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Revision 1.354 by root, Thu Aug 11 21:26:39 2011 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 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
13 # an alternative API.
14
15 # file handle or descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { 16 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
17
18 # one-shot or repeating timers
19 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
20 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...);
21
22 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
23 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
24
25 # POSIX signal
26 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
27
28 # child process exit
29 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
30 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
12 ... 31 ...
13 }); 32 });
14 33
15 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { 34 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
16 ... 35 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
17 });
18 36
19 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 37 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
20 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 38 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
21 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 39 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
40 # use a condvar in callback mode:
41 $w->cb (sub { $_[0]->recv });
42
43=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
44
45This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
46in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
47L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
48
49=head1 SUPPORT
50
51An FAQ document is available as L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
52
53There also is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
54channel, too.
55
56See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
57Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
22 58
23=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 59=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
24 60
25Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 61Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
26nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 62nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
27 63
28Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of 64Executive Summary: AnyEvent is I<compatible>, AnyEvent is I<free of
29policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>. 65policy> and AnyEvent is I<small and efficient>.
30 66
31First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only 67First and foremost, I<AnyEvent is not an event model> itself, it only
32interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use in a 68interfaces to whatever event model the main program happens to use, in a
33pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike, 69pragmatic way. For event models and certain classes of immortals alike,
34the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general, 70the statement "there can only be one" is a bitter reality: In general,
35only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent 71only one event loop can be active at the same time in a process. AnyEvent
36helps hiding the differences between those event loops. 72cannot change this, but it can hide the differences between those event
73loops.
37 74
38The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event 75The goal of AnyEvent is to offer module authors the ability to do event
39programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a 76programming (waiting for I/O or timer events) without subscribing to a
40religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your 77religion, a way of living, and most importantly: without forcing your
41module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event 78module users into the same thing by forcing them to use the same event
42model you use. 79model you use.
43 80
44For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is 81For modules like POE or IO::Async (which is a total misnomer as it is
45actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is 82actually doing all I/O I<synchronously>...), using them in your module is
46like joining a cult: After you joined, you are dependent on them and you 83like joining a cult: After you join, you are dependent on them and you
47cannot use anything else, as it is simply incompatible to everything that 84cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
48isn't itself. What's worse, all the potential users of your module are 85that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
49I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 86module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
50 87
51AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 88AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
52fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together 89fine. AnyEvent + Tk works fine etc. etc. but none of these work together
53with the rest: POE + IO::Async? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if 90with the rest: POE + EV? No go. Tk + Event? No go. Again: if your module
54your module uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, 91uses one of those, every user of your module has to use it, too. But if
55too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 92your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event models it
56event models it supports (including stuff like POE and IO::Async, as long 93supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those use one of the
57as those use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new 94supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops to AnyEvent, too,
58event loops to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 95so it is future-proof).
59 96
60In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event 97In addition to being free of having to use I<the one and only true event
61model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar 98model>, AnyEvent also is free of bloat and policy: with POE or similar
62modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to 99modules, you get an enormous amount of code and strict rules you have to
63follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and up to the point, by only 100follow. AnyEvent, on the other hand, is lean and to the point, by only
64offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as 101offering the functionality that is necessary, in as thin as a wrapper as
65technically possible. 102technically possible.
66 103
67Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox 104Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
68of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100% 105of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
74useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event 111useful) and you want to force your users to use the one and only event
75model, you should I<not> use this module. 112model, you should I<not> use this module.
76 113
77=head1 DESCRIPTION 114=head1 DESCRIPTION
78 115
79L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 116L<AnyEvent> provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
80allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 117allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
81users to use the same event loop (as only a single event loop can coexist 118module users to use a specific event loop implementation (since more
82peacefully at any one time). 119than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
83 120
84The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event> 121The interface itself is vaguely similar, but not identical to the L<Event>
85module. 122module.
86 123
87During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 124During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
88to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the 125to detect the currently loaded event loop by probing whether one of the
89following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, 126following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, L<AnyEvent::Loop>,
90L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, 127L<Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. The first one
91L<POE>. The first one found is used. If none are found, the module tries 128found is used. If none are detected, the module tries to load the first
92to load these modules (excluding Tk, Event::Lib, Qt and POE as the pure perl 129four modules in the order given; but note that if L<EV> is not
93adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 130available, the pure-perl L<AnyEvent::Loop> should always work, so
94be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 131the other two are not normally tried.
95found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not
96very efficient, but should work everywhere.
97 132
98Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading 133Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading
99an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make 134an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make
100that model the default. For example: 135that model the default. For example:
101 136
103 use AnyEvent; 138 use AnyEvent;
104 139
105 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 140 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
106 141
107The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and 142The I<likely> means that, if any module loads another event model and
108starts using it, all bets are off. Maybe you should tell their authors to 143starts using it, all bets are off - this case should be very rare though,
109use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 144as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this very
145loudly.
110 146
111The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 147The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called C<AnyEvent::Loop>. Like
112C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 148other event modules you can load it explicitly and enjoy the high
113explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :) 149availability of that event loop :)
114 150
115=head1 WATCHERS 151=head1 WATCHERS
116 152
117AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that 153AnyEvent has the central concept of a I<watcher>, which is an object that
118stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as 154stores relevant data for each kind of event you are waiting for, such as
121These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 157These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
122creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 158creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
123callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 159callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
124is in control). 160is in control).
125 161
162Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
163potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
164callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practice in
165Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
166widely between event loops.
167
126To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 168To disable a watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
127variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 169variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
128to it). 170to it).
129 171
130All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 172All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
131 173
132Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 174Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
133example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 175example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
134 176
135An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 177One way to achieve that is this pattern:
136 178
137 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 179 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
138 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 180 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
139 undef $w; 181 undef $w;
140 }); 182 });
141 183
142Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl, 184Note that C<my $w; $w => combination. This is necessary because in Perl,
143my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 185my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
144declared. 186declared.
145 187
146=head2 I/O WATCHERS 188=head2 I/O WATCHERS
147 189
190 $w = AnyEvent->io (
191 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
192 poll => <"r" or "w">,
193 cb => <callback>,
194 );
195
148You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 196You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
149with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 197with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
150 198
151C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch 199C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
200for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
201handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
202non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
203most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
204or block devices.
205
152for events. C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, 206C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
153which creates a watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, 207watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
208
154respectively. C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle 209C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
155becomes ready.
156 210
157Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 211Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
158presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 212presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
159callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 213callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
160 214
161The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it. 215The I/O watcher might use the underlying file descriptor or a copy of it.
162You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the 216You must not close a file handle as long as any watcher is active on the
163underlying file descriptor. 217underlying file descriptor.
164 218
165Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 219Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
166always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 220always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
167handles. 221handles.
168 222
169Example:
170
171 # wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the watcher 223Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
224watcher.
