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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 # file descriptor readable
11 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r|w", cb => sub { ... }); 13 my $w = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh, poll => "r", cb => sub { ... });
12 14
15 # one-shot or repeating timers
13 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... }); 16 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, cb => sub { ... });
14 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ... 17 my $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $seconds, interval => $seconds, cb => ...
15 18
16 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time 19 print AnyEvent->now; # prints current event loop time
17 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time. 20 print AnyEvent->time; # think Time::HiRes::time or simply CORE::time.
18 21
22 # POSIX signal
19 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... }); 23 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "TERM", cb => sub { ... });
20 24
25 # child process exit
21 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub { 26 my $w = AnyEvent->child (pid => $pid, cb => sub {
22 my ($pid, $status) = @_; 27 my ($pid, $status) = @_;
23 ... 28 ...
24 }); 29 });
30
31 # called when event loop idle (if applicable)
32 my $w = AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub { ... });
25 33
26 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged 34 my $w = AnyEvent->condvar; # stores whether a condition was flagged
27 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's 35 $w->send; # wake up current and all future recv's
28 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send 36 $w->recv; # enters "main loop" till $condvar gets ->send
29 # use a condvar in callback mode: 37 # use a condvar in callback mode:
32=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL 40=head1 INTRODUCTION/TUTORIAL
33 41
34This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested 42This manpage is mainly a reference manual. If you are interested
35in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the 43in a tutorial or some gentle introduction, have a look at the
36L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage. 44L<AnyEvent::Intro> manpage.
45
46=head1 SUPPORT
47
48There is a mailinglist for discussing all things AnyEvent, and an IRC
49channel, too.
50
51See the AnyEvent project page at the B<Schmorpforge Ta-Sa Software
52Repository>, at L<http://anyevent.schmorp.de>, for more info.
37 53
38=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT) 54=head1 WHY YOU SHOULD USE THIS MODULE (OR NOT)
39 55
40Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen 56Glib, POE, IO::Async, Event... CPAN offers event models by the dozen
41nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent? 57nowadays. So what is different about AnyEvent?
137These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After 153These watchers are normal Perl objects with normal Perl lifetime. After
138creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the 154creating a watcher it will immediately "watch" for events and invoke the
139callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model 155callback when the event occurs (of course, only when the event model
140is in control). 156is in control).
141 157
158Note that B<callbacks must not permanently change global variables>
159potentially in use by the event loop (such as C<$_> or C<$[>) and that B<<
160callbacks must not C<die> >>. The former is good programming practise in
161Perl and the latter stems from the fact that exception handling differs
162widely between event loops.
163
142To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the 164To disable the watcher you have to destroy it (e.g. by setting the
143variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references 165variable you store it in to C<undef> or otherwise deleting all references
144to it). 166to it).
145 167
146All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class. 168All watchers are created by calling a method on the C<AnyEvent> class.
162=head2 I/O WATCHERS 184=head2 I/O WATCHERS
163 185
164You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method 186You can create an I/O watcher by calling the C<< AnyEvent->io >> method
165with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments: 187with the following mandatory key-value pairs as arguments:
166 188
167C<fh> the Perl I<file handle> (I<not> file descriptor) to watch for events 189C<fh> is the Perl I<file handle> (or a naked file descriptor) to watch
168(AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file handle). C<poll> 190for events (AnyEvent might or might not keep a reference to this file
191handle). Note that only file handles pointing to things for which
192non-blocking operation makes sense are allowed. This includes sockets,
193most character devices, pipes, fifos and so on, but not for example files
194or block devices.
195
169must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a watcher 196C<poll> must be a string that is either C<r> or C<w>, which creates a
170waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively. C<cb> is the 197watcher waiting for "r"eadable or "w"ritable events, respectively.
198
171callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready. 199C<cb> is the callback to invoke each time the file handle becomes ready.
172 200
173Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and 201Although the callback might get passed parameters, their value and
174presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent 202presence is undefined and you cannot rely on them. Portable AnyEvent
175callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks. 203callbacks cannot use arguments passed to I/O watcher callbacks.
176 204
308In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you 336In either case, if you care (and in most cases, you don't), then you
309can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the 337can get whatever behaviour you want with any event loop, by taking the
310difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into 338difference between C<< AnyEvent->time >> and C<< AnyEvent->now >> into
311account. 339account.
312 340
341=item AnyEvent->now_update
342
343Some event loops (such as L<EV> or L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) cache
344the current time for each loop iteration (see the discussion of L<<
345AnyEvent->now >>, above).
346
347When a callback runs for a long time (or when the process sleeps), then
348this "current" time will differ substantially from the real time, which
349might affect timers and time-outs.
350
351When this is the case, you can call this method, which will update the
352event loop's idea of "current time".
353
354Note that updating the time I<might> cause some events to be handled.
355
313=back 356=back
314 357
315=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS 358=head2 SIGNAL WATCHERS
316 359
317You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal 360You can watch for signals using a signal watcher, C<signal> is the signal
326invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means 369invocation, and callback invocation will be synchronous. Synchronous means
327that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process, 370that it might take a while until the signal gets handled by the process,
328but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks. 371but it is guaranteed not to interrupt any other callbacks.
329 372
330The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal 373The main advantage of using these watchers is that you can share a signal
331between multiple watchers. 374between multiple watchers, and AnyEvent will ensure that signals will not
375interrupt your program at bad times.
332 376
333This watcher might use C<%SIG>, so programs overwriting those signals 377This watcher might use C<%SIG> (depending on the event loop used),
334directly will likely not work correctly. 378so programs overwriting those signals directly will likely not work
379correctly.
335 380
336Example: exit on SIGINT 381Example: exit on SIGINT
337 382
338 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 }); 383 my $w = AnyEvent->signal (signal => "INT", cb => sub { exit 1 });
339 384
385=head3 Signal Races, Delays and Workarounds
386
387Many event loops (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt, IO::Async) do not support attaching
388callbacks to signals in a generic way, which is a pity, as you cannot do
389race-free signal handling in perl. AnyEvent will try to do it's best, but
390in some cases, signals will be delayed. The maximum time a signal might
391be delayed is specified in C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY> (default: 10
392seconds). This variable can be changed only before the first signal
393watcher is created, and should be left alone otherwise. Higher values
394will cause fewer spurious wake-ups, which is better for power and CPU
395saving. All these problems can be avoided by installing the optional
396L<Async::Interrupt> module. This will not work with inherently broken
397event loops such as L<Event> or L<Event::Lib> (and not with L<POE>
398currently, as POE does it's own workaround with one-second latency). With
399those, you just have to suffer the delays.
400
340=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS 401=head2 CHILD PROCESS WATCHERS
341 402
342You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status. 403You can also watch on a child process exit and catch its exit status.
343 404
344The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (if set to C<0>, it 405The child process is specified by the C<pid> argument (one some backends,
345watches for any child process exit). The watcher will triggered only when 406using C<0> watches for any child process exit, on others this will
346the child process has finished and an exit status is available, not on 407croak). The watcher will be triggered only when the child process has
347any trace events (stopped/continued). 408finished and an exit status is available, not on any trace events
409(stopped/continued).
348 410
349The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by 411The callback will be called with the pid and exit status (as returned by
350waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher 412waitpid), so unlike other watcher types, you I<can> rely on child watcher
351callback arguments. 413callback arguments.
352 414
357 419
358There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them 420There is a slight catch to child watchers, however: you usually start them
359I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could 421I<after> the child process was created, and this means the process could
360have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore). 422have exited already (and no SIGCHLD will be sent anymore).
361 423
362Not all event models handle this correctly (POE doesn't), but even for 424Not all event models handle this correctly (neither POE nor IO::Async do,
425see their AnyEvent::Impl manpages for details), but even for event models
363event models that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be 426that I<do> handle this correctly, they usually need to be loaded before
364loaded before the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). 427the process exits (i.e. before you fork in the first place). AnyEvent's
428pure perl event loop handles all cases correctly regardless of when you
429start the watcher.
365 430
366This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first thing in an 431This means you cannot create a child watcher as the very first
367AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one watcher before you 432thing in an AnyEvent program, you I<have> to create at least one
368C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call C<AnyEvent::detect>). 433watcher before you C<fork> the child (alternatively, you can call
434C<AnyEvent::detect>).
435
436As most event loops do not support waiting for child events, they will be
437emulated by AnyEvent in most cases, in which the latency and race problems
438mentioned in the description of signal watchers apply.
369 439
370Example: fork a process and wait for it 440Example: fork a process and wait for it
371 441
372 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 442 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
373 443
383 ); 453 );
384 454
385 # do something else, then wait for process exit 455 # do something else, then wait for process exit
386 $done->recv; 456 $done->recv;
387 457
458=head2 IDLE WATCHERS
459
460Sometimes there is a need to do something, but it is not so important
461to do it instantly, but only when there is nothing better to do. This
462"nothing better to do" is usually defined to be "no other events need
463attention by the event loop".
