612 894will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
613The known classes so far are:
614
615 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
616 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
617 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
618 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
619 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
620 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
621 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
622 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
623
624There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
625watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
626POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
627second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
628AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
629it's adaptor.
630
631AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
632autodetecting them.
633 895
634=item AnyEvent::detect 896=item AnyEvent::detect
635 897
636Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 898Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
637if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 899if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
638have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 900have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
639runtime. 901runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
902
903If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
904created, use C<post_detect>.
640 905
641=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 906=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
642 907
643Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 908Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
644autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 909autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
645 910
911The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
912(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
913created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
914other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
915L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
916
917The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
918event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
919and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
920avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
921
646If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 922If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
647that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 923that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
924C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
648L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 925a case where this is useful.
926
927Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
928C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
929
930 our WATCHER;
931
932 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
933 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
934 };
935
936 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
937 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
938 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
939 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
940
941 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
649 942
650=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 943=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
651 944
652If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 945If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
653before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 946before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
654the event loop has been chosen. 947the event loop has been chosen.
655 948
656You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 949You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
657if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 950if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
658and the array will be ignored. 951array will be ignored.
659 952
660Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 953Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
954it,as it takes care of these details.
955
956This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
957when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
958not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
959into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
661 960
662=back 961=back
663 962
664=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 963=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
665 964
720 1019
721 1020
722=head1 OTHER MODULES 1021=head1 OTHER MODULES
723 1022
724The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1023The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
725AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1024AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
726in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1025modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
727available via CPAN. 1026come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
728 1027
729=over 4 1028=over 4
730 1029
731=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1030=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
732 1031
733Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1032Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking
734functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1033functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions.
735
736=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
737
738Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
739 1034
740=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1035=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
741 1036
742Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1037Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
743addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1038addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
744connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more. 1039connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
745 1040
1041=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
1042
1043Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
1044supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
1045non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1046
746=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1047=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
747 1048
748Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1049Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
749 1050
1051=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>
1052
1053A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent
1054HTTP requests.
1055
750=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1056=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
751 1057
752Provides a simple web application server framework. 1058Provides a simple web application server framework.
753 1059
754=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1060=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
755 1061
756The fastest ping in the west. 1062The fastest ping in the west.
757 1063
1064=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1065
1066Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
1067
1068=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1069
1070Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
1071programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
1072together.
1073
1074=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
1075
1076Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
1077L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
1078
1079=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
1080
1081A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
1082
758=item L<Net::IRC3> 1083=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
759 1084
760AnyEvent based IRC client module family. 1085AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
761 1086
762=item L<Net::XMPP2> 1087=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
763 1088
764AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family. 1089AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1090Net::XMPP2>.
1091
1092=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
1093
1094A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
1095L<App::IGS>).
765 1096
766=item L<Net::FCP> 1097=item L<Net::FCP>
767 1098
768AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1099AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
769of AnyEvent. 1100of AnyEvent.
774 1105
775=item L<Coro> 1106=item L<Coro>
776 1107
777Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1108Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
778 1109
779=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>, L<IO::AIO>
780
781Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
782programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses IO::AIO and AnyEvent
783together.
784
785=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>, L<BDB>
786
787Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
788IO::AIO and AnyEvent together.
789
790=item L<IO::Lambda>
791
792The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
793
794=back 1110=back
795 1111
796=cut 1112=cut
797 1113
798package AnyEvent; 1114package AnyEvent;
799 1115
800no warnings; 1116# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
801use strict; 1117sub common_sense {
1118 # from common:.sense 1.0
1119 ${^WARNING_BITS} = "\xfc\x3f\xf3\x00\x0f\xf3\xcf\xc0\xf3\xfc\x33\x03";
1120 # use strict vars subs
1121 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1122}
802 1123
1124BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1125
803use Carp; 1126use Carp ();
804 1127
805our $VERSION = '4.05'; 1128our $VERSION = '5.21';
806our $MODEL; 1129our $MODEL;
807 1130
808our $AUTOLOAD; 1131our $AUTOLOAD;
809our @ISA; 1132our @ISA;
810 1133
811our @REGISTRY; 1134our @REGISTRY;
812 1135
813our $WIN32; 1136our $VERBOSE;
814 1137
815BEGIN { 1138BEGIN {
816 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1139 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
817 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }"; 1140 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
818}
819 1141
1142 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1143 if ${^TAINT};
1144
820our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1145 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1146
1147}
1148
1149our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
821 1150
822our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1151our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
823 1152
824{ 1153{
825 my $idx; 1154 my $idx;
827 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1156 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
828 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1157 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
829} 1158}
830 1159
831my @models = ( 1160my @models = (
832 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1161 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
833 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::],
834 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1162 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
835 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1163 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
836 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1164 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
837 # and is usually faster 1165 # and is usually faster
1166 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1167 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1168 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1169 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
838 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1170 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
839 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
840 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
841 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1171 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
842 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1172 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
843 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1173 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
844 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1174 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1175 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1176 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1177 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1178 # obvious default class.