225
172 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub { 226 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
173 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>); 227 chomp (my $input = <STDIN>);
174 warn "read: $input\n"; 228 warn "read: $input\n";
175 undef $w; 229 undef $w;
176 }); 230 });
177 231
178=head2 TIME WATCHERS 232=head2 TIME WATCHERS
179 233
234 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => <seconds>, cb => <callback>);
235
236 $w = AnyEvent->timer (
237 after => <fractional_seconds>,
238 interval => <fractional_seconds>,
239 cb => <callback>,
240 );
241
180You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 242You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
181method with the following mandatory arguments: 243method with the following mandatory arguments:
182 244
183C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 245C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
184supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke 246supported) the callback should be invoked. C<cb> is the callback to invoke
186 248
187Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 249Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
188presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 250presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
189callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 251callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
190 252
191The timer callback will be invoked at most once: if you want a repeating 253The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
192timer you have to create a new watcher (this is a limitation by both Tk 254parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
193and Glib). 255callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
256seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
257false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
194 258
195Example: 259The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
260attempt is made to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
261only approximate.
196 262
197 # fire an event after 7.7 seconds 263Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
264
198 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 265 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
199 warn "timeout\n"; 266 warn "timeout\n";
200 }); 267 });
201 268
202 # to cancel the timer: 269 # to cancel the timer:
203 undef $w; 270 undef $w;
204 271
205Example 2:
206
207 # fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second 272Example 2: fire an event after 0.5 seconds, then roughly every second.
208 my $w;
209 273
210 my $cb = sub {
211 # cancel the old timer while creating a new one
212 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => $cb); 274 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, interval => 1, cb => sub {
275 warn "timeout\n";
213 }; 276 };
214
215 # start the "loop" by creating the first watcher
216 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.5, cb => $cb);
217 277
218=head3 TIMING ISSUES 278=head3 TIMING ISSUES
219 279
220There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire 280There are two ways to handle timers: based on real time (relative, "fire
221in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12 281in 10 seconds") and based on wallclock time (absolute, "fire at 12
223 283
224While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they 284While most event loops expect timers to specified in a relative way, they
225use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock 285use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock
226"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from 286"jumps", for example, when ntp decides to set your clock backwards from
227the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to 287the wrong date of 2014-01-01 to 2008-01-01, a watcher that is supposed to
228fire "after" a second might actually take six years to finally fire. 288fire "after a second" might actually take six years to finally fire.
229 289
230AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious 290AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious
231about these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based 291of these issues is L<EV>, which offers both relative (ev_timer, based
232on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time) 292on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time)
233timers. 293timers.
234 294
235AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 295AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
236AnyEvent API. 296AnyEvent API.
258I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the 318I<In almost all cases (in all cases if you don't care), this is the
259function to call when you want to know the current time.> 319function to call when you want to know the current time.>
260 320
261This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and 321This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
262thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example, 322thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
263L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts). 323L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update its activity timeouts).
264 324
265The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact 325The rest of this section is only of relevance if you try to be very exact
266with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience. 326with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
267 327
268For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib> 328For a practical example of when these times differ, consider L<Event::Lib>
269and L<EV> and the following set-up: 329and L<EV> and the following set-up:
270 330
271The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callback at 331The event loop is running and has just invoked one of your callbacks at
272time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback, 332time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
273you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a 333you wait a second by executing C<sleep 1> (blocking the process for a
274second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires 334second) and then (at time=501) you create a relative timer that fires
275after three seconds. 335after three seconds.
276 336
294In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you 354In 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 355can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
296difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into 356difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
297account. 357account.
298 358
359=item AnyEvent->now_update
360
361Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Loop>) cache the current
362time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<< AnyEvent->now >>,
363above).
364
365When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
366this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
367might affect timers and time-outs.
368
369When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
370event loop's idea of "current time".
371
372A typical example would be a script in a web server (e.g. C<mod_perl>) -
373when mod_perl executes the script, then the event loop will have the wrong
374idea about the "current time" (being potentially far in the past, when the
375script ran the last time). In that case you should arrange a call to C<<
376AnyEvent->now_update >> each time the web server process wakes up again
377(e.g. at the start of your script, or in a handler).
378
379Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
380
299=back 381=back
300 382
301=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 383=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
302 384
385 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
386
303You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 387You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
304I<name> without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl callback to 388I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
305be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 389callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
306 390
307Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 391Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
308presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 392presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
309callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks. 393callbacks cannot use arguments passed to signal watcher callbacks.
310 394
312invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 396invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
313that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 397that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
314but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 398but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
315 399
316The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 400The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
317between multiple watchers. 401between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
402interrupt your program at bad times.
318 403
319This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 404This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
320directly will likely not work correctly. 405so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
406correctly.
321 407
322Example: exit on SIGINT 408Example: exit on SIGINT
323 409
324 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 410 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
325 411
412=head3 Restart Behaviour
413
414While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
415not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
416pure perl implementation).
417
418=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
419
420Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
421"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
422latter might corrupt your memory.
423
424AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
425i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
426called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
427callbacks, too).
428
429=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
430
431Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
432callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
433do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
434this. AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases,
435signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
436specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10 seconds). This
437variable can be changed only before the first signal watcher is created,
438and should be left alone otherwise. This variable determines how often
439AnyEvent polls for signals (in case a wake-up was missed). Higher values
440will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
441saving.
442
443All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
444L<Async::Interrupt> module, which works with most event loops. It will not
445work with inherently broken event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib>
446(and not with L<POE> currently, as POE does its own workaround with
447one-second latency). For those, you just have to suffer the delays.
448
326=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 449=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
327 450
451 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
452
328You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 453You can also watch for a child process exit and catch its exit status.
329 454
330The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 455The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (on some backends,
331watches for any child process exit). The watcher will trigger as often 456using 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 457croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
333signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>. The callback will be called with the pid 458finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
334and exit status (as returned by waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, 459(stopped/continued).
335you I<can> rely on child watcher callback arguments. 460
461The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
462waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
463callback arguments.
464
465This watcher type works by installing a signal handler for C<SIGCHLD>,
466and since it cannot be shared, nothing else should use SIGCHLD or reap
467random child processes (waiting for specific child processes, e.g. inside
468C<system>, is just fine).
336 469
337There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 470There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
338I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 471I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
339have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 472have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
340 473
341Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 474Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
475see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
342event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 476that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
343loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 477the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
478pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
479start the watcher.
344 480
345This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 481This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
346AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 482thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
347C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 483watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
484C<AnyEvent::detect>).
485
486As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
487emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which case the latency and race
488problems mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
348 489
349Example: fork a process and wait for it 490Example: fork a process and wait for it
350 491
351 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 492 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
352 493
353 my $pid = fork or exit 5; 494 my $pid = fork or exit 5;
354 495
355 my $w = AnyEvent->child ( 496 my $w = AnyEvent->child (
356 pid => $pid, 497 pid => $pid,
357 cb => sub { 498 cb => sub {
358 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 499 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
359 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status"; 500 warn "pid $pid exited with status $status";
360 $done->send; 501 $done->send;
361 }, 502 },
362 ); 503 );
363 504
364 # do something else, then wait for process exit 505 # do something else, then wait for process exit
365 $done->recv; 506 $done->recv;
507
508=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
509
510 $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => <callback>);
511
512This will repeatedly invoke the callback after the process becomes idle,
513until either the watcher is destroyed or new events have been detected.
