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1=head1 NAME 1=head1 NAME
2 2
3AnyEvent - provide framework for multiple event loops 3AnyEvent - the DBI of event loop programming
4 4
5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Qt, POE - various supported event loops 5EV, Event, Glib, Tk, Perl, Event::Lib, Irssi, rxvt-unicode, IO::Async, Qt
6and POE are various supported event loops/environments.
6 7
7=head1 SYNOPSIS 8=head1 SYNOPSIS
8 9
9 use AnyEvent; 10 use AnyEvent;
10 11
12 # if you prefer function calls, look at the AE manpage for
13 # an alternative API.
14
15 # file handle or descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { ... }); 16 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
12 17
18 # one-shot or repeating timers
13 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... }); 19 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
14 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ... 20 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...);
15 21
16 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time 22 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
17 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time. 23 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
18 24
25 # POSIX signal
19 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... }); 26 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
20 27
28 # child process exit
21 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { 29 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
22 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 30 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
23 ... 31 ...
24 }); 32 });
33
34 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
35 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
25 36
26 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 37 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
27 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 38 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
28 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 39 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
29 # use a condvar in callback mode: 40 # use a condvar in callback mode:
32=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 43=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
33 44
34This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 45This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
35in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 46in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
36L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 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.
37 58
38=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 59=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
39 60
40Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 61Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
41nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 62nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
57module 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
58model you use. 79model you use.
59 80
60For 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
61actually 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
62like 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
63cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything 84cannot use anything else, as they are simply incompatible to everything
64that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your 85that isn't them. What's worse, all the potential users of your
65module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use. 86module are I<also> forced to use the same event loop you use.
66 87
67AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works 88AnyEvent is different: AnyEvent + POE works fine. AnyEvent + Glib works
68fine. 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
69with 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
70your 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
71too. But if your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all 92your module uses AnyEvent, it works transparently with all event models it
72event models it supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those 93supports (including stuff like IO::Async, as long as those use one of the
73use one of the supported event loops. It is trivial to add new event loops 94supported event loops. It is easy to add new event loops to AnyEvent, too,
74to AnyEvent, too, so it is future-proof). 95so it is future-proof).
75 96
76In 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
77model>, 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
78modules, 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
79follow. 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
80offering 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
81technically possible. 102technically possible.
82 103
83Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox 104Of course, AnyEvent comes with a big (and fully optional!) toolbox
84of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100% 105of useful functionality, such as an asynchronous DNS resolver, 100%
90useful) 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
91model, you should I<not> use this module. 112model, you should I<not> use this module.
92 113
93=head1 DESCRIPTION 114=head1 DESCRIPTION
94 115
95L<AnyEvent> provides an identical interface to multiple event loops. This 116L<AnyEvent> provides a uniform interface to various event loops. This
96allows module authors to utilise an event loop without forcing module 117allows module authors to use event loop functionality without forcing
97users 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
98peacefully at any one time). 119than one event loop cannot coexist peacefully).
99 120
100The 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>
101module. 122module.
102 123
103During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries 124During the first call of any watcher-creation method, the module tries
104to 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
105following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, 126following modules is already loaded: L<EV>, L<AnyEvent::Loop>,
106L<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
107L<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
108to 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
109adaptor should always succeed) in the order given. The first one that can 130available, the pure-perl L<AnyEvent::Loop> should always work, so
110be successfully loaded will be used. If, after this, still none could be 131the other two are not normally tried.
111found, AnyEvent will fall back to a pure-perl event loop, which is not
112very efficient, but should work everywhere.
113 132
114Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading 133Because AnyEvent first checks for modules that are already loaded, loading
115an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make 134an event model explicitly before first using AnyEvent will likely make
116that model the default. For example: 135that model the default. For example:
117 136
119 use AnyEvent; 138 use AnyEvent;
120 139
121 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk 140 # .. AnyEvent will likely default to Tk
122 141
123The 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
124starts 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,
125use AnyEvent so their modules work together with others seamlessly... 144as very few modules hardcode event loops without announcing this very
145loudly.
126 146
127The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called 147The pure-perl implementation of AnyEvent is called C<AnyEvent::Loop>. Like
128C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>. Like other event modules you can load it 148other event modules you can load it explicitly and enjoy the high
129explicitly and enjoy the high availability of that event loop :) 149availability of that event loop :)
130 150
131=head1 WATCHERS 151=head1 WATCHERS
132 152
133AnyEvent 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
134stores 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
139callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 159callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
140is in control). 160is in control).
141 161
142Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables> 162Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
143potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<< 163potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
144callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in 164callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practice in
145Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs 165Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
146widely between event loops. 166widely between event loops.
147 167
148To 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
149variable 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
150to it). 170to it).
151 171
152All 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.
153 173
154Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for 174Many watchers either are used with "recursion" (repeating timers for
155example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways. 175example), or need to refer to their watcher object in other ways.
156 176
157An any way to achieve that is this pattern: 177One way to achieve that is this pattern:
158 178
159 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub { 179 my $w; $w = AnyEvent->type (arg => value ..., cb => sub {
160 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it 180 # you can use $w here, for example to undef it
161 undef $w; 181 undef $w;
162 }); 182 });
165my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are 185my variables are only visible after the statement in which they are
166declared. 186declared.
167 187
168=head2 I/O WATCHERS 188=head2 I/O WATCHERS
169 189
190 $w = AnyEvent->io (
191 fh => <filehandle_or_fileno>,
192 poll => <"r" or "w">,
193 cb => <callback>,
194 );
195
170You 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
171with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 197with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
172 198
173C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch for events 199C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
174(AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file handle). C<poll> 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
175must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a watcher 206C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
176waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively. C<cb> is the 207watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
208
177callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready. 209C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
178 210
179Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 211Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
180presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 212presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
181callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 213callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
182 214
183The 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.
184You 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
185underlying file descriptor. 217underlying file descriptor.
186 218
187Some event loops issue spurious readyness notifications, so you should 219Some event loops issue spurious readiness notifications, so you should
188always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file 220always use non-blocking calls when reading/writing from/to your file
189handles. 221handles.
190 222
191Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the 223Example: wait for readability of STDIN, then read a line and disable the
192watcher. 224watcher.
197 undef $w; 229 undef $w;
198 }); 230 });
199 231
200=head2 TIME WATCHERS 232=head2 TIME WATCHERS
201 233
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
202You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >> 242You can create a time watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->timer >>
203method with the following mandatory arguments: 243method with the following mandatory arguments:
204 244
205C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are 245C<after> specifies after how many seconds (fractional values are
206supported) 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
208 248
209Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 249Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
210presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 250presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
211callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks. 251callbacks cannot use arguments passed to time watcher callbacks.
212 252
213The callback will normally be invoked once only. If you specify another 253The callback will normally be invoked only once. If you specify another
214parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the 254parameter, C<interval>, as a strictly positive number (> 0), then the
215callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional 255callback will be invoked regularly at that interval (in fractional
216seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a 256seconds) after the first invocation. If C<interval> is specified with a
217false value, then it is treated as if it were missing. 257false value, then it is treated as if it were not specified at all.
218 258
219The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no 259The callback will be rescheduled before invoking the callback, but no
220attempt is done to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is 260attempt is made to avoid timer drift in most backends, so the interval is
221only approximate. 261only approximate.
222 262
223Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds. 263Example: fire an event after 7.7 seconds.
224 264
225 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub { 265 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 7.7, cb => sub {
243 283
244While 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
245use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock 285use absolute time internally. This makes a difference when your clock
246"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
247the 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
248fire "after" a second might actually take six years to finally fire. 288fire "after a second" might actually take six years to finally fire.
249 289
250AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious 290AnyEvent cannot compensate for this. The only event loop that is conscious
251about 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
252on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time) 292on true relative time) and absolute (ev_periodic, based on wallclock time)
253timers. 293timers.
254 294
255AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the 295AnyEvent always prefers relative timers, if available, matching the
256AnyEvent API. 296AnyEvent API.