464
465Idle watchers ideally get invoked when the event loop has nothing
466better to do, just before it would block the process to wait for new
467events. Instead of blocking, the idle watcher is invoked.
468
469Most event loops unfortunately do not really support idle watchers (only
470EV, Event and Glib do it in a usable fashion) - for the rest, AnyEvent
471will simply call the callback "from time to time".
472
473Example: read lines from STDIN, but only process them when the
474program is otherwise idle:
475
476 my @lines; # read data
477 my $idle_w;
478 my $io_w = AnyEvent->io (fh => \*STDIN, poll => 'r', cb => sub {
479 push @lines, scalar <STDIN>;
480
481 # start an idle watcher, if not already done
482 $idle_w ||= AnyEvent->idle (cb => sub {
483 # handle only one line, when there are lines left
484 if (my $line = shift @lines) {
485 print "handled when idle: $line";
486 } else {
487 # otherwise disable the idle watcher again
488 undef $idle_w;
489 }
490 });
491 });
492
388=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES 493=head2 CONDITION VARIABLES
389 494
390If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them 495If you are familiar with some event loops you will know that all of them
391require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that 496require you to run some blocking "loop", "run" or similar function that
392will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks. 497will actively watch for new events and call your callbacks.
393 498
394AnyEvent is different, it expects somebody else to run the event loop and 499AnyEvent is slightly different: it expects somebody else to run the event
395will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user). 500loop and will only block when necessary (usually when told by the user).
396 501
397The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called 502The instrument to do that is called a "condition variable", so called
398because they represent a condition that must become true. 503because they represent a condition that must become true.
399 504
505Now is probably a good time to look at the examples further below.
506
400Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar 507Condition variables can be created by calling the C<< AnyEvent->condvar
401>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is 508>> method, usually without arguments. The only argument pair allowed is
402
403C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable 509C<cb>, which specifies a callback to be called when the condition variable
404becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not 510becomes true, with the condition variable as the first argument (but not
405the results). 511the results).
406 512
407After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true" 513After creation, the condition variable is "false" until it becomes "true"
412Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can 518Condition variables are similar to callbacks, except that you can
413optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points 519optionally wait for them. They can also be called merge points - points
414in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet 520in time where multiple outstanding events have been processed. And yet
415another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be 521another way to call them is transactions - each condition variable can be
416used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers 522used to represent a transaction, which finishes at some point and delivers
417a result. 523a result. And yet some people know them as "futures" - a promise to
524compute/deliver something that you can wait for.
418 525
419Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished, 526Condition variables are very useful to signal that something has finished,
420for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests, 527for example, if you write a module that does asynchronous http requests,
421then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the 528then a condition variable would be the ideal candidate to signal the
422availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is 529availability of results. The user can either act when the callback is
456 after => 1, 563 after => 1,
457 cb => sub { $result_ready->send }, 564 cb => sub { $result_ready->send },
458 ); 565 );
459 566
460 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback 567 # this "blocks" (while handling events) till the callback
461 # calls send 568 # calls -<send
462 $result_ready->recv; 569 $result_ready->recv;
463 570
464Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that 571Example: wait for a timer, but take advantage of the fact that condition
465condition variables are also code references. 572variables are also callable directly.
466 573
467 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar; 574 my $done = AnyEvent->condvar;
468 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done); 575 my $delay = AnyEvent->timer (after => 5, cb => $done);
469 $done->recv; 576 $done->recv;
470 577
476 583
477 ... 584 ...
478 585
479 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv; 586 my @info = $couchdb->info->recv;
480 587
481And this is how you would just ste a callback to be called whenever the 588And this is how you would just set a callback to be called whenever the
482results are available: 589results are available:
483 590
484 $couchdb->info->cb (sub { 591 $couchdb->info->cb (sub {
485 my @info = $_[0]->recv; 592 my @info = $_[0]->recv;
486 }); 593 });
504immediately from within send. 611immediately from within send.
505 612
506Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all 613Any arguments passed to the C<send> call will be returned by all
507future C<< ->recv >> calls. 614future C<< ->recv >> calls.
508 615
509Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly 616Condition variables are overloaded so one can call them directly (as if
510(as a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling 617they were a code reference). Calling them directly is the same as calling
511C<send>. Note, however, that many C-based event loops do not handle 618C<send>.
512overloading, so as tempting as it may be, passing a condition variable
513instead of a callback does not work. Both the pure perl and EV loops
514support overloading, however, as well as all functions that use perl to
515invoke a callback (as in L<AnyEvent::Socket> and L<AnyEvent::DNS> for
516example).
517 619
518=item $cv->croak ($error) 620=item $cv->croak ($error)
519 621
520Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke 622Similar to send, but causes all call's to C<< ->recv >> to invoke
521C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar. 623C<Carp::croak> with the given error message/object/scalar.
522 624
523This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable 625This can be used to signal any errors to the condition variable
524user/consumer. 626user/consumer. Doing it this way instead of calling C<croak> directly
627delays the error detetcion, but has the overwhelmign advantage that it
628diagnoses the error at the place where the result is expected, and not
629deep in some event clalback without connection to the actual code causing
630the problem.
525 631
526=item $cv->begin ([group callback]) 632=item $cv->begin ([group callback])
527 633
528=item $cv->end 634=item $cv->end
529
530These two methods are EXPERIMENTAL and MIGHT CHANGE.
531 635
532These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into 636These two methods can be used to combine many transactions/events into
533one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want 637one. For example, a function that pings many hosts in parallel might want
534to use a condition variable for the whole process. 638to use a condition variable for the whole process.
535 639
537C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end 641C<< ->end >> will decrement it. If the counter reaches C<0> in C<< ->end
538>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback 642>>, the (last) callback passed to C<begin> will be executed. That callback
539is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no 643is I<supposed> to call C<< ->send >>, but that is not required. If no
540callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments. 644callback was set, C<send> will be called without any arguments.
541 645
542Let's clarify this with the ping example: 646You can think of C<< $cv->send >> giving you an OR condition (one call
647sends), while C<< $cv->begin >> and C<< $cv->end >> giving you an AND
648condition (all C<begin> calls must be C<end>'ed before the condvar sends).
649
650Let's start with a simple example: you have two I/O watchers (for example,
651STDOUT and STDERR for a program), and you want to wait for both streams to
652close before activating a condvar:
653
654 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
655
656 $cv->begin; # first watcher
657 my $w1 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh1, cb => sub {
658 defined sysread $fh1, my $buf, 4096
659 or $cv->end;
660 });
661
662 $cv->begin; # second watcher
663 my $w2 = AnyEvent->io (fh => $fh2, cb => sub {
664 defined sysread $fh2, my $buf, 4096
665 or $cv->end;
666 });
667
668 $cv->recv;
669
670This works because for every event source (EOF on file handle), there is
671one call to C<begin>, so the condvar waits for all calls to C<end> before
672sending.
673
674The ping example mentioned above is slightly more complicated, as the
675there are results to be passwd back, and the number of tasks that are
676begung can potentially be zero:
543 677
544 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar; 678 my $cv = AnyEvent->condvar;
545 679
546 my %result; 680 my %result;
547 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) }); 681 $cv->begin (sub { $cv->send (\%result) });
567loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback 701loop, which serves two important purposes: first, it sets the callback
568to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that 702to be called once the counter reaches C<0>, and second, it ensures that
569C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop 703C<send> is called even when C<no> hosts are being pinged (the loop
570doesn't execute once). 704doesn't execute once).
571 705
572This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple subrequests: 706This is the general pattern when you "fan out" into multiple (but
573use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set the callback and ensure C<end> 707potentially none) subrequests: use an outer C<begin>/C<end> pair to set
574is called at least once, and then, for each subrequest you start, call 708the callback and ensure C<end> is called at least once, and then, for each
575C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish, call C<end>. 709subrequest you start, call C<begin> and for each subrequest you finish,
710call C<end>.
576 711
577=back 712=back
578 713
579=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS 714=head3 METHODS FOR CONSUMERS
580 715
596function will call C<croak>. 731function will call C<croak>.
597 732
598In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned, 733In list context, all parameters passed to C<send> will be returned,
599in scalar context only the first one will be returned. 734in scalar context only the first one will be returned.
600 735
736Note that doing a blocking wait in a callback is not supported by any
737event loop, that is, recursive invocation of a blocking C<< ->recv
738>> is not allowed, and the C<recv> call will C<croak> if such a
739condition is detected. This condition can be slightly loosened by using
740L<Coro::AnyEvent>, which allows you to do a blocking C<< ->recv >> from
741any thread that doesn't run the event loop itself.