514
515Idle watchers are useful when there is a need to do something, but it
516is not so important (or wise) to do it instantly. The callback will be
517invoked only when there is "nothing better to do", which is usually
518defined as "all outstanding events have been handled and no new events
519have been detected". That means that idle watchers ideally get invoked
520when the event loop has just polled for new events but none have been
521detected. Instead of blocking to wait for more events, the idle watchers
522will be invoked.
523
524Unfortunately, most event loops do not really support idle watchers (only
525EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
526will simply call the callback "from time to time".
527
528Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
529program is otherwise idle:
530
531 my @lines; # read data
532 my $idle_w;
533 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
534 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
535
536 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
537 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
538 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
539 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
540 print "handled when idle: $line";
541 } else {
542 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
543 undef $idle_w;
544 }
545 });
546 });
366 547
367=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 548=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
549
550 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
551
552 $cv->send (<list>);
553 my @res = $cv->recv;
368 554
369If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 555If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
370require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 556require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
371will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 557will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
372 558
373AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 559AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
374will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 560loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
375 561
376The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 562The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
377because they represent a condition that must become true. 563they represent a condition that must become true.
564
565Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
378 566
379Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 567Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
380>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 568>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
381C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 569C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
382becomes true. 570becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
571the results).
383 572
384After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 573After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
385by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it 574by calling the C<send> method (or calling the condition variable as if it
386were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<< 575were a callback, read about the caveats in the description for the C<<
387->send >> method). 576->send >> method).
388 577
389Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 578Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API, here are
390optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 579some different mental models of what they are - pick the ones you can connect to:
391in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 580
392another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 581=over 4
393used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 582
394a result. 583=item * Condition variables are like callbacks - you can call them (and pass them instead
584of callbacks). Unlike callbacks however, you can also wait for them to be called.
585
586=item * Condition variables are signals - one side can emit or send them,
587the other side can wait for them, or install a handler that is called when
588the signal fires.
589
590=item * Condition variables are like "Merge Points" - points in your program
591where you merge multiple independent results/control flows into one.
592
593=item * Condition variables represent a transaction - functions that start
594some kind of transaction can return them, leaving the caller the choice
595between waiting in a blocking fashion, or setting a callback.
596
597=item * Condition variables represent future values, or promises to deliver
598some result, long before the result is available.
599
600=back
395 601
396Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 602Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
397for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 603for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
398then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 604then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
399availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 605availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
412 618
413Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 619Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
414used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing 620used by AnyEvent itself are all named C<_ae_XXX> to make subclassing
415easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of 621easy (it is often useful to build your own transaction class on top of
416AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call 622AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
417it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method. 623its C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
418 624
419There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 625There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
420eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 626eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
421for the send to occur. 627for the send to occur.
422 628
423Example: wait for a timer. 629Example: wait for a timer.
424 630
425 # wait till the result is ready 631 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
426 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 632 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
427 633
428 # do something such as adding a timer 634 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
429 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 635 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
430 # when the "result" is ready. 636 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
431 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 637 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
432 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 638 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
433 after => 1, 639 after => 1,
434 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 640 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
435 ); 641 );
436 642
437 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 643 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
438 # calls send 644 # calls ->send
439 $result_ready->recv; 645 $timer_fired->recv;
440 646
441Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 647Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
442condition variables are also code references. 648variables are also callable directly.
443 649
444 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 650 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
445 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 651 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
446 $done->recv; 652 $done->recv;
653
654Example: Imagine an API that returns a condvar and doesn't support
655callbacks. This is how you make a synchronous call, for example from
656the main program:
657
658 use AnyEvent::CouchDB;
659
660 ...
661
662 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
663
664And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
665results are available:
666
667 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
668 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
669 });
447 670
448=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS 671=head3 METHODS FOR PRODUCERS
449 672
450These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the 673These methods should only be used by the producing side, i.e. the
451code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also 674code/module that eventually sends the signal. Note that it is also
464immediately from within send. 687immediately from within send.
465 688
466Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 689Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
467future C<< ->recv >> calls. 690future C<< ->recv >> calls.
468 691
469Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 692Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
470(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 693they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
471C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 694C<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).
477 695
478=item $cv->croak ($error) 696=item $cv->croak ($error)
479 697
480Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 698Similar to send, but causes all calls to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
481C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 699C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
482 700
483This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 701This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
484user/consumer. 702user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
703delays the error detection, but has the overwhelming advantage that it
704diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
705deep in some event callback with no connection to the actual code causing
706the problem.
485 707
486=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 708=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
487 709
488=item $cv->end 710=item $cv->end
489
490These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
491 711
492These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 712These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
493one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 713one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
494to use a condition variable for the whole process. 714to use a condition variable for the whole process.
495 715
496Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to 716Every call to C<< ->begin >> will increment a counter, and every call to
497C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 717C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
498>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 718>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed, passing the
499is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 719condvar as first argument. That callback is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send
500callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 720>>, but that is not required. If no group callback was set, C<send> will
721be called without any arguments.
501 722
502Let's clarify this with the ping example: 723You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
724sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
725condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
726
727Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
728STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
729close before activating a condvar:
503 730
504 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 731 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
505 732
733 $cv->begin; # first watcher
734 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
735 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
736 or $cv->end;
737 });
738
739 $cv->begin; # second watcher
740 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
741 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
742 or $cv->end;
743 });
744
745 $cv->recv;
746
747This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
748one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
749sending.
750
751The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
752there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
753begun can potentially be zero:
754
755 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
756
506 my %result; 757 my %result;
507 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 758 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
508 759
509 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 760 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
510 $cv->begin; 761 $cv->begin;
511 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 762 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
512 $result{$host} = ...; 763 $result{$host} = ...;
527loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 778loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
528to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 779to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
529C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 780C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
530doesn't execute once). 781doesn't execute once).
531 782
532This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 783This 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> 784potentially zero) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
534is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 785the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
535C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 786subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
787call C<end>.
536 788
537=back 789=back
538 790
539=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 791=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
540 792
544=over 4 796=over 4
545 797
546=item $cv->recv 798=item $cv->recv
547 799
548Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 800Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
549>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 801>> methods have been called on C<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
550normally. 802normally.
551 803
552You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but 804You can only wait once on a condition - additional calls are valid but
553will return immediately. 805will return immediately.
554 806
556function will call C<croak>. 808function will call C<croak>.
557 809
558In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 810In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
559in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 811in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
560 812
813Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
814event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
815>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
816condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
817L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
818any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
819
561Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 820Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
562(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 821(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
563using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 822using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
564caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 823caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
565condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 824condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
566callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 825callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
567while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 826while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
568 827
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 828You can ensure that C<< ->recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
581only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 829only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
582time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 830time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
583waits otherwise. 831waits otherwise.