278I<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
279function to call when you want to know the current time.> 319function to call when you want to know the current time.>
280 320
281This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and 321This function is also often faster then C<< AnyEvent->time >>, and
282thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example, 322thus the preferred method if you want some timestamp (for example,
283L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update it's activity timeouts). 323L<AnyEvent::Handle> uses this to update its activity timeouts).
284 324
285The 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
286with your timing, you can skip it without bad conscience. 326with your timing; you can skip it without a bad conscience.
287 327
288For 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>
289and L<EV> and the following set-up: 329and L<EV> and the following set-up:
290 330
291The 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
292time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback, 332time=500 (assume no other callbacks delay processing). In your callback,
293you 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
294second) 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
295after three seconds. 335after three seconds.
296 336
314In 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
315can 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
316difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into 356difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
317account. 357account.
318 358
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
319=back 381=back
320 382
321=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 383=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
384
385 $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => <uppercase_signal_name>, cb => <callback>);
322 386
323You 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
324I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl 388I<name> in uppercase and without any C<SIG> prefix, C<cb> is the Perl
325callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs. 389callback to be invoked whenever a signal occurs.
326 390
332invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 396invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
333that 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,
334but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 398but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
335 399
336The 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
337between multiple watchers. 401between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
402interrupt your program at bad times.
338 403
339This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 404This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
340directly will likely not work correctly. 405so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
406correctly.
341 407
342Example: exit on SIGINT 408Example: exit on SIGINT
343 409
344 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 410 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
345 411
412=head3 Restart Behaviour
413
414While restart behaviour is up to the event loop implementation, most will
415not restart syscalls (that includes L<Async::Interrupt> and AnyEvent's
416pure perl implementation).
417
418=head3 Safe/Unsafe Signals
419
420Perl signals can be either "safe" (synchronous to opcode handling) or
421"unsafe" (asynchronous) - the former might get delayed indefinitely, the
422latter might corrupt your memory.
423
424AnyEvent signal handlers are, in addition, synchronous to the event loop,
425i.e. they will not interrupt your running perl program but will only be
426called as part of the normal event handling (just like timer, I/O etc.
427callbacks, too).
428
429=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
430
431Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
432callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot
433do race-free signal handling in perl, requiring C libraries for
434this. AnyEvent will try to do its best, which means in some cases,
435signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might be delayed is
436specified in C<$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
346=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 449=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
347 450
451 $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => <process id>, cb => <callback>);
452
348You 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.
349 454
350The 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,
351watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when 456using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
352the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on 457croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
353any trace events (stopped/continued). 458finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
459(stopped/continued).
354 460
355The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by 461The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
356waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher 462waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
357callback arguments. 463callback arguments.
358 464
363 469
364There 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
365I<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
366have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 472have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
367 473
368Not 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
369event 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
370loaded 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.
371 480
372This 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
373AnyEvent 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
374C<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.
375 489
376Example: fork a process and wait for it 490Example: fork a process and wait for it
377 491
378 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 492 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
379 493
389 ); 503 );
390 504
391 # do something else, then wait for process exit 505 # do something else, then wait for process exit
392 $done->recv; 506 $done->recv;
393 507
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 });
547
394=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 548=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
549
550 $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
551
552 $cv->send (<list>);
553 my @res = $cv->recv;
395 554
396If 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
397require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 556require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
398will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 557will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
399 558
400AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 559AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
401will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 560loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
402 561
403The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 562The tool to do that is called a "condition variable", so called because
404because 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.
405 566
406Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 567Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
407>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 568>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
408
409C<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
410becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 570becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
411the results). 571the results).
412 572
413After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 573After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
414by 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
415were 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<<
416->send >> method). 576->send >> method).
417 577
418Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 578Since condition variables are the most complex part of the AnyEvent API, here are
419optionally 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:
420in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 580
421another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 581=over 4
422used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 582
423a 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
424 601
425Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 602Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
426for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 603for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
427then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 604then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
428availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 605availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
441 618
442Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys 619Condition variables are represented by hash refs in perl, and the keys
443used 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
444easy (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
445AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call 622AnyEvent). To subclass, use C<AnyEvent::CondVar> as base class and call
446it's C<new> method in your own C<new> method. 623its C<new> method in your own C<new> method.
447 624
448There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which 625There are two "sides" to a condition variable - the "producer side" which
449eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits 626eventually calls C<< -> send >>, and the "consumer side", which waits
450for the send to occur. 627for the send to occur.
451 628
452Example: wait for a timer. 629Example: wait for a timer.
453 630
454 # wait till the result is ready 631 # condition: "wait till the timer is fired"
455 my $result_ready = AnyEvent->condvar; 632 my $timer_fired = AnyEvent->condvar;
456 633
457 # do something such as adding a timer 634 # create the timer - we could wait for, say
458 # or socket watcher the calls $result_ready->send 635 # a handle becomign ready, or even an
459 # when the "result" is ready. 636 # AnyEvent::HTTP request to finish, but
460 # in this case, we simply use a timer: 637 # in this case, we simply use a timer:
461 my $w = AnyEvent->timer ( 638 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (
462 after => 1, 639 after => 1,
463 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 640 cb => sub { $timer_fired->send },
464 ); 641 );
465 642
466 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 643 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
467 # calls send 644 # calls ->send
468 $result_ready->recv; 645 $timer_fired->recv;
469 646
470Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 647Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
471condition variables are also code references. 648variables are also callable directly.
472 649
473 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 650 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
474 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 651 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
475 $done->recv; 652 $done->recv;
476 653
482 659
483 ... 660 ...
484 661
485 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 662 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
486 663
487And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 664And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
488results are available: 665results are available:
489 666
490 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 667 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
491 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 668 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
492 }); 669 });
510immediately from within send. 687immediately from within send.
511 688
512Any 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
513future C<< ->recv >> calls. 690future C<< ->recv >> calls.
514 691
515Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 692Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
516(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
517C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 694C<send>.
518overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
519instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
520support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
521invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
522example).
523 695
524=item $cv->croak ($error) 696=item $cv->croak ($error)
525 697
526Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 698Similar to send, but causes all calls to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
527C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 699C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
528 700
529This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 701This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
530user/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.
531 707
532=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 708=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
533 709
534=item $cv->end 710=item $cv->end
535
536These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
537 711
538These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 712These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
539one. 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
540to use a condition variable for the whole process. 714to use a condition variable for the whole process.
541 715
542Every 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
543C<< ->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
544>>, 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
545is 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
546callback 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.
547 722
548Let'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:
549 730
550 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 731 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
551 732
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
552 my %result; 757 my %result;
553 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 758 $cv->begin (sub { shift->send (\%result) });
554 759
555 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) { 760 for my $host (@list_of_hosts) {
556 $cv->begin; 761 $cv->begin;
557 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub { 762 ping_host_then_call_callback $host, sub {
558 $result{$host} = ...; 763 $result{$host} = ...;
573loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 778loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
574to 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
575C<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
576doesn't execute once). 781doesn't execute once).
577 782
578This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 783This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
579use 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
580is 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
581C<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>.
582 788
583=back 789=back
584 790
585=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 791=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
586 792
590=over 4 796=over 4
591 797
592=item $cv->recv 798=item $cv->recv
593 799
594Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak 800Wait (blocking if necessary) until the C<< ->send >> or C<< ->croak
595>> methods have been called on c<$cv>, while servicing other watchers 801>> methods have been called on C<$cv>, while servicing other watchers
596normally. 802normally.
597 803
598You 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
599will return immediately. 805will return immediately.
600 806
602function will call C<croak>. 808function will call C<croak>.
603 809
604In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 810In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
605in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 811in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
606 812
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
607Not 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
608(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
609using 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
610caller 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
611condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 824condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
612callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 825callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
613while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 826while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
614 827
615Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
616sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
617multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
618can supply.
619
620The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
621fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
622versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
623C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
624coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
625
626You 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
627only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 829only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
628time). 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
629waits otherwise. 831waits otherwise.
630 832
631=item $bool = $cv->ready 833=item $bool = $cv->ready
637 839
638This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally 840This is a mutator function that returns the callback set and optionally
639replaces it before doing so. 841replaces it before doing so.