742
601Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case 743Not all event models support a blocking wait - some die in that case
602(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are 744(programs might want to do that to stay interactive), so I<if you are
603using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>, but let the 745using this from a module, never require a blocking wait>. Instead, let the
604caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling 746caller decide whether the call will block or not (for example, by coupling
605condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting 747condition variables with some kind of request results and supporting
606callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block, 748callbacks so the caller knows that getting the result will not block,
607while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires). 749while still supporting blocking waits if the caller so desires).
608 750
609Another reason I<never> to C<< ->recv >> in a module is that you cannot
610sensibly have two C<< ->recv >>'s in parallel, as that would require
611multiple interpreters or coroutines/threads, none of which C<AnyEvent>
612can supply.
613
614The L<Coro> module, however, I<can> and I<does> supply coroutines and, in
615fact, L<Coro::AnyEvent> replaces AnyEvent's condvars by coroutine-safe
616versions and also integrates coroutines into AnyEvent, making blocking
617C<< ->recv >> calls perfectly safe as long as they are done from another
618coroutine (one that doesn't run the event loop).
619
620You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and 751You can ensure that C<< -recv >> never blocks by setting a callback and
621only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later 752only calling C<< ->recv >> from within that callback (or at a later
622time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking 753time). This will work even when the event loop does not support blocking
623waits otherwise. 754waits otherwise.
624 755
637variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time 768variable itself. Calling C<recv> inside the callback or at any later time
638is guaranteed not to block. 769is guaranteed not to block.
639 770
640=back 771=back
641 772
773=head1 SUPPORTED EVENT LOOPS/BACKENDS
774
775The available backend classes are (every class has its own manpage):
776
777=over 4
778
779=item Backends that are autoprobed when no other event loop can be found.
780
781EV is the preferred backend when no other event loop seems to be in
782use. If EV is not installed, then AnyEvent will try Event, and, failing
783that, will fall back to its own pure-perl implementation, which is
784available everywhere as it comes with AnyEvent itself.
785
786 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (interface to libev, best choice).
787 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, very stable, few glitches.
788 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
789
790=item Backends that are transparently being picked up when they are used.
791
792These will be used when they are currently loaded when the first watcher
793is created, in which case it is assumed that the application is using
794them. This means that AnyEvent will automatically pick the right backend
795when the main program loads an event module before anything starts to
796create watchers. Nothing special needs to be done by the main program.
797
798 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, slow but very stable.
799 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very broken.
800 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
801 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, very slow, some limitations.
802 AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi used when running within irssi.
803
804=item Backends with special needs.
805
806Qt requires the Qt::Application to be instantiated first, but will
807otherwise be picked up automatically. As long as the main program
808instantiates the application before any AnyEvent watchers are created,
809everything should just work.
810
811 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt.
812
813Support for IO::Async can only be partial, as it is too broken and
814architecturally limited to even support the AnyEvent API. It also
815is the only event loop that needs the loop to be set explicitly, so
816it can only be used by a main program knowing about AnyEvent. See
817L<AnyEvent::Impl::Async> for the gory details.
818
819 AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync based on IO::Async, cannot be autoprobed.
820
821=item Event loops that are indirectly supported via other backends.
822
823Some event loops can be supported via other modules:
824
825There is no direct support for WxWidgets (L<Wx>) or L<Prima>.
826
827B<WxWidgets> has no support for watching file handles. However, you can
828use WxWidgets through the POE adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply
829polls 20 times per second, which was considered to be too horrible to even
830consider for AnyEvent.
831
832B<Prima> is not supported as nobody seems to be using it, but it has a POE
833backend, so it can be supported through POE.
834
835AnyEvent knows about both L<Prima> and L<Wx>, however, and will try to
836load L<POE> when detecting them, in the hope that POE will pick them up,
837in which case everything will be automatic.
838
839=back
840
642=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS 841=head1 GLOBAL VARIABLES AND FUNCTIONS
643 842
843These are not normally required to use AnyEvent, but can be useful to
844write AnyEvent extension modules.
845
644=over 4 846=over 4
645 847
646=item $AnyEvent::MODEL 848=item $AnyEvent::MODEL
647 849
648Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created. Then it 850Contains C<undef> until the first watcher is being created, before the
851backend has been autodetected.
852
649contains the event model that is being used, which is the name of the 853Afterwards it contains the event model that is being used, which is the
650Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one of the 854name of the Perl class implementing the model. This class is usually one
651C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the case 855of the C<AnyEvent::Impl:xxx> modules, but can be any other class in the
652AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode>). 856case AnyEvent has been extended at runtime (e.g. in I<rxvt-unicode> it
653 857will be C<urxvt::anyevent>).
654The known classes so far are:
655
656 AnyEvent::Impl::EV based on EV (an interface to libev, best choice).
657 AnyEvent::Impl::Event based on Event, second best choice.
658 AnyEvent::Impl::Perl pure-perl implementation, fast and portable.
659 AnyEvent::Impl::Glib based on Glib, third-best choice.
660 AnyEvent::Impl::Tk based on Tk, very bad choice.
661 AnyEvent::Impl::Qt based on Qt, cannot be autoprobed (see its docs).
662 AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib based on Event::Lib, leaks memory and worse.
663 AnyEvent::Impl::POE based on POE, not generic enough for full support.
664
665There is no support for WxWidgets, as WxWidgets has no support for
666watching file handles. However, you can use WxWidgets through the
667POE Adaptor, as POE has a Wx backend that simply polls 20 times per
668second, which was considered to be too horrible to even consider for
669AnyEvent. Likewise, other POE backends can be used by AnyEvent by using
670it's adaptor.
671
672AnyEvent knows about L<Prima> and L<Wx> and will try to use L<POE> when
673autodetecting them.
674 858
675=item AnyEvent::detect 859=item AnyEvent::detect
676 860
677Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model 861Returns C<$AnyEvent::MODEL>, forcing autodetection of the event model
678if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would 862if necessary. You should only call this function right before you would
679have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at 863have created an AnyEvent watcher anyway, that is, as late as possible at
680runtime. 864runtime, and not e.g. while initialising of your module.
865
866If you need to do some initialisation before AnyEvent watchers are
867created, use C<post_detect>.
681 868
682=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK } 869=item $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }
683 870
684Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is 871Arranges for the code block to be executed as soon as the event model is
685autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened). 872autodetected (or immediately if this has already happened).
686 873
874The block will be executed I<after> the actual backend has been detected
875(C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> is set), but I<before> any watchers have been
876created, so it is possible to e.g. patch C<@AnyEvent::ISA> or do
877other initialisations - see the sources of L<AnyEvent::Strict> or
878L<AnyEvent::AIO> to see how this is used.
879
880The most common usage is to create some global watchers, without forcing
881event module detection too early, for example, L<AnyEvent::AIO> creates
882and installs the global L<IO::AIO> watcher in a C<post_detect> block to
883avoid autodetecting the event module at load time.
884
687If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object 885If called in scalar or list context, then it creates and returns an object
688that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed. See 886that automatically removes the callback again when it is destroyed (or
887C<undef> when the hook was immediately executed). See L<AnyEvent::AIO> for
689L<Coro::BDB> for a case where this is useful. 888a case where this is useful.
889
890Example: Create a watcher for the IO::AIO module and store it in
891C<$WATCHER>. Only do so after the event loop is initialised, though.
892
893 our WATCHER;
894
895 my $guard = AnyEvent::post_detect {
896 $WATCHER = AnyEvent->io (fh => IO::AIO::poll_fileno, poll => 'r', cb => \&IO::AIO::poll_cb);
897 };
898
899 # the ||= is important in case post_detect immediately runs the block,
900 # as to not clobber the newly-created watcher. assigning both watcher and
901 # post_detect guard to the same variable has the advantage of users being
902 # able to just C<undef $WATCHER> if the watcher causes them grief.
903
904 $WATCHER ||= $guard;
690 905
691=item @AnyEvent::post_detect 906=item @AnyEvent::post_detect
692 907
693If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it 908If there are any code references in this array (you can C<push> to it
694before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after 909before or after loading AnyEvent), then they will called directly after
695the event loop has been chosen. 910the event loop has been chosen.
696 911
697You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though: 912You should check C<$AnyEvent::MODEL> before adding to this array, though:
698if it contains a true value then the event loop has already been detected, 913if it is defined then the event loop has already been detected, and the
699and the array will be ignored. 914array will be ignored.
700 915
701Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> instead. 916Best use C<AnyEvent::post_detect { BLOCK }> when your application allows
917it,as it takes care of these details.
918
919This variable is mainly useful for modules that can do something useful
920when AnyEvent is used and thus want to know when it is initialised, but do
921not need to even load it by default. This array provides the means to hook
922into AnyEvent passively, without loading it.