584 832
585=item $bool = $cv->ready 833=item $bool = $cv->ready
586 834
587Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or 835Returns true when the condition is "true", i.e. whether C<send> or
588C<croak> have been called. 836C<croak> have been called.
589 837
590=item $cb = $cv->cb ([new callback]) 838=item $cb = $cv->cb ($cb->($cv))
591 839
592This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 840This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
593replaces it before doing so. 841replaces it before doing so.
594 842
595The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when 843The callback will be called when the condition becomes "true", i.e. when
596C<send> or C<croak> are called. Calling C<recv> inside the callback 844C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the
845condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
846callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling C<recv> inside
597or at any later time is guaranteed not to block. 847the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
598 848
599=back 849=back
600 850
851=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
852
853The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
854
855=over 4
856
857=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
858
859EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
860use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will fall back to its own
861pure-perl implementation, which is available everywhere as it comes with
862AnyEvent itself.
863
864 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
865 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl AnyEvent::Loop, fast and portable.
866
867=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
868
869These will be used if they are already loaded when the first watcher
870is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
871them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
872when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
873create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
874
875 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
876 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
877 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
878 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
879 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
880 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
881 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async.
882 AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa based on Cocoa::EventLoop.
883 AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK based on FLTK.
884
885=item Backends with special needs.
886
887Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
888otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
889instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
890everything should just work.
891
892 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
893
894=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
895
896Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
897
898There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
899
900B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
901use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
902polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
903consider for AnyEvent.
904
905B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
906backend, so it can be supported through POE.
907
908AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
909load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
910in which case everything will be automatic.
911
912=back
913
601=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 914=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
602 915
916These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
917write AnyEvent extension modules.
918
603=over 4 919=over 4
604 920
605=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 921=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
606 922
607Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 923Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
924backend has been autodetected.
925
608contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 926Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
609Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 927name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
610C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 928of the C<AnyEvent::Impl::xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
611AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 929case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
612 930will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
613The known classes so far are:
614
615 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
616 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
617 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
618 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
619 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
620 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
621 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
622 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
623
624There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
625watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
626POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
627second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
628AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
629it's adaptor.
630
631AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
632autodetecting them.
633 931
634=item AnyEvent::detect 932=item AnyEvent::detect
635 933
636Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 934Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
637if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 935if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
638have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 936have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
639runtime. 937runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your module.
938
939If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
940created, use C<post_detect>.
640 941
641=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 942=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
642 943
643Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 944Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
644autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 945autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
946
947The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
948(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
949created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
950other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
951L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
952
953The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
954event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
955and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
956avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
645 957
646If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 958If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
647that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 959that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
960C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
648L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 961a case where this is useful.
962
963Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
964C<$WATCHER>, but do so only do so after the event loop is initialised.
965
966 our WATCHER;
967
968 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
969 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
970 };
971
972 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
973 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
974 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
975 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
976
977 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
649 978
650=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 979=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
651 980
652If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 981If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
653before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 982before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
654the event loop has been chosen. 983after the event loop has been chosen.
655 984
656You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 985You 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, 986if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
658and the array will be ignored. 987array will be ignored.
659 988
660Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 989Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
990it, as it takes care of these details.
991
992This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
993when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
994not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
995into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
996
997Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
998together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
999Coro to accomplish this):
1000
1001 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
1002 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
1003 require Coro::AnyEvent;
1004 } else {
1005 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
1006 # as soon as it is
1007 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
1008 }
1009
1010=item AnyEvent::postpone { BLOCK }
1011
1012Arranges for the block to be executed as soon as possible, but not before
1013the call itself returns. In practise, the block will be executed just
1014before the event loop polls for new events, or shortly afterwards.
1015
1016This function never returns anything (to make the C<return postpone { ...
1017}> idiom more useful.
1018
1019To understand the usefulness of this function, consider a function that
1020asynchronously does something for you and returns some transaction
1021object or guard to let you cancel the operation. For example,
1022C<AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect>:
1023
1024 # start a conenction attempt unless one is active
1025 $self->{connect_guard} ||= AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect "www.example.net", 80, sub {
1026 delete $self->{connect_guard};
1027 ...
1028 };
1029
1030Imagine that this function could instantly call the callback, for
1031example, because it detects an obvious error such as a negative port
1032number. Invoking the callback before the function returns causes problems
1033however: the callback will be called and will try to delete the guard
1034object. But since the function hasn't returned yet, there is nothing to
1035delete. When the function eventually returns it will assign the guard
1036object to C<< $self->{connect_guard} >>, where it will likely never be
1037deleted, so the program thinks it is still trying to connect.
1038
1039This is where C<AnyEvent::postpone> should be used. Instead of calling the
1040callback directly on error:
1041
1042 $cb->(undef), return # signal error to callback, BAD!
1043 if $some_error_condition;
1044
1045It should use C<postpone>:
1046
1047 AnyEvent::postpone { $cb->(undef) }, return # signal error to callback, later
1048 if $some_error_condition;
661 1049
662=back 1050=back
663 1051
664=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1052=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
665 1053
676because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 1064because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
677events is to stay interactive. 1065events is to stay interactive.
678 1066
679It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module 1067It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
680requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 1068requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
681called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >> 1069called C<results> that returns the results, it may call C<< ->recv >>
682freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 1070freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. Always).
683 1071
684=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1072=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
685 1073
686There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 1074There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
687dictate which event model to use. 1075dictate which event model to use.
688 1076
689If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 1077If the program is not event-based, it need not do anything special, even
690do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 1078when it depends on a module that uses an AnyEvent. If the program itself
691decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 1079uses AnyEvent, but does not care which event loop is used, all it needs
1080to do is C<use AnyEvent>. In either case, AnyEvent will choose the best
1081available loop implementation.
692 1082
693If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in 1083If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
694Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the 1084Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
695event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 1085event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
696speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 1086speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
697modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 1087modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
698decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 1088decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
699might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 1089might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
700 1090
701You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the 1091You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
702C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour 1092C<AnyEvent::Loop> module, which gives you similar behaviour
703everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better. 1093everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
704 1094
705=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION 1095=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
706 1096
707Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who 1097Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
720 1110
721 1111
722=head1 OTHER MODULES 1112=head1 OTHER MODULES
723 1113
724The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1114The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
725AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1115AnyEvent 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 1116modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
727available via CPAN. 1117come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN.
728 1118
729=over 4 1119=over 4
730 1120
731=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1121=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
732 1122
733Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1123Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
734functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1124functions such as C<inet_aton> with event/callback-based versions.
735
736=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
737
738Provide read and write buffers and manages watchers for reads and writes.
739 1125
740=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1126=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
741 1127
742Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1128Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
743addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1129addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
744connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more. 1130connections or tcp servers, with IPv6 and SRV record support and more.
745 1131
1132=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
1133
1134Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
1135supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
1136non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>).
1137
746=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1138=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
747 1139
748Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1140Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
749 1141
1142=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IGS>, L<AnyEvent::FCP>
1143
1144Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name (for
1145the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the Freenet
1146Client Protocol).