1179 [IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1180 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1181 [IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1182 [AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
845); 1183);
846 1184
847our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1185our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1186 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
848 1187
849our @post_detect; 1188our @post_detect;
850 1189
851sub post_detect(&) { 1190sub post_detect(&) {
852 my ($cb) = @_; 1191 my ($cb) = @_;
853 1192
854 if ($MODEL) { 1193 if ($MODEL) {
855 $cb->(); 1194 $cb->();
856 1195
857 1 1196 undef
858 } else { 1197 } else {
859 push @post_detect, $cb; 1198 push @post_detect, $cb;
860 1199
861 defined wantarray 1200 defined wantarray
862 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1201 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
863 : () 1202 : ()
864 } 1203 }
865} 1204}
866 1205
867sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1206sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
868 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1207 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
869} 1208}
870 1209
871sub detect() { 1210sub detect() {
872 unless ($MODEL) { 1211 unless ($MODEL) {
873 no strict 'refs';
874 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1212 local $SIG{__DIE__};
875 1213
876 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1214 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
877 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1215 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
878 if (eval "require $model") { 1216 if (eval "require $model") {
879 $MODEL = $model; 1217 $MODEL = $model;
880 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1218 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
881 } else { 1219 } else {
882 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1220 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
883 } 1221 }
884 } 1222 }
885 1223
886 # check for already loaded models 1224 # check for already loaded models
887 unless ($MODEL) { 1225 unless ($MODEL) {
888 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1226 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
889 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1227 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
890 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1228 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
891 if (eval "require $model") { 1229 if (eval "require $model") {
892 $MODEL = $model; 1230 $MODEL = $model;
893 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1231 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
894 last; 1232 last;
895 } 1233 }
896 } 1234 }
897 } 1235 }
898 1236
899 unless ($MODEL) { 1237 unless ($MODEL) {
900 # try to load a model 1238 # try to autoload a model
901
902 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1239 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
903 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1240 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1241 if (
1242 $autoload
904 if (eval "require $package" 1243 and eval "require $package"
905 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1244 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
906 and eval "require $model") { 1245 and eval "require $model"
1246 ) {
907 $MODEL = $model; 1247 $MODEL = $model;
908 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1248 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
909 last; 1249 last;
910 } 1250 }
911 } 1251 }
912 1252
913 $MODEL 1253 $MODEL
914 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1254 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
915 } 1255 }
916 } 1256 }
917 1257
1258 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1259
918 unshift @ISA, $MODEL; 1260 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
919 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1261
1262 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
920 1263
921 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect; 1264 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
922 } 1265 }
923 1266
924 $MODEL 1267 $MODEL
926 1269
927sub AUTOLOAD { 1270sub AUTOLOAD {
928 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1271 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
929 1272
930 $method{$func} 1273 $method{$func}
931 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1274 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
932 1275
933 detect unless $MODEL; 1276 detect unless $MODEL;
934 1277
935 my $class = shift; 1278 my $class = shift;
936 $class->$func (@_); 1279 $class->$func (@_);
937} 1280}
938 1281
1282# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1283# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1284# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1285sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1286 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1287
1288 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1289 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1290
1291 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1292 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1293
1294 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1295
1296 ($fh2, $rw)
1297}
1298
1299=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1300
1301Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1302simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1303overhead.