702 923
703=back 924=back
704 925
705=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE 926=head1 WHAT TO DO IN A MODULE
706 927
761 982
762 983
763=head1 OTHER MODULES 984=head1 OTHER MODULES
764 985
765The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use 986The following is a non-exhaustive list of additional modules that use
766AnyEvent and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent modules 987AnyEvent as a client and can therefore be mixed easily with other AnyEvent
767in the same program. Some of the modules come with AnyEvent, some are 988modules and other event loops in the same program. Some of the modules
768available via CPAN. 989come with AnyEvent, most are available via CPAN.
769 990
770=over 4 991=over 4
771 992
772=item L<AnyEvent::Util> 993=item L<AnyEvent::Util>
773 994
782 1003
783=item L<AnyEvent::Handle> 1004=item L<AnyEvent::Handle>
784 1005
785Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes, 1006Provide read and write buffers, manages watchers for reads and writes,
786supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and 1007supports raw and formatted I/O, I/O queued and fully transparent and
787non-blocking SSL/TLS. 1008non-blocking SSL/TLS (via L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
788 1009
789=item L<AnyEvent::DNS> 1010=item L<AnyEvent::DNS>
790 1011
791Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities. 1012Provides rich asynchronous DNS resolver capabilities.
792 1013
820 1041
821=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD> 1042=item L<AnyEvent::GPSD>
822 1043
823A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information. 1044A non-blocking interface to gpsd, a daemon delivering GPS information.
824 1045
1046=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
1047
1048AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
1049
1050=item L<AnyEvent::XMPP>
1051
1052AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family (replacing the older
1053Net::XMPP2>.
1054
825=item L<AnyEvent::IGS> 1055=item L<AnyEvent::IGS>
826 1056
827A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by 1057A non-blocking interface to the Internet Go Server protocol (used by
828L<App::IGS>). 1058L<App::IGS>).
829 1059
830=item L<AnyEvent::IRC>
831
832AnyEvent based IRC client module family (replacing the older Net::IRC3).
833
834=item L<Net::XMPP2>
835
836AnyEvent based XMPP (Jabber protocol) module family.
837
838=item L<Net::FCP> 1060=item L<Net::FCP>
839 1061
840AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace 1062AnyEvent-based implementation of the Freenet Client Protocol, birthplace
841of AnyEvent. 1063of AnyEvent.
842 1064
846 1068
847=item L<Coro> 1069=item L<Coro>
848 1070
849Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>. 1071Has special support for AnyEvent via L<Coro::AnyEvent>.
850 1072
851=item L<IO::Lambda>
852
853The lambda approach to I/O - don't ask, look there. Can use AnyEvent.
854
855=back 1073=back
856 1074
857=cut 1075=cut
858 1076
859package AnyEvent; 1077package AnyEvent;
860 1078
1079# basically a tuned-down version of common::sense
1080sub common_sense {
861no warnings; 1081 # no warnings
1082 ${^WARNING_BITS} ^= ${^WARNING_BITS};
862use strict qw(vars subs); 1083 # use strict vars subs
1084 $^H |= 0x00000600;
1085}
863 1086
1087BEGIN { AnyEvent::common_sense }
1088
864use Carp; 1089use Carp ();
865 1090
866our $VERSION = 4.341; 1091our $VERSION = 4.881;
867our $MODEL; 1092our $MODEL;
868 1093
869our $AUTOLOAD; 1094our $AUTOLOAD;
870our @ISA; 1095our @ISA;
871 1096
872our @REGISTRY; 1097our @REGISTRY;
873 1098
874our $WIN32; 1099our $WIN32;
875 1100
1101our $VERBOSE;
1102
876BEGIN { 1103BEGIN {
877 my $win32 = ! ! ($^O =~ /mswin32/i); 1104 eval "sub WIN32(){ " . (($^O =~ /mswin32/i)*1) ." }";
878 eval "sub WIN32(){ $win32 }"; 1105 eval "sub TAINT(){ " . (${^TAINT}*1) . " }";
879}
880 1106
1107 delete @ENV{grep /^PERL_ANYEVENT_/, keys %ENV}
1108 if ${^TAINT};
1109
881our $verbose = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1; 1110 $VERBOSE = $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}*1;
1111
1112}
1113
1114our $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY = 10;
882 1115
883our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred 1116our %PROTOCOL; # (ipv4|ipv6) => (1|2), higher numbers are preferred
884 1117
885{ 1118{
886 my $idx; 1119 my $idx;
888 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/, 1121 for reverse split /\s*,\s*/,
889 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6"; 1122 $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_PROTOCOLS} || "ipv4,ipv6";
890} 1123}
891 1124
892my @models = ( 1125my @models = (
893 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV::], 1126 [EV:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EV:: , 1],
894 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::], 1127 [Event:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Event::, 1],
895 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl::], 1128 [AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Perl:: , 1],
896 # everything below here will not be autoprobed 1129 # everything below here will not (normally) be autoprobed
897 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere 1130 # as the pureperl backend should work everywhere
898 # and is usually faster 1131 # and is usually faster
1132 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib:: , 1], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
1133 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
1134 [Irssi:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Irssi::], # Irssi has a bogus "Event" package
899 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles 1135 [Tk:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Tk::], # crashes with many handles
900 [Glib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Glib::], # becomes extremely slow with many watchers
901 [Event::Lib:: => AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib::], # too buggy
902 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program 1136 [Qt:: => AnyEvent::Impl::Qt::], # requires special main program
903 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza 1137 [POE::Kernel:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], # lasciate ogni speranza
904 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1138 [Wx:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
905 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::], 1139 [Prima:: => AnyEvent::Impl::POE::],
1140 # IO::Async is just too broken - we would need workarounds for its
1141 # byzantine signal and broken child handling, among others.
1142 # IO::Async is rather hard to detect, as it doesn't have any
1143 # obvious default class.
1144# [0, IO::Async:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1145# [0, IO::Async::Loop:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
1146# [0, IO::Async::Notifier:: => AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync::], # requires special main program
906); 1147);
907 1148
908our %method = map +($_ => 1), qw(io timer time now signal child condvar one_event DESTROY); 1149our %method = map +($_ => 1),
1150 qw(io timer time now now_update signal child idle condvar one_event DESTROY);
909 1151
910our @post_detect; 1152our @post_detect;
911 1153
912sub post_detect(&) { 1154sub post_detect(&) {
913 my ($cb) = @_; 1155 my ($cb) = @_;
914 1156
915 if ($MODEL) { 1157 if ($MODEL) {
916 $cb->(); 1158 $cb->();
917 1159
918 1 1160 undef
919 } else { 1161 } else {
920 push @post_detect, $cb; 1162 push @post_detect, $cb;
921 1163
922 defined wantarray 1164 defined wantarray
923 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect" 1165 ? bless \$cb, "AnyEvent::Util::postdetect"
924 : () 1166 : ()
925 } 1167 }
926} 1168}
927 1169
928sub AnyEvent::Util::PostDetect::DESTROY { 1170sub AnyEvent::Util::postdetect::DESTROY {
929 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect; 1171 @post_detect = grep $_ != ${$_[0]}, @post_detect;
930} 1172}
931 1173
932sub detect() { 1174sub detect() {
933 unless ($MODEL) { 1175 unless ($MODEL) {
934 no strict 'refs';
935 local $SIG{__DIE__}; 1176 local $SIG{__DIE__};
936 1177
937 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) { 1178 if ($ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL} =~ /^([a-zA-Z]+)$/) {
938 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1"; 1179 my $model = "AnyEvent::Impl::$1";
939 if (eval "require $model") { 1180 if (eval "require $model") {
940 $MODEL = $model; 1181 $MODEL = $model;
941 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1182 warn "AnyEvent: loaded model '$model' (forced by \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}), using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
942 } else { 1183 } else {
943 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL):\n$@" if $verbose; 1184 warn "AnyEvent: unable to load model '$model' (from \$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL}):\n$@" if $VERBOSE;
944 } 1185 }
945 } 1186 }
946 1187
947 # check for already loaded models 1188 # check for already loaded models
948 unless ($MODEL) { 1189 unless ($MODEL) {
949 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1190 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
950 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1191 my ($package, $model) = @$_;
951 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) { 1192 if (${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0) {
952 if (eval "require $model") { 1193 if (eval "require $model") {
953 $MODEL = $model; 1194 $MODEL = $model;
954 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1195 warn "AnyEvent: autodetected model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
955 last; 1196 last;
956 } 1197 }
957 } 1198 }
958 } 1199 }
959 1200
960 unless ($MODEL) { 1201 unless ($MODEL) {
961 # try to load a model 1202 # try to autoload a model
962
963 for (@REGISTRY, @models) { 1203 for (@REGISTRY, @models) {
964 my ($package, $model) = @$_; 1204 my ($package, $model, $autoload) = @$_;
1205 if (
1206 $autoload
965 if (eval "require $package" 1207 and eval "require $package"
966 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0 1208 and ${"$package\::VERSION"} > 0
967 and eval "require $model") { 1209 and eval "require $model"
1210 ) {
968 $MODEL = $model; 1211 $MODEL = $model;
969 warn "AnyEvent: autoprobed model '$model', using it.\n" if $verbose > 1; 1212 warn "AnyEvent: autoloaded model '$model', using it.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 2;
970 last; 1213 last;
971 } 1214 }
972 } 1215 }
973 1216
974 $MODEL 1217 $MODEL
975 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib."; 1218 or die "No event module selected for AnyEvent and autodetect failed. Install any one of these modules: EV, Event or Glib.\n";
976 } 1219 }
977 } 1220 }
978 1221
979 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base"; 1222 push @{"$MODEL\::ISA"}, "AnyEvent::Base";
980 1223
990 1233
991sub AUTOLOAD { 1234sub AUTOLOAD {
992 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://; 1235 (my $func = $AUTOLOAD) =~ s/.*://;
993 1236
994 $method{$func} 1237 $method{$func}
995 or croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects"; 1238 or Carp::croak "$func: not a valid method for AnyEvent objects";
996 1239
997 detect unless $MODEL; 1240 detect unless $MODEL;
998 1241
999 my $class = shift; 1242 my $class = shift;
1000 $class->$func (@_); 1243 $class->$func (@_);
1001} 1244}
1002 1245
1003# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends 1246# utility function to dup a filehandle. this is used by many backends
1004# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually 1247# to support binding more than one watcher per filehandle (they usually
1005# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one). 1248# allow only one watcher per fd, so we dup it to get a different one).