1147
1148=item L<AnyEvent::Handle::UDP>
1149
1150Here be danger!
1151
1152As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!" -
1153there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP, most notably
1154its use of a stream-based API with a protocol that isn't streamable, that
1155the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1156
1157It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and general
1158confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP but also
1159fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect doesn't work
1160with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only has datagrams, not
1161packets", "I don't need to implement proper error checking as UDP doesn't
1162support error checking" and so on - he doesn't even understand what's
1163wrong with his module when it is explained to him.
1164
1165=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
1166
1167Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
1168notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1169
1170=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1171
1172Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in the
1173toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
1174L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to event-based
1175file I/O, and much more.
1176
750=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1177=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
751 1178
752Provides a simple web application server framework. 1179A simple embedded webserver.
753 1180
754=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1181=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
755 1182
756The fastest ping in the west. 1183The fastest ping in the west.
757 1184
758=item L<Net::IRC3>
759
760AnyEvent based IRC client module family.
761
762=item L<Net::XMPP2>
763
764AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
765
766=item L<Net::FCP>
767
768AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
769of AnyEvent.
770
771=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
772
773High level API for event-based execution flow control.
774
775=item L<Coro> 1185=item L<Coro>
776 1186
777Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1187Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
778 1188
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 1189=back
795 1190
796=cut 1191=cut
797 1192
798package AnyEvent; 1193package AnyEvent;
799 1194
800no warnings; 1195# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
801use strict; 1196sub common_sense {
1197 # from common:.sense 3.4
1198 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS} ^ "\x3c\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf0\x0f\xc0\xf0\xfc\x33\x00";
1199 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1200 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1201}
802 1202
1203BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1204
803use Carp; 1205use Carp ();
804 1206
805our $VERSION = '4.05'; 1207our $VERSION = '5.34';
806our $MODEL; 1208our $MODEL;
807 1209
808our $AUTOLOAD; 1210our $AUTOLOAD;
809our @ISA; 1211our @ISA;
810 1212
811our @REGISTRY; 1213our @REGISTRY;
812 1214
813our $WIN32; 1215our $VERBOSE;
814 1216
815BEGIN { 1217BEGIN {
816 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1218 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
817 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }";
818}
819 1219
1220 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
1221
1222 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1223 if ${^TAINT};
1224
820our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1225 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1226
1227}
1228
1229our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
821 1230
822our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1231our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
823 1232
824{ 1233{
825 my $idx; 1234 my $idx;
827 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1236 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
828 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1237 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
829} 1238}
830 1239
831my @models = ( 1240my @models = (
832 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1241 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
833 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1242 [AnyEvent::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
834 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
835 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1243 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
836 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1244 # as the pure perl backend should work everywhere
837 # and is usually faster 1245 # and is usually faster
1246 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1247 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1248 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1249 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
838 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1250 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
839 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
840 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
841 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1251 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
842 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1252 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
843 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1253 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
844 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1254 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1255 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::],
1256 [Cocoa::EventLoop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa::],
1257 [FLTK:: => AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK::],
845); 1258);
846 1259
847our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1260our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1261 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar DESTROY);
848 1262
849our @post_detect; 1263our @post_detect;
850 1264
851sub post_detect(&) { 1265sub post_detect(&) {
852 my ($cb) = @_; 1266 my ($cb) = @_;
853 1267
854 if ($MODEL) {
855 $cb->();
856
857 1
858 } else {
859 push @post_detect, $cb; 1268 push @post_detect, $cb;
860 1269
861 defined wantarray 1270 defined wantarray
862 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1271 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
863 : () 1272 : ()
1273}
1274
1275sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1276 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1277}
1278
1279sub detect() {
1280 # free some memory
1281 *detect = sub () { $MODEL };
1282
1283 local $!; # for good measure
1284 local $SIG{__DIE__};
1285
1286 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
1287 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
1288 if (eval "require $model") {
1289 $MODEL = $model;
1290 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
1291 } else {
1292 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
1293 }
864 } 1294 }
865}
866 1295
867sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1296 # check for already loaded models
868 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
869}
870
871sub detect() {
872 unless ($MODEL) { 1297 unless ($MODEL) {
873 no strict 'refs'; 1298 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
874 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1299 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
875 1300 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
876 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
877 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
878 if (eval "require $model") { 1301 if (eval "require $model") {
879 $MODEL = $model; 1302 $MODEL = $model;
880 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1303 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
881 } else { 1304 last;
882 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1305 }
883 } 1306 }
884 } 1307 }
885 1308
886 # check for already loaded models
887 unless ($MODEL) { 1309 unless ($MODEL) {
1310 # try to autoload a model
888 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1311 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
889 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1312 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1313 if (
1314 $autoload
1315 and eval "require $package"
890 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1316 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
891 if (eval "require $model") { 1317 and eval "require $model"
1318 ) {
892 $MODEL = $model; 1319 $MODEL = $model;
893 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1320 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
894 last; 1321 last;
895 }
896 } 1322 }
897 } 1323 }
898 1324
899 unless ($MODEL) {
900 # try to load a model
901
902 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
903 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
904 if (eval "require $package"
905 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
906 and eval "require $model") {
907 $MODEL = $model;
908 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
909 last;
910 }
911 }
912
913 $MODEL 1325 $MODEL
914 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1326 or die "AnyEvent: backend autodetection failed - did you properly install AnyEvent?\n";
915 }
916 } 1327 }
917
918 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
919 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
920
921 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
922 } 1328 }
1329
1330 @models = (); # free probe data
1331
1332 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1333 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
1334
1335 # now nuke some methods that are overridden by the backend.
1336 # SUPER is not allowed.
1337 for (qw(time signal child idle)) {
1338 undef &{"AnyEvent::Base::$_"}
1339 if defined &{"$MODEL\::$_"};
1340 }
1341
1342 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}) {
1343 eval { require AnyEvent::Strict };
1344 warn "AnyEvent: cannot load AnyEvent::Strict: $@"
1345 if $@ && $VERBOSE;
1346 }
1347
1348 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1349
1350 *post_detect = sub(&) {
1351 shift->();
1352
1353 undef
1354 };
923 1355
924 $MODEL 1356 $MODEL
925} 1357}
926 1358
927sub AUTOLOAD { 1359sub AUTOLOAD {
928 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1360 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
929 1361
930 $method{$func} 1362 $method{$func}
931 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1363 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid AnyEvent class method";
932 1364
933 detect unless $MODEL; 1365 detect;
934 1366
935 my $class = shift; 1367 my $class = shift;
936 $class->$func (@_); 1368 $class->$func (@_);
937} 1369}
938 1370
1371our $POSTPONE_W;
1372our @POSTPONE;
1373
1374sub _postpone_exec {
1375 undef $POSTPONE_W;
1376 (pop @POSTPONE)->()
1377 while @POSTPONE;
1378}
1379
1380sub postpone(&) {
1381 push @POSTPONE, shift;
1382
1383 $POSTPONE_W ||= AE::timer (0, 0, \&_postpone_exec);
1384
1385 ()
1386}
1387
1388# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1389# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1390# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1391sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1392 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1393
1394 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1395 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1396
1397 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1398 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1399
1400 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1401
1402 ($fh2, $rw)
1403}
1404
1405=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1406
1407Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1408simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1409overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1410
1411See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1412
1413=cut
1414
1415package AE;
1416
1417our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1418
1419# fall back to the main API by default - backends and AnyEvent::Base
1420# implementations can overwrite these.