640 842
641The 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
642C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the condition 844C<send> or C<croak> are called, with the only argument being the
643variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 845condition variable itself. If the condition is already true, the
644is guaranteed not to block. 846callback is called immediately when it is set. Calling C<recv> inside
847the callback or at any later time is guaranteed not to block.
645 848
646=back 849=back
647 850
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::FLTK2 based on FLTK (fltk 2 binding).
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
648=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 914=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
649 915
916These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
917write AnyEvent extension modules.
918
650=over 4 919=over 4
651 920
652=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 921=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
653 922
654Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 923Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
924backend has been autodetected.
925
655contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 926Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
656Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 927name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
657C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 928of the C<AnyEvent::Impl::xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
658AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 929case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
659 930will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
660The known classes so far are:
661
662 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
663 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
664 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
665 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
666 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
667 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
668 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
669 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
670
671There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
672watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
673POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
674second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
675AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
676it's adaptor.
677
678AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
679autodetecting them.
680 931
681=item AnyEvent::detect 932=item AnyEvent::detect
682 933
683Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 934Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
684if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 935if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
685have 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
686runtime. 937runtime, and not e.g. during initialisation of your module.
938
939The effect of calling this function is as if a watcher had been created
940(specifically, actions that happen "when the first watcher is created"
941happen when calling detetc as well).
942
943If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
944created, use C<post_detect>.
687 945
688=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 946=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
689 947
690Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 948Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
691autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 949autodetected (or immediately if that has already happened).
950
951The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
952(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
953created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
954other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
955L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
956
957The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
958event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
959and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
960avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
692 961
693If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 962If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
694that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 963that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
964C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
695L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 965a case where this is useful.
966
967Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
968C<$WATCHER>, but do so only do so after the event loop is initialised.
969
970 our WATCHER;
971
972 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
973 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
974 };
975
976 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
977 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
978 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
979 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
980
981 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
696 982
697=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 983=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
698 984
699If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 985If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
700before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 986before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will be called directly
701the event loop has been chosen. 987after the event loop has been chosen.
702 988
703You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 989You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
704if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 990if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
705and the array will be ignored. 991array will be ignored.
706 992
707Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 993Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
994it, as it takes care of these details.
995
996This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
997when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
998not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
999into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
1000
1001Example: To load Coro::AnyEvent whenever Coro and AnyEvent are used
1002together, you could put this into Coro (this is the actual code used by
1003Coro to accomplish this):
1004
1005 if (defined $AnyEvent::MODEL) {
1006 # AnyEvent already initialised, so load Coro::AnyEvent
1007 require Coro::AnyEvent;
1008 } else {
1009 # AnyEvent not yet initialised, so make sure to load Coro::AnyEvent
1010 # as soon as it is
1011 push @AnyEvent::post_detect, sub { require Coro::AnyEvent };
1012 }
1013
1014=item AnyEvent::postpone { BLOCK }
1015
1016Arranges for the block to be executed as soon as possible, but not before
1017the call itself returns. In practise, the block will be executed just
1018before the event loop polls for new events, or shortly afterwards.
1019
1020This function never returns anything (to make the C<return postpone { ...
1021}> idiom more useful.
1022
1023To understand the usefulness of this function, consider a function that
1024asynchronously does something for you and returns some transaction
1025object or guard to let you cancel the operation. For example,
1026C<AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect>:
1027
1028 # start a conenction attempt unless one is active
1029 $self->{connect_guard} ||= AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect "www.example.net", 80, sub {
1030 delete $self->{connect_guard};
1031 ...
1032 };
1033
1034Imagine that this function could instantly call the callback, for
1035example, because it detects an obvious error such as a negative port
1036number. Invoking the callback before the function returns causes problems
1037however: the callback will be called and will try to delete the guard
1038object. But since the function hasn't returned yet, there is nothing to
1039delete. When the function eventually returns it will assign the guard
1040object to C<< $self->{connect_guard} >>, where it will likely never be
1041deleted, so the program thinks it is still trying to connect.
1042
1043This is where C<AnyEvent::postpone> should be used. Instead of calling the
1044callback directly on error:
1045
1046 $cb->(undef), return # signal error to callback, BAD!
1047 if $some_error_condition;
1048
1049It should use C<postpone>:
1050
1051 AnyEvent::postpone { $cb->(undef) }, return # signal error to callback, later
1052 if $some_error_condition;
708 1053
709=back 1054=back
710 1055
711=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 1056=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
712 1057
723because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using 1068because it will stall the whole program, and the whole point of using
724events is to stay interactive. 1069events is to stay interactive.
725 1070
726It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module 1071It is fine, however, to call C<< ->recv >> when the user of your module
727requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method 1072requests it (i.e. if you create a http request object ad have a method
728called C<results> that returns the results, it should call C<< ->recv >> 1073called C<results> that returns the results, it may call C<< ->recv >>
729freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. always). 1074freely, as the user of your module knows what she is doing. Always).
730 1075
731=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM 1076=head1 WHAT TO DO IN THE MAIN PROGRAM
732 1077
733There will always be a single main program - the only place that should 1078There will always be a single main program - the only place that should
734dictate which event model to use. 1079dictate which event model to use.
735 1080
736If it doesn't care, it can just "use AnyEvent" and use it itself, or not 1081If the program is not event-based, it need not do anything special, even
737do anything special (it does not need to be event-based) and let AnyEvent 1082when it depends on a module that uses an AnyEvent. If the program itself
738decide which implementation to chose if some module relies on it. 1083uses AnyEvent, but does not care which event loop is used, all it needs
1084to do is C<use AnyEvent>. In either case, AnyEvent will choose the best
1085available loop implementation.
739 1086
740If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in 1087If the main program relies on a specific event model - for example, in
741Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the 1088Gtk2 programs you have to rely on the Glib module - you should load the
742event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally 1089event module before loading AnyEvent or any module that uses it: generally
743speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that 1090speaking, you should load it as early as possible. The reason is that
744modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will 1091modules might create watchers when they are loaded, and AnyEvent will
745decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it 1092decide on the event model to use as soon as it creates watchers, and it
746might chose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself. 1093might choose the wrong one unless you load the correct one yourself.
747 1094
748You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the 1095You can chose to use a pure-perl implementation by loading the
749C<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl> module, which gives you similar behaviour 1096C<AnyEvent::Loop> module, which gives you similar behaviour
750everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better. 1097everywhere, but letting AnyEvent chose the model is generally better.
751 1098
752=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION 1099=head2 MAINLOOP EMULATION
753 1100
754Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who 1101Sometimes (often for short test scripts, or even standalone programs who
767 1114
768 1115
769=head1 OTHER MODULES 1116=head1 OTHER MODULES
770 1117
771The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 1118The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
772AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 1119AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
773in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 1120modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
774available via CPAN. 1121come as part of AnyEvent, the others are available via CPAN.
775 1122
776=over 4 1123=over 4
777 1124
778=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 1125=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
779 1126
780Contains various utility functions that replace often-used but blocking 1127Contains various utility functions that replace often-used blocking
781functions such as C<inet_aton> by event-/callback-based versions. 1128functions such as C<inet_aton> with event/callback-based versions.
782 1129
783=item L<AnyEvent::Socket> 1130=item L<AnyEvent::Socket>
784 1131
785Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets, 1132Provides various utility functions for (internet protocol) sockets,
786addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp 1133addresses and name resolution. Also functions to create non-blocking tcp
788 1135
789=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1136=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
790 1137
791Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1138Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
792supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 1139supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
793non-blocking SSL/TLS. 1140non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>).
794 1141
795=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1142=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
796 1143
797Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1144Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
798 1145
1146=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>, L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IGS>, L<AnyEvent::FCP>
1147
1148Implement event-based interfaces to the protocols of the same name (for
1149the curious, IGS is the International Go Server and FCP is the Freenet
1150Client Protocol).
1151
1152=item L<AnyEvent::Handle::UDP>
1153
1154Here be danger!