1006sub _dupfh($$$$) { 1249sub _dupfh($$;$$) {
1007 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_; 1250 my ($poll, $fh, $r, $w) = @_;
1008 1251
1009 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't 1252 # cygwin requires the fh mode to be matching, unix doesn't
1010 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<") 1253 my ($rw, $mode) = $poll eq "r" ? ($r, "<&") : ($w, ">&");
1011 : $poll eq "w" ? ($w, ">")
1012 : Carp::croak "AnyEvent->io requires poll set to either 'r' or 'w'";
1013 1254
1014 open my $fh2, "$mode&" . fileno $fh 1255 open my $fh2, $mode, $fh
1015 or die "cannot dup() filehandle: $!"; 1256 or die "AnyEvent->io: cannot dup() filehandle in mode '$poll': $!,";
1016 1257
1017 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases 1258 # we assume CLOEXEC is already set by perl in all important cases
1018 1259
1019 ($fh2, $rw) 1260 ($fh2, $rw)
1020} 1261}
1021 1262
1022package AnyEvent::Base; 1263package AnyEvent::Base;
1023 1264
1024# default implementation for now and time 1265# default implementations for many methods
1025 1266
1026BEGIN { 1267sub _time {
1268 # probe for availability of Time::HiRes
1027 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); time (); 1") { 1269 if (eval "use Time::HiRes (); Time::HiRes::time (); 1") {
1270 warn "AnyEvent: using Time::HiRes for sub-second timing accuracy.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1028 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time; 1271 *_time = \&Time::HiRes::time;
1029 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())... 1272 # if (eval "use POSIX (); (POSIX::times())...
1030 } else { 1273 } else {
1274 warn "AnyEvent: using built-in time(), WARNING, no sub-second resolution!\n" if $VERBOSE;
1031 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail 1275 *_time = sub { time }; # epic fail
1032 } 1276 }
1277
1278 &_time
1033} 1279}
1034 1280
1035sub time { _time } 1281sub time { _time }
1036sub now { _time } 1282sub now { _time }
1283sub now_update { }
1037 1284
1038# default implementation for ->condvar 1285# default implementation for ->condvar
1039 1286
1040sub condvar { 1287sub condvar {
1041 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, AnyEvent::CondVar:: 1288 bless { @_ == 3 ? (_ae_cb => $_[2]) : () }, "AnyEvent::CondVar"
1042} 1289}
1043 1290
1044# default implementation for ->signal 1291# default implementation for ->signal
1045 1292
1293our $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1294
1295sub _have_async_interrupt() {
1296 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT = 1*(!$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT}
1297 && eval "use Async::Interrupt 1.0 (); 1")
1298 unless defined $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT;
1299
1300 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1301}
1302
1046our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO); 1303our ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W, %SIG_CB, %SIG_EV, $SIG_IO);
1304our (%SIG_ASY, %SIG_ASY_W);
1305our ($SIG_COUNT, $SIG_TW);
1047 1306
1048sub _signal_exec { 1307sub _signal_exec {
1308 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1309 ? $SIGPIPE_R->drain
1310 : sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 9;
1311
1049 while (%SIG_EV) { 1312 while (%SIG_EV) {
1050 sysread $SIGPIPE_R, my $dummy, 4;
1051 for (keys %SIG_EV) { 1313 for (keys %SIG_EV) {
1052 delete $SIG_EV{$_}; 1314 delete $SIG_EV{$_};
1053 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} }; 1315 $_->() for values %{ $SIG_CB{$_} || {} };
1054 } 1316 }
1055 } 1317 }
1056} 1318}
1057 1319
1320# install a dummy wakeup watcher to reduce signal catching latency
1321sub _sig_add() {
1322 unless ($SIG_COUNT++) {
1323 # try to align timer on a full-second boundary, if possible
1324 my $NOW = AnyEvent->now;
1325
1326 $SIG_TW = AnyEvent->timer (
1327 after => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY - ($NOW - int $NOW),
1328 interval => $MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY,
1329 cb => sub { }, # just for the PERL_ASYNC_CHECK
1330 );
1331 }
1332}
1333
1334sub _sig_del {
1335 undef $SIG_TW
1336 unless --$SIG_COUNT;
1337}
1338
1339our %SIGNAME2NUM;
1340our @SIGNUM2NAME;
1341our $_sig_name_init; $_sig_name_init = sub {
1342 undef $_sig_name_init;
1343
1344 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1345 *sig2num = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2num;
1346 *sig2name = \&Async::Interrupt::sig2name;
1347 } else {
1348 require Config;
1349
1350 @SIGNAME2NUM{ split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_name} }
1351 = split ' ', $Config::Config{sig_num};
1352 @SIGNUM2NAME[values %SIGNAME2NUM] = keys %SIGNAME2NUM;
1353
1354 *sig2num = sub($) {
1355 $_[0] > 0 ? shift : $SIGNAME2NUM{+shift}
1356 };
1357 *sig2name = sub ($) {
1358 $_[0] > 0 ? $SIGNUM2NAME[+shift] : shift
1359 };
1360 }
1361};
1362
1363sub sig2num ($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2num }
1364sub sig2name($) { &$_sig_name_init; &sig2name }
1365
1366sub _signal {
1367 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1368
1369 my $signal = uc $arg{signal}
1370 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing";
1371
1372 if ($HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT) {
1373 # async::interrupt
1374
1375 $signal = sig2num $signal;
1376 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1377
1378 $SIG_ASY{$signal} ||= new Async::Interrupt
1379 cb => sub { undef $SIG_EV{$signal} },
1380 signal => $signal,
1381 pipe => [$SIGPIPE_R->filenos],
1382 pipe_autodrain => 0,
1383 ;
1384
1385 } else {
1386 # pure perl
1387
1388 # AE::Util has been loaded in signal
1389 $signal = sig2name $signal;
1390 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1391
1392 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1393 local $!;
1394 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1395 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1396 };
1397
1398 # can't do signal processing without introducing races in pure perl,
1399 # so limit the signal latency.
1400 _sig_add;
1401 }
1402
1403 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::signal"
1404}
1405
1058sub signal { 1406sub signal {
1059 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1407 # probe for availability of Async::Interrupt
1408 if (_have_async_interrupt) {
1409 warn "AnyEvent: using Async::Interrupt for race-free signal handling.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1060 1410
1061 unless ($SIGPIPE_R) { 1411 $SIGPIPE_R = new Async::Interrupt::EventPipe;
1412 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R->fileno, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1413
1414 } else {
1415 warn "AnyEvent: using emulated perl signal handling with latency timer.\n" if $VERBOSE >= 8;
1416
1417 require Fcntl;
1418
1062 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) { 1419 if (AnyEvent::WIN32) {
1420 require AnyEvent::Util;
1421
1063 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe (); 1422 ($SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W) = AnyEvent::Util::portable_pipe ();
1064 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R; 1423 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_R) if $SIGPIPE_R;
1065 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1424 AnyEvent::Util::fh_nonblocking ($SIGPIPE_W) if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1066 } else { 1425 } else {
1067 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W; 1426 pipe $SIGPIPE_R, $SIGPIPE_W;
1068 require Fcntl;
1069 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R; 1427 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_R;
1070 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case 1428 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFL, &Fcntl::O_NONBLOCK if $SIGPIPE_W; # just in case
1429
1430 # not strictly required, as $^F is normally 2, but let's make sure...