1304
1305See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1306
1307=cut
1308
1309package AE;
1310
1311our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1312
1313sub io($$$) {
1314 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1315}
1316
1317sub timer($$$) {
1318 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1319}
1320
1321sub signal($$) {
1322 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1323}
1324
1325sub child($$) {
1326 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1327}
1328
1329sub idle($) {
1330 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1331}
1332
1333sub cv(;&) {
1334 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1335}
1336
1337sub now() {
1338 AnyEvent->now
1339}
1340
1341sub now_update() {
1342 AnyEvent->now_update
1343}
1344
1345sub time() {
1346 AnyEvent->time
1347}
1348
939package AnyEvent::Base; 1349package AnyEvent::Base;
940 1350
941# default implementation for now and time 1351# default implementations for many methods
942 1352
943use Time::HiRes (); 1353sub _time() {
1354 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1355 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1356 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1357 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1358 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1359 } else {
1360 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1361 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1362 }
944 1363
945sub time { Time::HiRes::time } 1364 &_time
946sub now { Time::HiRes::time } 1365}
1366
1367sub time { _time }
1368sub now { _time }
1369sub now_update { }
947 1370
948# default implementation for ->condvar 1371# default implementation for ->condvar
949 1372
950sub condvar { 1373sub condvar {
951 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1374 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
952} 1375}
953 1376
954# default implementation for ->signal 1377# default implementation for ->signal
955 1378
956our %SIG_CB; 1379our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1380
1381sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1382 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1383 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1384 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1385
1386 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1387}
1388
1389our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1390our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1391our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1392
1393sub _signal_exec {
1394 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1395 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1396 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1397
1398 while (%SIG_EV) {
1399 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1400 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1401 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1402 }
1403 }
1404}
1405
1406# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1407sub _sig_add() {
1408 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1409 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1410 my $NOW = AE::now;
1411
1412 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1413 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1414 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1415 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1416 ;
1417 }
1418}
1419
1420sub _sig_del {
1421 undef $SIG_TW
1422 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1423}
1424
1425our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1426 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading
1427 undef $_sig_name_init;
1428
1429 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1430 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1431 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1432 } else {
1433 require Config;
1434
1435 my %signame2num;
1436 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1437 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1438
1439 my @signum2name;
1440 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1441
1442 *sig2num = sub($) {
1443 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1444 };
1445 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1446 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1447 };
1448 }
1449 };
1450 die if $@;
1451};
1452
1453sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1454sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
957 1455
958sub signal { 1456sub signal {
1457 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1458 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1459 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1460 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1461
1462 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1463 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1464
1465 } else {
1466 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1467
1468 require Fcntl;
1469
1470 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1471 require AnyEvent::Util;
1472
1473 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1474 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1475 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1476 } else {
1477 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1478 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1479 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1480
1481 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1482 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1483 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1484 }
1485
1486 $SIGPIPE_R
1487 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1488
1489 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1490 }
1491
1492 *signal = sub {
959 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1493 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
960 1494
961 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1495 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
962 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1496 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
963 1497
1498 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1499 # async::interrupt
1500
1501 $signal = sig2num $signal;
964 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1502 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1503
1504 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1505 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1506 signal => $signal,
1507 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1508 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1509 ;
1510
1511 } else {
1512 # pure perl
1513
1514 # AE::Util has been loaded in signal
1515 $signal = sig2name $signal;
1516 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1517
965 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1518 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
966 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1519 local $!;
1520 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1521 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1522 };
1523
1524 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1525 # so limit the signal latency.
1526 _sig_add;
1527 }
1528
1529 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1530 };
1531
1532 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1533 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1534
1535 _sig_del;
1536
1537 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1538
1539 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1540 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1541 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1542 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1543 # instead of getting the default action.