1421
1422sub io($$$) {
1423 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1424}
1425
1426sub timer($$$) {
1427 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1428}
1429
1430sub signal($$) {
1431 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1432}
1433
1434sub child($$) {
1435 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1436}
1437
1438sub idle($) {
1439 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0])
1440}
1441
1442sub cv(;&) {
1443 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1444}
1445
1446sub now() {
1447 AnyEvent->now
1448}
1449
1450sub now_update() {
1451 AnyEvent->now_update
1452}
1453
1454sub time() {
1455 AnyEvent->time
1456}
1457
1458*postpone = \&AnyEvent::postpone;
1459
939package AnyEvent::Base; 1460package AnyEvent::Base;
940 1461
941# default implementation for now and time 1462# default implementations for many methods
942 1463
943use Time::HiRes (); 1464sub time {
1465 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1466 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1467 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1468 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1469 *AE::time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1470 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1471 } else {
1472 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1473 *AE::time = sub (){ time }; # epic fail
1474 }
944 1475
945sub time { Time::HiRes::time } 1476 *time = sub { AE::time }; # different prototypes
946sub now { Time::HiRes::time } 1477 };
1478 die if $@;
1479
1480 &time
1481}
1482
1483*now = \&time;
1484
1485sub now_update { }
1486
1487sub _poll {
1488 Carp::croak "$AnyEvent::MODEL does not support blocking waits. Caught";
1489}
947 1490
948# default implementation for ->condvar 1491# default implementation for ->condvar
1492# in fact, the default should not be overwritten
949 1493
950sub condvar { 1494sub condvar {
1495 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1496 *condvar = sub {
951 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1497 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1498 };
1499
1500 *AE::cv = sub (;&) {
1501 bless { @_ ? (_ae_cb => shift) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1502 };
1503 };
1504 die if $@;
1505
1506 &condvar
952} 1507}
953 1508
954# default implementation for ->signal 1509# default implementation for ->signal
955 1510
956our %SIG_CB; 1511our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1512
1513sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1514 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1515 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1516 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1517
1518 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1519}
1520
1521our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1522our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1523our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1524
1525# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1526# used by Impls
1527sub _sig_add() {
1528 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1529 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1530 my $NOW = AE::now;
1531
1532 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1533 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1534 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1535 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1536 ;
1537 }
1538}
1539
1540sub _sig_del {
1541 undef $SIG_TW
1542 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1543}
1544
1545our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1546 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1547 undef $_sig_name_init;
1548
1549 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1550 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1551 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1552 } else {
1553 require Config;
1554
1555 my %signame2num;
1556 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1557 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1558
1559 my @signum2name;
1560 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1561
1562 *sig2num = sub($) {
1563 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1564 };
1565 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1566 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1567 };
1568 }
1569 };
1570 die if $@;
1571};
1572
1573sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1574sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
957 1575
958sub signal { 1576sub signal {
1577 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1578 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1579 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1580 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1581
1582 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1583 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1584
1585 } else {
1586 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1587
1588 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1589 require AnyEvent::Util;
1590
1591 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1592 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1593 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1594 } else {
1595 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1596 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1597 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1598
1599 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1600 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1601 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1602 }
1603
1604 $SIGPIPE_R
1605 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1606
1607 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1608 }
1609
1610 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1611 ? sub {
959 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1612 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
960 1613
1614 # async::interrupt
961 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1615 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
962 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
963
964 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1616 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1617
1618 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1619 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1620 signal => $signal,
1621 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1622 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1623 ;
1624
1625 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1626 }
1627 : sub {
1628 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1629
1630 # pure perl
1631 my $signal = sig2name $arg{signal};
1632 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1633
965 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1634 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1635 local $!;
1636 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1637 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1638 };
1639
1640 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1641 # so limit the signal latency.
1642 _sig_add;
1643
1644 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1645 }
1646 ;
1647
1648 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1649 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1650
1651 _sig_del;
1652
1653 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1654
1655 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1656 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1657 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1658 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1659 # instead of getting the default action.
1660 undef $SIG{$signal}
1661 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1662 };
1663
1664 *_signal_exec = sub {
1665 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1666 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1667 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1668
1669 while (%SIG_EV) {
1670 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1671 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
966 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} || {} }; 1672 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1673 }
1674 }
1675 };
967 }; 1676 };
1677 die if $@;
968 1678
969 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1679 &signal
970}
971
972sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
973 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
974
975 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
976
977 $SIG{$signal} = 'DEFAULT' unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
978} 1680}
979 1681
980# default implementation for ->child 1682# default implementation for ->child
981 1683
982our %PID_CB; 1684our %PID_CB;
983our $CHLD_W; 1685our $CHLD_W;
984our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1686our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
985our $PID_IDLE;
986our $WNOHANG;
987 1687
988sub _child_wait { 1688# used by many Impl's
989 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1689sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1690 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1691
1692 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
990 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1693 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
991 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1694 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
992 }
993
994 undef $PID_IDLE;
995}
996
997sub _sigchld {
998 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop.
999 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub {
1000 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1001 &_child_wait;
1002 });
1003} 1695}
1004 1696
1005sub child { 1697sub child {
1698 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1699 *_sigchld = sub {
1700 my $pid;
1701
1702 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1703 while ($pid = waitpid -1, WNOHANG) > 0;
1704 };
1705
1706 *child = sub {
1006 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1707 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1007 1708
1008 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1709 my $pid = $arg{pid};
1009 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1710 my $cb = $arg{cb};
1010 1711
1011 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1712 $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb+0} = $cb;
1012 1713
1013 unless ($WNOHANG) {
1014 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1015 }
1016
1017 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1714 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1018 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1715 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1019 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1716 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1020 &_sigchld; 1717 &_sigchld;
1021 } 1718 }
1022 1719
1023 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1720 bless [$pid, $cb+0], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1024} 1721 };
1025 1722
1026sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1723 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
1027 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1724 my ($pid, $icb) = @{$_[0]};
1028 1725
1029 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1726 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$icb};
1030 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1727 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1031 1728
1032 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1729 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1730 };
1731 };
1732 die if $@;
1733
1734 &child
1735}
1736
1737# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1738# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1739# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1740sub idle {
1741 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1742 *idle = sub {
1743 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1744
1745 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1746
1747 $rcb = sub {
1748 if ($cb) {
1749 $w = _time;
1750 &$cb;
1751 $w = _time - $w;
1752
1753 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1754 # within some limits
1755 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1756 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1757
1758 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1759 } else {
1760 # clean up...