1431 fcntl $SIGPIPE_R, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1432 fcntl $SIGPIPE_W, &Fcntl::F_SETFD, &Fcntl::FD_CLOEXEC;
1071 } 1433 }
1072 1434
1073 $SIGPIPE_R 1435 $SIGPIPE_R
1074 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n"; 1436 or Carp::croak "AnyEvent: unable to create a signal reporting pipe: $!\n";
1075 1437
1076 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec); 1438 $SIG_IO = AnyEvent->io (fh => $SIGPIPE_R, poll => "r", cb => \&_signal_exec);
1077 } 1439 }
1078 1440
1079 my $signal = uc $arg{signal} 1441 *signal = \&_signal;
1080 or Carp::croak "required option 'signal' is missing"; 1442 &signal
1081
1082 $SIG_CB{$signal}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1083 $SIG{$signal} ||= sub {
1084 syswrite $SIGPIPE_W, "\x00", 1 unless %SIG_EV;
1085 undef $SIG_EV{$signal};
1086 };
1087
1088 bless [$signal, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Signal"
1089} 1443}
1090 1444
1091sub AnyEvent::Base::Signal::DESTROY { 1445sub AnyEvent::Base::signal::DESTROY {
1092 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1446 my ($signal, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1093 1447
1448 _sig_del;
1449
1094 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb}; 1450 delete $SIG_CB{$signal}{$cb};
1095 1451
1452 $HAVE_ASYNC_INTERRUPT
1453 ? delete $SIG_ASY{$signal}
1454 : # delete doesn't work with older perls - they then
1455 # print weird messages, or just unconditionally exit
1456 # instead of getting the default action.
1457 undef $SIG{$signal}
1096 delete $SIG{$signal} unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} }; 1458 unless keys %{ $SIG_CB{$signal} };
1097} 1459}
1098 1460
1099# default implementation for ->child 1461# default implementation for ->child
1100 1462
1101our %PID_CB; 1463our %PID_CB;
1102our $CHLD_W; 1464our $CHLD_W;
1103our $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1465our $CHLD_DELAY_W;
1104our $PID_IDLE;
1105our $WNOHANG; 1466our $WNOHANG;
1106 1467
1107sub _child_wait { 1468sub _emit_childstatus($$) {
1108 while (0 < (my $pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG)) { 1469 my (undef, $rpid, $rstatus) = @_;
1470
1471 $_->($rpid, $rstatus)
1109 $_->($pid, $?) for (values %{ $PID_CB{$pid} || {} }), 1472 for values %{ $PID_CB{$rpid} || {} },
1110 (values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} }); 1473 values %{ $PID_CB{0} || {} };
1111 }
1112
1113 undef $PID_IDLE;
1114} 1474}
1115 1475
1116sub _sigchld { 1476sub _sigchld {
1117 # make sure we deliver these changes "synchronous" with the event loop. 1477 my $pid;
1118 $CHLD_DELAY_W ||= AnyEvent->timer (after => 0, cb => sub { 1478
1119 undef $CHLD_DELAY_W; 1479 AnyEvent->_emit_childstatus ($pid, $?)
1120 &_child_wait; 1480 while ($pid = waitpid -1, $WNOHANG) > 0;
1121 });
1122} 1481}
1123 1482
1124sub child { 1483sub child {
1125 my (undef, %arg) = @_; 1484 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1126 1485
1127 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0) 1486 defined (my $pid = $arg{pid} + 0)
1128 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing"; 1487 or Carp::croak "required option 'pid' is missing";
1129 1488
1130 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb}; 1489 $PID_CB{$pid}{$arg{cb}} = $arg{cb};
1131 1490
1132 unless ($WNOHANG) { 1491 # WNOHANG is almost cetrainly 1 everywhere
1492 $WNOHANG ||= $^O =~ /^(?:openbsd|netbsd|linux|freebsd|cygwin|MSWin32)$/
1493 ? 1
1133 $WNOHANG = eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1; 1494 : eval { local $SIG{__DIE__}; require POSIX; &POSIX::WNOHANG } || 1;
1134 }
1135 1495
1136 unless ($CHLD_W) { 1496 unless ($CHLD_W) {
1137 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld); 1497 $CHLD_W = AnyEvent->signal (signal => 'CHLD', cb => \&_sigchld);
1138 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round 1498 # child could be a zombie already, so make at least one round
1139 &_sigchld; 1499 &_sigchld;
1140 } 1500 }
1141 1501
1142 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::Child" 1502 bless [$pid, $arg{cb}], "AnyEvent::Base::child"
1143} 1503}
1144 1504
1145sub AnyEvent::Base::Child::DESTROY { 1505sub AnyEvent::Base::child::DESTROY {
1146 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]}; 1506 my ($pid, $cb) = @{$_[0]};
1147 1507
1148 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb}; 1508 delete $PID_CB{$pid}{$cb};
1149 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} }; 1509 delete $PID_CB{$pid} unless keys %{ $PID_CB{$pid} };
1150 1510
1151 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB; 1511 undef $CHLD_W unless keys %PID_CB;
1152} 1512}
1153 1513
1514# idle emulation is done by simply using a timer, regardless
1515# of whether the process is idle or not, and not letting
1516# the callback use more than 50% of the time.
1517sub idle {
1518 my (undef, %arg) = @_;
1519
1520 my ($cb, $w, $rcb) = $arg{cb};
1521
1522 $rcb = sub {
1523 if ($cb) {
1524 $w = _time;
1525 &$cb;
1526 $w = _time - $w;
1527
1528 # never use more then 50% of the time for the idle watcher,
1529 # within some limits
1530 $w = 0.0001 if $w < 0.0001;
1531 $w = 5 if $w > 5;
1532
1533 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => $w, cb => $rcb);
1534 } else {
1535 # clean up...
1536 undef $w;
1537 undef $rcb;
1538 }
1539 };
1540
1541 $w = AnyEvent->timer (after => 0.05, cb => $rcb);
1542
1543 bless \\$cb, "AnyEvent::Base::idle"
1544}
1545
1546sub AnyEvent::Base::idle::DESTROY {
1547 undef $${$_[0]};
1548}
1549
1154package AnyEvent::CondVar; 1550package AnyEvent::CondVar;
1155 1551
1156our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::; 1552our @ISA = AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::;
1157 1553
1158package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base; 1554package AnyEvent::CondVar::Base;
1159 1555
1160use overload 1556#use overload
1161 '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }, 1557# '&{}' => sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } },
1162 fallback => 1; 1558# fallback => 1;
1559
1560# save 300+ kilobytes by dirtily hardcoding overloading
1561${"AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::OVERLOAD"}{dummy}++; # Register with magic by touching.
1562*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = sub { }; # "Make it findable via fetchmethod."
1563*{'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::(&{}'} = sub { my $self = shift; sub { $self->send (@_) } }; # &{}
1564${'AnyEvent::CondVar::Base::()'} = 1; # fallback
1565
1566our $WAITING;
1163 1567
1164sub _send { 1568sub _send {
1165 # nop 1569 # nop
1166} 1570}
1167 1571
1180sub ready { 1584sub ready {
1181 $_[0]{_ae_sent} 1585 $_[0]{_ae_sent}
1182} 1586}
1183 1587
1184sub _wait { 1588sub _wait {
1589 $WAITING
1590 and !$_[0]{_ae_sent}
1591 and Carp::croak "AnyEvent::CondVar: recursive blocking wait detected";
1592
1593 local $WAITING = 1;
1185 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent}; 1594 AnyEvent->one_event while !$_[0]{_ae_sent};
1186} 1595}
1187 1596
1188sub recv { 1597sub recv {
1189 $_[0]->_wait; 1598 $_[0]->_wait;
1230so on. 1639so on.
1231 1640
1232=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES 1641=head1 ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES
1233 1642
1234The following environment variables are used by this module or its 1643The following environment variables are used by this module or its
1235submodules: 1644submodules.
1645
1646Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
1647C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
1648enabled.
1236 1649
1237=over 4 1650=over 4
1238 1651
1239=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE> 1652=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE>
1240 1653
1247C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>. 1660C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>.
1248 1661
1249When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event 1662When set to C<2> or higher, cause AnyEvent to report to STDERR which event
1250model it chooses. 1663model it chooses.
1251 1664
1665When set to C<8> or higher, then AnyEvent will report extra information on
1666which optional modules it loads and how it implements certain features.