1155
1156As Pauli would put it, "Not only is it not right, it's not even wrong!" -
1157there are so many things wrong with AnyEvent::Handle::UDP, most notably
1158its use of a stream-based API with a protocol that isn't streamable, that
1159the only way to improve it is to delete it.
1160
1161It features data corruption (but typically only under load) and general
1162confusion. On top, the author is not only clueless about UDP but also
1163fact-resistant - some gems of his understanding: "connect doesn't work
1164with UDP", "UDP packets are not IP packets", "UDP only has datagrams, not
1165packets", "I don't need to implement proper error checking as UDP doesn't
1166support error checking" and so on - he doesn't even understand what's
1167wrong with his module when it is explained to him.
1168
799=item L<AnyEvent::HTTP> 1169=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
800 1170
801A simple-to-use HTTP library that is capable of making a lot of concurrent 1171Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process for you,
802HTTP requests. 1172notifying you in an event-based way when the operation is finished.
1173
1174=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
1175
1176Truly asynchronous (as opposed to non-blocking) I/O, should be in the
1177toolbox of every event programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses
1178L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent together, giving AnyEvent access to event-based
1179file I/O, and much more.
803 1180
804=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD> 1181=item L<AnyEvent::HTTPD>
805 1182
806Provides a simple web application server framework. 1183A simple embedded webserver.
807 1184
808=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing> 1185=item L<AnyEvent::FastPing>
809 1186
810The fastest ping in the west. 1187The fastest ping in the west.
811 1188
812=item L<AnyEvent::DBI>
813
814Executes L<DBI> requests asynchronously in a proxy process.
815
816=item L<AnyEvent::AIO>
817
818Truly asynchronous I/O, should be in the toolbox of every event
819programmer. AnyEvent::AIO transparently fuses L<IO::AIO> and AnyEvent
820together.
821
822=item L<AnyEvent::BDB>
823
824Truly asynchronous Berkeley DB access. AnyEvent::BDB transparently fuses
825L<BDB> and AnyEvent together.
826
827=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
828
829A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
830
831=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
832
833A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
834L<App::IGS>).
835
836=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
837
838AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
839
840=item L<Net::XMPP2>
841
842AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
843
844=item L<Net::FCP>
845
846AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
847of AnyEvent.
848
849=item L<Event::ExecFlow>
850
851High level API for event-based execution flow control.
852
853=item L<Coro> 1189=item L<Coro>
854 1190
855Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1191Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
856 1192
857=item L<IO::Lambda>
858
859The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
860
861=back 1193=back
862 1194
863=cut 1195=cut
864 1196
865package AnyEvent; 1197package AnyEvent;
866 1198
867no warnings; 1199# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
868use strict qw(vars subs); 1200sub common_sense {
1201 # from common:.sense 3.4
1202 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS} ^ "\x3c\x3f\x33\x00\x0f\xf0\x0f\xc0\xf0\xfc\x33\x00";
1203 # use strict vars subs - NO UTF-8, as Util.pm doesn't like this atm. (uts46data.pl)
1204 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1205}
869 1206
1207BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1208
870use Carp; 1209use Carp ();
871 1210
872our $VERSION = 4.341; 1211our $VERSION = '6.01';
873our $MODEL; 1212our $MODEL;
874 1213
875our $AUTOLOAD;
876our @ISA; 1214our @ISA;
877 1215
878our @REGISTRY; 1216our @REGISTRY;
879 1217
880our $WIN32; 1218our $VERBOSE;
881 1219
882BEGIN { 1220BEGIN {
883 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1221 require "AnyEvent/constants.pl";
884 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }";
885}
886 1222
1223 eval "sub TAINT (){" . (${^TAINT}*1) . "}";
1224
1225 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1226 if ${^TAINT};
1227
887our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1228 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1229
1230}
1231
1232our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
888 1233
889our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1234our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
890 1235
891{ 1236{
892 my $idx; 1237 my $idx;
893 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx 1238 $PROTOCOL{$_} = ++$idx
894 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1239 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
895 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1240 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
896} 1241}
897 1242
1243our @post_detect;
1244
1245sub post_detect(&) {
1246 my ($cb) = @_;
1247
1248 push @post_detect, $cb;
1249
1250 defined wantarray
1251 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
1252 : ()
1253}
1254
1255sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
1256 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
1257}
1258
1259our $POSTPONE_W;
1260our @POSTPONE;
1261
1262sub _postpone_exec {
1263 undef $POSTPONE_W;
1264
1265 &{ shift @POSTPONE }
1266 while @POSTPONE;
1267}
1268
1269sub postpone(&) {
1270 push @POSTPONE, shift;
1271
1272 $POSTPONE_W ||= AE::timer (0, 0, \&_postpone_exec);
1273
1274 ()
1275}
1276
898my @models = ( 1277our @models = (
899 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1278 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
900 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1279 [AnyEvent::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
901 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::],
902 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1280 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
903 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1281 # as the pure perl backend should work everywhere
904 # and is usually faster 1282 # and is usually faster
1283 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
1284 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1285 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1286 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
905 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1287 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
906 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
907 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
908 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1288 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
909 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1289 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
910 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1290 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
911 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1291 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1292 [IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # a bitch to autodetect
1293 [Cocoa::EventLoop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Cocoa::],
1294 [FLTK:: => AnyEvent::Impl::FLTK2::],
912); 1295);
913 1296
914our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1297our @isa_hook;
915 1298
916our @post_detect; 1299sub _isa_set {
1300 my @pkg = ("AnyEvent", (map $_->[0], grep defined, @isa_hook), $MODEL);
917 1301
1302 @{"$pkg[$_-1]::ISA"} = $pkg[$_]
1303 for 1 .. $#pkg;
1304
1305 grep $_ && $_->[1], @isa_hook
1306 and AE::_reset ();
1307}
1308
1309# used for hooking AnyEvent::Strict and AnyEvent::Debug::Wrap into the class hierarchy
1310sub _isa_hook($$;$) {
1311 my ($i, $pkg, $reset_ae) = @_;
1312
1313 $isa_hook[$i] = $pkg ? [$pkg, $reset_ae] : undef;
1314
1315 _isa_set;
1316}
1317
1318# all autoloaded methods reserve the complete glob, not just the method slot.
1319# due to bugs in perls method cache implementation.
1320our @methods = qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar);
1321
918sub post_detect(&) { 1322sub detect() {
919 my ($cb) = @_; 1323 return $MODEL if $MODEL; # some programs keep references to detect
920 1324
921 if ($MODEL) { 1325 local $!; # for good measure
922 $cb->(); 1326 local $SIG{__DIE__}; # we use eval
923 1327
924 1 1328 # free some memory
1329 *detect = sub () { $MODEL };
1330 # undef &func doesn't correctly update the method cache. grmbl.
1331 # so we delete the whole glob. grmbl.
1332 # otoh, perl doesn't let me undef an active usb, but it lets me free
1333 # a glob with an active sub. hrm. i hope it works, but perl is
1334 # usually buggy in this department. sigh.
1335 delete @{"AnyEvent::"}{@methods};
1336 undef @methods;
1337
1338 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z0-9:]+)$/) {
1339 my $model = $1;
1340 $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$model" unless $model =~ s/::$//;
1341 if (eval "require $model") {
1342 $MODEL = $model;
1343 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
925 } else { 1344 } else {
926 push @post_detect, $cb; 1345 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
927 1346 }
928 defined wantarray
929 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect"
930 : ()
931 } 1347 }
932}
933 1348
934sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1349 # check for already loaded models
935 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
936}
937
938sub detect() {
939 unless ($MODEL) { 1350 unless ($MODEL) {
940 no strict 'refs'; 1351 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
941 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1352 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
942 1353 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
943 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
944 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
945 if (eval "require $model") { 1354 if (eval "require $model") {
946 $MODEL = $model; 1355 $MODEL = $model;
947 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1356 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
948 } else { 1357 last;
949 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1358 }
950 } 1359 }
951 } 1360 }
952 1361
953 # check for already loaded models
954 unless ($MODEL) { 1362 unless ($MODEL) {
1363 # try to autoload a model
955 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1364 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
956 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1365 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1366 if (
1367 $autoload
1368 and eval "require $package"
957 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1369 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
958 if (eval "require $model") { 1370 and eval "require $model"
1371 ) {
959 $MODEL = $model; 1372 $MODEL = $model;
960 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1373 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
961 last; 1374 last;
962 }
963 } 1375 }
964 } 1376 }
965 1377
966 unless ($MODEL) {
967 # try to load a model
968
969 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
970 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
971 if (eval "require $package"
972 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
973 and eval "require $model") {
974 $MODEL = $model;
975 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1;
976 last;
977 }
978 }
979
980 $MODEL 1378 $MODEL
981 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1379 or die "AnyEvent: backend autodetection failed - did you properly install AnyEvent?\n";
982 }
983 } 1380 }
984
985 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
986
987 unshift @ISA, $MODEL;
988
989 require AnyEvent::Strict if $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT};
990
991 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
992 } 1381 }
993 1382
1383 # free memory only needed for probing
1384 undef @models;
1385 undef @REGISTRY;
1386
1387 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
1388
1389 # now nuke some methods that are overridden by the backend.