1544 undef $SIG{$signal}
1545 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1546 };
967 }; 1547 };
968 1548 die if $@;
969 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1549 &signal
970}
971
972sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
973 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
974
975 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
976
977 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
978} 1550}
979 1551
980# default implementation for ->child 1552# default implementation for ->child
981 1553
982our %PID_CB; 1554our %PID_CB;
983our $CHLD_W; 1555our $CHLD_W;
984our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1556our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
985our $PID_IDLE;
986our $WNOHANG; 1557our $WNOHANG;
987 1558
988sub _child_wait { 1559sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
989 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1560 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1561
1562 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
990 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1563 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
991 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1564 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
992 }
993
994 undef $PID_IDLE;
995} 1565}
996 1566
997sub _sigchld { 1567sub _sigchld {
998 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop. 1568 my $pid;
999 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub { 1569
1000 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1570 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1001 &_child_wait; 1571 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
1002 });
1003} 1572}
1004 1573
1005sub child { 1574sub child {
1006 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1575 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1007 1576
1008 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1577 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1009 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1578 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1010 1579
1011 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1580 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1012 1581
1013 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1582 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1583 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1584 ? 1
1014 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1585 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1015 }
1016 1586
1017 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1587 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1018 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1588 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1019 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1589 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1020 &_sigchld; 1590 &_sigchld;
1021 } 1591 }
1022 1592
1023 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1593 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1024} 1594}
1025 1595
1026sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1596sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
1027 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1597 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1028 1598
1029 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1599 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1030 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1600 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1031 1601
1032 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1602 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1033} 1603}
1034 1604
1605# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1606# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1607# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1608sub idle {
1609 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1610
1611 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1612
1613 $rcb = sub {
1614 if ($cb) {
1615 $w = _time;
1616 &$cb;
1617 $w = _time - $w;
1618
1619 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1620 # within some limits
1621 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1622 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1623
1624 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1625 } else {
1626 # clean up...
1627 undef $w;
1628 undef $rcb;
1629 }
1630 };
1631
1632 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1633
1634 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1635}
1636
1637sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1638 undef $${$_[0]};
1639}
1640
1035package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1641package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1036 1642
1037our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1643our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1038 1644
1039package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1645package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1040 1646
1041use overload 1647#use overload
1042 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1648# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1043 fallback => 1; 1649# fallback => 1;
1650
1651# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1652${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1653*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1654*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1655${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1656
1657our $WAITING;
1044 1658
1045sub _send { 1659sub _send {
1046 # nop 1660 # nop
1047} 1661}
1048 1662
1061sub ready { 1675sub ready {
1062 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1676 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1063} 1677}
1064 1678
1065sub _wait { 1679sub _wait {
1680 $WAITING
1681 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1682 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1683
1684 local $WAITING = 1;
1066 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1685 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1067} 1686}
1068 1687
1069sub recv { 1688sub recv {
1070 $_[0]->_wait; 1689 $_[0]->_wait;
1072 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1691 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1073 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1692 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1074} 1693}
1075 1694
1076sub cb { 1695sub cb {
1077 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1696 my $cv = shift;
1697
1698 @_
1699 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1700 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1701 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1702
1078 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1703 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1079} 1704}
1080 1705
1081sub begin { 1706sub begin {
1082 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1707 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1083 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1708 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1089} 1714}
1090 1715
1091# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1716# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1092*broadcast = \&send; 1717*broadcast = \&send;
1093*wait = \&_wait; 1718*wait = \&_wait;
1719
1720=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1721
1722In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1723caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1724the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1725checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1726development.
1727
1728As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1729executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1730also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1731program.
1732
1733The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1734within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1735$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1736so on.
1737
1738=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1739
1740The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1741submodules.
1742
1743Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1744C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1745enabled.
1746
1747=over 4
1748
1749=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1750
1751By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1752conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1753talkative.
1754
1755When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1756conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1757C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1758
1759When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1760model it chooses.
1761
1762When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1763which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1764
1765=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1766
1767AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1768argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1769will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1770check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1771it will croak.
1772
1773In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1774
1775Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1776>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1777C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1778can be very useful, however.
1779
1780=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1781
1782This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1783auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1784entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1785and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1786used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1787auto detection and -probing.
1788
1789This functionality might change in future versions.
1790
1791For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1792could start your program like this:
1793
1794 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1795
1796=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1797
1798Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1799for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1800of auto probing).
1801
1802Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1803current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1804used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1805list.
1806
1807This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1808against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1809small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1810
1811Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1812but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1813- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1814addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1815IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1816
1817=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1818
1819Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1820for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1821some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1822default.
1823
1824Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1825EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1826
1827=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1828
1829The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1830will create in parallel.
1831
1832=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1833
1834The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1835resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1836sent to the DNS server.
1837
1838=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1839
1840The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1841configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1842default config will be used.