1667
1252=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT> 1668=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT>
1253 1669
1254AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough 1670AnyEvent does not do much argument checking by default, as thorough
1255argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value 1671argument checking is very costly. Setting this variable to a true value
1256will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly 1672will cause AnyEvent to load C<AnyEvent::Strict> and then to thoroughly
1257check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems 1673check the arguments passed to most method calls. If it finds any problems,
1258it will croak. 1674it will croak.
1259 1675
1260In other words, enables "strict" mode. 1676In other words, enables "strict" mode.
1261 1677
1262Unlike C<use strict>, it is definitely recommended ot keep it off in 1678Unlike C<use strict> (or it's modern cousin, C<< use L<common::sense>
1263production. Keeping C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while 1679>>, it is definitely recommended to keep it off in production. Keeping
1264developing programs can be very useful, however. 1680C<PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT=1> in your environment while developing programs
1681can be very useful, however.
1265 1682
1266=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL> 1683=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL>
1267 1684
1268This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before 1685This can be used to specify the event model to be used by AnyEvent, before
1269auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting 1686auto detection and -probing kicks in. It must be a string consisting
1312 1729
1313=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS> 1730=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_FORKS>
1314 1731
1315The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call> 1732The maximum number of child processes that C<AnyEvent::Util::fork_call>
1316will create in parallel. 1733will create in parallel.
1734
1735=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_MAX_OUTSTANDING_DNS>
1736
1737The default value for the C<max_outstanding> parameter for the default DNS
1738resolver - this is the maximum number of parallel DNS requests that are
1739sent to the DNS server.
1740
1741=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_RESOLV_CONF>
1742
1743The file to use instead of F</etc/resolv.conf> (or OS-specific
1744configuration) in the default resolver. When set to the empty string, no
1745default config will be used.
1746
1747=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_FILE>, C<PERL_ANYEVENT_CA_PATH>.
1748
1749When neither C<ca_file> nor C<ca_path> was specified during
1750L<AnyEvent::TLS> context creation, and either of these environment
1751variables exist, they will be used to specify CA certificate locations
1752instead of a system-dependent default.
1753
1754=item C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_GUARD> and C<PERL_ANYEVENT_AVOID_ASYNC_INTERRUPT>
1755
1756When these are set to C<1>, then the respective modules are not
1757loaded. Mostly good for testing AnyEvent itself.
1317 1758
1318=back 1759=back
1319 1760
1320=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE 1761=head1 SUPPLYING YOUR OWN EVENT MODEL INTERFACE
1321 1762
1566 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers 2007 EV/Any 100000 224 2.88 0.34 0.27 EV + AnyEvent watchers
1567 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal 2008 CoroEV/Any 100000 224 2.85 0.35 0.28 coroutines + Coro::Signal
1568 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation 2009 Perl/Any 100000 452 4.13 0.73 0.95 pure perl implementation
1569 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface 2010 Event/Event 16000 517 32.20 31.80 0.81 Event native interface
1570 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers 2011 Event/Any 16000 590 35.85 31.55 1.06 Event + AnyEvent watchers
2012 IOAsync/Any 16000 989 38.10 32.77 11.13 via IO::Async::Loop::IO_Poll
2013 IOAsync/Any 16000 990 37.59 29.50 10.61 via IO::Async::Loop::Epoll
1571 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour 2014 Glib/Any 16000 1357 102.33 12.31 51.00 quadratic behaviour
1572 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers 2015 Tk/Any 2000 1860 27.20 66.31 14.00 SEGV with >> 2000 watchers
1573 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event 2016 POE/Event 2000 6328 109.99 751.67 14.02 via POE::Loop::Event
1574 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select 2017 POE/Select 2000 6027 94.54 809.13 579.80 via POE::Loop::Select
1575 2018
1604performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of 2047performance becomes really bad with lots of file descriptors (and few of
1605them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark. 2048them active), of course, but this was not subject of this benchmark.
1606 2049
1607The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation 2050The C<Event> module has a relatively high setup and callback invocation
1608cost, but overall scores in on the third place. 2051cost, but overall scores in on the third place.
2052
2053C<IO::Async> performs admirably well, about on par with C<Event>, even
2054when using its pure perl backend.
1609 2055
1610C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a 2056C<Glib>'s memory usage is quite a bit higher, but it features a
1611faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as 2057faster callback invocation and overall ends up in the same class as
1612C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of 2058C<Event>. However, Glib scales extremely badly, doubling the number of
1613watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four, 2059watchers increases the processing time by more than a factor of four,
1691it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating 2137it to another server. This includes deleting the old timeout and creating
1692a new one that moves the timeout into the future. 2138a new one that moves the timeout into the future.
1693 2139
1694=head3 Results 2140=head3 Results
1695 2141
1696 name sockets create request 2142 name sockets create request
1697 EV 20000 69.01 11.16 2143 EV 20000 69.01 11.16
1698 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87 2144 Perl 20000 73.32 35.87
2145 IOAsync 20000 157.00 98.14 epoll
2146 IOAsync 20000 159.31 616.06 poll
1699 Event 20000 212.62 257.32 2147 Event 20000 212.62 257.32
1700 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30 2148 Glib 20000 651.16 1896.30
1701 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event 2149 POE 20000 349.67 12317.24 uses POE::Loop::Event
1702 2150
1703=head3 Discussion 2151=head3 Discussion
1704 2152
1705This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the 2153This benchmark I<does> measure scalability and overall performance of the
1706particular event loop. 2154particular event loop.
1708EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time 2156EV is again fastest. Since it is using epoll on my system, the setup time
1709is relatively high, though. 2157is relatively high, though.
1710 2158
1711Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event 2159Perl surprisingly comes second. It is much faster than the C-based event
1712loops Event and Glib. 2160loops Event and Glib.
2161
2162IO::Async performs very well when using its epoll backend, and still quite
2163good compared to Glib when using its pure perl backend.
1713 2164
1714Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will 2165Event suffers from high setup time as well (look at its code and you will
1715understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to 2166understand why). Callback invocation also has a high overhead compared to
1716the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event 2167the C<< $_->() for .. >>-style loop that the Perl event loop uses. Event
1717uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations. 2168uses select or poll in basically all documented configurations.
1780=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of 2231=item * C-based event loops perform very well with small number of
1781watchers, as the management overhead dominates. 2232watchers, as the management overhead dominates.
1782 2233
1783=back 2234=back
1784 2235
2236=head2 THE IO::Lambda BENCHMARK
2237
2238Recently I was told about the benchmark in the IO::Lambda manpage, which
2239could be misinterpreted to make AnyEvent look bad. In fact, the benchmark
2240simply compares IO::Lambda with POE, and IO::Lambda looks better (which
2241shouldn't come as a surprise to anybody). As such, the benchmark is
2242fine, and mostly shows that the AnyEvent backend from IO::Lambda isn't
2243very optimal. But how would AnyEvent compare when used without the extra
2244baggage? To explore this, I wrote the equivalent benchmark for AnyEvent.
2245
2246The benchmark itself creates an echo-server, and then, for 500 times,
2247connects to the echo server, sends a line, waits for the reply, and then
2248creates the next connection. This is a rather bad benchmark, as it doesn't
2249test the efficiency of the framework or much non-blocking I/O, but it is a
2250benchmark nevertheless.
2251
2252 name runtime
2253 Lambda/select 0.330 sec
2254 + optimized 0.122 sec
2255 Lambda/AnyEvent 0.327 sec
2256 + optimized 0.138 sec
2257 Raw sockets/select 0.077 sec
2258 POE/select, components 0.662 sec
2259 POE/select, raw sockets 0.226 sec
2260 POE/select, optimized 0.404 sec
2261
2262 AnyEvent/select/nb 0.085 sec
2263 AnyEvent/EV/nb 0.068 sec
2264 +state machine 0.134 sec
2265
2266The benchmark is also a bit unfair (my fault): the IO::Lambda/POE
2267benchmarks actually make blocking connects and use 100% blocking I/O,
2268defeating the purpose of an event-based solution. All of the newly
2269written AnyEvent benchmarks use 100% non-blocking connects (using
2270AnyEvent::Socket::tcp_connect and the asynchronous pure perl DNS
2271resolver), so AnyEvent is at a disadvantage here, as non-blocking connects
2272generally require a lot more bookkeeping and event handling than blocking
2273connects (which involve a single syscall only).
2274
2275The last AnyEvent benchmark additionally uses L<AnyEvent::Handle>, which
2276offers similar expressive power as POE and IO::Lambda, using conventional
2277Perl syntax. This means that both the echo server and the client are 100%
2278non-blocking, further placing it at a disadvantage.