1390 # SUPER usage is not allowed in these.
1391 for (qw(time signal child idle)) {
1392 undef &{"AnyEvent::Base::$_"}
1393 if defined &{"$MODEL\::$_"};
1394 }
1395
1396 _isa_set;
1397
1398 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}) {
1399 require AnyEvent::Strict;
1400 }
1401
1402 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP}) {
1403 require AnyEvent::Debug;
1404 AnyEvent::Debug::wrap ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP});
1405 }
1406
1407 if (exists $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL}) {
1408 require AnyEvent::Socket;
1409 require AnyEvent::Debug;
1410
1411 my $shell = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL};
1412 $shell =~ s/\$\$/$$/g;
1413
1414 my ($host, $service) = AnyEvent::Socket::parse_hostport ($shell);
1415 $AnyEvent::Debug::SHELL = AnyEvent::Debug::shell ($host, $service);
1416 }
1417
1418 (shift @post_detect)->() while @post_detect;
1419 undef @post_detect;
1420
1421 *post_detect = sub(&) {
1422 shift->();
1423
1424 undef
1425 };
1426
994 $MODEL 1427 $MODEL
995} 1428}
996 1429
997sub AUTOLOAD { 1430for my $name (@methods) {
998 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1431 *$name = sub {
999 1432 detect;
1000 $method{$func} 1433 # we use goto because
1001 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1434 # a) it makes the thunk more transparent
1002 1435 # b) it allows us to delete the thunk later
1003 detect unless $MODEL; 1436 goto &{ UNIVERSAL::can AnyEvent => "SUPER::$name" }
1004 1437 };
1005 my $class = shift;
1006 $class->$func (@_);
1007} 1438}
1008 1439
1009# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends 1440# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1010# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually 1441# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1011# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one). 1442# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1012sub _dupfh($$$$) { 1443sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1013 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1444 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1014 1445
1015 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1446 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1016 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") 1447 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1017 : $poll eq "w" ? ($w, ">")
1018 : Carp::croak "AnyEvent->io requires poll set to either 'r' or 'w'";
1019 1448
1020 open my $fh2, "$mode&" . fileno $fh 1449 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1021 or die "cannot dup() filehandle: $!"; 1450 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1022 1451
1023 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases 1452 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1024 1453
1025 ($fh2, $rw) 1454 ($fh2, $rw)
1026} 1455}
1027 1456
1457=head1 SIMPLIFIED AE API
1458
1459Starting with version 5.0, AnyEvent officially supports a second, much
1460simpler, API that is designed to reduce the calling, typing and memory
1461overhead by using function call syntax and a fixed number of parameters.
1462
1463See the L<AE> manpage for details.
1464
1465=cut
1466
1467package AE;
1468
1469our $VERSION = $AnyEvent::VERSION;
1470
1471sub _reset() {
1472 eval q{
1473 # fall back to the main API by default - backends and AnyEvent::Base
1474 # implementations can overwrite these.
1475
1476 sub io($$$) {
1477 AnyEvent->io (fh => $_[0], poll => $_[1] ? "w" : "r", cb => $_[2])
1478 }
1479
1480 sub timer($$$) {
1481 AnyEvent->timer (after => $_[0], interval => $_[1], cb => $_[2])
1482 }
1483
1484 sub signal($$) {
1485 AnyEvent->signal (signal => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1486 }
1487
1488 sub child($$) {
1489 AnyEvent->child (pid => $_[0], cb => $_[1])
1490 }
1491
1492 sub idle($) {
1493 AnyEvent->idle (cb => $_[0]);
1494 }
1495
1496 sub cv(;&) {
1497 AnyEvent->condvar (@_ ? (cb => $_[0]) : ())
1498 }
1499
1500 sub now() {
1501 AnyEvent->now
1502 }
1503
1504 sub now_update() {
1505 AnyEvent->now_update
1506 }
1507
1508 sub time() {
1509 AnyEvent->time
1510 }
1511
1512 *postpone = \&AnyEvent::postpone;
1513 };
1514 die if $@;
1515}
1516
1517BEGIN { _reset }
1518
1028package AnyEvent::Base; 1519package AnyEvent::Base;
1029 1520
1030# default implementation for now and time 1521# default implementations for many methods
1031 1522
1032BEGIN { 1523sub time {
1524 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1525 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1033 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); time (); 1") { 1526 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1527 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1528 *time = sub { Time::HiRes::time () };
1034 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time; 1529 *AE::time = \& Time::HiRes::time ;
1035 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())... 1530 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1036 } else { 1531 } else {
1037 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail 1532 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1533 *time = sub { CORE::time };
1534 *AE::time = sub (){ CORE::time };
1535 }
1536
1537 *now = \&time;
1538 };
1539 die if $@;
1540
1541 &time
1542}
1543
1544*now = \&time;
1545sub now_update { }
1546
1547sub _poll {
1548 Carp::croak "$AnyEvent::MODEL does not support blocking waits. Caught";
1549}
1550
1551# default implementation for ->condvar
1552# in fact, the default should not be overwritten
1553
1554sub condvar {
1555 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1556 *condvar = sub {
1557 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1558 };
1559
1560 *AE::cv = sub (;&) {
1561 bless { @_ ? (_ae_cb => shift) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1562 };
1563 };
1564 die if $@;
1565
1566 &condvar
1567}
1568
1569# default implementation for ->signal
1570
1571our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1572
1573sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1574 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1575 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.02 (); 1")
1576 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1577
1578 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1579}
1580
1581our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1582our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1583our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1584
1585# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1586# used by Impls
1587sub _sig_add() {
1588 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1589 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1590 my $NOW = AE::now;
1591
1592 $SIG_TW = AE::timer
1593 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1594 $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1595 sub { } # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1596 ;
1038 } 1597 }
1039} 1598}
1040 1599
1041sub time { _time } 1600sub _sig_del {
1042sub now { _time } 1601 undef $SIG_TW
1043 1602 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1044# default implementation for ->condvar
1045
1046sub condvar {
1047 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar::
1048} 1603}
1049 1604
1050# default implementation for ->signal 1605our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1606 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1607 undef $_sig_name_init;
1051 1608
1052our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO); 1609 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1610 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1611 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1612 } else {
1613 require Config;
1053 1614
1054sub _signal_exec { 1615 my %signame2num;
1055 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4; 1616 @signame2num{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1617 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1056 1618
1057 while (%SIG_EV) { 1619 my @signum2name;
1058 for (keys %SIG_EV) { 1620 @signum2name[values %signame2num] = keys %signame2num;
1059 delete $SIG_EV{$_}; 1621
1060 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} }; 1622 *sig2num = sub($) {
1623 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $signame2num{+shift}
1624 };
1625 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1626 $_[0] > 0 ? $signum2name[+shift] : shift
1627 };
1061 } 1628 }
1062 } 1629 };
1063} 1630 die if $@;
1631};
1632
1633sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1634sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
1064 1635
1065sub signal { 1636sub signal {
1066 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1637 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1638 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1639 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1640 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1067 1641
1068 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) { 1642 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1069 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) { 1643 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1070 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe (); 1644
1071 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1072 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1073 } else { 1645 } else {
1646 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1647
1648 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1649 require AnyEvent::Util;
1650
1651 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1652 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R, 1) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1653 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W, 1) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1654 } else {
1074 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W; 1655 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1075 require Fcntl;
1076 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R; 1656 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1077 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1657 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFL, AnyEvent::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1658
1659 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1660 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1661 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, AnyEvent::F_SETFD, AnyEvent::FD_CLOEXEC;
1662 }
1663
1664 $SIGPIPE_R
1665 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1666
1667 $SIG_IO = AE::io $SIGPIPE_R, 0, \&_signal_exec;
1078 } 1668 }
1079 1669
1080 $SIGPIPE_R 1670 *signal = $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1081 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n"; 1671 ? sub {
1672 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1082 1673
1083 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec); 1674 # async::interrupt
1084 }
1085
1086 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1675 my $signal = sig2num $arg{signal};
1087 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1088
1089 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1676 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1677
1678 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1679 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1680 signal => $signal,
1681 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1682 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1683 ;
1684
1685 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1686 }
1687 : sub {
1688 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1689
1690 # pure perl
1691 my $signal = sig2name $arg{signal};
1692 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1693
1090 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub { 1694 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1695 local $!;
1091 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV; 1696 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1092 undef $SIG_EV{$signal}; 1697 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1698 };
1699
1700 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1701 # so limit the signal latency.