1843
1844=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1845
1846When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1847L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1848variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1849instead of a system-dependent default.
1850
1851=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1852
1853When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1854loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1855
1856=back
1094 1857
1095=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1858=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1096 1859
1097This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 1860This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in
1098a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to 1861a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1132 1895
1133I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 1896I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1134condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 1897condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1135C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 1898C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1136not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 1899not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense.
1137
1138=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1139
1140The following environment variables are used by this module:
1141
1142=over 4
1143
1144=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1145
1146By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1147conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1148talkative.
1149
1150When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1151conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1152C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1153
1154When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1155model it chooses.
1156
1157=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1158
1159This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1160auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1161entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1162and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1163used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1164auto detection and -probing.
1165
1166This functionality might change in future versions.
1167
1168For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you
1169could start your program like this:
1170
1171 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1172
1173=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1174
1175Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1176for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1177of auto probing).
1178
1179Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1180current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1181used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1182list.
1183
1184This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1185against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1186small, as the program has to handle connection errors already-
1187
1188Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1189but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1190- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1191addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1192IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1193
1194=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1195
1196Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1197for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1198some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1199default.
1200
1201Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1202EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1203
1204=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1205
1206The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1207will create in parallel.
1208
1209=back
1210 1900
1211=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 1901=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1212 1902
1213The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 1903The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer
1214to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the 1904to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1227 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 1917 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1228 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 1918 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1229 }, 1919 },
1230 ); 1920 );
1231 1921
1232 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1233
1234 sub new_timer {
1235 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 1922 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1236 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 1923 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1237 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1238 }); 1924 });
1239 }
1240
1241 new_timer; # create first timer
1242 1925
1243 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 1926 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1244 1927
1245=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 1928=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1246 1929
1377through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2060through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1378timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2061timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1379which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2062which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1380 2063
1381Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2064Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1382distribution. 2065distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2066for the EV and Perl backends only.
1383 2067
1384=head3 Explanation of the columns 2068=head3 Explanation of the columns
1385 2069
1386I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2070I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1387different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2071different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1408watcher. 2092watcher.
1409 2093
1410=head3 Results 2094=head3 Results
1411 2095
1412 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2096 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1413 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2097 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1414 EV/Any 100000 244 2.50 0.46 0.29 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2098 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1415 CoroEV/Any 100000 244 2.49 0.44 0.29 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2099 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1416 Perl/Any 100000 513 4.92 0.87 1.12 pure perl implementation 2100 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1417 Event/Event 16000 516 31.88 31.30 0.85 Event native interface 2101 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1418 Event/Any 16000 590 35.75 31.42 1.08 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2102 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2103 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2104 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1419 Glib/Any 16000 1357 98.22 12.41 54.00 quadratic behaviour 2105 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1420 Tk/Any 2000 1860 26.97 67.98 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2106 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1421 POE/Event 2000 6644 108.64 736.02 14.73 via POE::Loop::Event 2107 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1422 POE/Select 2000 6343 94.13 809.12 565.96 via POE::Loop::Select 2108 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1423 2109
1424=head3 Discussion 2110=head3 Discussion
1425 2111
1426The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2112The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1427well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2113well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1439benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2125benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1440EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2126EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1441cycles with POE. 2127cycles with POE.
1442 2128
1443C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2129C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1444maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2130maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2131overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2132slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1445far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2133any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1446natively.
1447 2134
1448The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2135The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1449constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2136constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1450interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2137interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1451adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2138adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1452performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2139performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1453them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2140them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1454 2141
1455The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2142The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1456cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2143cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2144
2145C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2146when using its pure perl backend.
1457 2147
1458C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2148C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1459faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2149faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1460C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2150C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1461watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2151watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1522In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2212In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1523(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2213(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1524connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2214connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1525 2215
1526Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2216Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1527distribution. 2217distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2218for the EV and Perl backends only.
1528 2219
1529=head3 Explanation of the columns 2220=head3 Explanation of the columns
1530 2221
1531I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2222I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1532each server has a read and write socket end). 2223each server has a read and write socket end).