2279
2280As you can see, the AnyEvent + EV combination even beats the
2281hand-optimised "raw sockets benchmark", while AnyEvent + its pure perl
2282backend easily beats IO::Lambda and POE.
2283
2284And even the 100% non-blocking version written using the high-level (and
2285slow :) L<AnyEvent::Handle> abstraction beats both POE and IO::Lambda by a
2286large margin, even though it does all of DNS, tcp-connect and socket I/O
2287in a non-blocking way.
2288
2289The two AnyEvent benchmarks programs can be found as F<eg/ae0.pl> and
2290F<eg/ae2.pl> in the AnyEvent distribution, the remaining benchmarks are
2291part of the IO::lambda distribution and were used without any changes.
2292
1785 2293
1786=head1 SIGNALS 2294=head1 SIGNALS
1787 2295
1788AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals: 2296AnyEvent currently installs handlers for these signals:
1789 2297
1792=item SIGCHLD 2300=item SIGCHLD
1793 2301
1794A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher 2302A handler for C<SIGCHLD> is installed by AnyEvent's child watcher
1795emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some 2303emulation for event loops that do not support them natively. Also, some
1796event loops install a similar handler. 2304event loops install a similar handler.
2305
2306Additionally, when AnyEvent is loaded and SIGCHLD is set to IGNORE, then
2307AnyEvent will reset it to default, to avoid losing child exit statuses.
1797 2308
1798=item SIGPIPE 2309=item SIGPIPE
1799 2310
1800A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef> 2311A no-op handler is installed for C<SIGPIPE> when C<$SIG{PIPE}> is C<undef>
1801when AnyEvent gets loaded. 2312when AnyEvent gets loaded.
1813 2324
1814=back 2325=back
1815 2326
1816=cut 2327=cut
1817 2328
2329undef $SIG{CHLD}
2330 if $SIG{CHLD} eq 'IGNORE';
2331
1818$SIG{PIPE} = sub { } 2332$SIG{PIPE} = sub { }
1819 unless defined $SIG{PIPE}; 2333 unless defined $SIG{PIPE};
2334
2335=head1 RECOMMENDED/OPTIONAL MODULES
2336
2337One of AnyEvent's main goals is to be 100% Pure-Perl(tm): only perl (and
2338it's built-in modules) are required to use it.
2339
2340That does not mean that AnyEvent won't take advantage of some additional
2341modules if they are installed.
2342
2343This section epxlains which additional modules will be used, and how they
2344affect AnyEvent's operetion.
2345
2346=over 4
2347
2348=item L<Async::Interrupt>
2349
2350This slightly arcane module is used to implement fast signal handling: To
2351my knowledge, there is no way to do completely race-free and quick
2352signal handling in pure perl. To ensure that signals still get
2353delivered, AnyEvent will start an interval timer to wake up perl (and
2354catch the signals) with some delay (default is 10 seconds, look for
2355C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>).
2356
2357If this module is available, then it will be used to implement signal
2358catching, which means that signals will not be delayed, and the event loop
2359will not be interrupted regularly, which is more efficient (And good for
2360battery life on laptops).
2361
2362This affects not just the pure-perl event loop, but also other event loops
2363that have no signal handling on their own (e.g. Glib, Tk, Qt).
2364
2365Some event loops (POE, Event, Event::Lib) offer signal watchers natively,
2366and either employ their own workarounds (POE) or use AnyEvent's workaround
2367(using C<$AnyEvent::MAX_SIGNAL_LATENCY>). Installing L<Async::Interrupt>
2368does nothing for those backends.
2369
2370=item L<EV>
2371
2372This module isn't really "optional", as it is simply one of the backend
2373event loops that AnyEvent can use. However, it is simply the best event
2374loop available in terms of features, speed and stability: It supports
2375the AnyEvent API optimally, implements all the watcher types in XS, does
2376automatic timer adjustments even when no monotonic clock is available,
2377can take avdantage of advanced kernel interfaces such as C<epoll> and
2378C<kqueue>, and is the fastest backend I<by far>. You can even embed
2379L<Glib>/L<Gtk2> in it (or vice versa, see L<EV::Glib> and L<Glib::EV>).
2380
2381=item L<Guard>
2382
2383The guard module, when used, will be used to implement
2384C<AnyEvent::Util::guard>. This speeds up guards considerably (and uses a
2385lot less memory), but otherwise doesn't affect guard operation much. It is
2386purely used for performance.
2387
2388=item L<JSON> and L<JSON::XS>
2389
2390This module is required when you want to read or write JSON data via
2391L<AnyEvent::Handle>. It is also written in pure-perl, but can take
2392advantage of the ultra-high-speed L<JSON::XS> module when it is installed.
2393
2394In fact, L<AnyEvent::Handle> will use L<JSON::XS> by default if it is
2395installed.
2396
2397=item L<Net::SSLeay>
2398
2399Implementing TLS/SSL in Perl is certainly interesting, but not very
2400worthwhile: If this module is installed, then L<AnyEvent::Handle> (with
2401the help of L<AnyEvent::TLS>), gains the ability to do TLS/SSL.
2402
2403=item L<Time::HiRes>
2404
2405This module is part of perl since release 5.008. It will be used when the
2406chosen event library does not come with a timing source on it's own. The
2407pure-perl event loop (L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>) will additionally use it to
2408try to use a monotonic clock for timing stability.
2409
2410=back
1820 2411
1821 2412
1822=head1 FORK 2413=head1 FORK
1823 2414
1824Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are 2415Most event libraries are not fork-safe. The ones who are usually are
1825because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll> 2416because they rely on inefficient but fork-safe C<select> or C<poll>
1826calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware. 2417calls. Only L<EV> is fully fork-aware.
1827 2418
1828If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first 2419If you have to fork, you must either do so I<before> creating your first
1829watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child. 2420watcher OR you must not use AnyEvent at all in the child OR you must do
2421something completely out of the scope of AnyEvent.
1830 2422
1831 2423
1832=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS 2424=head1 SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
1833 2425
1834AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via 2426AnyEvent can be forced to load any event model via
1846 use AnyEvent; 2438 use AnyEvent;
1847 2439
1848Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can 2440Similar considerations apply to $ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_VERBOSE}, as that can
1849be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is 2441be used to probe what backend is used and gain other information (which is
1850probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and 2442probably even less useful to an attacker than PERL_ANYEVENT_MODEL), and
1851$ENV{PERL_ANYEGENT_STRICT}. 2443$ENV{PERL_ANYEVENT_STRICT}.
2444
2445Note that AnyEvent will remove I<all> environment variables starting with
2446C<PERL_ANYEVENT_> from C<%ENV> when it is loaded while taint mode is
2447enabled.
1852 2448
1853 2449
1854=head1 BUGS 2450=head1 BUGS
1855 2451
1856Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard 2452Perl 5.8 has numerous memleaks that sometimes hit this module and are hard
1857to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10 2453to work around. If you suffer from memleaks, first upgrade to Perl 5.10
1858and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying 2454and check wether the leaks still show up. (Perl 5.10.0 has other annoying
1859mamleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as 2455memleaks, such as leaking on C<map> and C<grep> but it is usually not as
1860pronounced). 2456pronounced).
1861 2457
1862 2458
1863=head1 SEE ALSO 2459=head1 SEE ALSO
1864 2460
1868L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>. 2464L<Glib>, L<Tk>, L<Event::Lib>, L<Qt>, L<POE>.
1869 2465
1870Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>, 2466Implementations: L<AnyEvent::Impl::EV>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Event>,
1871L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>, 2467L<AnyEvent::Impl::Glib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Tk>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Perl>,
1872L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>, 2468L<AnyEvent::Impl::EventLib>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::Qt>,
1873L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>. 2469L<AnyEvent::Impl::POE>, L<AnyEvent::Impl::IOAsync>, L<Anyevent::Impl::Irssi>.
1874 2470
1875Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and 2471Non-blocking file handles, sockets, TCP clients and
1876servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>. 2472servers: L<AnyEvent::Handle>, L<AnyEvent::Socket>, L<AnyEvent::TLS>.
1877 2473
1878Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2474Asynchronous DNS: L<AnyEvent::DNS>.
1879 2475
1880Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>, L<Coro::Event>, 2476Coroutine support: L<Coro>, L<Coro::AnyEvent>, L<Coro::EV>,
2477L<Coro::Event>,
1881 2478
1882Nontrivial usage examples: L<Net::FCP>, L<Net::XMPP2>, L<AnyEvent::DNS>. 2479Nontrivial usage examples: L<AnyEvent::GPSD>, L<AnyEvent::XMPP>,
2480L<AnyEvent::HTTP>.
1883 2481
1884 2482
1885=head1 AUTHOR 2483=head1 AUTHOR
1886 2484
1887 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de> 2485 Marc Lehmann <schmorp@schmorp.de>

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