1702 _sig_add;
1703
1704 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1705 }
1706 ;
1707
1708 *AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY = sub {
1709 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1710
1711 _sig_del;
1712
1713 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1714
1715 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1716 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1717 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1718 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1719 # instead of getting the default action.
1720 undef $SIG{$signal}
1721 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1722 };
1723
1724 *_signal_exec = sub {
1725 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1726 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1727 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, (my $dummy), 9;
1728
1729 while (%SIG_EV) {
1730 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1731 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1732 &$_ for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1733 }
1734 }
1735 };
1093 }; 1736 };
1737 die if $@;
1094 1738
1095 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal" 1739 &signal
1096}
1097
1098sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY {
1099 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1100
1101 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1102
1103 delete $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1104} 1740}
1105 1741
1106# default implementation for ->child 1742# default implementation for ->child
1107 1743
1108our %PID_CB; 1744our %PID_CB;
1109our $CHLD_W; 1745our $CHLD_W;
1110our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1746our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1111our $PID_IDLE;
1112our $WNOHANG;
1113 1747
1114sub _child_wait { 1748# used by many Impl's
1115 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1749sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1750 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1751
1752 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1116 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1753 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1117 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1754 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1118 }
1119
1120 undef $PID_IDLE;
1121}
1122
1123sub _sigchld {
1124 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop.
1125 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub {
1126 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1127 &_child_wait;
1128 });
1129} 1755}
1130 1756
1131sub child { 1757sub child {
1758 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1759 *_sigchld = sub {
1760 my $pid;
1761
1762 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1763 while ($pid = waitpid -1, WNOHANG) > 0;
1764 };
1765
1766 *child = sub {
1132 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1767 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1133 1768
1134 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1769 my $pid = $arg{pid};
1135 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1770 my $cb = $arg{cb};
1136 1771
1137 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1772 $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb+0} = $cb;
1138 1773
1139 unless ($WNOHANG) {
1140 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1141 }
1142
1143 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1774 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1144 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1775 $CHLD_W = AE::signal CHLD => \&_sigchld;
1145 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1776 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1146 &_sigchld; 1777 &_sigchld;
1147 } 1778 }
1148 1779
1149 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1780 bless [$pid, $cb+0], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1150} 1781 };
1151 1782
1152sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1783 *AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY = sub {
1153 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1784 my ($pid, $icb) = @{$_[0]};
1154 1785
1155 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1786 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$icb};
1156 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1787 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1157 1788
1158 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1789 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1790 };
1791 };
1792 die if $@;
1793
1794 &child
1795}
1796
1797# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1798# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1799# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1800sub idle {
1801 eval q{ # poor man's autoloading {}
1802 *idle = sub {
1803 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1804
1805 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1806
1807 $rcb = sub {
1808 if ($cb) {
1809 $w = AE::time;
1810 &$cb;
1811 $w = AE::time - $w;
1812
1813 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1814 # within some limits
1815 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1816 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1817
1818 $w = AE::timer $w, 0, $rcb;
1819 } else {
1820 # clean up...
1821 undef $w;
1822 undef $rcb;
1823 }
1824 };
1825
1826 $w = AE::timer 0.05, 0, $rcb;
1827
1828 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1829 };
1830
1831 *AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY = sub {
1832 undef $${$_[0]};
1833 };
1834 };
1835 die if $@;
1836
1837 &idle
1159} 1838}
1160 1839
1161package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1840package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1162 1841
1163our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1842our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1164 1843
1844# only to be used for subclassing
1845sub new {
1846 my $class = shift;
1847 bless AnyEvent->condvar (@_), $class
1848}
1849
1165package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1850package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1166 1851
1167use overload 1852#use overload
1168 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1853# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1169 fallback => 1; 1854# fallback => 1;
1855
1856# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1857${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1858*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1859*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1860${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1861
1862our $WAITING;
1170 1863
1171sub _send { 1864sub _send {
1172 # nop 1865 # nop
1866}
1867
1868sub _wait {
1869 AnyEvent->_poll until $_[0]{_ae_sent};
1173} 1870}
1174 1871
1175sub send { 1872sub send {
1176 my $cv = shift; 1873 my $cv = shift;
1177 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_]; 1874 $cv->{_ae_sent} = [@_];
1186 1883
1187sub ready { 1884sub ready {
1188 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1885 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1189} 1886}
1190 1887
1191sub _wait {
1192 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1193}
1194
1195sub recv { 1888sub recv {
1889 unless ($_[0]{_ae_sent}) {
1890 $WAITING
1891 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait attempted";
1892
1893 local $WAITING = 1;
1196 $_[0]->_wait; 1894 $_[0]->_wait;
1895 }
1197 1896
1198 Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak} if $_[0]{_ae_croak}; 1897 $_[0]{_ae_croak}
1199 wantarray ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} } : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0] 1898 and Carp::croak $_[0]{_ae_croak};
1899
1900 wantarray
1901 ? @{ $_[0]{_ae_sent} }
1902 : $_[0]{_ae_sent}[0]
1200} 1903}
1201 1904
1202sub cb { 1905sub cb {
1203 $_[0]{_ae_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1906 my $cv = shift;
1907
1908 @_
1909 and $cv->{_ae_cb} = shift
1910 and $cv->{_ae_sent}
1911 and (delete $cv->{_ae_cb})->($cv);
1912
1204 $_[0]{_ae_cb} 1913 $cv->{_ae_cb}
1205} 1914}
1206 1915
1207sub begin { 1916sub begin {
1208 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter}; 1917 ++$_[0]{_ae_counter};
1209 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1; 1918 $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} = $_[1] if @_ > 1;
1214 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } }; 1923 &{ $_[0]{_ae_end_cb} || sub { $_[0]->send } };
1215} 1924}
1216 1925
1217# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4 1926# undocumented/compatibility with pre-3.4
1218*broadcast = \&send; 1927*broadcast = \&send;
1219*wait = \&_wait; 1928*wait = \&recv;
1220 1929
1221=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING 1930=head1 ERROR AND EXCEPTION HANDLING
1222 1931
1223In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the 1932In general, AnyEvent does not do any error handling - it relies on the
1224caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also 1933caller to do that if required. The L<AnyEvent::Strict> module (see also
1237so on. 1946so on.
1238 1947
1239=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 1948=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1240 1949
1241The following environment variables are used by this module or its 1950The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1242submodules: 1951submodules.
1952
1953Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1954C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1955enabled.
1243 1956
1244=over 4 1957=over 4
1245 1958
1246=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE> 1959=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1247 1960
1254C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>. 1967C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1255 1968
1256When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event 1969When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1257model it chooses. 1970model it chooses.