1761 undef $w;
1762 undef $rcb;
1763 }
1764 };
1765
1766 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1767
1768 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1769 };
1770
1771 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1772 undef $${$_[0]};
1773 };
1774 };
1775 die if $@;
1776
1777 &idle
1033} 1778}
1034 1779
1035package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1780package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1036 1781
1037our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1782our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1038 1783
1784# only to be used for subclassing
1785sub new {
1786 my $class = shift;
1787 bless AnyEvent->condvar (@_), $class
1788}
1789
1039package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1790package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1040 1791
1041use overload 1792#use overload
1042 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1793# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1043 fallback => 1; 1794# fallback => 1;
1795
1796# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1797${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1798*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1799*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1800${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1801
1802our $WAITING;
1044 1803
1045sub _send { 1804sub _send {
1046 # nop 1805 # nop
1806}
1807
1808sub _wait {
1809 AnyEvent->_poll until $_[0]{_ae_sent};
1047} 1810}
1048 1811
1049sub send { 1812sub send {
1050 my $cv = shift; 1813 my $cv = shift;
1051 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_]; 1814 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_];
1060 1823
1061sub ready { 1824sub ready {
1062 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1825 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1063} 1826}
1064 1827
1065sub _wait {
1066 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1067}
1068
1069sub recv { 1828sub recv {
1829 unless ($_[0]{_ae_sent}) {
1830 $WAITING
1831 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait attempted";
1832
1833 local $WAITING = 1;
1070 $_[0]->_wait; 1834 $_[0]->_wait;
1835 }
1071 1836
1072 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1837 $_[0]{_ae_croak}
1073 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1838 and Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1839
1840 wantarray
1841 ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} }
1842 : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1074} 1843}
1075 1844
1076sub cb { 1845sub cb {
1077 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1846 my $cv = shift;
1847
1848 @_
1849 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1850 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1851 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1852
1078 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1853 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1079} 1854}
1080 1855
1081sub begin { 1856sub begin {
1082 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1857 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1083 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1858 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1088 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } }; 1863 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
1089} 1864}
1090 1865
1091# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1866# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1092*broadcast = \&send; 1867*broadcast = \&send;
1093*wait = \&_wait; 1868*wait = \&recv;
1869
1870=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1871
1872In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1873caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1874the C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> environment variable, below) provides strict
1875checking of all AnyEvent methods, however, which is highly useful during
1876development.
1877
1878As for exception handling (i.e. runtime errors and exceptions thrown while
1879executing a callback), this is not only highly event-loop specific, but
1880also not in any way wrapped by this module, as this is the job of the main
1881program.
1882
1883The pure perl event loop simply re-throws the exception (usually
1884within C<< condvar->recv >>), the L<Event> and L<EV> modules call C<<
1885$Event/EV::DIED->() >>, L<Glib> uses C<< install_exception_handler >> and
1886so on.
1887
1888=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1889
1890The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1891submodules.
1892
1893Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1894C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1895enabled.
1896
1897=over 4
1898
1899=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1900
1901By default, AnyEvent will be completely silent except in fatal
1902conditions. You can set this environment variable to make AnyEvent more
1903talkative.
1904
1905When set to C<1> or higher, causes AnyEvent to warn about unexpected
1906conditions, such as not being able to load the event model specified by
1907C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1908
1909When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1910model it chooses.
1911
1912When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1913which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1914
1915=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1916
1917AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1918argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1919will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1920check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1921it will croak.
1922
1923In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1924
1925Unlike C<use strict> (or its modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1926>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1927C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1928can be very useful, however.
1929
1930=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1931
1932This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1933auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1934entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended
1935and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful,
1936used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with
1937auto detection and -probing.
1938
1939This functionality might change in future versions.
1940
1941For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Loop::Perl>) you
1942could start your program like this:
1943
1944 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1945
1946=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1947
1948Used by both L<AnyEvent::DNS> and L<AnyEvent::Socket> to determine preferences
1949for IPv4 or IPv6. The default is unspecified (and might change, or be the result
1950of auto probing).
1951
1952Must be set to a comma-separated list of protocols or address families,
1953current supported: C<ipv4> and C<ipv6>. Only protocols mentioned will be
1954used, and preference will be given to protocols mentioned earlier in the
1955list.
1956
1957This variable can effectively be used for denial-of-service attacks
1958against local programs (e.g. when setuid), although the impact is likely
1959small, as the program has to handle conenction and other failures anyways.
1960
1961Examples: C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4,ipv6> - prefer IPv4 over IPv6,
1962but support both and try to use both. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv4>
1963- only support IPv4, never try to resolve or contact IPv6
1964addresses. C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS=ipv6,ipv4> support either IPv4 or
1965IPv6, but prefer IPv6 over IPv4.
1966
1967=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_EDNS0>
1968
1969Used by L<AnyEvent::DNS> to decide whether to use the EDNS0 extension
1970for DNS. This extension is generally useful to reduce DNS traffic, but
1971some (broken) firewalls drop such DNS packets, which is why it is off by
1972default.
1973
1974Setting this variable to C<1> will cause L<AnyEvent::DNS> to announce
1975EDNS0 in its DNS requests.
1976
1977=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1978
1979The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1980will create in parallel.
1981
1982=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1983
1984The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1985resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1986sent to the DNS server.
1987
1988=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1989
1990The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1991configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1992default config will be used.
1993
1994=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1995
1996When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1997L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1998variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1999instead of a system-dependent default.
2000
2001=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
2002
2003When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
2004loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
2005
2006=back
1094 2007
1095=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 2008=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1096 2009
1097This is an advanced topic that you do not normally need to use AnyEvent in 2010This 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 2011a module. This section is only of use to event loop authors who want to
1132 2045
1133I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to 2046I<rxvt-unicode> also cheats a bit by not providing blocking access to
1134condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will 2047condition variables: code blocking while waiting for a condition will
1135C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must 2048C<die>. This still works with most modules/usages, and blocking calls must
1136not be done in an interactive application, so it makes sense. 2049not 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 2050
1211=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM 2051=head1 EXAMPLE PROGRAM
1212 2052
1213The following program uses an I/O watcher to read data from STDIN, a timer 2053The 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 2054to display a message once per second, and a condition variable to quit the
1227 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 2067 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1228 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 2068 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1229 }, 2069 },
1230 ); 2070 );
1231 2071
1232 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1233
1234 sub new_timer {
1235 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 2072 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1236 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 2073 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1237 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1238 }); 2074 });
1239 }
1240
1241 new_timer; # create first timer
1242 2075
1243 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 2076 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1244 2077
1245=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 2078=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1246 2079
1319 2152
1320The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2153The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1321that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2154that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1322whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2155whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1323and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2156and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1324problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2157problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1325random callback. 2158random callback.
1326 2159
1327All of this enables the following usage styles: 2160All of this enables the following usage styles:
1328 2161
13291. Blocking: 21621. Blocking:
1377through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2210through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1378timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2211timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1379which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2212which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1380 2213
1381Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2214Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1382distribution. 2215distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2216for the EV and Perl backends only.