1539it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2230it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1540a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2231a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1541 2232
1542=head3 Results 2233=head3 Results
1543 2234
1544 name sockets create request 2235 name sockets create request
1545 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2236 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1546 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2237 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1547 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2238 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1548 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2239 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2240 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2241 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1549 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2242 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1550 2243
1551=head3 Discussion 2244=head3 Discussion
1552 2245
1553This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2246This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1554particular event loop. 2247particular event loop.
1556EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2249EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1557is relatively high, though. 2250is relatively high, though.
1558 2251
1559Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2252Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1560loops Event and Glib. 2253loops Event and Glib.
2254
2255IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2256good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1561 2257
1562Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2258Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1563understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2259understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1564the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2260the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1565uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2261uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1628=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2324=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1629watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2325watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1630 2326
1631=back 2327=back
1632 2328
2329=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2330
2331Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2332could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2333simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2334shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2335fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2336very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2337baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2338
2339The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2340connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2341creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2342test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2343benchmark nevertheless.
2344
2345 name runtime
2346 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2347 + optimized 0.122 sec
2348 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2349 + optimized 0.138 sec
2350 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2351 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2352 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2353 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2354
2355 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2356 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2357 +state machine 0.134 sec
2358
2359The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2360benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2361defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2362written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2363AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2364resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2365generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2366connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2367
2368The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2369offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2370Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2371non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2372
2373As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2374hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2375backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2376
2377And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2378slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2379higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2380it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2381
2382The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2383F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2384part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2385
2386
2387=head1 SIGNALS
2388
2389AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2390
2391=over 4
2392
2393=item SIGCHLD
2394
2395A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2396emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2397event loops install a similar handler.
2398
2399Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2400AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2401
2402=item SIGPIPE
2403
2404A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2405when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2406
2407The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2408on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2409badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2410program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2411some random socket.
2412
2413The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2414that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2415
2416Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2417
2418=back
2419
2420=cut
2421
2422undef $SIG{CHLD}
2423 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2424
2425$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2426 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2427
2428=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2429
2430One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2431it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2432
2433That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2434modules if they are installed.
2435
2436This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2437affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2438
2439=over 4
2440
2441=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2442
2443This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2444my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2445signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2446delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2447catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2448C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2449
2450If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2451catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2452will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2453battery life on laptops).
2454
2455This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2456that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2457
2458Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2459and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2460(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2461does nothing for those backends.
2462
2463=item L<EV>
2464
2465This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2466event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2467loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2468the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2469automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2470can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2471C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2472L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2473
2474=item L<Guard>
2475
2476The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2477C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2478lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2479purely used for performance.
2480
2481=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2482
2483One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2484via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2485advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2486
2487In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2488installed.
2489
2490=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2491
2492Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2493worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2494the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2495
2496=item L<Time::HiRes>
2497
2498This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2499chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2500pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2501try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2502
2503=back
2504
1633 2505
1634=head1 FORK 2506=head1 FORK
1635 2507
1636Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2508Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1637because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2509because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1638calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2510calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1639 2511
1640If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2512If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1641watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2513watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2514something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1642 2515
1643 2516
1644=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2517=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1645 2518
1646AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2519AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1651specified in the variable. 2524specified in the variable.
1652 2525
1653You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2526You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1654before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2527before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1655 2528
1656 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2529 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1657 2530
1658 use AnyEvent; 2531 use AnyEvent;
1659 2532
1660Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2533Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1661be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2534be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1662probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2535probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2536$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2537
2538Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2539C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2540enabled.
2541
2542
2543=head1 BUGS
2544
2545Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2546to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2547and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2548memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2549pronounced).
1663 2550
1664 2551
1665=head1 SEE ALSO 2552=head1 SEE ALSO
1666 2553
1667Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2554Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1670L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2557L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1671 2558
1672Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2559Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1673L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2560L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1674L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2561L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1675L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2562L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1676 2563
1677Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2564Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1678servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2565servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1679 2566
1680Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2567Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1681 2568
1682Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2569Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2570L<Coro::Event>,
1683 2571
1684Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2572Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2573L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1685 2574
1686 2575
1687=head1 AUTHOR 2576=head1 AUTHOR
1688 2577
1689 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2578 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1690 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2579 http://home.schmorp.de/
1691 2580
1692=cut 2581=cut
1693 2582
16941 25831
1695 2584

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