1258 1971
1972When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1973which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1974
1259=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> 1975=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1260 1976
1261AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1977AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1262argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value 1978argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1263will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly 1979will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1264check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems 1980check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1265it will croak. 1981it will croak.
1266 1982
1267In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1983In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1268 1984
1269Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended ot keep it off in 1985Unlike C<use strict> (or its modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1270production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while 1986>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1271developing programs can be very useful, however. 1987C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1988can be very useful, however.
1989
1990=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL>
1991
1992If this env variable is set, then its contents will be interpreted by
1993C<AnyEvent::Socket::parse_hostport> (after replacing every occurance of
1994C<$$> by the process pid) and an C<AnyEvent::Debug::shell> is bound on
1995that port. The shell object is saved in C<$AnyEvent::Debug::SHELL>.
1996
1997This takes place when the first watcher is created.
1998
1999For example, to bind a debug shell on a unix domain socket in
2000F<< /tmp/debug<pid>.sock >>, you could use this:
2001
2002 PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_SHELL=unix/:/tmp/debug\$\$.sock perlprog
2003
2004Note that creating sockets in F</tmp> is very unsafe on multiuser
2005systems.
2006
2007=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_DEBUG_WRAP>
2008
2009Can be set to C<0>, C<1> or C<2> and enables wrapping of all watchers for
2010debugging purposes. See C<AnyEvent::Debug::wrap> for details.
1272 2011
1273=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 2012=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1274 2013
1275This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 2014This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1276auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 2015auto detection and -probing kicks in.
1277entirely of ASCII letters. The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended 2016
2017It normally is a string consisting entirely of ASCII letters (e.g. C<EV>
2018or C<IOAsync>). The string C<AnyEvent::Impl::> gets prepended and the
1278and the resulting module name is loaded and if the load was successful, 2019resulting module name is loaded and - if the load was successful - used as
1279used as event model. If it fails to load AnyEvent will proceed with 2020event model backend. If it fails to load then AnyEvent will proceed with
1280auto detection and -probing. 2021auto detection and -probing.
1281 2022
1282This functionality might change in future versions. 2023If the string ends with C<::> instead (e.g. C<AnyEvent::Impl::EV::>) then
2024nothing gets prepended and the module name is used as-is (hint: C<::> at
2025the end of a string designates a module name and quotes it appropriately).
1283 2026
1284For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) you 2027For example, to force the pure perl model (L<AnyEvent::Loop::Perl>) you
1285could start your program like this: 2028could start your program like this:
1286 2029
1287 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ... 2030 PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL=Perl perl ...
1288 2031
1289=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS> 2032=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS>
1319 2062
1320=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS> 2063=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1321 2064
1322The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call> 2065The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1323will create in parallel. 2066will create in parallel.
2067
2068=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
2069
2070The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
2071resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
2072sent to the DNS server.
2073
2074=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
2075
2076The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
2077configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
2078default config will be used.
2079
2080=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
2081
2082When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
2083L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
2084variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
2085instead of a system-dependent default.
2086
2087=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
2088
2089When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
2090loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1324 2091
1325=back 2092=back
1326 2093
1327=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 2094=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1328 2095
1386 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read 2153 warn "read: $input\n"; # output what has been read
1387 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i 2154 $cv->send if $input =~ /^q/i; # quit program if /^q/i
1388 }, 2155 },
1389 ); 2156 );
1390 2157
1391 my $time_watcher; # can only be used once
1392
1393 sub new_timer {
1394 $timer = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, cb => sub { 2158 my $time_watcher = AnyEvent->timer (after => 1, interval => 1, cb => sub {
1395 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' about every second 2159 warn "timeout\n"; # print 'timeout' at most every second
1396 &new_timer; # and restart the time
1397 }); 2160 });
1398 }
1399
1400 new_timer; # create first timer
1401 2161
1402 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i 2162 $cv->recv; # wait until user enters /^q/i
1403 2163
1404=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE 2164=head1 REAL-WORLD EXAMPLE
1405 2165
1478 2238
1479The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions) 2239The actual code goes further and collects all errors (C<die>s, exceptions)
1480that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects 2240that occurred during request processing. The C<result> method detects
1481whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object) 2241whether an exception as thrown (it is stored inside the $txn object)
1482and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other 2242and just throws the exception, which means connection errors and other
1483problems get reported tot he code that tries to use the result, not in a 2243problems get reported to the code that tries to use the result, not in a
1484random callback. 2244random callback.
1485 2245
1486All of this enables the following usage styles: 2246All of this enables the following usage styles:
1487 2247
14881. Blocking: 22481. Blocking:
1536through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero 2296through AnyEvent. The benchmark creates a lot of timers (with a zero
1537timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable, 2297timeout) and I/O watchers (watching STDOUT, a pty, to become writable,
1538which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again. 2298which it is), lets them fire exactly once and destroys them again.
1539 2299
1540Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent 2300Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench> in the AnyEvent
1541distribution. 2301distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2302for the EV and Perl backends only.
1542 2303
1543=head3 Explanation of the columns 2304=head3 Explanation of the columns
1544 2305
1545I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since 2306I<watcher> is the number of event watchers created/destroyed. Since
1546different event models feature vastly different performances, each event 2307different event models feature vastly different performances, each event
1567watcher. 2328watcher.
1568 2329
1569=head3 Results 2330=head3 Results
1570 2331
1571 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment 2332 name watchers bytes create invoke destroy comment
1572 EV/EV 400000 224 0.47 0.35 0.27 EV native interface 2333 EV/EV 100000 223 0.47 0.43 0.27 EV native interface
1573 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2334 EV/Any 100000 223 0.48 0.42 0.26 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1574 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2335 Coro::EV/Any 100000 223 0.47 0.42 0.26 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1575 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 2336 Perl/Any 100000 431 2.70 0.74 0.92 pure perl implementation
1576 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 2337 Event/Event 16000 516 31.16 31.84 0.82 Event native interface
1577 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2338 Event/Any 16000 1203 42.61 34.79 1.80 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2339 IOAsync/Any 16000 1911 41.92 27.45 16.81 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2340 IOAsync/Any 16000 1726 40.69 26.37 15.25 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1578 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 2341 Glib/Any 16000 1118 89.00 12.57 51.17 quadratic behaviour
1579 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2342 Tk/Any 2000 1346 20.96 10.75 8.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1580 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 2343 POE/Any 2000 6951 108.97 795.32 14.24 via POE::Loop::Event
1581 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 2344 POE/Any 2000 6648 94.79 774.40 575.51 via POE::Loop::Select
1582 2345
1583=head3 Discussion 2346=head3 Discussion
1584 2347
1585The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very 2348The benchmark does I<not> measure scalability of the event loop very
1586well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one) 2349well. For example, a select-based event loop (such as the pure perl one)
1598benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with 2361benchmark machine, handling an event takes roughly 1600 CPU cycles with
1599EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU 2362EV, 3100 CPU cycles with AnyEvent's pure perl loop and almost 3000000 CPU
1600cycles with POE. 2363cycles with POE.
1601 2364
1602C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both 2365C<EV> is the sole leader regarding speed and memory use, which are both
1603maximal/minimal, respectively. Even when going through AnyEvent, it uses 2366maximal/minimal, respectively. When using the L<AE> API there is zero
2367overhead (when going through the AnyEvent API create is about 5-6 times
2368slower, with other times being equal, so still uses far less memory than
1604far less memory than any other event loop and is still faster than Event 2369any other event loop and is still faster than Event natively).
1605natively.
1606 2370
1607The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the 2371The pure perl implementation is hit in a few sweet spots (both the
1608constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl 2372constant timeout and the use of a single fd hit optimisations in the perl
1609interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it 2373interpreter and the backend itself). Nevertheless this shows that it
1610adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its 2374adds very little overhead in itself. Like any select-based backend its
1611performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2375performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1612them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2376them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1613 2377
1614The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2378The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1615cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2379cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2380
2381C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2382when using its pure perl backend.