1383 2217
1384=head3 Explanation of the columns 2218=head3 Explanation of the columns
1385 2219
1386I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2220I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1387different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2221different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1408watcher. 2242watcher.
1409 2243
1410=head3 Results 2244=head3 Results
1411 2245
1412 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2246 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1413 EV/EV 400000 244 0.56 0.46 0.31 EV native interface 2247 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 2248 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 2249 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 2250 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 2251 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 2252 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2253 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2254 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 2255 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 2256 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 2257 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 2258 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1423 2259
1424=head3 Discussion 2260=head3 Discussion
1425 2261
1426The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2262The 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) 2263well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1439benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2275benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1440EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2276EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1441cycles with POE. 2277cycles with POE.
1442 2278
1443C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2279C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1444maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2280maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2281overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2282slower, 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 2283any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1446natively.
1447 2284
1448The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2285The 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 2286constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1450interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2287interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1451adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2288adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1452performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2289performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1453them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2290them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1454 2291
1455The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2292The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1456cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2293cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2294
2295C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2296when using its pure perl backend.
1457 2297
1458C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2298C<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 2299faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1460C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2300C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1461watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2301watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1522In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2362In 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 2363(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1524connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2364connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1525 2365
1526Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2366Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1527distribution. 2367distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2368for the EV and Perl backends only.
1528 2369
1529=head3 Explanation of the columns 2370=head3 Explanation of the columns
1530 2371
1531I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2372I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1532each server has a read and write socket end). 2373each server has a read and write socket end).
1539it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2380it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1540a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2381a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1541 2382
1542=head3 Results 2383=head3 Results
1543 2384
1544 name sockets create request 2385 name sockets create request
1545 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2386 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1546 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2387 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1547 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2388 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1548 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2389 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2390 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2391 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1549 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2392 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1550 2393
1551=head3 Discussion 2394=head3 Discussion
1552 2395
1553This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2396This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1554particular event loop. 2397particular event loop.
1556EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2399EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1557is relatively high, though. 2400is relatively high, though.
1558 2401
1559Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2402Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1560loops Event and Glib. 2403loops Event and Glib.
2404
2405IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2406good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1561 2407
1562Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2408Event 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 2409understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1564the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2410the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1565uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2411uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1628=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2474=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1629watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2475watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1630 2476
1631=back 2477=back
1632 2478
2479=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2480
2481Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2482could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2483simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2484shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2485fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2486very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2487baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2488
2489The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2490connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2491creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2492test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2493benchmark nevertheless.
2494
2495 name runtime
2496 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2497 + optimized 0.122 sec
2498 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2499 + optimized 0.138 sec
2500 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2501 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2502 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2503 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2504
2505 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2506 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2507 +state machine 0.134 sec
2508
2509The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2510benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2511defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2512written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2513AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2514resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2515generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2516connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2517
2518The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2519offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2520Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2521non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2522
2523As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2524hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2525backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2526
2527And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2528slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2529higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2530it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2531
2532The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2533F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2534part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2535
2536
2537=head1 SIGNALS
2538
2539AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
2540
2541=over 4
2542
2543=item SIGCHLD
2544
2545A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
2546emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
2547event loops install a similar handler.
2548
2549Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2550AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
2551
2552=item SIGPIPE
2553
2554A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
2555when AnyEvent gets loaded.
2556
2557The rationale for this is that AnyEvent users usually do not really depend
2558on SIGPIPE delivery (which is purely an optimisation for shell use, or
2559badly-written programs), but C<SIGPIPE> can cause spurious and rare
2560program exits as a lot of people do not expect C<SIGPIPE> when writing to
2561some random socket.
2562
2563The rationale for installing a no-op handler as opposed to ignoring it is
2564that this way, the handler will be restored to defaults on exec.
2565
2566Feel free to install your own handler, or reset it to defaults.
2567
2568=back
2569
2570=cut
2571
2572undef $SIG{CHLD}
2573 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2574
2575$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
2576 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2577
2578=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2579
2580One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2581its built-in modules) are required to use it.
2582
2583That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2584modules if they are installed.
2585
2586This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2587affect AnyEvent's operation.
2588
2589=over 4
2590
2591=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2592
2593This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2594my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2595signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2596delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2597catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2598C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2599
2600If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2601catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2602will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2603battery life on laptops).
2604
2605This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2606that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2607
2608Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2609and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2610(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2611does nothing for those backends.
2612
2613=item L<EV>
2614
2615This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2616event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2617loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2618the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2619automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2620can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2621C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2622L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2623
2624If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2625then this module will do nothing for you.
2626
2627=item L<Guard>
2628
2629The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2630C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2631lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2632purely used for performance.
2633
2634=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2635
2636One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2637via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2638advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2639
2640=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2641
2642Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2643worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2644the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2645
2646=item L<Time::HiRes>
2647
2648This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2649chosen event library does not come with a timing source of its own. The
2650pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Loop>) will additionally load it to
2651try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2652
2653=back
2654
1633 2655
1634=head1 FORK 2656=head1 FORK
1635 2657
1636Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2658Most 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> 2659because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
1638calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2660- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2661are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2662one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2663continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2664what you are doing).
2665
2666This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2667the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2668usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2669is loaded).
1639 2670
1640If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2671If 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. 2672watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2673something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2674
2675The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2676is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2677fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2678watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2679parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2680to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2681preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2682to have another binary.
1642 2683
1643 2684
1644=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2685=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1645 2686
1646AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2687AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1651specified in the variable. 2692specified in the variable.
1652 2693
1653You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it 2694You can make AnyEvent completely ignore this variable by deleting it
1654before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block: 2695before the first watcher gets created, e.g. with a C<BEGIN> block:
1655 2696
1656 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} } 2697 BEGIN { delete $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} }
1657 2698
1658 use AnyEvent; 2699 use AnyEvent;
1659 2700
1660Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2701Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1661be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2702be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1662probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL). 2703probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
2704$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2705
2706Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2707C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2708enabled.
2709
2710
2711=head1 BUGS
2712
2713Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
2714to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
2715and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
2716memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
2717pronounced).
1663 2718
1664 2719
1665=head1 SEE ALSO 2720=head1 SEE ALSO
1666 2721
2722Tutorial/Introduction: L<AnyEvent::Intro>.
2723
2724FAQ: L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
2725
1667Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2726Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1668 2727
1669Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, 2728Event modules: L<AnyEvent::Loop>, L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>,
1670L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2729L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1671 2730
1672Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2731Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1673L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2732L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1674L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2733L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1675L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2734L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1676 2735
1677Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2736Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1678servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2737servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1679 2738
1680Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2739Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1681 2740
1682Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2741Thread support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
1683 2742
1684Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2743Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>,
2744L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1685 2745
1686 2746
1687=head1 AUTHOR 2747=head1 AUTHOR
1688 2748
1689 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2749 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>
1690 http://home.schmorp.de/ 2750 http://home.schmorp.de/
1691 2751
1692=cut 2752=cut
1693 2753
16941 27541
1695 2755

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