1616 2383
1617C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2384C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1618faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2385faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1619C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2386C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1620watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2387watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1655(even when used without AnyEvent), but most event loops have acceptable 2422(even when used without AnyEvent), but most event loops have acceptable
1656performance with or without AnyEvent. 2423performance with or without AnyEvent.
1657 2424
1658=item * The overhead AnyEvent adds is usually much smaller than the overhead of 2425=item * The overhead AnyEvent adds is usually much smaller than the overhead of
1659the actual event loop, only with extremely fast event loops such as EV 2426the actual event loop, only with extremely fast event loops such as EV
1660adds AnyEvent significant overhead. 2427does AnyEvent add significant overhead.
1661 2428
1662=item * You should avoid POE like the plague if you want performance or 2429=item * You should avoid POE like the plague if you want performance or
1663reasonable memory usage. 2430reasonable memory usage.
1664 2431
1665=back 2432=back
1681In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100 2448In this benchmark, we use 10000 socket pairs (20000 sockets), of which 100
1682(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many 2449(1%) are active. This mirrors the activity of large servers with many
1683connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time. 2450connections, most of which are idle at any one point in time.
1684 2451
1685Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent 2452Source code for this benchmark is found as F<eg/bench2> in the AnyEvent
1686distribution. 2453distribution. It uses the L<AE> interface, which makes a real difference
2454for the EV and Perl backends only.
1687 2455
1688=head3 Explanation of the columns 2456=head3 Explanation of the columns
1689 2457
1690I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as 2458I<sockets> is the number of sockets, and twice the number of "servers" (as
1691each server has a read and write socket end). 2459each server has a read and write socket end).
1698it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2466it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1699a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2467a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1700 2468
1701=head3 Results 2469=head3 Results
1702 2470
1703 name sockets create request 2471 name sockets create request
1704 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2472 EV 20000 62.66 7.99
1705 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2473 Perl 20000 68.32 32.64
1706 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2474 IOAsync 20000 174.06 101.15 epoll
1707 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2475 IOAsync 20000 174.67 610.84 poll
2476 Event 20000 202.69 242.91
2477 Glib 20000 557.01 1689.52
1708 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2478 POE 20000 341.54 12086.32 uses POE::Loop::Event
1709 2479
1710=head3 Discussion 2480=head3 Discussion
1711 2481
1712This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2482This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1713particular event loop. 2483particular event loop.
1715EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2485EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1716is relatively high, though. 2486is relatively high, though.
1717 2487
1718Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2488Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1719loops Event and Glib. 2489loops Event and Glib.
2490
2491IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2492good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1720 2493
1721Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2494Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1722understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2495understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1723the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2496the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1724uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2497uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1787=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2560=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1788watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2561watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1789 2562
1790=back 2563=back
1791 2564
2565=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2566
2567Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2568could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2569simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2570shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2571fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2572very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2573baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2574
2575The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2576connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2577creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2578test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2579benchmark nevertheless.
2580
2581 name runtime
2582 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2583 + optimized 0.122 sec
2584 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2585 + optimized 0.138 sec
2586 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2587 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2588 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2589 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2590
2591 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2592 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2593 +state machine 0.134 sec
2594
2595The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2596benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2597defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2598written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2599AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2600resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2601generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2602connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2603
2604The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2605offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2606Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2607non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2608
2609As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2610hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2611backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2612
2613And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2614slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda
2615higher level ("unoptimised") abstractions by a large margin, even though
2616it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O in a non-blocking way.
2617
2618The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2619F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2620part of the IO::Lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2621
1792 2622
1793=head1 SIGNALS 2623=head1 SIGNALS
1794 2624
1795AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 2625AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1796 2626
1799=item SIGCHLD 2629=item SIGCHLD
1800 2630
1801A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher 2631A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1802emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some 2632emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
1803event loops install a similar handler. 2633event loops install a similar handler.
2634
2635Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2636AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
1804 2637
1805=item SIGPIPE 2638=item SIGPIPE
1806 2639
1807A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef> 2640A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
1808when AnyEvent gets loaded. 2641when AnyEvent gets loaded.
1820 2653
1821=back 2654=back
1822 2655
1823=cut 2656=cut
1824 2657
2658undef $SIG{CHLD}
2659 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2660
1825$SIG{PIPE} = sub { } 2661$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
1826 unless defined $SIG{PIPE}; 2662 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
1827 2663
2664=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2665
2666One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2667its built-in modules) are required to use it.
2668
2669That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2670modules if they are installed.
2671
2672This section explains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2673affect AnyEvent's operation.
2674
2675=over 4
2676
2677=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2678
2679This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2680my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2681signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2682delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2683catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2684C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2685
2686If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2687catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2688will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (and good for
2689battery life on laptops).
2690
2691This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2692that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2693
2694Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2695and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2696(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2697does nothing for those backends.
2698
2699=item L<EV>
2700
2701This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2702event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2703loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2704the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2705automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2706can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2707C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2708L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2709
2710If you only use backends that rely on another event loop (e.g. C<Tk>),
2711then this module will do nothing for you.
2712
2713=item L<Guard>
2714
2715The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2716C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2717lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2718purely used for performance.
2719
2720=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2721
2722One of these modules is required when you want to read or write JSON data
2723via L<AnyEvent::Handle>. L<JSON> is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2724advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2725
2726=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2727
2728Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2729worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2730the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2731
2732=item L<Time::HiRes>
2733
2734This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2735chosen event library does not come with a timing source of its own. The
2736pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Loop>) will additionally load it to
2737try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2738
2739=back
2740
1828 2741
1829=head1 FORK 2742=head1 FORK
1830 2743
1831Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2744Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1832because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2745because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> calls
1833calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2746- higher performance APIs such as BSD's kqueue or the dreaded Linux epoll
2747are usually badly thought-out hacks that are incompatible with fork in
2748one way or another. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware and ensures that you
2749continue event-processing in both parent and child (or both, if you know
2750what you are doing).
2751
2752This means that, in general, you cannot fork and do event processing in
2753the child if the event library was initialised before the fork (which
2754usually happens when the first AnyEvent watcher is created, or the library
2755is loaded).
1834 2756
1835If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2757If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1836watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2758watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2759something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
2760
2761The problem of doing event processing in the parent I<and> the child
2762is much more complicated: even for backends that I<are> fork-aware or
2763fork-safe, their behaviour is not usually what you want: fork clones all
2764watchers, that means all timers, I/O watchers etc. are active in both
2765parent and child, which is almost never what you want. USing C<exec>
2766to start worker children from some kind of manage rprocess is usually
2767preferred, because it is much easier and cleaner, at the expense of having
2768to have another binary.
1837 2769
1838 2770
1839=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2771=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1840 2772
1841AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2773AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1853 use AnyEvent; 2785 use AnyEvent;
1854 2786
1855Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2787Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1856be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2788be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1857probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and 2789probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
1858$ENV{PERL_ANYEGENT_STRICT}. 2790$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2791
2792Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2793C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2794enabled.
1859 2795
1860 2796
1861=head1 BUGS 2797=head1 BUGS
1862 2798
1863Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard 2799Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1867pronounced). 2803pronounced).
1868 2804
1869 2805
1870=head1 SEE ALSO 2806=head1 SEE ALSO
1871 2807
2808Tutorial/Introduction: L<AnyEvent::Intro>.
2809
2810FAQ: L<AnyEvent::FAQ>.
2811
1872Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>. 2812Utility functions: L<AnyEvent::Util>.
1873 2813
1874Event modules: L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>, L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, 2814Event modules: L<AnyEvent::Loop>, L<EV>, L<EV::Glib>, L<Glib::EV>,
1875L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2815L<Event>, L<Glib::Event>, L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1876 2816
1877Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2817Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1878L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2818L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1879L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2819L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1880L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2820L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1881 2821
1882Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2822Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1883servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2823servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1884 2824
1885Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2825Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1886 2826
1887Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2827Thread support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>.
1888 2828
1889Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2829Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::IRC>,
2830L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1890 2831
1891 2832
1892=head1 AUTHOR 2833=head1 AUTHOR
1893 2834
1894 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2835 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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